Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 330 The Price of Carelessness

The sun was still shining brightly, and sunset was still a long way off.

Three months have passed since we met and parted, and the days will get longer and longer from now on.

The TV was showing a preview of this year's cherry blossom season, and it seemed that the cherry blossoms would arrive in Hokkaido earlier than in previous years.

March was spent immersed in the lingering charm of Sakuya's retirement.

This is how it was originally supposed to unfold.

I could feel the gaze falling on my face several times, then shifting back to the television, repeating this cycle several times.

"Ugh--"

A small sigh.

"Can't we really try a little harder with Ruth?"

The listless person slumped at the low table raised their head and gave a slightly resentful look.

"Even if breeding mares doesn't involve any races, the future sales prospects for their foals are probably not very optimistic."

Even Ravid shook his head helplessly.

"Let's not force that child."

Although such an answer is unlikely to satisfy everyone, the fact that the inspection records were unacceptable meant that even Asayama, who had previously been most optimistic about Megumi Takumi's plans, had no choice but to accept it.

"And what about Leila-chan's occasion?"

"Well, we're considering similar things here."

"Eh--"

Following the drawn-out final syllable was the obvious disappointment on Kikuchi and Rachel Ho's faces.

"After all, he's that stupid guy—"

Zep, who spoke up in agreement, was immediately attacked by the other members.

"However, Tanaka said that there is still room for improvement, at least in terms of gait."

"really?"

Stopping her shaking attack on the hoof trimmer's shoulder, Rachel Ho asked with a suspicious look.

"It's better not to have too high hopes."

This is not a negative view without reason.

Aside from the trainer's assessment that "although he is a very healthy horse, his handling is indeed lacking," the attributes seen through the [detector] also make it difficult to have high expectations for Meguro Spirit Horse.

Especially with that dismal lack of inspiration—

Even so, I still expressed my support for Tanaka-sensei's efforts.

It's roughly at the level of "give it a try".

"Speaking of which-"

Asayama suddenly spoke up.

"I never expected that the first person to retire from the ranch would be that child."

The resentment towards Megumi Takumi for not being able to debut smoothly seems to be deep enough to form a ghost behind him.

Compared to Sakuya, who retired after a successful World Cup in Dubai, the Reed Horse returned to the ranch even earlier.

After wandering around the gate like a ride at some amusement park, Mejiro Takumi, who had temporarily retired as a horse racer, hadn't changed much since he left. He quickly returned to the herd after returning to the ranch.

"Isn't this fine too?"

While sipping tea to soothe my stomach, I leisurely admired the scenery slowly flowing by outside the window.

"I've really over-adapted to life on the ranch!"

Looking through the glass window at the pasture, Kikuchi adopted a thoughtful posture, as if wondering, "Am I spoiling that child too much?"

"Well, at least he came back safe and sound."

Some of the remarks were unexpected.

"Yes, yes, after all, a horse is famous even when it's not busy!"

Zepp nodded, looking pleased.

After finishing my morning work, I spent some leisurely time drinking barley tea, as the sunlight grew weaker and weaker. That afternoon, the ranch welcomed Yoshida, who was visiting for the second time as a horse trainer.

Two weeks have passed since Yoshida Stables officially opened.

"Therefore, during transportation or when stranded in Hokkaido, a temporary place of stay can actually be quite effective. This is a method I learned from Yahagi."

“So that’s how it is—”

While chatting, the two walked side by side into the stable.

Then, we arrived at one of the stables that had just been fitted with the nameplate "Mejiro Hozuki".

While expressing similar sentiments to his last visit, the new trainer glanced into the stables.

Meguro Hosuke, who had been stretching in the stable, slowly got up and then poked his head out from between the fences, looking quite concerned.

"The weaker parts of the hindquarters have improved significantly compared to last time, but the buttocks look a little small."

After making this assessment, the trainer smiled and opened his palm, offering a mint to the black deer horse in front of him.

"Hey, is this for me?!"

The fluffy ears, which had been relaxed, suddenly sprang up, and Megumi Hojo gave him a look of surprise.

"Eat up, it's fine!"

As if confirming that the somewhat unfamiliar man in front of him posed no threat, and as if sensing the goodwill in the trainer's words, the black deer skillfully rolled the mint into its mouth with its lips.

"Delicious--"

It shook its head up and down as if saying this, and then the black deer, as if expressing its gratitude, gently rubbed its nose against Yoshida's palm.

"Is this the kind of temper this child has?"

"Even the stableman said that he's the type who cares a bit about other people."

As he said this, he casually touched the meteor-like part in the middle of the black deer-haired horse's head.

It has a pretty good feel.

"I see. It seems to have a slightly mare-like personality."

Upon hearing the trainer's words, the horse seemed shy as it wagged its tail, turned around, and with its tongue lolling out, hid in the corner of the stable with its back to the corridor.

"Haha, sorry about that."

Yoshida said with a smile, shifting his gaze away from the black deer and horse.

Meanwhile, in the stables on the other side, Meguro Takatsu was burying his face in the corner of the wall while subtly turning his ears with some concern.

"This child still runs so fast. Although he initially relied on his forelimbs to run, he has gradually learned to use the strength of his hindquarters after winter."

"It's a transformation from a major shock to a Hidaka-style shift—"

"It wouldn't be a change of that magnitude."

The two chatted as they walked toward another stable not far away.

Good afternoon, Mr. Dober.

Stopping in front of the stables, Yoshida greeted his former partner with a nostalgic tone.

The deer-mane horse, its ears twitching and its body covered in grass clippings, slowly poked its head out.

"You're rolling around in the bedding again, Dober."

Ignoring the somewhat helpless voice of someone, Dober blinked and looked at the new horse trainer.

"I'm relieved to see that you're still so energetic."

Although the words were meant to be heartwarming after their reunion, Yoshida subconsciously took a half-step back.

With its ears, also covered in grass clippings, slightly tucked down, the deer-mane horse grunted a few times, looking somewhat angry.

"Sorry, sorry, don't be angry~"

Hearing the original rider's ingratiating words, I couldn't help but chuckle a few times.

His palm instinctively reached out to touch the head that was peeking out from the stable.

then--

The next second, a ring of bite marks, neither light nor heavy, appeared on my hand.

(End of this chapter)