Hokkaido Horse Racing Story

Chapter 65: Lu Shiyu

"It's an even more exaggerated scene than last time."

Tanaka crossed his hands and sighed.

"Yes."

Kitano nodded.

Walk past the more flower baskets and into the stables.

After yesterday's commendation ceremony, Kitano left a reply saying, "Please allow me to think about it for a while."

Although I had made up my mind, the situation at that time was not suitable for speaking it out.

At least, that's what Kitano thought.

The two remained silent along the way, and the sound of their leather shoes echoed in the empty corridor, like knocking on hollow old wood.

Walking between the stables, you will see curious heads looking in.

Similar, yet completely different.

When we arrived at Mejiro Sakuya's stable, the deer-haired horse was busy chewing grass.

"Can I go in and take a look?"

Kitano asked.

"Ah, of course."

Tanaka nodded.

Contact with racehorses is actually a very dangerous thing.

People who are unaware of this can easily irritate the sensitive nature of thoroughbred horses, which can lead to injury to themselves or the horse.

Because of this possibility, even people with connections like horse owners are usually only allowed to interact with horses through a fence.

This is for the safety of both parties.

However, the other party was a Kitano horse owner who was a veterinarian.

In that case, the situation is different.

"Please help yourself."

As he spoke, he pulled open the latch of the stable.

Kitano nodded slightly and walked in.

Mejiro Sakuya's ears pricked up slightly, but soon relaxed again.

Still maintaining the posture of eating.

The only sound left in the stable was the rhythmic chewing.

Squatting slightly, Kitano touched the hoof wall of the deer-hair horse with his fingertips.

There is no temperature difference.

Slightly relieved.

"All-Japan Two-Year-Old Best Jun, what do you think, Mr. Tanaka?"

Kitano asked after standing up.

"This distance should be no problem."

Tanaka gave this answer.

"Then let this match be our farewell to Hokkaido."

The heart began to beat faster.

Then, he continued, "As for the rider, could you please ask Ochiai-kun?"

For the first time, I personally designated the person to be entrusted.

"That's it-"

Tanaka's face tensed slightly.

"Please leave it to me!"

Then, he said this.

There seemed to be some kind of determination in his eyes.

"Then I'll leave it to you."

Patting the deer-haired horse's head, Kitano walked out of the stable.

The moment I pulled the latch, I felt much more relaxed.

The two continued to walk forward side by side.

"thank you very much."

Suddenly, I heard words of thanks from Tanaka.

"No, this is my side."

Kitano smiled faintly.

In fact, choosing the All Japan Two-Year-Old Best Horse Championship as a farewell race is not entirely based on personal considerations.

Both the registration of horse owners in South Kanto and the subsequent stable inspection and transfer of registration take time.

In other words, even if the transfer is successfully completed, this year's season will most likely be almost over.

Therefore, I considered the possibility of leaving such a game and then transferring my nationality.

Of course, there is no need to say such words out loud.

After passing one stable after another, we arrived at the innermost part of the stable.

After hearing the noise, Mu Baima poked his head out.

The little gray ears were alertly turned towards the two visitors.

Then he tilted his head and looked at me with his small eyes seemingly obediently.

However, when he found out that Kitano came empty-handed, he immediately looked uninterested.

"This guy is really realistic—"

Kitano smiled and shook his head.

A completely childlike personality.

But whether I like it or not, I will express it very frankly.

Once you understand this, it becomes easier to control the horse than those horses with unpredictable temperaments.

I touched the head of the reed horse and it felt furry, which was completely different from what I saw with the naked eye.

Sure enough, it is not easy to find out the physical condition of the reed-haired horse.

Medaima took the initiative to rub his head against Kitano's hand, but soon he staggered back into the stable.

It seems that he has entered the state of "meditation" as described by Ogawa Katsu.

"It seems like he's reflecting on yesterday's game."

Tanaka said with a smile and a local accent.

Yesterday's JBC 2-year-old elite horse, Mudashi Baima's final score was ten moves.

The first and last place winners were both racehorses titled after Mejiro.

However, there is no dissatisfaction or regret about this.

This was already anticipated when the escape strategy was formulated.

However, Mudaiba's sudden deceleration in the latter part of the race still surprised many people.

After feeling relieved, even Kitano could only sigh:

"As expected of that Pegasus—"

Afterwards, the two walked out of the stable while chatting.

As November approaches, we can clearly feel the change of seasons.

Although the sun is still strong, it is no longer as aggressive as it was in the summer.

It was as if there were one or two layers of glass, reflecting a slightly rosy glow on my face.

"It's like Pegasus's winter fur, a bit furry to the touch."

Standing in front of the stable, Kitano looked up at the azure sky and thought so.

After a while, Ochiai came from the direction of the rider dormitory.

"Genta, could you please go to Kawasaki on the 17th of next month?"

After a brief greeting, Tanaka asked.

The heart began to beat faster, making a loud thumping sound.

On December 17, Kawasaki will hold the All Japan 2-Year-Old Outstanding Horse Competition.

As a rider, Ochiai naturally realized this.

He felt inexplicably nervous.

"If Ochiai-kun can ride here, let's go."

At this time, Kitano spoke.

"After all, this is the last game here."

As expected—

My heart suddenly tightened as if it was being gripped.

Ochiai tried his best to control the expression on his face, but a wave of bitterness surged into his nose, as if he had fallen into the sea while surfing.

"No problem, please leave it to me."

He replied.

Words flowed out uncontrollably, and then rolled back as if they had hit some invisible barrier.

Two completely different emotions collided in his chest.

Until the end, the feelings of happiness and sadness have merged together indistinguishably.

"Then log in like this."

Master Tanaka's voice seemed to be right next to his ear, yet it also seemed to be coming from some distant place.

Afterwards, Master Tanaka and Master Kitano seemed to say something again.

But he just opened his mouth instinctively, making a sound that was more like "eh" than "oh".

When I came to my senses, it was already a celebration banquet.

"cheers!"

After the crisp collision sound, there was a long sigh.

Chapter 66: What I Saw at Dajing

The day after Thanksgiving, Kitano left Hokkaido.

The flight from New Chitose to Haneda landed just as the "U-Shun" was closing.

After the plane came to a complete stop, coats and handbags were taken out of the luggage rack.

That's all the luggage.

I put the magazine I had finished reading on the display rack in the corridor and then got off the plane.

The air is filled with a smell that is completely different from Hokkaido.