Chapter 38 — Future Plans… Ugh, My Head Hurts

“Come to think of it, job hunting has already started.”

Yayoi-chan said it as if she had just remembered while casually cleaning up horse manure.

She’d really gotten used to the work.

Honestly, I was incredibly grateful.

“Oh, right. It’s that time already.”

I found myself remembering my own job hunt.

…I kind of drifted through university, drifted through job hunting, and before I knew it, the company I joined had gone bankrupt.

You never know what life’s going to throw at you.

“You’re not planning on going to college?”

When I asked, Yayoi shook her head.

“Most students at my high school go straight into the workforce.”

She said it with a small smile.

“I still want a job that lets me work with horses.”

“That’s admirable.”

Compared to how I was in high school, Yayoi-chan was far more responsible.

…Actually, she might even have me beat right now.

“I’m sure you’ll do just fine, Yayoi.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah. You’re hardworking, kind, and the horses all like you.”

Even this year’s foals had become incredibly attached to her.

When I told her that honestly, she smiled shyly.

“Thank you.”

Then, in a completely casual tone, she asked,

“Is this ranch hiring any full-time employees?”

“Hmm…”

I thought about it for a moment.

“If you’re leaving, then… maybe I’ll have to start recruiting.”

“Huh?”

Yayoi’s eyes widened slightly.

Huh? Was that really so surprising?

Just then, from the nearby pasture, Stone spoke as though the answer were obvious.

“Why not just have Yayoi work here?”

“I can’t force our circumstances onto her.”

“Aww…”

Another horse grazing nearby chimed in without even looking our way.

“Saku, you idiot.”

Then another voice came from farther away.

“Idiot.”

“Saku’s a moron.”

“Fire Saku and hire Yayoi!”

“You guys want your feed ration cut?”

Immediately, panicked voices rang out from the opposite side.

“Saku’s so cool!”

“Saku’s the best!”

“Such profound foresight!”

These guys…

They were unbelievably self-serving.

A few days after that conversation, I stopped by the town’s riding center to see how someone who had successfully found a job was doing.

It was a small facility located on a small hillside by the river, not far by car from Sakurai Ranch.

I could hear children laughing coming from the grounds.

Looks peaceful, I thought.

No… it didn’t just look peaceful; it really was peaceful.

At the very least, a lot more peaceful than a racetrack.

“Hello.”

After checking in at the reception desk, I was guided farther inside, where one of the staff members greeted me with a smile.

“Welcome, Sakurai Ranch.”

“Hello. How’s Crown doing?”

When I asked, the staff member gave me a smile that was… difficult to interpret.

Please don’t smile like that. You’re making me nervous.

“Well, he’s healthy, and he’s very gentle with the children.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Oh? Really?

Crown was doing better than I expected.

As I was genuinely impressed, the staff member continued.

“But…”

I knew there was a “but.”

“…his one flaw is that he keeps volunteering to carry children that are supposed to ride the other horses.”

“Hm?”

I followed the direction of the staff member’s gaze.

There stood an extremely familiar face, puffing out his chest with ridiculous pride.

“Come, little ones! I, the great mascot horse, shall allow you to ride upon my back!”

It was Crown.

To the children, it probably sounded like nothing more than, “Neighhh!”

But somehow they seemed to understand the enthusiasm behind it, because they were absolutely delighted.

“Awesome!”

“I wanna ride again!”

Another horse watching nearby called out to Crown with complete sincerity.

“Hey, you’re going again, Crown?”

“You’ve already given two rides today.”

“Oh, if you’re willing to take my turn, be my guest.”

“Leave it to me! Making children smile is also the duty of the town’s representative!”

Since when were you the town’s representative?

Still…Yeah.

He looked happy.

As I watched in silence, the staff member let out a wry smile.

“Former racehorses often take a while to adjust to a new environment. Some of them are pretty high-strung at first.”

“Right.”

“But Mister Crown…”

“But?”

“From day one, he was strangely confident. He carried himself as if to say, “Obviously I’m going to become the face of this facility.””

“Yeah…”

I could picture it perfectly.

“But he really is wonderful with children. Loud noises don’t bother him at all.”

“Really?”

“I think he sees this as a stage where he gets to be the center of attention.”

“I think that’s exactly it.”

The staff member and I exchanged a look before laughing awkwardly.

“…Please keep taking care of him.”

“Of course. We’ll bring him back to the ranch from time to time so he can get a proper break.”

“I really appreciate that.”

This place really did treat its employees well. Even the horses.