Chapter 46 – From Today On, I’m “Watashi”
“Rudolf’s gonna go away!?”
One of this year’s foals went straight to the heart of the matter first thing in the morning.
Yes, today was the day Rudolf, now two years old, would enter training.
At last, he would be going to Okabe-san’s stable and truly beginning his career as a racehorse.
“He’s not exactly going away. He’s going off to train.”
“Train!?”
“Sounds tasty!”
“Can we go?”
“Where?”
“Presents?”
“Tasty ones?”
I had a feeling this year’s foals were just a little more foolish than last year’s.
No, come to think of it, I felt that way every year.
Why did every new batch come into the world radiating, “We’ve been born! Nice to meet you!!” with such overwhelming force?
Meanwhile, the center of their attention was watching television in the stable as usual.
“Saku, rewind that part.”
“All right. You really do love this stuff.”
I only agreed so readily because he wasn’t watching a variety show or a food program.
Believe it or not, he was watching recordings of old races.
His particular favorites seemed to be the races of a certain Triple Crown winner.
The other day, he’d pompously declared that they were “educational,” but this was definitely Crown’s bad influence.
“Saku-san, does this cover everything?”
While Rudolf and I were talking, Yayoi-chan had been checking everything needed for his departure.
The handover notes, details about the feed he was accustomed to, and all the little precautions.
She really was dependable.
“Yeah, thank you. That’s a big help.”
“You’re welcome. But somehow, this feels…”
“Hm?”
“Is this what it feels like for parents when they send their child away?”
“Don’t.”
That hit me right in the emotions.
◇
While we were doing all that, the horse transporter from Okabe-san’s stable arrived.
No matter how many times I saw one, a horse transporter always gave off an unmistakable sense of, “We are now leaving ordinary life behind.”
I greeted the staff and went over the necessary details with them. At last, the moment drew near.
We led Rudolf to the transporter.
The ramp came down.
“Don’t get lonely and start causing a scene.”
The moment I casually said that, Rudolf gave an extremely deliberate cough.
“I—ore… Ahem. Watashi would never do such a thing.”
“Ugh.”
He had suddenly switched from the rough ore to the more formal watashi.
“What was that ‘ugh’ for?”
“Well, it just doesn’t suit—no, it was kind of funny.”
“It is not funny!”
Rudolf protested in complete seriousness.
Stone, who had been watching from a nearby stall, stared blankly for a moment before snorting with laughter.
“Ha! What in the world is that?”
It was rare to hear Stone laugh.
Apparently offended, Rudolf pinned his ears back slightly.
“Why are you laughing, Mom?”
“Of course I’m laughing. My son suddenly started speaking like some refined gentleman.”
Crown butted in, looking far too delighted for some reason.
“It’s great, Rudolf!”
“What is!?”
“Building a character is important!”
“I am not building a character!!”
To everyone else, it probably just looked like Rudolf and Crown were trading neighs and snorts, but it was far too funny.
“Then what are you doing, Rudolf?”
I asked honestly before I lost the battle against my laughter.
“I thought I should conduct myself properly once I reached Okabe-san’s stable.”
Oh.
“What exactly do you mean by ‘properly’?”
“Well… you know.”
Rudolf looked away, strangely embarrassed.
“Using ore makes me sound a little…”
“A little?”
“Childish.”
“You’re only realizing that now!?”
So that actually bothered him!?
I couldn’t hold back my laughter any longer.
Yayoi-chan stared at me in confusion.
“What is he saying?”
“He says using ore sounds childish, so once he gets there, he’s going to call himself watashi instead.”
“Oh, how adorable.”
Yayoi-chan stroked Rudolf with a fond smile.
“If you work hard and behave yourself, I’ll have your favorite Fuji apples ready for you.”
Rudolf’s eyes instantly lit up.
“Yaaay!”
The moment the word left his mouth, he froze.
“Ah—Ahem.”
“This guy is hopeless.”
I gave up.
“Well, stay healthy and do your best.”
Rudolf looked a little awkward, but he faced forward properly.
“Hmph. Leave it to me. I shall become an undefeated Triple Crown winner.”
Why did that give me such an overwhelming sense of déjà vu?
Crown puffed out his chest with immense pride.
“Yes!! That’s the spirit!!”
“You never teach him anything useful, do you, Crown?”
“Of course not!”
“That wasn’t a compliment.”
Grandpa, who had been watching quietly from the side, cut straight through the entire commotion.
“Time to go.”
Just three short words.
Yet they instantly settled the mood.
Rudolf seemed to understand too. He turned toward the transporter with a dignified expression.
But he didn’t move.
If anything, he seemed to be fidgeting.
He wasn’t normally the sort to disobey at a time like this…
Oh.
“Grandpa.”
“Hm?”
“Give Rudolf one last pat.”
“…You spoil him too much.”
Grandpa sighed as he said it, but he walked over and stroked Rudolf once.
“Off you go.”
“Okay! I’m off, Grandpa!”
Rudolf answered with obvious delight, then walked into the transporter.
…Grandpa couldn’t hear him, but I still couldn’t compete with him when it came to moments like this.
Once inside, Rudolf turned back just once.
His gaze passed over Grandpa, me, Yayoi-chan, Stone, Crown, the foals, the yearlings, the broodmares—everyone at the ranch.
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
“I’m off.”
Not bad, Rudolf.
“Take care.”
I gave him my answer.
The door closed with a heavy thud.
Beside it, the foals were making an enormous fuss.
“Bye-bye, Rudolf!”
“Presents!”
“Come back stronger!”
“I wanna go too!”
“Not yet, you don’t.”
Seriously.
You lot needed to learn how to run without falling over first.
The transporter rumbled away into the distance.
Beside me, Yayoi-chan murmured,
“I hope everything goes well.”
“Yeah.”
I hoped so too.
No, it probably would.
Probably.
Then Stone spoke in an exceptionally quiet voice.
“How many days do you think that way of speaking will last?”
“I give him three.”
“Five, for me.”
“It’ll be over by tonight.”
“No, he might surprise us and keep it up.”
That was how the ranch’s old guard rated Rudolf.
Crown, on the other hand, puffed out his chest in complete satisfaction.
“Good!”
“What’s good?”
“My will lives on.”
“So do a lot of things we could’ve done without.”
Well, as long as Rudolf stayed healthy, that was enough.
“Stop staring into the distance and get back to work.”
“Yes, sir.”
First things first: I’d better do what Grandpa said and get to work.