Chapter 8 — You Don’t Have to Worry About It
Today is the day of the yearling auction hosted by the Northern Thoroughbred Promotion Corporation.
By the time we arrived at the venue, it was already overflowing with more people and horses than I could count.
Horseowners, trainers, and agents from all over the country.
Every one of them had bloodshot eyes as they inspected the yearlings, searching for a “golden egg” that might make them a fortune.
We set up Sakurai Ranch’s booth, tied up the four horses we brought, and brushed their coats into shape.
“Saku, all the people here have scary eyes today.”
“Those old guys keep staring at my butt. Isn’t that rude?”
“Sakuuu, isn’t that Gold Farm over there?”
“Food! Feed me!!”
These idiots were acting exactly the same as always.
Honestly, it was reassuring.
“Ohh, Sakurai Ranch… Saku-kun, wasn’t it?”
When I turned around, there stood a man wearing an immaculate, gleaming suit.
Ah. Kanemochi.
“Long time no see.”
“Hehe! Just look at this lineup!
This year, we’ve got too many promising horses, even more than usual! Preparing them all has been a nightmare!
Managing the staff, checking every horse’s condition—there’s not a second to spare! Ahh, so busy, so busy!”
In other words, he’s saying, “Please pay attention to me”.
Is this guy secretly lonely or something?
“Yeah, sounds rough. Seriously.”
Maybe he intended it as bragging, but honestly, it did sound rough.
When I looked past him, all his staff were dressed in matching branded polo shirts…
And for some reason, they all looked nervously over at us.
“…Couldn’t you at least act a little more impressed or jealous!? Do you have any idea how many elite bloodlines are gathered here!?”
“No, I know it’s amazing. every single one of them looks like they’ll sell for a hundred million yen.’”
Every horse from Gold Farm looked like it had gemstones hidden inside its body.
Seriously, they were glowing.
Man, I wish they’d teach me how they get coats looking like that.
“Of course they are! Glad you understand!”
Kanemochi puffed out his chest proudly, but after quickly checking that nobody else was nearby, he lowered his voice and stepped closer.
“…Ahem. About the other day.”
“The other day?”
What was he talking about?
My days fly by at the speed of light here.
“When you came to our farm! Don’t tell me you forgot!?”
Kanemochi leaned in, face slightly red.
Back off. You’re scary.
“Ohhh, right. What happened to that horse with the stomachache?”
When I finally remembered, I asked, and Kanemochi quieted his voice for a moment, as if he was concerned about his surroundings.
“…After checking, we found it was a mild case of colic. Fortunately, we treated it immediately.
By the next day, the colt was perfectly fine. Knowing early really helped.”
“I see. That’s good, then.”
That really was good.
Stomach pain is awful.
…The time I got norovirus, I honestly thought I was gonna die.
Kanemochi stared at me with a complicated expression.
“…Do you possess some kind of extraordinary eye for horses? Or was it merely coincidence?”
“That horse literally told me, ‘My stomach hurts.’”
I couldn’t tell whether he believed me or not.
But somehow, he looked frustrated.
“…Fine then. I suppose I should reward you!”
Suddenly, Kanemochi straightened his posture and dramatically pointed at me.
“You really don’t have to. Don’t worry about it.”
“No! It is necessary!”
He suddenly shouted so loudly I nearly covered my ears.
“After that incident, do you know how many staff members told me things like, ‘Young master, you should take care of your friends,’ or ‘Young master, you need to thank people properly’!?”
I could see the staff behind him watching us with a panicked look.
“…Sounds rough.”
Not saying for who, though.
“So! Just once! The next time you want to breed with a Gold Farm stallion, I’ll personally give you priority access!”
Uh… isn’t that kind of insane?
Gold Farm’s stallions are among the best pedigrees in the country.
Giving someone “priority access” to them is an absurd privilege in the horse racing world.
Probably.
“Are you sure? Isn’t that an incredible offer?”
“Of course it is! Our top sires are a treasure that can earn hundreds of millions of yen on their own! Giving breeding priority to horses from a tiny ranch like yours, and for a horse with no track record at that… it’s complete madness!”
Kanemochi looked like even he didn’t understand why he was saying it.
Then don’t say it.
“…But that colt…”
His voice softened.
“…That foal with the stomachache. It was the first horse I ever delivered myself after taking over the farm.”
The tone in his voice was completely different now.
Not arrogant.
Just the voice of a genuine horseman.
“…So yes. The fact remains that you helped save her. And when it comes to horses, I don’t lie.”
Hmm. So he’s actually a good guy.
“You really love horses, huh?”
“Obviously!”
Yeah.
If that’s what makes him angry, then he’s definitely a decent guy.
“Alright then. I’ll gratefully accept your offer. Thanks.”
“Hmph! Then we’re even now! I’ll be taking my leave—I’m very busy, you know!!”
With the flair of someone dramatically throwing a cape behind him, Kanemochi strode back toward his staff.
“He’s probably got it rough in his own way too…”
Not that I totally understand him.
“Saku, what are you doing? Stop slacking off.”
Grandpa called out from behind me.
Crap, crap.
I hope these guys all end up meeting good owners.