"Just like on the way there, Pegasus remained calm during the return trip. The transport went very smoothly."
"Though he was a little tired, he remained in good spirits, and there were no particularly noticeable changes in his appetite."
"For the rest of the week, the farm plans to let him recover out at pasture for a while."
On the way to Horse Stall, Ogawa Masaru gradually calmed down and explained the situation to Kitano.
As Mejiro Tenma's actual groom, he had gone with his father to Tanaka Stable before dawn that morning to handle Mejiro Tenma's transport.
After that, he had been busy until now.
Upon entering Horse Stall, Ogawa Masaru first took the apron hanging on the wall and put it on. Then, seeing the cardboard box in Kitano's arms, he scratched his head and awkwardly reminded him, "Mr. Kitano, feed costs are already included in the management fee. Besides, Pegasus is a little picky about food, so I'm afraid he probably won't eat whatever you brought."
He had assumed the box in Kitano's hands contained something for Mejiro Tenma to eat.
"It's hay," Kitano explained.
"Pegasus doesn't really like hay. Even with fresh pasture grass, he won't eat it unless it's mixed with chunks of apple."
Ogawa Masaru shrugged. After hesitating for a moment, he continued, "But it would be such a waste to throw it away. How about transferring it to the farm at the price you paid for it, Mr. Kitano?"
Though he did not know Pegasus's preferences, Kitano had still brought something to visit the racehorse. That alone showed that the owner cared.
His father probably would not approve, but he did not want Kitano's thoughtfulness to go to waste either.
At worst, it could come out of his own wages!
"This is hay I received from an associate, meant to be used as bedding," Kitano continued.
As he had observed Horse Stall on the way in, he had noticed that Nishiken Farm used wood shavings for bedding.
Wood bedding absorbed water well and produced relatively little dust. Other than needing frequent replacement, it had few drawbacks.
More importantly, it was inexpensive, making it an ideal, cost-effective bedding material for small and medium-sized farms under financial strain.
But aside from the price, it was far inferior in every respect to specially processed, sterilized bedding hay.
"Huh?"
Ogawa Masaru's expression froze at once.
The two stopped in front of Mejiro Tenma's Horse Stall.
After taking the cardboard box Kitano handed him and opening it, Ogawa Masaru could tell with a glance alone that the hay inside was far superior to the wood shavings he had laid down as bedding.
"This... must be expensive, right?" he asked carefully.
"It was support from an associate, so I only paid cost price for it."
Kitano decided not to mention the hay's actual price, lest he shock the boy too badly.
"Then it still must be expensive."
Ogawa Masaru pulled out a bundle of hay and examined it closely before saying with an envious expression, "Hay of this quality would be fine even as feed."
As for using it as bedding, forget him—even his father had probably only done that a few times.
"From now on, two identical boxes will be delivered every week for bedding. If there's any left over—"
"No!"
Kitano was interrupted before he could finish.
Somewhat surprised, he looked at the boy, who had suddenly turned serious.
"Since we have already charged you for bedding, Mr. Kitano, how could we shamelessly ask you to provide it yourself?" the boy said sternly.
Accepting a box or two of pasture grass as an occasional gift was one thing. Letting the owner bear the cost of bedding was something else entirely.
Even for the farm's reputation alone, he had to refuse Kitano's proposal.
"I hadn't thought it through," Kitano said, lowering his head somewhat ashamedly.
After quickly sorting out the implications, he also realized what was inappropriate about his wording.
"So, if you truly want to cover the bedding costs yourself, we'll probably have to amend the contract... But Father handles that part, so you'll have to talk to him."
Although he was effectively responsible for most of the farm's affairs aside from training, he was still technically only an apprentice.
Even if the farm's owner was his father.
"But I can lay down this box of hay later while Pegasus is out grazing. Just wait and see!"
After explaining everything, Ogawa Masaru immediately returned to his lively, youthful self.
"To be honest, I want to see what a Horse Stall bedded with hay will look like too—"
Looking at the hay lying quietly in the box, Ogawa Masaru was beginning to grow impatient with anticipation.
Seemingly hearing the commotion from inside Horse Stall, Ogawa Joe temporarily set aside his work and walked over.
"You brat! What if you scare the horses by shouting in Horse Stall?"
He first scolded Ogawa Masaru with a stern face, then greeted Kitano with a much gentler expression.
The speed of that change left Kitano utterly impressed.
"I wasn't shouting!"
Ogawa Masaru reflexively protested first, then guiltily changed the subject. "Mr. Kitano wants to discuss something with you, Dad."
With that, he ducked his head and pointed toward Kitano.
Ogawa Joe looked at Kitano.
Kitano gathered his thoughts for a moment, then proposed covering Mejiro Tenma's bedding costs himself.
"I see."
Ogawa Joe tapped his cane with his fingers. After a moment, a troubled expression appeared on his face.
"But there isn't much money left in the farm's account right now. Even if we amend the contract, I'm afraid we won't be able to refund the related fees to you anytime soon."
Although the one million yen management fee Kitano had paid in one lump sum was no small amount, from the perspective of a breeding farm, no amount of money lasted long.
As early as February of that year, the farm's actual cash flow had been drained dry in order to secure the best possible stallion resources.
Even with Kitano's one million yen included, they could only barely keep the farm running.
"The refund isn't a problem. As long as you can repay it, even if it takes a little longer..." Kitano said, waving his hand.
Even without considering profits or mission rewards, improving Mejiro Tenma's living conditions was reason enough.
As for not being able to repay the refund immediately—
All he could say was that, as a veterinarian, he was already used to it.
"In that case, we have no more concerns."
With a relieved sigh, Ogawa Joe smiled and nodded.
"Owner Kitano... really is a good person!" Ogawa Masaru said from the side, moved as he clenched his fist.