SABOTAGE

The morning after arriving in Hong Kong.

While waiting for the camp meeting to begin, I sprawled on the sofa like a jellyfish and sighed up at the ceiling.

Ever since last month, fatigue seemed to have been piling up in my body.

Looking down at my phone screen, it was not too late yet, but if I went to eat breakfast and came back, it would be cutting it close.

I really needed to get up earlier. While I was blankly thinking that, I suddenly heard the door open.

Trainer Yoshida and Mr. Yutaka Take entered the meeting room, both looking exhausted.

"Ah... good morning, Kou."

"Morning, Mr. Yutaka Take... You look pretty worn out."

"No, Eri's in great shape today. Mr. Ikeda said so too."

Having sunk most of his body into the sofa, Mr. Yutaka Take spoke with his eyes half-closed.

"As for you... are you really all right?"

I had known beforehand that jockeys had a hard time making weight, but seeing Mr. Yutaka Take looking as though he had been dehydrated still gave me a shock.

"This guy's brain is just fried because he hasn't had a drink in too long. You can leave him alone."

Faced with the concerned looks directed his way, the trainer waved a hand dismissively.

As he lowered it, he picked up the two bottles of mineral water prepared on the table.

Then he handed one of them to the jockey beside him.

"Ah... thanks."

Even his voice had become listless. After taking the water, Mr. Yutaka Take merely used it to dampen a tissue and briefly wiped his lips.

"Well then—"

"Let's begin."

At those words, the pair who had looked so exhausted suddenly perked up.

Connecting his laptop to the display, Trainer Yoshida operated the mouse as he