Trio in the Rain

At 3:20 p.m., twenty minutes before the Derby began.

Of course, the rain had not stopped, just as expected.

"Great, let's go all out like this!"

Though it was hardly something to be especially happy about, Sugiyama still shouted energetically and strode forward.

Taking a deep breath, I copied the farm representative and pinned the green-and-white runner's badge to my chest.

Then I pushed open the glass door and advanced through wind and rain fierce enough to feel as though they might blow me away.

Rain hammered against the dense sea of umbrellas so loudly that, even after reaching the usually noisy paddock, it was difficult to hear anything besides the rain.

A torrential downpour that shut out every other sound.

The early-summer rain striking my body quickly soaked through my kimono, and cold liquid unlike sweat ran down my back.

My zori sandals soon filled with water as well, and every time I stepped down, it felt as though I might slip and fall at any moment.

I really should stop wearing zori in the future, especially in weather like this—

As I thought that while heading toward the grass in the center of the oval paddock, a familiar back quickly entered the corner of my eye.

A trainer stood blankly, staring up at the rainy sky.

Against the dim gray sky, even his light brown hair seemed shrouded in gloom.

"Good afternoon, Trainer Wada."

I spoke while giving a slight nod and bow. Beside me, Ravide's owners and Arian, who was holding the umbrella, stopped as well.

"G-Good afternoon, President Kitano."

After hastily changing to a more formal form of address, Trainer Wada returned the greeting with a deep bow. Only then did he raise his head, his lips tightly pressed together.

The tension on his face looked