Aoe's Ambition

"I'll leave the rest to you, then."

"No problem. Come on, Artie."

After morning training ended, Koichi Sasaki handed Golden Masterpiece over to Hitachi Yosuke.

It was time for Golden Masterpiece to have a bath and rest.

"Neigh-"

Golden Masterpiece glanced back at Koichi, who was still standing where he had left him.

Why didn't I take him out today?

Tomorrow, then.

I still had work to do on my grand solo-kill mission.

"What's wrong, Artie?"

Hitachi Yosuke turned to look at Golden Masterpiece, who had suddenly stopped.

Had he grown attached after just two days?

As his groom, Yosuke shed silent tears. He had looked after Artie for over a year and had never received this kind of treatment.

Perhaps they had simply clicked. Asho had finally found a jockey he liked.

Meanwhile, Koichi was still standing there in a daze.

What should I do next?

With morning training over, he genuinely had no idea what to do.

As a newcomer, he had no clue what his senior colleagues did afterward.

"I might as well take a walk around the paddocks."

There was still some time before lunch. With nothing else to do, watching the young horses sounded pretty soothing.

Koichi checked the signs around him and headed toward the paddocks.

"Good morning, Sasaki."

"Whoa-!"

The young lady had appeared behind him so suddenly that Koichi really did get a fright.

How hadn't I heard a single footstep?

"Good morning, miss."

"No need to be so formal. Just call me Aoe. I haven't thanked you for saving my life yesterday yet."

Ayano Aoe smiled faintly.

She was genuinely curious about this newly debuted jockey.

As things stood, Sasaki was undoubtedly the best jockey for Golden Masterpiece.

"Getting to ride a famous horse like Artie... you've already repaid me, miss."

Koichi had a realistic view of his own abilities.

However he looked at it, the woman before him had given him this opportunity, and he was sincerely grateful to her.

Miss Fox?

Whenever he faced Ayano Aoe, he somehow felt that she was rather sly.

"That's down to your ability, too. Asho has thrown plenty of other jockeys."

Ayano Aoe shook her head.

Opportunities came to those who were prepared, and many people failed to seize them.

Yet Koichi Sasaki had shown her a glimmer of possibility.

The possibility of surpassing an old legend.

"If you have nothing to do next, let's chat. Think of it as a conversation between a Horse Owner and a jockey."

"Sure."

Though Koichi was still puzzled, he followed her.

He definitely needed to keep this powerful backer on his side.

If he could remain Golden Masterpiece's jockey, his path to paying off his debts would surely be smooth sailing.

And, of course, the system's lottery rewards went without saying.

Women would only slow my sword draw, but rich women wouldn't.

Especially not a capable young heiress like her.

"Have you heard of T.M. Opera O?"

"Yes. The End-of-the-Century Overlord."

Koichi was no stranger to that racehorse.

On the outside, T.M. Opera O was just an ordinary chestnut horse, plain-looking and gentle, with little distinctive personality.

But Koichi did remember that T.M. Opera O often liked to escape while out grazing, then failed to find his way home...

When it came to ability, however, T.M. Opera O was overwhelmingly strong.

Partnered with a rookie jockey, he had ultimately won the Triple Crown and earned a place in the racing Hall of Fame.

He had also earned over 1.8 billion yen in JRA prize money.

"I believe in you. I hope you and Artie can surpass that legend."

Ayano Aoe turned to him as she spoke.

A fire burned in her eyes.

That Horse Owner had chosen T.M. Opera O, then gone on to choose that rookie jockey.

Through the efforts of horse and rider, they had ultimately created a legend that endured to this day.

"I'll do my best."

Koichi now understood what this Horse Owner wanted to convey today.

Ayano Aoe was even more ambitious than he was!

Dominate the JRA's G1 races?

That sounded pretty interesting.

In 2000, T.M. Opera O had swept all the major G1 races.

"As long as you can finish in the top three in next year's races, leave everything else to me."

Ayano Aoe reached out and caught a falling snowflake.

Having entered this industry, she naturally wanted to make something of herself.

The staff cafeteria.

"Brr-it's freezing!"

Wrapped in a thick coat, Koichi hurried inside.

The snow outside was falling harder and harder, so he had run straight here to take shelter.

The timing was just right, too.

Their earlier conversation had naturally begun as an idle chat, but later they had talked more about their views on recent horse racing.

For example, which horse might become the next Triple Crown winner.

"Koichi, over here."

Ayumu Kusakawa came over carrying two set meals.

A bowl of miso soup, a small bowl of rice, and two dishes.

That was their lunch.

"Well? Your uncle picked pretty well, didn't he? These are the two most popular dishes in our cafeteria."

"Yeah, they're really good. Way better than the fast-food chains I've eaten at."

Koichi immediately began shoveling down his food.

He had actually been hungry for a while, but had felt too awkward to say he wanted to go to the cafeteria.

"Ran into the young lady just now?"

Sitting opposite him, Ayumu Kusakawa gave a sly smile.

He had originally intended to ask where his nephew had gone after training.

"Uncle, are you really that sharp?"

Koichi's eyes filled with astonishment as he ate.

He could even figure that out?!

"Of course. The young lady's the only one at our farm who wears perfume. Heh-heh."

Ayumu Kusakawa sounded rather proud.

It seemed the young lady thought quite highly of his nephew.

She had met him on his very first day at work. With so many jockeys at the farm, that was a distinction all his own.

"Right."

Koichi felt he still had a lot to learn.

"Come on, tell me. What did she say to you?"

Ayumu Kusakawa leaned closer curiously, ready for some gossip.

His nephew had both a decent background and good looks.

Once he started getting results, finding a good girlfriend would be a piece of cake.

"Not much, really. Mostly she told me to keep working hard. Oh, and she gave me Golden Masterpiece's training plan."

Naturally, Koichi would not tell his uncle about Ayano Aoe's ambition.

To an outsider, it would surely seem impossible.

In this industry, results were ultimately what mattered. Talking about it now would only invite ridicule.

He had not won a single G1, let alone a Triple Crown.

"I see. Don't worry. I think she still has high hopes for you. Just do your best in next year's races."

Ayumu Kusakawa patted Koichi's shoulder reassuringly.

Wasn't she just putting pressure on Koichi?

But as an employee who merely coasted along at the farm, he was in no position to say anything.

"Don't worry, Uncle. I have faith in Artie!"

Koichi smiled confidently.

In terms of honors, Golden Masterpiece was hardly inferior to T.M. Opera O.

Although no one thought much of his chances, he would prove himself in the end!

(End of chapter)