Outside Hakodate Racecourse.
"Dad, aren't we going back with Koichi?"
"Koichi has something important to do at noon today. We'll head back on our own."
Ayumu Kusakawa rubbed his eyes as he spoke.
He had received Koichi's message too. The Young Lady wanted to have lunch with him, so he could no longer join them.
He knew what took priority when it mattered.
Though he really wanted to celebrate with Koichi, especially since Koichi had worn the Sasaki Family's Racing Silks this time.
"Dad, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I just got some sand in my eyes. Is there anything you want to eat today? My treat."
Ayumu Kusakawa ruffled his son's hair.
He still doted on his son, even though the boy was already in high school.
There was no way he could let his son know that he had just cried from sheer excitement.
After all, those Racing Silks had been absent for a long time.
Today, they had flown across the racetrack once more.
Another major factor was that he had only watched the previous races on livestreams. Being at the racecourse today had made him feel far more involved.
He could consider himself a firsthand witness to Koichi's rise, step by step.
He had never had the chance before, but from now on, he certainly wouldn't pass up any race he could attend in person.
People beside him had been crying while he cheered with joy, but that did nothing to dampen his happiness.
That's what you get for not backing Gold Ship!
After this race, he naturally had even more confidence in Gold Ship.
There were plenty of legends about gray horses, but technically speaking, very few achieved great results. Still, this combination of miraculous bloodlines certainly had a powerful appeal.
*I hope Koichi's undefeated