Hokkaido, Hokkai Ranch.
Familiar weather, a familiar place.
"Young master, young master, welcome back!"
Miku Kuchiki threw herself straight at him.
The young master really was getting busier and busier.
But being busy was a good thing for a jockey. Everyone at the ranch had gathered to watch last night's awards ceremony from start to finish.
He had looked so handsome in that suit.
"Come on, let's get inside. It's still so cold out here."
Koichi looked at the neatly cleared path.
But once the snow started falling, it would need clearing again before long.
The past few days had been decent, and the horses had been taken out for some exercise in their rugs, but now the weather had turned cold again.
"How long can you stay at the ranch this time, young master?"
"Probably four or five days. There are more races coming up in Kyoto soon."
Koichi gave it some thought before answering.
He had a race on January 9 next year, so naturally, he needed to head back a little early.
Saki Ikegami would probably stop by around the third or fourth, and then the two of them would head to Kyoto together.
He wouldn't be able to take it as easy as he had this year.
But that was a good thing for him too. He would definitely be able to pay off what he owed Aoe Ranch this coming year.
Once they were free of debt, their ranch could grow quickly too.
"Oh, then should we go see Ship and Divine Might first?"
Mirai turned to ask him.
It had been almost two months since they had last seen each other.
"Let's go see them after I put my things away. I won't be staying long this time either."
Koichi thought for a moment