Kyoto Racecourse
"Morning, everyone."
Koichi wiped his face with a hot towel.
After arriving at the racecourse, he saw those familiar faces again.
As things stood, his rivals were unlikely to change much. The horses, however, were constantly changing, with newcomers arriving and others retiring.
"Good morning. It's only been a few days, but you've gotten even more handsome, Sasaki."
Kenichi Ikezoe smiled as he wiped his own face.
Although there were races at Nakayama Racecourse that day too, most of them had come to Kyoto.
Last year's Triple Crown winner, Golden Masterpiece, had also started here.
Of course, what he envied most was that Koichi had caught the Sunday Club's eye. He received some opportunities from the Sunday Club himself, but with this rising newcomer, things might get tougher for him down the road.
"You must be seeing things."
Koichi smiled faintly, then turned to greet Ryuji Wada as he walked in.
They were all getting along better and better.
"Morning, our Super Rookie."
"How are you feeling today, Sasaki? Give us a hint."
Kenichi Ikezoe nudged Koichi's shoulder.
Koichi Sasaki would be his opponent in several races that day.
Yutaka Take, who was nearby, also came over curiously.
"Right now, I don't think I'm quite where I was last year. I've had a bit of a break, after all, and I'm not feeling my best today."
Koichi rolled his shoulders.
Of course, he was only saying that offhandedly because he did not actually know what sort of form he was in.
"What are you all talking about?"
Yutaka Take asked curiously.
"Well, we're discussing what shape our opponent is in. It looks like Sasaki's in pretty good form today."
Ryuji Wada smiled.
They were friends off the track, but once they were racing, no one could blame their