Hanshin Racecourse.
"Sasaki, what are you doing all the way out here?"
Fujitani Kotomi looked at Koichi, who was watching the race, and couldn't help feeling a little annoyed.
Watching the race was fine, but why had Sasaki chosen such an out-of-the-way spot?
"Miss Assistant, what brings you here?"
Koichi, who had been watching the race, paused in surprise before turning to ask her.
His business here was finished anyway, and he had happened to catch the final race.
Though it was only a Grade 3 race, the horses were all quite capable.
"The young lady wants to speak with you. She sent me to fetch you, so come along."
"Oh, I see."
Only then did Koichi remember that he still hadn't explained what had happened during the race.
He really had never been up in the stands.
As a jockey, he was naturally the one fighting it out on the track, not a spectator sitting in the stands.
"Follow me."
Fujitani Kotomi adjusted her glasses, then set off at a brisk pace.
Naturally, she had to carry out the young lady's instructions as quickly as possible.
Koichi had expected the assistant to take him to the owners' area on the fifth floor, but instead, they arrived at the restaurant lounge on the third floor.
"Have a seat. Get him a cup of coffee."
Seeing Koichi approach, Ayano Aoe glanced at her assistant.
She really had taken her time.
"Yes, miss."
Fujitani Kotomi could clearly tell that her young lady was growing impatient.
"Tell me what happened. You should know that the next race is the truly crucial one."
Ayano Aoe narrowed her eyes.
The last of today's twelve races at Hanshin was underway. Once it ended, the day's racing would be over.
Rather than watching the recording, she wanted