Saturday.
Megumi Mitsumori's stable.
"Ship, wake up. We'll be leaving soon."
Mirai had finished getting ready and went to wake Gold Ship.
Unfortunately, her voice clearly hadn't reached Gold Ship. He was still lying there asleep.
Pat, pat!
Mirai gave Gold Ship two firm pats on the thigh.
She had to admit, that thigh felt quite impressive. It was all muscle, after all.
Neigh-
Roused by the pats, Gold Ship glared at his little sidekick, then shook the grass off his head.
He wanted to sleep a little longer.
Mirai's pats barely registered on his body, but he knew it was time to get up. He just wanted to laze around a little longer.
"Come on, no more sleeping. You need to get up, get cleaned up, eat, and get a little exercise before we're ready to board the horse transport truck."
Mirai spoke as she watched Gold Ship continue to lie on the bedding.
Cleaning Gold Ship's stall every day was exhausting work.
She had already prepared his breakfast, too. Once he was cleaned up, he could eat.
Neigh-
After lying there a little longer, Gold Ship finally rose lazily to his feet and took a few mouthfuls of water.
Life was much more comfortable when he was on vacation. He could sleep in every day, then go out and play once he woke up.
But from his experience, he would be about due for a break after this race.
"Let me brush you first. Look how dirty you are. Once your coat turns completely white, the dirt will show even more."
Tools in hand, Mirai couldn't help grumbling a little.
Gold Ship wasn't a particularly cleanliness-loving racehorse. Grooming him would only get harder, but she was already used to it.
Now that Gold Ship was up, the other