CB's POV
Yah-ho! It's me, Mr. CB! ♪
Right now, we're perched in the VIP viewing stands at Nakayama Racecourse to cheer on Rice. Man, the view from up here is incredible! You can see every single inch of the track. I guess this is one of the perks of being on Team Hachiman, huh?
As most of you probably know, Rice is running in today's main event: the Nikkei Sho. Since it's her first time being the #1 favorite since last year's Yayoi Sho, she's definitely got that fire in her eyes today!
"Hey, Rudolf? Where'd Hachiman go?" I asked, looking around the room.
"Brother is with Rice Shower," Rudolf answered, not taking her eyes off the track. "He went to give her some final words of encouragement and go over the tactical plan one last time. He told us that right before he left, but I suppose you were too busy staring at the scenery to hear him."
"Oh, right! ♪ That explains why it's so quiet in here!"
"We considered going with him to show our support, but we didn't want to inadvertently add to her pressure," Rudolf added. "So, we're on house-sitting duty until he returns."
Knock, knock, knock.
Rudolf tilted her head. "Brother? No, he would have just said something... One moment."
Wait, if it's not Hachiman, then who...?
Hachiman's POV
"So, that's the gist of it," I said, looking at Rice. "What do you think? It's a bit of a gamble, but it's a strategy with the Tenno Sho in mind."
Rice nodded firmly. "I like it. I need to get used to positioning myself closer to the front. At the Tenno Sho, they aren't going to just let me have a good spot, so I want to get the feel for it today!"
"Good girl. Alright then—get out there and show them."
"Right! I'm going!"
I watched her head toward the paddock, then turned to make my way back to the stands. CB was probably vibrating with boredom by now, and my guest should be arriving any minute.
When I reached the door to the VIP box, I saw a familiar figure being held at bay by Rudolf. Ah, right. I should have warned her.
"Yo, sorry I'm late," I called out. "Rudolf, she's with me. She's my guest."
Rudolf stepped aside, lowering her guard. "You're a bit late, Brother. She was just about to show me the invitation card you gave her."
"Seriously, Hachiman," the girl sighed, crossing her arms. "Next time, give a girl a heads-up before I get interrogated by the Student Council President."
"I said I'm sorry, didn't I? It slipped my mind." I looked her over. It had been a while. "Haven't seen you in ages. You're never there when I stop by the shop."
"Can't be helped," she replied bluntly. "The restaurant is a side gig. My real job is at the tailor shop."
"Right, right... Anyway, thanks for coming, Kawasaki."
Saki Kawasaki—an old high school classmate of mine. These days, she works as a specialized tailor for Uma Musume racing silks, while moonlighting at the small restaurant I frequent. In fact, she's the one who designed and made Rice's current outfit. She's good—scary good.
"Whatever," Saki muttered, looking away. "I had the day off anyway. I was bored."
"Kawasaki-san, Brother—as much as I enjoy the banter, why don't we step inside?" Rudolf suggested. "I'm sure our guest is tired of standing."
"Good point," I said.
As we sat down, Saki looked at me with that same skeptical expression she'd had since we were seventeen. "I still can't get over it. You being a professional trainer... it just feels wrong."
"Tell me about it. I'm the one living it, and even I think it's a glitch in the matrix. Anyway, how's business?"
"Decent. But I can only work if people hire me. You going to put in a request anytime soon?"
I gestured to the two powerhouses sitting next to me. "These are my newest trainees. I'll definitely be sending work your way once they're ready."
"Make it sooner rather than later."
"Probably won't happen until the end of the year," I said. "They haven't debuted yet."
"Hmph. Fine."
"Hachiman!" CB interrupted, pointing at the monitors. "It's starting!"
I turned my attention to the screen. It was time.
Saki frowned at the monitor. "Wait... isn't she wearing her racing silks today?"
"Only for G1 races," I explained. "You should really study up on this stuff if you're in the industry..."
"Not my fault. I'm only interested in the clothes, not the running."
"What if your sister, Keika, was an Uma Musume?"
Saki's eyes sharpened instantly. "I'd memorize every rule and stat in the history of the sport."
"Total siscon."
Announcer: "And they're off! A clean start for everyone! Melon Power is taking the lead early, followed closely by Ayrton Symboli and Rice Shower, who are battling for that second-place spot!"
Rudolf leaned forward. "She's pushing for the lead group... she's currently second. Brother, what exactly is the plan today?"
"We're simulating the Tenno Sho," I said. "Mejiro Palmer won the Hanshin Daishoten, so she's definitely going to try to run away with the lead. I told Rice to practice for a scenario where nobody else steps up to challenge the pace. McQueen is her biggest rival, so it's unlikely the race will be this open, but it doesn't hurt to have the experience of forcing the issue ourselves."
"But the downside is she can't mark her rivals from that far up," CB noted.
"That's the trade-off. This only works if McQueen also stays near the front. But look at Rice... she's breathing remarkably easy."
"Is that a good thing?" Saki asked.
"It's a great thing," I said. "At this rate, she's going to making her move at the third corner."
Announcer: "The field is heading into the third corner! Wait—Rice Shower is making her move! She's gliding toward the lead with incredible ease! She's overtaken the front-runner! Rice Shower is in the lead and she's still accelerating! How will the rest of the field respond?!"
Rudolf sat back, a small smile on her face. "It's over."
"Yeah," I agreed. "When she makes a move like that from that position, there's no catching her. Rice really came up with a nasty tactical finish today."
"Wait, didn't you give her the strategy?" CB asked.
"I'd never suggest something that ruthless," I lied. "It would tarnish her pure image."
"You're literally doing it right now," Saki pointed out.
"If she doesn't realize it's ruthless, it doesn't count."
Announcer: "Rice Shower is all alone! She crosses the finish line in a dominant display! A massive victory as she heads toward the Tenno Sho!"
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. One hurdle down. One legendary mountain left to climb.
Saki Kawasaki has entered the fray! And in this world, she's the genius behind Rice's iconic look.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 30 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"