Time quickly arrived for the day of the Japan Derby.
Suluo held his VIP ticket and scanned the stands, searching for his seat.
The ticket had been shoved into his hands by the Kasamatsu principal.
Since Suluo had invested quite a bit of money into Kasamatsu Tracen, Kasamatsu Tracen treated him extremely well.
Handing him a few tickets was nothing.
What mattered was that this race was tied to Kasamatsu Tracen's pride.
Oguri Cap was their pride and joy.
If Oguri Cap could win a top-tier, nationwide event like the Japan Derby, it would be hugely significant for Kasamatsu Tracen as well.
Suluo had three tickets in total. He needed one for himself, and he still had to decide who to give the other two to.
Oguri Cap was a competitor—she obviously didn't need a spectator ticket.
And Kitahara, as her trainer, didn't need one either.
As for "Kouki," Suluo hadn't even had the chance to give her a ticket—she'd already bought one herself…
That level of efficiency made Suluo sigh. As expected of a young lady from a wealthy background—fast and decisive.
In the end, after going back and forth over it, Suluo gave the two remaining tickets to Norn Ace and Fujimasa March.
Ever since Oguri Cap went to Central, Norn Ace had been following her races closely. Calling her a loyal fan wouldn't be an exaggeration.
Giving the ticket to that gyaru girl was perfect.
As for giving the other ticket to Fujimasa March—she'd once mentioned, when she visited Suluo's shop, that she wanted to watch higher-level racers compete. Suluo had remembered it while giving her a massage.
And what stage could possibly showcase top-class racers better than the Japan Derby?
Letting Fujimasa March come watch was a good thing.
Suluo had also heard that Fujimasa March would be preparing next for the regional Tokai Derby.
Hopefully, seeing the Japan Derby up close would give her something to take back with her.
After spending a fairly long time around her, Suluo had more or less figured out the personality of "Ohoho Fairy No. 1."
Aside from visiting his footbath place a little too often, in Suluo's eyes, Fujimasa March was a genuinely good horse girl.
Good personality, willing to work hard, ambitious.
Who wouldn't like someone like that?
Well, in any case, Fujimasa March scored very highly with him.
And to be honest… the way she felt under his hands was pretty nice too—ahem.
Anyway, for all sorts of reasons, Suluo ended up giving the last ticket to Fujimasa March.
"My seat… my seat… there!"
Holding his ticket, Suluo searched the VIP section and quickly found his place.
"Huh? Norn, March—did you two get here early?"
When he arrived, he found that the seats on both sides of his were already occupied—Norn Ace on one side, Fujimasa March on the other, both sitting neatly in place.
…So I'm supposed to sit in the middle?
Suluo stared at the deliberately empty seat between them, his mood turning complicated.
Sitting between two high school girls sounded pretty great…
But the moment he felt the increasingly sharp stares from everyone around them—
Suluo swallowed hard.
Come to think of it, it made sense. Whether it was Norn Ace or Fujimasa March, both were top-tier beauties.
Being surrounded by girls like that was definitely something people would envy.
Bracing himself under the pressure, Suluo forced himself to sit down between the two. Norn Ace immediately complained,
"Why are you only showing up now? March and I have been waiting forever."
"Ahem. Took me a while to find the seat," Suluo said with a smile.
Then he turned to Fujimasa March beside him.
"So, March—this is your first time at Tokyo Racecourse, right? How does it feel?"
"Yeah… it's way bigger than Kasamatsu's track. And the facilities feel a lot more complete, too."
Fujimasa March gazed out at the enormous Tokyo Racecourse, light shining in her eyes.
Unlike the regional tracks, Tokyo Racecourse—host of the Japan Derby—was better than them by several times over, no matter how you looked at it.
"So this is where the top horse girls run… That's amazing. I really wish I could stand on that turf myself…"
She spoke with genuine emotion.
After all, what regional horse girl wouldn't want to stand on a stage this grand?
Fujimasa March's dream was the Tokai Derby—but if someone offered her the chance to run on the Japan Derby course, she'd accept without hesitation.
"Heh. It's not like you'll never get the chance."
Suluo cut in.
"If you want to race on this track, there are plenty of ways. As long as you don't give up, one day you'll get to stand on this stage."
"And if it really comes down to it… it's not like I can't give you a little push."
Suluo thought: It's just running on the Tokyo course, right? Worst case, I quietly bribe the staff. When there's no race, I'll let March go run a lap or two.
Well, she only wanted to experience Tokyo's turf. Letting her run on it didn't sound like a big deal.
"…Wow. You've really got the nerve to say that," Norn Ace muttered with a disgusted look.
On the other side, Fujimasa March's heart stirred at Suluo's words.
Boss Su…
Is he actually hoping I'll stand on Tokyo's stage?
Even though I'm not one of his investment targets…
"Haha, if I ever get the chance, I'll definitely ask you for help, Boss Su! Just don't turn me down when the time comes~"
"How could I turn you down? That's something I can handle," Suluo said, grinning brightly.
Norn Ace rolled her eyes.
Flirting with girls again…
But if it's March…
…Yeah. Fine.
"By the way," Norn Ace said, changing the subject, "where's Oguri? How's her condition?"
She was worried about Oguri Cap.
After all, this was the Japan Derby. If Oguri Cap wasn't in perfect form, even she might not be able to win. How could Norn Ace not worry?
"Oh, you don't need to worry about that. Kitahara said Oguri's in great shape…"
As he said that, Suluo's expression sagged.
Oguri Cap is in great condition.
So… nothing unexpected will happen, right…?
No, no—trust the Central horse girls!
Someone will definitely be able to stop Oguri!
"She'll win."
Suluo said it seriously.
Seeing how confident he looked, Norn Ace finally felt a little more at ease.
Well…
If Suluo says so…
Oguri should be fine.
....
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