Before long, it was time for the Japanese Derby.
Holding his VIP ticket, Sakuraba Ryo scanned the stands for his seat.
The ticket had been pressed into his hands by the principal of Kasamatsu Training Center Academy.
Since Sakuraba had invested quite a bit of money in Kasamatsu Training Center Academy, they treated him extremely well there.
Giving him a few tickets was naturally no big deal.
More importantly, this race concerned Kasamatsu Training Center Academy's pride.
Oguri Cap was their pride and joy.
If Oguri Cap could win a top-tier race like the Japanese Derby—one of the biggest races in all Japan—it would mean something tremendous for Kasamatsu Training Center Academy as well.
Sakuraba had three tickets in total. One was for himself, but he still had to decide who to give the other two to.
Oguri Cap was running in the race, so of course she had no need for a spectator ticket.
And Kitahara, as Oguri Cap's Trainer, did not need one to get in either.
As for Belno Light, before Sakuraba even had the chance to offer her one, she had already bought herself a ticket...
That kind of efficiency could only make Sakuraba think: as expected of a proper young lady. She really was quick.
After going back and forth over it, Sakuraba ended up giving the other two tickets to Norn Ace and Fujimasa March.
Ever since Oguri Cap had gone to Tracen Academy, Norn Ace had been following her races the whole time. Calling her a loyal Oguri Cap fan would not have been an exaggeration.
That made the ticket a perfect fit for the gyaru.
As for why he gave the last one to Fujimasa March, it was because she had once said in his shop that she wanted to see higher-level runners race. Sakuraba had remembered that remark while giving her a massage.
And what better stage was there than the Japanese Derby to see top-tier runners display their full strength?
Letting Fujimasa March come watch would be a good thing too.
Sakuraba had also heard that Fujimasa March would be preparing for the Tokai Derby on the regional circuit afterward.
Hopefully, watching the Japanese Derby here would give her something to take away.
After spending quite a long time around her, Sakuraba had more or less gotten a handle on the Number One Fairy's personality.
Other than how often she came to the foot massage parlor, Fujimasa March was, in Sakuraba's eyes, a very good Umamusume.
She had a good personality, she worked hard, and she was ambitious.
Who wouldn't like an Umamusume like that?
At any rate, Fujimasa March scored very highly with Sakuraba.
And to be honest, the feel of her hands was pretty nice too... ahem.
Anyway, for one reason or another, Sakuraba ultimately gave the last ticket to Fujimasa March.
"My seat... my seat... ah it's here!"
Ticket in hand, Sakuraba searched through the VIP section for his seat, and before long, he found it.
"Huh? Norn, March—you two got here early."
When Sakuraba reached his seat, he discovered that Norn Ace and Fujimasa March were already sitting obediently to the left and right of the seat that belonged to him.
...So they want me to sit in the middle?
Looking at the spot that had very deliberately been left open between them, Sakuraba's feelings turned complicated.
Sitting between two high school girls did sound pretty nice...
But then he felt the increasingly sharp stares coming from the people around them.
Sakuraba swallowed.
Come to think of it... Whether it was Norn Ace or Fujimasa March, both of them were top-class beauties.
Being flanked by gorgeous girls like that really was the sort of thing people would envy.
Forcing himself to endure the pressure, Sakuraba sat down between the two girls. Beside him, Norn Ace said, "What took you so long? March and I have been waiting here forever."
"Ahem. Took me a while to find the seat."
Sakuraba smiled, then turned to Fujimasa March beside him.
"So, March, this is your first time at Tokyo Racecourse, right? What do you think?"
"Mm, it's way bigger than Kasamatsu Racecourse... and the facilities feel a lot more complete too."
Fujimasa March looked out at the enormous Tokyo Racecourse before her, light shining in her eyes.
Unlike the racecourses on the regional circuit, Tokyo Racecourse—the venue for the Japanese Derby—was several times better in every respect.
"So this is the kind of place where top Umamusume run... It's amazing. I really want to stand on that turf myself someday..."
Fujimasa March spoke with a trace of emotion.
After all, what Umamusume would not want to stand on a stage this grand?
Fujimasa March's dream was the Tokai Derby, but if she were given the chance to stand on the track for the Japanese Derby, she would accept it without hesitation.
"Heh, it's not impossible, you know?"
Sakuraba cut in just then.
"If you want to race on this track, there are plenty of ways to make it happen. As long as you don't give up, someday you should be able to stand on this stage."
"And if it really comes down to it, I could always give you a push myself."
Sakuraba thought, Isn't it just running on the Tokyo track? If it really came down to it, I could just quietly grease the palms of the track staff and let March run on it when there's no race on.
Well, Fujimasa March only wanted to experience the turf at Tokyo Racecourse anyway. Letting her go out there and run a little did not seem like such a big deal.
"Wow... you're even saying things like that..."
Norn Ace made a look of disgust from the side.
But on Sakuraba's other side, Fujimasa March felt her heart stir when she heard his words.
Sakuraba...
Is he hoping I'll stand on Tokyo's track?
Even though I'm not one of the people he invested in...
"Haha, if the chance comes, I'll definitely ask you, Sakuraba. Just don't refuse me when the time comes~"
"How could I refuse? Something on that level is well within my ability."
Sakuraba laughed cheerfully, and Norn Ace rolled her eyes beside him.
There he goes again, cozying up to girls.
But if it's March...
Mm.
Never mind.
"Oh right—speaking of which, where's Oguri? How's she doing?"
Norn Ace asked Sakuraba, a little worried about Oguri Cap's condition.
This was the Japanese Derby, after all. If Oguri Cap was not in perfect form, there was no guarantee she could win. How could Norn Ace not worry?
"Oh, you don't need to worry about that. Kitahara said Oguri's in really good condition..."
But as Sakuraba said that, the expression on his face stiffened.
Man, Oguri Cap's in good condition.
There won't be any surprises, right...?
No, no, no. Trust the Umamusume at Central!
Someone will definitely be able to stop Oguri!
"She'll win."
Sakuraba said it seriously.
Seeing how confident he looked about Oguri Cap, Norn Ace felt somewhat reassured too.
Well...
If even Sakuraba says so...
Then Oguri should be fine.
---
T/N: Norn................. my favoriote uma