Hokkaido Horse Racing Story.

Chapter 204 Going Home
Looking at Lumao's figure walking briskly past him, Iwasaki pressed the shutter button.

click-

【Reiwa 9, May 6, Thursday
Today is the birthday of the 33rd episode of Mejiro Toba
This year she is still in good health and has the same good appetite as before.
The carrot that was my birthday gift was rudely bitten off by Sister Duobo before I could even take a photo.
Thank you to all the fans who have cared about her for a long time, but... maybe from today, Mejiro Dober's days as the leading horse of Lakeside Ranch will come to an end.

Regarding the intentions expressed by Kitano Representative of Mejiro Ranch a few days ago——】

When I wrote this part, my fingertips paused for a long time above the input box.

After typing and deleting several times, I typed the following words on the screen:
【Return Home】

"Excuse me, could you...take a picture of me and Sister Dober?"

With a somewhat hoarse voice, Iwasaki made a request to a member of the Lakeside Club next to him.

The wind blowing in my face seemed to carry the chill of the remaining snow in the north, stinging my eyes and making them feel a little sore.

click-

The shutter sounded, and the background was the white Yoti Mountain with the ice and snow not yet completely faded, and the figures of a man and a horse were frozen in time.

In the photo, Mejiro Doberman turned his ears away as if he was upset.

Iwasaki sighed deeply, his shoulders drooping weakly.

"If Dober's condition doesn't allow for long-distance transport, Mejiro Ranch will foster her at the lake."

When the content of the negotiations between Mejiro and Kita was made public, President Kitano made the following statement.

However, before the resident veterinarian at the lakeside could make preparations, the Mubai group had already arrived.

Kitano commissioned several veterinary researchers from the Advanced Veterinary Medicine Department of Hokkaido University to conduct a transportation assessment for Dober.

As a horse breeder who was trained as a veterinarian, the new head coach of the Mejiro Army has connections with the veterinary community far exceeding those of most of his peers.

There are even rumors that—

His keen eye for horse judging, which rivals that of Kaneko Masato, also benefits from some undisclosed veterinary research.

Palpation, sampling, gait observation. After the work was completed, the researchers left the ranch as quickly as they came.

"Transportation can be carried out with the presence of a professional veterinarian."

While feeling relieved, Iwasaki couldn't help but feel sad about the result.

"President Iwasaki, are we really going to give all those away?"

When handing back the phone, the member took the opportunity to ask in a low voice.

The two of them simultaneously looked towards the now empty entrance of the Mejiro Memorial Hall.

A neatly packed box was lying there quietly.

"...Father, I think...you'll understand."

Iwasaki responded in a low voice, then sighed heavily.

"No way."

The young member muttered softly.

After all, the old president had to inspect those numerous victory flags and trophies that were in the way almost every day, and he even had to wipe them himself.

If he knew this, he would definitely jump out of bed in anger.

In the afternoon after the herdsmen gathered, Iwasaki stood alone at the ranch entrance.

Looking towards the end of the national highway, I couldn't help but whisper -

"Here he comes."

A small convoy consisting of a horse-drawn carriage, an old sedan and a pickup truck stopped at the entrance to the lakeside ranch.

Iwasaki's eyes first turned to the car.

However, the person who got off the bus was a hunched, silver-haired old man.

"I'm so sorry to trouble you, Shibata-senpai."

Kitano jumped out of the pickup truck and held the old man's hand.

"Nothing, I just wanted to move my body."

Shibata, who was temporarily serving as the accompanying veterinarian at Mejiro Ranch, waved his hand and took the first step.

Iwasaki, who was jogging over, stopped in front of Kitano and was about to speak but suddenly stopped.

What finally came out of his mouth was the stiff name "Kitano Representative".

"Good afternoon, Representative Iwasaki."

Kitano's answer was equally cold.

Ignoring the curious gazes of several young lakeside club members, he asked directly, "Take me to the cemetery." Not a cemetery for people, but a cemetery for horses.

The final resting place of those famous horses that were born at Mejiro Ranch and raced under the name "Mejiro".

"Please come with me."

Iwasaki nodded, his face full of confusion and bitterness.

Although they said they were leading the way, in reality the two of them were walking almost side by side.

Stepping into a corner of the ranch surrounded by cedar trees, Kitano stopped first.

Bowing slightly at the entrance, he walked around the tomb foundation and headed towards the tombstones that were as clean as new.

His gaze finally stopped at the monument engraved with "Mejiro Ryan".

I remembered——

The first time I met Mr. Yokoyama was at Ryan's bone burial ceremony.

Bow deeply once, palms facing each other, then put your hands together, silently pray the name of the deceased racehorse in front of you, and then bow deeply again.

The same process was repeated in front of each tombstone. The last one was a rather crude one with a rusty iron plate with the words "Mejiro Asama" on it.

"Asama, may you rest in peace."

He opened his eyes, straightened his back, and before leaving, Kitano bowed slightly to the tombstone again.

He took two steps back before turning around.

Iwasaki took it all in and remained silent.

"Where is Shen Dao? Won't he come to see me?"

Kitano asked as he unbuttoned the first button of his somewhat dull black suit.

"My father has been ill and bedridden since the end of last year and has been receiving treatment in the hospital."

"Ah, yes."

The conversation ended here.

Next, the two silent people returned along the way they came.

"No problem at all. She was as playful as a young mare during the examination."

In the stable corridor, Shibata, who was packing up medical equipment, reported with a smile.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Kitano bowed slightly to him, then turned his gaze to Mejiro Dobo in the stable.

Just as Shibata said, the deer-haired horse still looked quite energetic.

"Long time no see, Dob."

Avoiding Mejiro Dober's light bite, Kitano reached out and touched her neck.

Is he still as playful as I remember him?

After politely declining the help from the Lakeside Club members and Asayama, Kitano personally took up the leash.

"It's time to go, Dob."

As soon as the words fell, the deer-hair horse opened its mouth and bit again.

Kitano calmly turned sideways and once again avoided Dober's light bite.

Amid the crisp sound of hooves, a few heads popped out from other stables as if to see them off.

"Please take good care of Dob."

After watching Dober walk onto the luxurious horse-drawn carriage, Iwasaki, who had been following Kitano in silence all the way, finally spoke.

"I will."

Kitano nodded without hesitation.

As he said this, he was about to take a step forward.

"Please wait!"

Iwasaki took a deep breath after taking the heavy cardboard box handed to him by a member.

"And these. Please accept them as well."

　There is only one update today

　　
　
(End of this chapter)