Perspective: Hachiman
Several months have passed since I signed the contract with Rice and we began training and all the rest. Rice has been steadily improving her actual ability; you could say she's in top form. So, today I plan to tell her about her debut race.
I'm entering her in the Niigata 2000m. It's a racecourse known for its long straightaways. The curves are gentle, and since you can choose between the inner and outer tracks for a long or medium straight, it's often used for debut races.
The reason I'm sending Rice to Niigata this time is to get her used to utilizing a long, sustained stride. Rice's legs don't have that explosive "sharpness" or turn of foot, but her advantage lies in her ability to maintain a spurt over a long distance. I chose Niigata specifically to leverage that strength.
Hachiman: "Rice~, you here yet?"
Rice (Voice): "Ah, Oniisama~. You can come in!"
Hachiman: "Right, coming in."
Click.
Hachiman: "Sorry to keep you waiting."
Rice: "No, not at all. I didn't wait that long anyway, so it's fine. More importantly, Oniisama, what was the report you wanted to give me?"
Hachiman: "Ah, right. It's about your debut race."
Rice: "F-Finally... Rice's debut..."
Hachiman: "Yeah. I figured it was about time, so I just went and submitted the entry. The venue is Niigata, distance is 2000 meters. It's the best course to showcase your strengths."
Rice: "Okay, I understand! Rice has to make sure to train hard until then, too!"
Hachiman: "...Heh. That's a far cry from how you were in the beginning, saying, 'If I run, I'll just be a nuisance.' You've gained a little confidence in yourself, haven't you?"
Rice: "Yeah! Ever since I started training with you, Oniisama, every day has been super fun♪ I feel like training just starts and then it's already over, and sometimes even after I go back to the dorms, I find myself wishing tomorrow would come sooner."
Hachiman: "If you're having fun, that's better than anything... but there are times I make you do some pretty grueling workouts, you know? Is that fun, too?"
Rice: "Because... you call out to me, don't you, Oniisama? I feel like I have to answer that voice. Besides, when you shout, it feels like you're telling me, 'If you don't work hard here, you won't win the race,' and that gives me even more power."
...Does my shouting really have that much of an effect? I only call out to her because I genuinely want her to do her best.
Hachiman: "Well, it's good that your motivation is up. But be careful not to get injured, alright? It wouldn't be a laughing matter if you got too pumped up and tripped over your own feet. Well, with you, Rice, I doubt I have to worry about that."
Rice: "Ehehe... Oh! I understand about the debut race! I'll do my very best until the big day!"
Hachiman: "Yeah, that's the spirit. Dismissed for today. And like I said yesterday, training today is strictly prohibited, got it?"
Rice: "Yep. I'll be a good girl and stay quiet, so don't worry."
The way she phrases things makes her sound like a puppy, doesn't it? Well, whatever. Rice is honest and obedient; she wouldn't go behind my back and train on her own. Even if she did, she'd ask for my confirmation first.
Location: Cafeteria – Kitchen
Hachiman: "..."
However, let's assume she wins her debut. The problem is what comes after. What race do I enter her in next?
With Rice, I don't think there's any issue putting her in a slightly higher-class race, but stepping up means entering Graded Stakes classes, which inevitably creates a gap regarding her aptitude. Most Junior Grade races are Short or Mile distances. If we decide not to focus on Grade races just yet...
Hachiman: "The Fuyou Stakes in September, or the Shigiku Sho in October... those are the logical lines. Both are Open Class races, but I'd honestly like to have her run both. They're at Nakayama and Kyoto—if Rice is going to run in Grade races eventually, those are courses she absolutely needs to experience. Oh, looks like they're about done."
But there's more coming after that... The Kyoto Junior Stakes in Kyoto, and the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama. It's not that I don't want to enter her, but considering these are the stages for next spring's Classic season, it feels like a waste not to run them. The Shigiku Sho is on the same stage, sure, but the tension will be completely different. If she's going to get a taste of the real stage, it would be there.
Or, I could play it safe and have her concentrate on Nakayama, or maybe build the schedule based strictly on race intervals. Haa... this is difficult.
Hachiman: "First things first: focus on the debut. Munch..."
Flash: "..."
Hachiman: "That said, rotations really are a headache."
Flash: "..."
Hachiman: "Is there... something you need, Flash-san?"
Flash: "Pardon me. Those cookies looked very delicious, so I couldn't help myself. Did you bake these, Trainer-san?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, getting a sugar fix while borrowing the kitchen."
Flash: "Is that so... Might I be allowed to have one?"
Hachiman: "...Sure. Let me hear your thoughts on them."
Flash: "Thank you very much. Well then..." Crunch.
...Come to think of it, wasn't Flash's family home a cake shop? That means this is basically asking a professional to taste-test my work. I'm starting to get a little nervous...
Flash: "Not too sweet, not too heavy... yet the flavor of the nuts isn't obscured. And the taste of the chocolate is distinct as well. This is wonderful. Trainer-san, how much time did this take?"
Hachiman: "Hmm? I did about 20 of them, so maybe an hour and a half."
Flash: "Hmm... That is acceptable. However, for this quality, I can say nothing but 'bravo'."
Hachiman: "Glad to hear it. Well, I just made them for fun, so it's no big deal. Besides, I used a toaster, not an oven."
Flash: "Good heavens!"
After that, Flash asked me various questions, but we settled things by promising to bake together next time.
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