**Chapter 7: Stable and Decision**
"What a fine horse!" Junji Tanaka said, his voice bright as he greeted Kitano, the owner, at Nishiken Ranch.
It was a polite exaggeration.
Medaima, the two-year-old colt, was hardly a standout. Two months into his racing age, his coat was a patchy gray, far from the sleek majesty of the mythical Pegasus Kitano had named him after. Even Kitano, who'd chosen the name with a spark of optimism, couldn't quite see the resemblance.
The colt's build was average—467 kilograms, not small for his age, but with no real muscle definition to boast about. His gait and flexibility? Nothing special. His temperament? Well, that was a conversation for later.
Ogawa Masaru, standing nearby, stifled a smirk. He wasn't impressed by Tanaka's flattery, the kind of polished talk you heard too often in this business. Still, a pang of reluctance tugged at him. Handing Medaima over felt like letting go of something he'd poured himself into.
Ogawa Jou, the ranch's head, was wrapping up his final instructions to Tanaka and the rider, Genta Ochiai. It was the usual handover, like passing along a user manual for a particularly stubborn machine.
"He's a sharp one, but he's got a stubborn streak," Jou said, his voice gruff but steady. "Don't be afraid to lay down the law—or use the whip if you need to."
"Smart but headstrong. Noted," Tanaka replied, pulling a small notepad from his pocket and jotting something down.
Genta gave a curt nod. "Got the picture."
Tanaka snapped the notepad shut. "Alright, Mr. Kitano, can we step over there for a quick chat?" He gestured to a quiet spot by the fence, away from the others.
The Ogawa siblings, who'd been trading playful jabs, paused and shot a worried glance at their father. Jou just nodded slightly, reassuring them.
"No problem," Kitano said, his tone even as he followed Tanaka.
Tanaka chose his words carefully. "I'd like to hear your thoughts, Mr. Kitano, as the owner. About the ranch, the training—how you see Medaima's path."
Truthfully, Tanaka was underwhelmed. He'd heard Kitano was a veterinarian and had hoped for a horse with some spark, something worth his time among the hundred-plus racehorses he managed. Medaima, though, was just… ordinary. Not a horse he'd personally train, not with his packed stable. Still, he didn't want to slight Kitano, a new owner with potential connections.
"What do you think about Nishiken Ranch?" Tanaka asked, testing the waters.
Kitano paused, considering. "It's a young operation, no doubt. But Mr. Ogawa knows his stuff, and he's got a good head on his shoulders. They're responsible."
Tanaka exhaled, relieved. "Good to hear. So, how about letting Nishiken keep handling Medaima's training?"
Seeing Kitano's raised eyebrow, Tanaka hurried to explain. "Look, I've got over a hundred horses on my plate. Even with assistants, I can only give so much attention. It's the same story everywhere—local or central. Only the top horses get the full treatment." The implication was clear: Medaima didn't make the cut.
Kitano nodded slowly, unfazed. As a veterinarian, he got it. Managing large animals was a grind, and resources were always stretched thin. He wasn't offended, just pragmatic.
Seeing Kitano's calm response, Tanaka relaxed further, patting his chest lightly. "Of course, if you'd rather the stable take over, we'll do our best. And don't worry about the races—we'll handle the routes and riders, no problem."
Kitano gave a small smile, skeptical of Tanaka's "do our best" promises but willing to let it slide. "I'll talk to Mr. Ogawa first," he said, leaning toward Nishiken's smaller, more focused setup over Tanaka's overcrowded stable.
"Perfect," Tanaka said, his relief palpable. "For the rider, we're thinking of Genta—the guy I brought along. But if you've got someone else in mind, we can talk."
He nodded toward Genta, who was awkwardly holding out carrot sticks to Medaima, trying to win the colt over. The horse snorted, unimpressed.
"Don't let Genta's age fool you," Tanaka added, sensing Kitano's hesitation. "He's young, but he's clocked over 1,500 races in two years. Solid rider, especially at Monbetsu."
Kitano didn't mention he'd already looked up Tanaka and Genta on a racing app, doing his homework as a new owner. Genta's record checked out—his yellow-and-black plaid silks were a familiar sight at Monbetsu Racecourse, a local standout.
"No objections to Genta," Kitano said with a nod.
"Great!" Tanaka extended a hand, and they shook on it, sealing the deal.
The rest fell into place easily. Jou's face lit up, though he tried to play it cool. "So, we're keeping him?" he asked, a hint of pride breaking through.
It wasn't unheard of for a production ranch like Nishiken to handle training, only handing the horse over for race day. But for a new outfit like theirs, Kitano's trust felt like a vote of confidence.
Masaru, meanwhile, couldn't hide his excitement, pumping a fist. For him, keeping Medaima was the best outcome—he'd grown attached.
Genta, still holding the untouched carrot sticks, scratched his head and muttered, "What, you don't like these?"
Medaima snorted again, turning his head away as if to say, Not a chance
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