Chapter 45: Daily Life in the Stable
The day after the race.
"Time for a bath, O-chan."
Ogawa Masaru poked his head through the gate, speaking in the softest voice possible.
He was met with the sight of Kurige curled up motionless in the corner.
Actually, it wasn't dirty enough to absolutely need a bath.
Ocean Fleet2024 wasn't the type of horse to make a fuss.
Even when startled, it would usually just stay put, or find a nearby corner to hide in.
Compared to Mejiro Pegasus, who often got himself so dirty that he needed a bath every one or two weeks, Ocean Fleet2024 usually maintained a relatively clean state.
It was the type that wouldn't show any obvious signs even if it didn't bathe for one or two months.
However, Ogawa Masaru still strictly followed the schedule set by his father, giving each horse in the stable a regular wash.
Today was Ocean Fleet2024's bath day.
"Good boy, let's go for a bath."
Slowly approaching the corner, he easily slipped on the lead rope.
Through their time together these past few days, Ocean Fleet2024 was no longer as resistant to his presence as it was initially.
Of course, overly intimate contact still seemed out of the question.
Leading Ocean Fleet2024 to the washroom was smooth sailing.
However, what came next would likely be a different story.
The small Kurige, fearful of most things, naturally also resisted bathing.
It wasn't that it disliked bathing itself, but rather a fear of the showerhead, sponges, brushes, and similar items.
Ogawa Take's solution to this was still desensitization training.
But at least until the desensitization was complete, bathing would be a somewhat difficult task for both Ocean Fleet2024 and Ogawa Masaru.
After putting on the lead rope, the boy first took out his phone.
He selected a soothing rhythm and clicked play.
Instead of immediately using the showerhead, he gently wiped its head with a water-dampened cloth.
Kurige's lips trembled slightly, but it obediently closed its eyes.
Only after Ocean Fleet2024 had mostly relaxed did he aim the specially-adjusted, lower-pressure showerhead at Kurige's body.
The next moment, Ocean Fleet2024 let out a sharp squeal like a pig being slaughtered.
"Good boy~ Good boy."
Ogawa Masaru had to free one hand to cradle and stroke Kurige's head, attempting to calm its emotions this way.
However, it didn't seem to be very effective.
And it was quite strenuous.
Before long, his arm was filled with a tingling numbness.
But if he lowered his hand, Ocean Fleet2024's head would start to tremble restlessly again.
So he just had to maintain that posture.
After rinsing the area above the neck, Ogawa Masaru temporarily put down the showerhead.
Ocean Fleet2024 immediately lifted its head, letting out a somewhat wronged whimper.
However, its ears still showed no intention of flattening back.
Perhaps because he had dealt with Mejiro Pegasus, he found bathing Ocean Fleet2024 exceptionally easy.
It wouldn't suddenly kick out its hooves trying to strike someone, or snatch something when he wasn't paying attention.
When cleaning its hooves, even if it was a bit reluctant, it would obediently lift them.
"Done—"
After neatly combing its mane, Ogawa Masaru let out a satisfied exclamation.
It only took two-thirds the time it took for Mejiro Pegasus!
One day, even Mejiro Pegasus would be able to handle it calmly, he thought.
Ogawa Masaru thought this.
However, Ocean Fleet2024 looked utterly dejected after its bath.
"Alright, you can go back now."
He gently said, stroking Kurige's head.
Ocean Fleet2024 somewhat unwillingly shook off his hand.
Even the carrot pieces offered as a reward were pushed away.
The relationship that had just barely improved seemed to be heading towards deterioration.
Regarding this, Ogawa Masaru could only hope his father would put his true skills to use and complete O-chan's desensitization training as soon as possible.
Back in the stable, as soon as the lead rope was untied, the Kurige hid in its familiar corner.
"Come and eat, O-chan—"
Ogawa Masaru grabbed a handful of fresh hay and shook it in his hand.
Turning its head, Ocean Fleet2024 didn't seem tempted by the hay.
It even turned its head to face the wall, presenting its rear to Ogawa Masaru.
Although its ears still weren't flattened back, one could clearly sense that it was angry.
He was disliked, after all.
"Then I'll just leave it here."
Scratching his head, he put the hay into the feed bucket.
Then, he closed the gate and exited the stable.
After a while, Ocean Fleet2024 quietly turned its head.
Its ears also twisted forward.
After confirming that Ogawa Masaru had left, it slowly moved towards the feed bucket.
Then, it finally buried its head in the feed bucket with relief.
Next to the monitor, Ogawa Kanna's eyes curved into crescent moons.
She clipped this segment of the video and downloaded it to her phone.
While uploading it to the ranch's official account, she also sent a copy to Kitano on LINE.
After a while, she received a reply from Kitano: a Q-version roan horse emoji giving a thumbs up.
"Tch, slacking off."
Taking out his phone, Ogawa Masaru pouted somewhat disdainfully.
However, he still retweeted the video Ogawa Kanna had just posted on his private account.
And liked it, too.
Then, the boy opened the gate in front of him.
The sturdy dark bay mare stood motionless in the stable, lost in thought.
Even when someone entered the stable, she showed no intention of moving.
Ogawa Masaru first crouched down to check Mejiro Sakiya's leg condition.
It seemed normal.
The temperature on palpation was normal.
The newly installed underfloor heating system also seemed to be working well.
After completing the check, he picked up the feed bucket.
"Make sure to eat your flaxseed too, Sakiya."
Saying this, he poured the pre-mixed feed into the feed bucket.
While he was busy cleaning the bedding, Mejiro Sakiya, as if just realizing, slowly walked towards the feed bucket.
Then, she began eating at the same leisurely pace.
She often zoned out, and didn't like to move much, whether grazing or in the stable.
During regular training, although she required more attention, the training itself was neither particularly worrying nor particularly impressive.
Outside of the racetrack, Mejiro Sakiya was just an ordinary horse, except for her gentle disposition.
If there was anything special about her, it was probably that she was easily distracted by food, or rather, carrots.
Whenever carrots were added to her feed, even her eating speed seemed to pick up slightly.
Although she needed careful attention due to her leg lameness, being with Mejiro Sakiya allowed Ogawa Masaru to experience a brief moment of relaxation.
He stood in the stable doing nothing, watching Mejiro Sakiya eat for quite a while.
Then, he let out a satisfied sigh.