The main course finally came to the tables. It is a filet mignon that has been cooked to perfection. The herbs and roasted scent invite all who smell it to indulge themselves in their desire.
"To put fresh grapes inside a fermenting barrel of red wine is surely the dumbest mistake someone could make, no?"
"Indeed. I could never imagine how horrid that wine would be."
"Separating the grapes into their years, letting them ferment on their own, and only letting them mix once all of them have turned into a wonderful red wine. Doesn't that sound nice, Mister Cigame Fujita?"
"I've indeed drunk wine that is a combination of multiple red wines. They're quite wonderful if the winemakers know what they're doing."
"Yes, those must be wonderful. I believe umamusumes are also like that, Mister Cigame Fujita."
"Oh? Quite the statement you just made, Mister Igo Heita. Mind explaining it to me?"
"The current way we're holding the races, I believe, can be refined even further, Mister Cigame Fujita. It's not wrong, Goddesses know it's not wrong, but I believe an improvement is in need."
The young man presses his knife into the meat. The texture is divine. Even the bluntest knife would have no trouble in dissecting the meat. That's how tender it is. He gently put the cut meat into his mouth and was greeted by a taste of heaven. The taste profile is an entire thing on its own. Buttery richness, slightly sweet, and refined beef all help one another to create a taste profile that's unmatched by anything the young man has tasted before.
"The way we're racing these umamusumes right now. It's like mixing fresh grapes, fermenting wine, and red wine into one serving. Digestible, yes, but can be better."
Cigami put his chin on his palms and stared at the young man with his full attention. The young man knows that he has already won. The idea has already been implanted into the head of the JRA. Further discussion will be to determine whether the JRA uses his system.
Either way, I've already succeeded.
"So are you suggesting that we separate the races, Mister Igo Heita?"
"Indeed. In my mind, there are three different eras in an umamusume's racing career. The junior year is when they're still blazing with motivation and energy, the senior year is when they have been tempered by years of experience in races, and lastly, the classic year is the in-between. I believe the classic is where the best entertainment is."
"Three races… The JRA is big, but I don't believe even we are capable of creating that many brand new races in such a short amount of time."
"For what reason do you need to create new races, Mister Cigame Fujita?"
"Hmm? It seems that we're still on different pages, Mister Igo Heita."
"Ahahaha… Sorry for being vague, Mister Cigame Fujita. Instead of making brand new races. How about we modify the one we already have? Instead of just the Japan Cup, we can have Junior Japan Cup, Classic Japan Cup, and Senior Japan Cup."
"Hmm…"
"And instead of renting a racecourse for one race, we can rent it for three races, and since they will be in succession, we can use the same workers too."
"Three races while still expending roughly the same amount of money…"
Both of them have realized by now that they are the same. They are selfish pricks who prioritize themselves over others. The young man is fueled by his wrathful revenge, while the older man is fueled by his greed for wealth. Normally, the young man would need to dilute his dark desire for revenge when talking with other people, but he doesn't need to do that with Cigame Fujita. The latter understands the young man more if he lets out his true desire.
"Of course, the ticket price needs to be changed. For example, a normal race ticket is a thousand yen, but with the new rule, it would be seven hundred yen. But since there will be three races, a single person might spend two thousand and one hundred yen."
"A one hundred percent increase, even when the ticket price is cheaper."
"Indeed, and as I said before. Each age group has its own charm to draw customers in. Of course, the JRA would need to study the optimum ticket price, but I leave that to you."
"Hmmm… That… is a genius suggestion, Mister Igo Heita. Truly, someone befitting to be Miss Mejiro Ramonu's husband."
"Ahahaha… Such flattery doesn't fit someone like me. Surely a much more handsome man would fit Miss Mejiro Ramonu more."
I'm sitting on your face tonight, dear. Don't you dare run away from me!!
"To implement that would sadly take months of preparation, Mister Igo Heita."
"No need to rush, Mister Cigame Fujita. The new year sounds like a perfect chance to roll out the changes, no? I believe that is so much better than rolling it in the middle of the year and confusing the ongoing racing season."
"Quite the generous countdown, Mister Igo Heita. I also agree that the new year would be the perfect moment to roll out the changes."
The group has finished eating the main course, so the chefs begin rolling out the dessert. They serve Lemon Tart. The citrus aroma flushes out all the previous smell from their noses, signaling the end of the dining experience.
Pressing the knife into the tart, it slid smoothly as if it were cutting the air. Bringing the piece closer to the mouth only heightened the smell of the citrus as it traveled into the mouth. The sweetness overrides the lingering taste of the previous meal, cleaning the tongue to how it was before the appetizers.
"Talking about the new year, there is one more thing that I might need a favor, Mister Cigame Fujita."
"Oh? Do tell."