The Reincarnation of a Commoner Couple - Episode 7

The 5th Race was a frustrating pass. No reaction? Well, nothing I can do about that. I could try betting based on my own picks sometime… but that’s for another day. I’ll do that when my bankroll’s healthier.

“Thinking about it, I won’t be able to enjoy G1 races properly until I’m like 40, huh?”

Because I basically know which horses will win. I might not even enjoy the big, popular stakes races. Just seeing a name tells me, ‘Oh yeah, this horse won it.’

“It’s good for making money, though. Guess I lost one hobby.”

Gotta find some new kind of gamble to get into. Man, a gambling addict who’s also a chain smoker is beyond saving. Gotta be grateful Azusa married me.
Nah, not that I’m an addict or anything. I’ve never touched money I shouldn’t have.

“Wait, this time I even took her allowance money? Even if she gave it to me willingly, that’s still pretty scummy behavior.”

Muttering to myself in the smoking area, I let out a sigh. The other old guys around me are doing the same thing, so no one pays me any mind.

Shake it off. Time for the 6th Race. Let’s see if I get that buzz this time. By the way, I tried handicapping the 5th myself and lost. Zero sense. Glad I didn’t bet.

“It’s here! Let’s see… the second favorite!”

Staring intently at the paddock, I got a strong reaction to the second favorite. This time, I’m betting!!
Kept watching after that, but no other reactions. So, I eagerly started filling out the mark sheet.

“No mistakes. Just in case it loses – hate that thought – I’ll put ¥2,000 on it to win.”

Like I keep saying, I can win the main race. And with the trifecta, too. It’ll definitely pay over ¥10,000 per ¥100 bet, so I want to pour money into that. Right now, I’m just grinding to increase the amount I can wager there.

“Come on, come on, come on…”

I watched the race like I was praying. The win odds were a bit over 4-to-1, so if it wins, my bankroll would almost double my initial stake. My hands were literally shaking.

“Yes! Yes! Keep it up! Go! Go, Kawa[○]!”

The 6th Race went just as my buzz predicted – the second favorite won. Paid ¥4,600 to win, so I collected ¥9,200.

“This skill is definitely real. Gotta keep building it up like this until the main race.”

After that, it was an unstoppable winning streak. There was one race with no reaction that I skipped, but I just rolled all the winnings from each race into the next one. By the time the main race rolled around, my bankroll had ballooned to ¥450,000.

“Uhahahaha! Jackpot!!”

Worried about attracting attention, I grinned like a maniac in a toilet stall. My hands never stopped moving, though.

Right now, I’m frantically scribbling on mark sheets. Checked the odds board, and the trifecta combo I’m planning to bet looks like it’ll pay around ¥800,000 per ¥100 bet. So, I’m desperately filling out hundreds of ¥1,000 tickets.

If the payout is over ¥1 million, you can’t collect it from the automated machines. You have to go to the payout window. And if they think I look young and ask for ID? Game over. Going to the machines multiple times is suspicious, sure, but it’s better than dealing with staff. That’s why I’m scribbling like mad.

Finished a whopping 450 tickets and rushed to buy them all. If this hits, I’ll get about ¥36 million. Collecting it from the machines and depositing it straight into my bank account shouldn’t get me caught. Plus, I plan to dump all that cash straight into the Status Board. This is the perfect crime!! Fuhahahaha!
(※ Good kids, absolutely DO NOT try this at home.)

I brought a pretty big bag to carry all this cash back. Even if I can’t cash everything today, as long as I cash it before the deadline, it’s fine. Cashing 450 identical tickets at one place might raise eyebrows. I can hit different off-track betting shops.

And then, the fateful Victoria Mile. The race unfolded exactly like the vision I’d had back home, and I nailed the trifecta.

“Man, Umo[○]ka is too strong.”

I knew it, but still… seven lengths? In a G1? I guess that’s what happens when Daiwa Scarlet isn’t around.

“Uheh, uhehehehe…”

¥36 million. Thirty-six million yen. Of course I’m grinning like an idiot.

Suppressing my excitement, I cashed the tickets, trying not to look suspicious. I cashed them over and over until the bag I’d brought was stuffed full. Didn’t want the person behind me seeing the high amounts, so as soon as the cash came out, I shoved the bills straight into the bag, naked. Coins too.

“I skipped the 12R, but it worked out.”

Somehow, riding the high, I cashed the entire ¥36 million. This is bad. Doesn’t seem like anyone saw me yet, but I need to get out of here now. Walking around with that much cash makes anyone act sketchy. I bee lined straight for the taxi stand. Hailed one and asked to go straight to the station nearest my place.

(Should email Azusa. She’s waiting for the results. Send her a pic of what’s inside this bag…)

Click. Took a photo and sent it with the message. Told her I was heading to our station and wanted to meet up ASAP. Carrying this much cash is terrifying. I want to shove it into the Status Board ASAP and relax.

Azusa’s reply came fast. On my way. That’s it. She’s a pro.

Gotta think carefully about what to invest the Status Board money in. Even splitting it, ¥18 million each. The change is more than enough for the next bankroll.

I don’t know who sent me back to the past or why, but thank you so much. I’m gonna live it up.