Family Destroyed by Boat Racing!

Experience
January 8, 2025
Family Destroyed by Boat Racing!

This is a story experienced by my junior, Makoto.

Makoto is 32 years old and works in sales for a medical equipment manufacturer. His performance is consistently at the bottom of the team, but three years ago, he got married. His wife, Sanae, makes him a bento lunch every day, which saves him lunch money. His annual income is 360,000 JPY.

His hobby is horse racing, and when he has a day off, he wants to go to the racecourse to watch the paddock and make predictions.

One day, during lunch break, as he was eating and checking the race card on his phone, someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Oh, Makoto, are you looking at the race card?"

"Ah, yes. Are you on your lunch break too, Miyazaki-senpai?"

"Yep. Do you like horse racing?"

"Yes, it's my hobby. I go to the racecourse about twice a month. I used to go more often."

"Oh, I see. I guess your wife doesn't approve of horse racing?"

"That's right. But she tolerates it as long as it stays within the realm of a hobby."

"Why don't you try online betting?"

"I'm scared to do that because I feel like I'd end up bankrupt again."

"Have you gone bankrupt before? And you still managed to get married?"

"About ten years ago, when I was 22, I got hooked on horse racing. Two years later, I went bankrupt. I got married three years ago, so my wife doesn't know about it."

"But horse racing isn't a valid reason for bankruptcy, is it? How did you even get it approved?"

"I expressed my remorse and agreed to undergo treatment for gambling addiction, and somehow, they accepted it."

"That must've been tough. If it had been boat racing, you probably wouldn't have gone bankrupt."

"Boat racing? You mean the boat races with fewer competitors, making it easier to predict the outcome?"

"That's right. That's why I got hooked on boat racing."

"I see. In horse racing, you have to predict among a maximum of 18 horses, but in boat racing, it's a third of that, so the odds are better."

"Exactly. I used to like horse racing too, but now I'm all about boat racing."

"Wow, so you've given up on horse racing?"

"Yeah, I've been losing less these days."

"That's great. Now I want to try boat racing too."

"If you're interested, I can take you with me next time. There's a G1 race coming up; it's a great opportunity."

"There's a G1 race coming up!?

"Yeah, it's a high-grade race. In boat racing, there are five grades: SG, G1, G2, G3, and regular races."

"I see. First, teach me the basics of boat racing."

"Sure. Boat racing is a public gambling event held 365 days a year, just like horse racing. You can buy boat race tickets online. Six boats race three laps on a 600-meter course to compete for the finishing order."

"Wow, there are so many ways to bet."

"Recently, the most popular bet is the three-boat ticket, where you predict the exact 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-place finishers. The boat in the innermost lane, number one, is generally considered to have an advantage, but the rules are designed to ensure fairness, so the outer lanes aren't at a significant disadvantage."

"How so?"

"Do you know about flying starts? In boat racing, the boats don't start from a stationary position; they start while already moving."

"Wow, I didn't know that."

"The start is tricky. You have to pass the starting line when the second hand on the clock is between zero and one second. Too early or too late, and you're disqualified."

"That's hard to picture. Let's go to the boat races on our next day off!"

"Yes, let's do it!"

Arrival at the Boat Race Track

And so, on their day off, the two of them headed to the boat races.

Admission to the boat races is usually 100 JPY, making it very accessible.

"Each venue has its unique characteristics, so let's start by checking out the water."

"I see, so the condition of the water also affects the race."

"Today, the water is calm, which is good for your first time, Makoto."

"Amazing. This is the course the racers will run."

"Now, let's go buy our boat race tickets."

"Okay!"

"Make your predictions, fill out the mark sheet, and then we can buy the tickets from the machine."

"I had a pretty good hit rate with horse racing, so I think I can win at this too!"

"Hold on! There are three essential factors in boat racing: the skill of the racer, the lane they're in, and the condition of the motor. The boats are assigned by lottery, so even a skilled racer can be at a disadvantage if they draw a less favorable boat."

"Then what should I do?"

"Look at the win rate in the race program, then check the motor performance and the two-boat ticket rate."

"What's a two-boat ticket?"

"It's the rate of finishing in the top two. The higher the number, the better the win rate. Lane position is also important, with the inner lanes having a higher win rate. Let's start by trying to predict the 1st-place finisher."

"Uh, okay..."

"Boat racing is deep. The racers engage in complex tactics and strategies to gain an advantage."

"I understand. Let's do this."

The race was about to begin!

Makoto had bet on number three, Yamauchi, who was maintaining the lead...!

"Come on, Yamauchi! You can do it!"

"The boat in the inner lane watches the turn marker and goes for a preemptive turn, while the outer lane boat builds up speed and goes for a full-speed pass."

"Boat number five, Kamiyama, made a great turn! Boat number two, Mikawa, is chasing close behind!"

"I don't know about this..."

"When you're in the back, you're at a disadvantage because you're affected by the wake of the boats in front. Oh, boat number two is right next to boat number three! It's the final lap now. It's anyone's game."

"They're in the final straight! Who will the goddess of victory smile upon!? Oh, boat number three pulled ahead! Yamauchi wins!"

Makoto had bet on number three, Yamauchi, and won! On his first boat race, he bet 1,000 JPY and won 1,500 JPY. He was thrilled.

"Miyazaki-senpai, I won!"

"Fun, right?"

"Yes, it's very exciting!"

"If you ever have some extra money, try the Martingale system. If you do it right, you're guaranteed to come out on top."

"That's where you double your bet after a loss, right? I tried it with horse racing, but it was a huge failure..."

"That's because you did it with horse racing. I'm in the black with horse racing thanks to the Martingale system."

"Boat racing seems easier to win."

Falling Deep into the Boat Racing Trap

After being introduced to boat racing by Miyazaki-senpai, Makoto fell hard for it.

On his days off, he would go to the boat races, and even on workdays, he would buy boat race tickets online during work.

"Today, I think I'll watch the races at a coffee shop while having some coffee."

Makoto had never been diligent about work, and after getting into boat racing, he became even less so.

"Yes! I won! My payout is 15,000 JPY. Now, which race should I bet on next?"

Makoto wasn't using the Martingale system. After going bankrupt from horse racing, he couldn't bring himself to use the same method.

"As long as I bet the full payout amount, I won't go bankrupt again. My wife, Sanae, doesn't know I'm into boat racing, either."

His wife hadn't been feeling well since the previous month, and when she went to the doctor, she found out she was three months pregnant.

"Well, it has nothing to do with me."

As he was looking at his phone while walking, he unknowingly crossed the street on a red light.

Brrrrrrrrrrr! Screeeeeeech! Thud!

He was hit by a car entering the intersection.

Fortunately, his life was not in danger, but he was taken to the hospital by ambulance and had to be hospitalized.

His wife, Sanae, rushed to his hospital room.

"You really scared me! It's a good thing you only fractured your leg. You'll be hospitalized for two months. Why did you enter the intersection on a red light!?"

"I was distracted by a work call."

"Hmm... I'll leave your change of clothes and other necessities here. I have work too, so I can't visit often."

"Okay..."

Sanae worked part-time at a nearby supermarket, and due to staff shortages, it was challenging to take time off.

"Are you sure you'll be okay? You'll be away from work for a long time, and it's because of your carelessness."

"Don't worry, it's fine. You can go now."

"Are you even sorry at all?"

"Of course, I am. Jeez, you took a few days off when you were feeling unwell during the early stages of your pregnancy. You found out about the pregnancy late, and you're so insensitive!"

"Then enlighten me, insensitive me. I found boat race tickets in your pocket."

Sanae had the boat race tickets.

"Ah, that, well..."

"So you've been boat racing. There's something called moderation, you know!? You have so many tickets, and you've been going every weekend!"

"It's my money, and I'll spend it how I want!"

"My salary goes towards our living expenses. I'm stretching the little money we have left, and here you are, spending freely. That's not fair!"

Makoto paid the 80,000 JPY rent and utility bills, while Sanae covered food and miscellaneous expenses.

"I pay more, so don't complain!"

"We're married, so of course, I'll complain! We're having a baby, so be more considerate with your spending. Why don't you invest instead of gambling?"

"Shut up! If you're not going to comfort me, then leave!"

"Fine, I'm leaving!"

And with that, Sanae stormed out.

A month had passed since Makoto's hospitalization. He had received 500,000 JPY in compensation from the insurance company of the driver who hit him, so he could enjoy boat racing without financial worry during his hospital stay.

He would roll over his winnings, so while he sometimes lost big, he could always fall back on the remaining compensation money when he lost.

"Ugh, I lost 50,000 JPY. I want to make it back in the final race."

By this point, he was betting 10,000 JPY per race. Even though he only participated in carefully selected races, he was still doing about five races a day, and when he lost, he used the remaining compensation money.

Makoto's Discharge

And so, Makoto's hospitalization came to an end, and he returned to work.

"Makoto, long time no see. Congratulations on your return to work!"

"Ah, thank you, Miyazaki-senpai."

"Get it together. Your wife is pregnant, right?"

"Yes, she said she's about five months along."

"I see. Hang in there."

"Yes..."

On his first day off after returning home, Makoto went to the boat races.

It was the day of an important race called the Boat Race Classic.

"Go, Makihara! I'm counting on you!

"And boat number three, Ishikawa, takes the lead!"

Ring, ring...

Makoto's phone started ringing.

"Who is it, calling at such a crucial time!?"

It was his wife, Sanae.

"Hello?"

"Where are you...? I'm in pain... Please come home..."

"Eh? I'm..."

"And we're into the final lap!"

Sanae sounded desperate.

However, he was in the middle of a race and couldn't miss it!

"P-please..."

"L-look, can we talk about this later!?"

Beep, beep, beep

Makoto hung up.

"Yes! Goooooo!"

"And boat number two, Makihara, pulls off a comeback win!"

"Yes! Wait, if number two is Yoshimura, then... my payout is 120,000 JPY!? Amazing!"

However, when he returned home after the race, he shuddered at the thought of facing his angry wife.

Confronted with Divorce

Makoto regretted hanging up on her, but it was too late.

"I'm home!"

He returned to their condo, but no one was there.

He called Sanae's phone, but it was her mother who answered.

"Hello, Makoto?"

"Ah, yes, um... Mother-in-law, where's Sanae?"

"She's at *** Hospital. Can you come?"

"Yes, I understand!"

Makoto hurriedly took a taxi to the hospital.

In the hospital room were Sanae and her parents.

"Sanae, what's wrong?"

"What are you doing here after hanging up on me like that?"

"I, I was in a meeting with a client..."

"At the boat races?"

"Eh?"

"The night you came home from the hospital, I installed a GPS app on your phone. I know where you've been."

"Huh?"

"To you, I'm less important than gambling. I want a divorce."

"Makoto, you should leave now."

"From now on, stay away from my daughter and your child. We'll handle the rest through our lawyer."

"But..."

Sanae had been on the verge of premature labor. Thanks to her parents' quick response and the hospital's appropriate treatment, the baby's life was saved.

However, their relationship as a couple was beyond repair. A few days later, he received a call from a lawyer, and the divorce was finalized.

Conclusion

Makoto, who had neglected his family for boat racing, ended up in a miserable state. However, now that boat racing was his one true love, nothing could stand in his way. Enjoy it to your heart's content.

And so...

PIJ Writer
PIJ Writer
PIJ Writer, a seasoned connoisseur in his 40s based in Japan, boasts an unparalleled depth of knowledge and experience within the vibrant landscapes of both drinking and gambling, alongside his well-documented ventures into various red-light districts. This extensive exploration encompasses not just the nocturnal delights of Japan's red-light areas but also its myriad of bars, horse racing, pachinko, and many others. Drawing on his firsthand experiences, he conveys the appeal and characteristics of Japan's diverse adult entertainment districts and his enjoyment of the nightlife scene through his writing for PIJ.

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