Air Groove's POV

…What should I do? Her words still sear my mind. I didn't hear the end—Trainer cut her off—but I know what she meant. Find another trainer. But I'm an Uma Musume, not a machine. I don't want to lose a skilled trainer, nor do I intend to. Yet… this mindset might've sparked her fury.

Trainer as a tool… No, that's not true! I value his purpose…!!

"No…" I whispered. "This is it. This mindset is the root of it all…"

Was I wrong from the start?

"…"

I'll return to the dorm… sort my feelings, then think it through.

Rittō Dorm

"Hey, welcome back, Air Groove," Fuji Kiseki said.

"…" I stumbled forward, unsteady.

Fuji watched silently.

Fuji's thoughts: Air Groove… she must've been hit hard. Hachiman Trainer-san filled me in, but this is worse than I expected.

My Room

I thought I respected Trainer. That wasn't a lie. But I only saw the trainer—a role, not the person. I never truly saw him. She was right… I haven't grown at all.

"From the start," I said, "I should've known him—not just as Trainer, but as Hachiman Hikitani, a human."

Yes, I know nothing about him. Just as he studies our racing styles and quirks, I needed to understand his personality, his humanity!

"…!!" I gasped. "That's what Mother meant last year. I'm such a fool for realizing it now."

But I'm starting to see the path forward. Tomorrow, I'll take action.

Air Groove's POV End

Hachiman's POV

Is Air Groove okay? I'm worried, but she was gone when I locked the clubroom. Probably back at the dorm… I gave Fuji the gist, but I don't know what's happening there.

"Now what…" I muttered.

"Trainer… san?" Café's voice came softly.

"Café," I said. "Got your friend with you?"

Tap, tap.

"Seems so," I said.

Café tilted her head. "Is… something wrong? You look troubled."

"Just… a bit," I said. "It's between me and my Uma Musume, so I can't spill the details."

"I won't pry," she said.

"Thanks," I said.

But what's next? I left it to Air Groove, but I doubt she'll just end the contract. Still, I can't see us dragging on like this.

"You seem… deeply worried," Café said.

"Yeah," I said. "I'm in a bind."

"Talking might help," she said, "but it's not that simple, is it? I doubt I can be of use."

"Nah, just listening helps," I said.

Thud.

"Uh, friend?" I said. "Your weight's hitting me full force here."

Pat, pat.

"…"

Rustle, rustle!

"…"

Hug!

"Don't pull my ahoge," I said.

Café smiled. "My friend really likes you, Trainer-san. This one rarely bothers with others, yet here they are…"

"Maybe 'cause I'm oblivious," I said. "Oi, don't lift my bangs."

"Perhaps," Café said. "Even Tachyon-san, my roommate, doesn't know much about my friend."

"Really?" I said. "I figured Tachyon got into some mess and paid for it—stop smushing my face."

"She's so playful with you…" Café said. "Oh, there was something. Tachyon-san touched my stuff, and my friend… burned her research papers."

"…That's wild," I said. "The papers are gone, right? Your stuff okay?"

"Yes, it's fine," Café said.

"Good…" I said.

"I've been thinking," Café said. "About my distance with Tachyon-san. She's always up to no good, so… sigh…"

"When she acts up, let your friend torch her papers again," I said. "Or blow up her latest potion."

"…Um, my friend's getting very eager," Café said. "What now?"

"Hey, friend," I said. "Only when she's naughty, got it? Don't do it unprovoked."

"…They're saluting," Café said.

"Your friend's one of a kind," I said.

They're always together, huh? Must trust each other deeply. I'm jealous… that's what we need most. Right now, our sense of distance is all wrong… Wait. Distance.

Thanks to yesterday's café visit and friends, I recalled and realized some things. Last night, I calmed my mind and heart, thought it over, and decided this was the best course. It's how we were meant to be.

Hachiman: "…Feels like I slept well for once. Woke up refreshed, good vibe."

Time to eat breakfast and prep. Missed training yesterday, so I'll plan a solid session today. Nothing too intense for Air Groove, though—she's got a workout scheduled.

Cafeteria

Aoi: "Hikigaya-kun, you seem in a good mood today."

Hachiman: "Huh, do I?"

Aoi: "Yeah, you look a bit brighter than usual."

Hachiman: "…Really? Haven't done anything different."

Probably because I'm close to resolving things with Air Groove. I've been in a good mood since last night.

Tojo: "But you seem different today. Lately, you've looked a bit worn out, but today, you're better."

Hachiman: "That noticeable, huh?"

Classmate 1: "Hana-san and Aoi-chan are right! By the way, Hikigaya-kun, no glasses today?"

Hachiman: "…Why?"

Aoi: "You haven't been wearing them much lately."

Tojo: "Why not try them sometimes?"

Hachiman: "They hurt behind my ears, so I'd rather not… Also, are the women around me just into my glasses look?"

Classmate 1: "Haha, you caught us!"

The female trainers in their 20s and 30s around me react—averting eyes, wry smiles, or big grins. Are glasses that great?

Hachiman: "…What if I said I don't have them?"

"""""No way!"""""

Hachiman: "What's with that reaction? They're just fake glasses, no point wearing them."

"It's fine! Your glasses look cool, Hikigaya-senpai!"

"Yeah, it's not like it costs you anything!"

Hachiman: "…Thanks for the meal."

"Hey, he's escaping!"

Aoi: "Wait, Hikigaya-kun!"

Escape is victory! Plus, I don't even have my glasses. Now, what to do until training…

After School

Today's been a great day.

CB: "Hey, Hachiman♪"

Hachiman: "Yo, CB."

CB: "Can I join training today?"

Hachiman: "Sure, it's a bit tougher today. You good with that?"

CB: "…"

Hachiman: "What's up?"

CB: "You're in a great mood today!"

Hachiman: "Am I? Everyone's saying that. Is it that obvious?"

CB: "Normally, you'd turn me down, but today you agreed right away. Gotta be in a good mood, right?"

Hachiman: "Guess so. So, you in or not?"

CB: "I'm in♪"

Clubroom

Door opens

Hachiman: "Anyone here?"

Fuji: "Yo, Hachiman-trainer, been waiting for you."

Hachiman: "Cool, CB's joining training today, so heads-up."

Air Groove: "…Trainer, got a sec?"

Hachiman: "Yeah, I've got something to say too. Wanna step outside?"

Air Groove: "Sure."

Bench

Air Groove: "…I thought a lot about yesterday. I said, 'Give me a bit, can I go first?' …Uh, yeah."

Hachiman: "I thought things over last night too. You get what happened before, right?"

Air Groove: "Yeah, I understand. It was my mistake."

Hachiman: "Good. Back then, we were too involved with each other."

Air Groove: "What?"

Hachiman: "We forgot. When we made our contract, it was about using each other. You said to focus only on training and races. I remembered that."

Air Groove: "…"

Hachiman: "So, let's go back to how it was. We're just connected by training and races. I concluded I shouldn't meddle in your personal time."

Air Groove: "Wha…"

Hachiman's Perspective Ends

Air Groove's Perspective

What did Trainer just say? Go back to before? We're not supposed to understand each other moving forward?

Hachiman: "So, I'll focus only on training and races from now on."

Air Groove: "Wait… that won't make our relationship better."

Hachiman: "No need. We're just using each other, like before. It's better that way."

Air Groove: "N-no… but…" mumbles

I… from now on, about you… Why does everything I do backfire…?

Afterword

Air Groove's epiphany dawns—she's never seen Hachiman as a person, only a trainer. Hachiman, inspired by Café's chaotic friend and their trust with Tachyon, grasps the "distance" tearing him and the "Empress" apart. Fuji's concern lingers, but both are poised for action as the Osaka Hai nears. The Yahari crossover fuels the trust theme, with Haruno's shadow looming. Will they close the gap?

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