Hachiman's POV

CB: "Thanks for everything!" cheery wave

Air Groove: "We're truly grateful for these past few days. It was a wonderful time."

Rin: "Oh, don't mention it. Come back anytime—if you've got complaints about my wandering son, I'm all ears."

Hachiman: "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

Rin: "Exactly what I said, you drifter. You better come back at least once before the year's out. Show up only at New Year's, and you're in trouble."

Hachiman: "…Fine, I got it."

Fuji: "Well, everyone, take care."

Naoto: "Good luck with your races!"

Komachi: "We're rooting for you!" big grin

New Year's come and gone, and it's January 2nd—time to head back to Tressen Academy. They're seeing us off now. Come back before the year's out? Yeah, right. Like I've got that kind of free time lying around.

On the Train

CB: "Man, that went by in a flash. I thought four days, three nights would drag, but it was over before I knew it!"

Fuji: "Yeah, it did. Maybe next time we should stay longer. What do you think, Hachiman?"

Hachiman: "Don't put me on the spot like that… I guess next time we either bring the rest of the team or just the ones who couldn't make it this time."

CB: "What?! No fair, Hachiman! Alright, then we're all going next time!" pumps fist

Talking about the next trip already? Geez. Still, it was good to come home. Seeing my parents' faces after so long felt… nice. Not that I'd admit to staring at them or anything.

Air Groove: "Hachiman, are you jumping back into training as soon as we get back, or taking a few days off?"

Hachiman: "That's the thing—I'm torn. Some of the team's probably already back at the academy, ready to go. But it's only been four days since the break started. I'm thinking we could ease up a bit longer."

Fuji: "Why not ask everyone? See if they want to start right away or take a little more time. That's the practical move."

CB: "I'm cool either way!" sing-song

Hachiman: "Of course you'd give the most unhelpful answer possible."

Still, Fuji's got a point. When we get to the academy, I'll shoot an email to the team. And if anyone pulls a CB and says "whatever," I'm making them end every sentence with "~desu wa" as punishment.

Tressen Academy

Hachiman: "Alright, we're here. You two are headed to the dorms, right? CB, what about you? Going home?"

CB: "Hmm… I was thinking I'd crash at your place—" Hachiman: "Vetoed." CB: "—with you! Oh, come on, it's not a big deal!"

Hachiman: "Not happening, you knucklehead. Air Groove, Fuji—take her away."

Air Groove: "Understood. Let's go, CB."

Fuji: "Yeah, let's get moving."

CB: "Hey, wait up!" flailing

Hachiman: "…Alright, time to send that email and wait for replies."

Cafeteria

Aoi: "Hikigaya-kun! Happy New Year! Here's to another year!"

Classmate 1: "Happy New Year!"

Classmate 2: "Happy New Year, senpai! Looking forward to working with you!"

Hachiman: "Yeah, Happy New Year. Same to you. Girls' night already?"

Classmate 1: "Something like that. No crashing allowed, okay?"

Hachiman: "Don't worry, I'm not joining."

Classmate 2: "What brings you here, senpai?"

Hachiman: "No big reason. Just killing time while I wait for email replies."

Classmate 1: "…Girlfriend?"

Hachiman: "Nah, team stuff. Sent out a question about tomorrow's training."

Aoi: "Team, huh? Gotta say, Hikigaya-kun, you're the star among us."

Classmate 1: "Totally! You and Aoi are the only ones from our class with your own teams. Air Groove's got Junior, Classic, and Senior titles—undefeated, plus the Triple Tiara and Autumn Senior Triple Crown. Then Fuji Kiseki's got Junior and Classic titles, undefeated Triple Crown too. And you've snagged Trainer of the Year three years running! We're eating your dust."

Classmate 2: "Your record's insane, senpai. Four years, and it's all sparkly…"

Hachiman: "You guys talk it up, but I'm maybe thirty percent of it. The real work's done by the Uma Musume—their effort, their heart. Doesn't matter how much technique or knowledge you've got if they can't bring it to life."

Aoi: "Spoken like a true pro."

Hachiman: "It's just how I've gotten this far. Made some enemies along the way, sure—probably screwed up a few times early on. But things are rolling in a good direction now. Having a clear goal helps. Run toward it, and you'll at least see some light or a path."

That's what I learned with Air Groove. Picking the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies for her Junior year was the right call. If we'd gone for the Hopeful Stakes instead, things might've turned out differently.

Classmate 2: "Got it—goals. I'll ask my girls about theirs next training session!"

Hachiman: "Good plan."

Aoi: "Oh, Hikigaya-kun, I meant to ask—is it true Fuji Kiseki's running the Hankyu Hai next? Was that her idea?"

Hachiman: "No, the Hankyu Hai was my pick. Her big target's the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in late March."

Classmate 1: "A sprint race?! Her last one was the Kikka Sho—a total opposite distance!"

Hachiman: "Yeah, but Fuji's the one who wanted to try sprinting. I set the Hankyu Hai as a condition—if she doesn't win it, she's not running the Takamatsunomiya. She's on board with that."

Classmate 2: "Not even a step race—you're saying she has to win it?"

Hachiman: "Obviously. We're aiming for a G1 victory. If she can't even take a G3, her chances at the Takamatsunomiya are basically zero. Fuji's got to be pushed hard to handle sprints."

That's why Bakushin O and Maurice's full support for short-distance and mile training is non-negotiable. Fuji, this is your moment to dig in.

Hachiman, you've been overdoing it from the start. Fuji, give it everything for the Takamatsunomiya Kinen!

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