Hachiman's POV

The flood of chocolates from the Uma Musume ate up more time than I expected. Today's training's gonna be light—Fuji's doing a final tune-up for the Hankyu Hai, Rice and Maurice are pairing up for Spring Stakes prep, Air Groove, CB, and Bakushin O are running a straight-line matchup, and Arrow and Altan are honing their form on dirt. I'm keeping the load low, though. Fuji, especially, needs to stay injury-free. A misstep or limp now could tank not just the Hankyu Hai but her shot at the Takamatsunomiya Kinen.

Hachiman: "Sorry for the wait."

Air Groove: "You're here."

CB: "No biggie—I figured you'd be late. Bet you were swamped collecting chocolates from all the students, huh?"

Hachiman: "Pretty much."

Arrow: "That bag says it all. That's a lot."

Maurice: "You got that many?" wide-eyed

Hachiman: "Didn't do anything special to earn 'em…"

Fuji: "Maybe you just don't notice how much you do."

…She might have a point.

Hachiman: "Alright, let's get started. Today's light: Fuji, final tune-up. Rice and Maurice, paired runs for the next race. Air Groove, CB, Bakushin O—straight-line matchup. Arrow and Altan, dirt work for form. Fuji, watch your legs. One wrong move, and we're not just skipping the Hankyu Hai—the Takamatsunomiya's at risk too."

Fuji: "Got it. I'll stay in tune with my legs and run smart."

Hachiman: "Good. Let's move."

At the course, everyone's hitting their marks. I've got to keep an eye on the whole team, but it's tough to catch everything from a distance. That's where Air Groove steps in—she's been acting as a sub-trainer lately. She's got a knack for it, probably from coaching Dober back in the day. Her advice is spot-on, and she always reports back with the details. She's practically the team's backbone. Well, she is the leader, so it tracks.

After Training

CB: "Another day done! Hachiman, let's head home!" grinning

Hachiman: "Fine, but don't even think about crashing at my place."

CB: "Haha, c'mon, don't be like that!"

Hachiman: "(She was totally planning it…) Whatever. You all head back too—curfew's no joke, and Fuji or Amazon'll have your heads."

Fuji: "Haha, I'm not that scary."

I've got nothing else on my plate, so I'll grab my stuff from the trainer's room and call it a day.

Arrow: "Trainer, got a sec?"

Hachiman: "Hm? Arrow, Rice, Bakushin O—what's up?"

Bakushin O: "A token of gratitude! Please accept it!"

Arrow: "Valentine's chocolate. For all you do."

Rice: "Um… here! I made Valentine's chocolate—please eat it!"

Hachiman: "Thanks for going out of your way."

Rice: "And, um… this too…"

She hands me a paper bag. Inside's a bracelet—silver chain, with a clear gem holding a tiny blue rose.

Hachiman: "Whoa, where'd you find this?"

Rice: "W-Well… I made it. Just finished it, so I wanted to give it to you, big brother…"

Hachiman: "Handmade?! And it looks this good? That's incredible, Rice. I'll treasure it."

Rice: "R-Really?! Ehehe, I'm so happy!"

Arrow: "You can make something that intricate? Impressive."

Rice: "Y-You think so?"

Seriously, it's amazing. This thing's so well-crafted—I've gotta take good care of it.

At the School Gate

Hachiman: "So, why's there a whole crowd freezing their tails off out here?"

Rudolf: "We've got something for you, so we waited."

Air Groove: "Same as the president."

Brian: "…" silent nod

Hayahide: "My little sister's in your care, so this is thanks—and an apology."

Oguri: "You treated us to some great food, so this is the least we can do."

Creek: "Oguri-chan and I worked hard on these together!"

Fine: "Haven't had much time to give it 'til now."

Flash: "This seemed like the best moment."

Bourbon: "Making chocolate was… trickier than expected."

Fuji: "Gotta do at least this much, right?"

…It's an ambush.

CB: "Whoa, that's a lot of people… Hachiman, I'm heading out. Feels like I'm outmatched today."

Hachiman: "I'll keep that in mind."

One by one, I accept their chocolates. How many did I get this year? I lost count halfway through.

And then, the last one…

Fuji: "Um… here, Hachiman. Happy Valentine's…" ///

Hachiman: "You don't blush like that often. Feeling shy?"

Fuji: "Y-Yeah… kinda…" ///

Hachiman: "Thanks, though. Want my thoughts on the taste?"

Fuji: "N-No need! Just eating it's enough! And… here's to working together, Hachiman!"

Hachiman: "(No idea why she's saying that now, but prying's not my style.) Yeah, here's to that."

Air Groove: (Fuji… not going for it, huh? I figured as much. But Hachiman's denser than I thought. Watching these two is maddening—I can't be the only one who thinks so.)

Bonus

Hachiman: "Phew, day's done. Now, which chocolate to start with—'Delivery, sir!' Oh, sure."

Delivery: "Sign here, please."

Hachiman: "Right. (From the U.S.? Teacher and Professor. And this one… Ireland? Pilsudski?!) Here you go."

Delivery: "Thanks! Here's your package. Have a good one!"

Hachiman: "…Guess I'll start with Teacher's."

How many chocolates did Hachiman get?!

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