The air at Trecen Academy buzzed with the energy of a new season, the campus alive with Uma Musume jogging across the training fields, their hooves kicking up dust under the late summer sun. The academy's sprawling grounds—lined with sleek dorms, state-of-the-art tracks, and blooming cherry trees—hummed with anticipation as the Triple Tiara loomed. I, Hachiman, stood in the administrative office, the faint scent of polished wood and paperwork grounding me as I handed over the freshly signed contract to Takanotsume, the academy's meticulous overseer.

"Just got the approval," I said, passing her the papers. "Fuji Kiseki's my second trainee. Please review."

Takanotsume, her sharp eyes framed by her distinctive red glasses, took the contract, scanning it with the precision of a hawk. Her tail flicked as she read, her demeanor as composed as ever. "Fuji Kiseki, huh? A bit surprising. I figured you'd pick someone you're always with, like Mr. C.B. or Symboli Rudolf."

I leaned against the desk, arms crossed. "I'm a trainer, not a buddy," I said, my voice firm. "I don't choose based on friendships. It's about who I think I can train, strengthen, and make shine. That's the deal."

Okay, maybe a tiny bit of personal bias crept in—Fuji's infectious energy from our hammock misadventure at summer camp lingered in my mind—but my choice was rooted in her potential. Fuji had the spark to dominate, but she needed polish, and I was determined to carve her into a champion.

Takanotsume chuckled, her laugh low and knowing. "Well said. Everything checks out. As of today, Trainer Hikitani, you're officially Fuji Kiseki's trainer. Best of luck."

"Thanks," I said, nodding as she stamped the contract with a satisfying thud.

With the paperwork settled, Fuji would join training tomorrow. My plan was calculated: hold her back this season, build her strength, and aim for a debut next year. I didn't just want her to win—I wanted her to dominate, to leave the turf trembling in her wake. Right now, her form was solid but not peak. A premature race could yield a fleeting first-place finish, only for her stamina to dip. This was her time to grind, to forge resilience for the long haul. Air Groove, my first trainee, was already charging toward the Shuka Sho, her sand sprints at camp a testament to her readiness. Fuji needed that same edge.

"Alright, that's done," I muttered, slipping the contract's copy into my bag. "Time to check on someone."

The walk to Trecen's medical center was brisk, the campus paths lined with Uma Musume laughing and sparring, their halos—those glowing markers of their spirit—glinting in the sunlight. The medical center loomed ahead, its sterile white facade a stark contrast to the vibrant fields. I hesitated at the entrance, my mind drifting. "Been a while… two months since summer camp? Wonder if the cast's off…"

I peeked into Bubblegum Fellow's room, expecting to see her lounging with that trademark grin. Empty. The bed was neatly made, the monitors dark. Wait, this was her room, right? Did they move her? My stomach twisted—Bubblegum's fracture from that brutal training accident had been serious, a six-month recovery at best.

At the front desk, I leaned forward, my voice low. "Bubblegum Fellow—where is she?"

The receptionist, a calm Uma Musume with a clipboard, glanced up. "She was discharged a month and a half ago," she said. "After thorough exams with her doctor and trainer, her fracture had healed."

"Seriously?" I said, stunned, my jaw practically hitting the counter.

Healed? They'd said six months! Even with Bubblegum's freakish recovery, three months was half that. Three months? Her injury had been no joke—a cracked bone from overexertion during a sprint. I'd seen her wince, her usual bravado replaced by gritted teeth. The doctors had been firm: rest, no risks. Yet here she was, out and about?

I wanted to call Kenta, her trainer, right then, but the lobby was crowded with Uma Musume—some bandaged, others chatting about races. I stepped outside, the cool evening air hitting my face as I pulled out my phone. The campus lights flickered on, casting long shadows across the training fields.

Beep, beep, beep. Ring… ring…

"Hello, Senpai?" Kenta's voice came through, bright and slightly flustered.

"It's Hikitani," I said, pacing. "Heard Bubblegum got discharged ages ago. What's she up to?"

"Oh!" Kenta said, his tone sheepish. "Sorry, I forgot to tell you! I knew you were at camp, so I planned to update you after, but…"

"Forget it," I said, waving off his apology. "Just tell me her condition. Discharged doesn't mean she's back to full training, right?"

"Well…" Kenta hesitated, and I could practically hear his nervous grin. "She's already running hard. She's registered for her next race."

"…What?" I said, stopping dead in my tracks.

Running hard? Registered? No way she was that recovered. My mind raced—maybe her next race was next year, something like the Gold Cup, Nikkei Shinshun, AJCC, or lighter stakes like Aichi Hai or Kokura Daishoten. Bubblegum was tough, but pushing her into a major race this soon seemed reckless.

"Good to hear," I said, keeping my voice steady. "Which race? Gold Cup? AJCC? Maybe Aichi Hai?"

"Uh… Mainichi Okan," Kenta said, his voice brimming with excitement.

"Mainichi Okan, huh?" I said, nodding. "Got it, Mainichi Okan… wait, what? Mainichi Okan? The October GII race? This year? What happened to 'no races this year' from the doctors?"

"We talked it over," Kenta said. "By June, her cast was off, and she was in great shape. July's checkup confirmed it, so we discharged her. I discussed with her, and we decided on Mainichi Okan."

This was wild. Bubblegum had healed fast enough to race in the classic season. Her recovery was unreal, like something out of a manga. I pictured her charging down the track, her bubblegum-pink mane flying, defying every prognosis with that stubborn grin.

"Alright, I get it," I said, exhaling. "She's training normally now?"

"Yup!" Kenta said, his enthusiasm infectious. "Running with the senior Uma Musume. She's in top form, so I think she'll deliver results."

"Got it," I said, a smile creeping onto my face. "Let's talk more tomorrow. I want details."

"You're at Trecen's dorm, right?" Kenta said. "We could talk there."

"Nah, I wanna see Bubblegum too," I said. "It's been three or four months. I'd rather meet in person."

"Got it, tomorrow then!" Kenta said. "I bet Bubblegum's excited to see you too."

"Yeah, see you," I said.

"Tomorrow!" Kenta replied, his voice fading as I hung up.

Bubblegum, discharged and racing so soon? Honestly, Hachiman's floored. I leaned against a lamppost, the campus lights casting a warm glow. Bubblegum's comeback was a game-changer. Mainichi Okan was the week before Shuka Sho, a major Tokyo race, and her return could shake things up. Air Groove was already gunning for the Triple Tiara, and now Fuji was my second trainee, her training plan locked in. The turf was heating up.

"We can't slack off now," I said to myself, pocketing my phone. "Mainichi Okan's a big deal. Might be worth checking out."

The academy's fields stretched before me, alive with the promise of races to come. Bubblegum's blazing return, Fuji's potential, and Air Groove's charge toward Shuka Sho had the season buzzing. I'd meet Bubblegum tomorrow, catch up with Kenta, and dive into Fuji's training. The classic season was calling, and we were ready.

Bubblegum Fellow's back, and she's blazing! Air Groove's charging toward the Shuka Sho, but Bubblegum's jaw-dropping three-month recovery steals the spotlight, setting her up for Mainichi Okan. Hachiman's stunned, Fuji's locked in as his second trainee, and the Triple Tiara's stakes are soaring. With Kenta's update and a reunion on the horizon, the turf's buzzing—get ready for a classic season showdown!

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