Hachiman's POV

Today's the big day—workplace tour for trainer hopefuls. I'm supposed to show off my training, but they said to keep it business as usual. Same start, same finish. But when are these guys showing up? If they're late, I might have to stretch the session. Shouldn't we coordinate that?

Nah, forget it. I give up. Focus on what's in front of me.

I blinked. "Why's CB here?"

Mr. CB grinned. "Wanna hear?"

I sighed. "Fine, I'll bite."

"They invited me!" she said. "To show the newbies some top-tier training."

"…Got it," I said. "Could've consulted me, though. Fuji, you knew?"

Fuji smiled sheepishly. "I was gonna tell you, but CB-senpai said it'd be a fun surprise, so I couldn't…"

I smirked. "Bet you were all giddy about it, huh?"

Air Groove snorted. "Called out."

Fuji laughed. "Guess so!"

"Whatever," I said. "Let's brief. Today's the day those trainer wannabes come to watch. No clue when they'll show, so we stick to routine. We're using the course for a three-horse parallel run. I'll give specifics later. Get ready."

Fuji raised a hand. "Hold up."

"What?" I asked.

Air Groove fixed me with a stare. "Visitors are coming. You need to look the part."

"I dressed like you told me yesterday," I said.

"Your clothes are fine," she said. "It's that slouch and those eyes."

Ouch, straight for the soul… Fix my eyes? Now? And the slouch—today of all days?

CB clapped her hands. "No worries! We've got the gear ready!"

I frowned. "Gear?"

Fuji grinned. "Take off your jacket, Trainer-san. Got anything under your shirt?"

"An undershirt," I said.

"Strip to it," she said.

I eyed the device in her hand. "…That's a posture corrector, isn't it?"

Air Groove smirked. "Knew you'd get it."

"Seriously?" I groaned. "Today's gonna suck…"

After Strapping on the Belt

I winced. "Ugh, it's pulling me…"

Air Groove nodded. "Much better."

Fuji smiled. "You should stand like that always, Trainer-san."

"Too late for that," I muttered.

CB grinned. "I like slouchy Hachiman, though."

Air Groove held up something else. "Next, this."

"…Glasses?" I said.

No prescription. Fake glasses, huh?

"These fix my eyes?" I asked.

Fuji chirped, "Give it a shot, Trainer-san!"

CB winked. "Just try it, like you're being tricked!"

"Tricked?" I scoffed. "You mean after being strong-armed. Ugh, these won't change a thing."

The three stared.

Takanotsume led the group. "Next is the training course. It's in use, but we've got special permission to observe. Air Groove, Triple Tiara champion, is training now."

A visitor gasped. "Really?!"

Takanotsume nodded. "Yes, her trainer approved."

"But that trainer…" one whispered.

"Yeah, the one with the rumors?"

"Is it safe?"

"Kinda sketchy…"

Takanotsume smiled. "We're here. This is one of our academy's training courses—the widest one, though there are plenty more."

Air Groove huffed, "Ha… ha… ha…!"

Fuji panted, "Fuh… fuh… fuh…!"

CB breathed, "Suu… fuu…"

I called out, "CB, overtake them there!"

CB grinned. "Got it!"

Looks like they're here.

A visitor gaped. "Whoa…"

"That's…"

Takanotsume pointed. "From the back: Air Groove, Fuji Kiseki in the middle, and Mr. CB up front—some of Trecen's standout Uma Musume. Let's ask their trainer about today's menu!"

The group froze. "Uh…"

Takanotsume called, "Trainer-san, got a moment?"

"Sure," I said, turning.

Takanotsume flushed. "Oh…!"

A visitor whispered, "He's… hot."

"Wait, actually cool?!"

"Those rumors? Total lies."

"No way, that's unfair…"

Why's Takanotsume frozen too? And the girls? Something off with me? They're whispering…

Takanotsume cleared her throat. "Ahem! This is Hachiman Hikitani, the trainer who led Air Groove to Triple Tiara glory! Hikitani-san, what's today's training?"

(Why's she using my name?) "We're doing a parallel run. The outermost Uma Musume overtakes the inner two, focusing on cornering, acceleration, and leg use. After this, we'll play tag."

A visitor blinked. "Tag? Like, actual tag?"

"Yup," I said. "A bit different, though. Stay and see."

CB jogged over. "Hachiman! Parallel run's done! Tag's next, right? Love that one!"

I nodded. "Good. Say hi."

CB waved. "Hey! I'm Mr. CB, hobby's strolling. Nice to meet ya!"

Air Groove stepped up. "Greetings, visitors. I'm Air Groove, student council vice president. There's much to learn here, so make the most of it."

Fuji smiled. "My turn. I'm Fuji Kiseki, head of Ritto dorm—one of two Uma Musume dorms, alongside Miura. And…"

She produced red and white roses from nowhere, one for each visitor. Red for women, white for men, huh?

"A small gift from me," Fuji said. "Will you accept?"

Did you three plan this?

Afterword

Hachiman's makeover steals the show! Air Groove's Triple Tiara legacy shines as she leads the training demo, with Fuji's rose-tossing charm and CB's surprise flair wowing the crowd. The posture corrector and fake glasses transform Hachiman, leaving visitors—and Takanotsume—speechless, crushing those "prize money thief" rumors. Air Groove's commanding presence rules, but Fuji's sparkle hints at her arc to come—what a day!

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