Air Groove's POV

Enough. No more overthinking. It's simple—hand over the chocolate casually after this is done. Nothing complicated. Focus on the task at hand.

The Kyoto Kinen

The announcer's voice boomed. "All eyes on Air Groove in gate four, second favorite Royal Touch in gate one! Two G1 Junior Class champions from two years ago face off for the first time! Air Groove's senior class debut—can she claim another victory? The Uma Musume head to the gates. Last to settle, Graceful Season in gate eleven. All set… They're off!!"

Kyoto's familiar from last year's Shuka Sho. The extra 200 meters? No issue. I'll run my race!

The announcer continued. "Air Groove holds mid-pack, in a strong position! Fandri Libya leads, with Graceful Season close behind! Royal Touch, Ibuki Yamato Kagura, and Gigaton form a tight group! Air Groove follows, with Zaphoria a length back, trailed by Yutosei, Sunday Finish, and Maruka Daishisu. Ski World brings up the rear. What moves will they make?"

Fuji Kiseki leaned in. "Hachiman Trainer, who's the threat?"

"No one here," he said. "With that positioning, she can break out anytime. She's hugging the rail—planning to shoot through the inside at the fourth corner. She's going for a ruthless win."

The announcer's voice rose. "Into the third corner, the pack closes in! Air Groove holds steady, watching from the inside—is she okay? The leaders hit the fourth corner, and now the straight!!"

Now!

The announcer roared. "Kyoto's main race is a line across the straight!! Air Groove surges from the inside, overtaking them all! Yutosei follows, Royal Touch charges! But Air Groove's unstoppable, blazing to victory! She's in!! Eight straight wins, seven graded stakes, her undefeated record grows! The 'Empress' shows no limits!!"

Perfect. A clean win. This sets me up for the Osaka Hai. I'll take every G1 this spring.

Post-race interviews and a live performance followed. Now, I'm swaying on a train beside Trainer. Fuji returned early for dorm duties.

Hachiman glanced at his phone. "Another crushing win. It's already news: 'Effortless victory, easing up at the end, still two lengths ahead!!' The world's gonna go wild again."

"For now," I said. "But attention will shift to the Classic Class soon. Dobel's out there."

"She's the big name, right?" he said. "Dobel's dominating the Tiara route?"

"That's what they say," I replied.

"Sounds like you last year," he said.

Dobel's got talent and the smarts to back it up. She'll own the Classic Class, no doubt.

Hours Later, Tokyo

Hachiman stretched. "Finally here."

"Long sits are rough," I said. "My body's stiff."

"Yeah," he said. "Wanna rest a bit?"

"There's a big park nearby," I said. "Let's take a break there."

Park

Hachiman sighed. "Ahh, stretching feels great."

I fidgeted, restless.

"Hey, something wrong?" he asked.

"N-No, nothing," I stammered. "I'm stepping away for a bit. Don't go anywhere."

"I'm not ditching my Uma Musume," he said. "Where would I even go?"

It's fine. Just hand it over casually. A simple thank-you for everything. No need to overcomplicate it!

I steeled myself. "Alright!!"

I turned back. "Hey, sorry for the wait—"

Who's that woman next to you?

Air Groove's POV End

Hachiman's POV

I sighed. "Almost my third year as a trainer. Pretty smooth, right? My life's so far from normal, though."

A voice chirped. "Hey, isn't that Hikitani-kun~?"

I froze. "…?"

"Long time no see!" she said. "Remember me?"

I squinted. "Who are you? I'm busy with work, and I don't dwell on the past."

"Hmm~," she teased. "You do remember, don't you?"

…Ugh.

"Fine," I said. "Long time no see, Yukinoshita-san."

Haruno Yukinoshita grinned. "Yup, it's been a while, Hikitani-kun! Wait, so you lied earlier? I'm hurt~."

"Then find someone else to console you," I said.

"Wow, you've changed," she said. "Were you always this snappy?"

"People change," I said.

Please leave. I need Air Groove back so I can bolt.

Haruno leaned closer. "Hmm~ Maybe you can console me, then~ Take responsibility~."

"No thanks," I said. "Too much hassle."

"C'mon, don't be like that~," she purred.

What's with the 'c'mon'? No way.

Air Groove's voice cut through. "…Hey."

I jumped. "Air Groove! You're back."

"Forget that," she said, eyes cold. "Who's the woman next to you?"

What's with that glare? She's staring daggers.

"She's—" I started.

"Exactly what you're thinking, right?" Haruno interrupted.

"What are you saying?!" I snapped.

Haruno smirked. "'Seeing is believing,' no?"

Air Groove's voice hardened. "…I see."

"Air Groove, wait!" I shouted. "Don't come closer!!!"

"I was a fool to trust you…" she said.

"Wait!" I called, but she sprinted off toward Trecen Academy.

She'll be fine getting back, but this… this is a massive problem.

I turned to Haruno. "What was that, Yukinoshita-san?"

She shrugged. "A bit of payback for earlier, but also… her attitude reminded me of Yukino-chan back then. I couldn't resist teasing~."

"So you toyed with my Uma Musume?" I said, voice low.

"Don't put it so harshly," she said. "Though it's not surprising you'd see it that way—"

Enough.

"Hey," I growled. "Answer me. Stop dodging and speak clearly." Rumble…

Haruno trembled. "…"

I glared. "…"

Haruno thought: What… what is this? I can't move… my whole body's shaking!

"Silent, huh?" I said. "Try that playful tone you love so much." Rumble…

Haruno gasped. "Ha… ha… ha…!"

"Enough, Hachiman," a voice said.

I turned. "…Sensei."

Hiratsuka-sensei frowned. "I've never seen you this emotional. But intimidating a woman like that? If you'd kept going, she'd have fainted."

"So I should just let her mess with my Uma Musume?" I snapped. "You're awfully calm, Sensei. I can't do that."

"Then what you should do isn't wasting time here, right?" she said.

I froze. "…"

She's right. I can't deal with this now. I need to find Air Groove.

"Sorry, Sensei," I said. "That was out of line."

"No harm done," she said. "I'm glad to see this side of you. I'll handle her. Go to Air Groove."

"Yes, ma'am," I said, sprinting off.

I've got to clear this up!

Hiratsuka-sensei turned to Haruno. "Let's have a chat."

Haruno flinched. "!"

"Relax, I'm not here to eat you," Sensei said. "I just want the full story. Your call, though."

Afterword

Haruno Yukinoshita crashes in and wrecks everything! Air Groove's Kyoto Kinen triumph, extending her eight-race streak, sets a high note, but her Valentine's hopes shatter when she misreads Haruno's teasing. Hachiman's rage erupts, only stopped by Hiratsuka-sensei's calm intervention. The Yahari crossover fuels this crisis, straining the "Empress" and "Tengan" Trainer's bond. Can they recover?

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