Hachiman's POV

This is the worst. I never saw this coming… but no time for that. I've got to find Air Groove!

I pulled out my phone. Ring… ring!

Fuji's voice came through. "Hachiman Trainer-san calling me? That's rare. Something wrong?"

"Fuji, has Air Groove come back?" I asked.

"No, not yet," she said. "What happened?"

"It's… an emergency," I said. "If she's not there, that's fine. Sorry."

"Need help looking?" she offered.

"No, stay at the dorm," I said. "Keep things normal with the others. If you see her, act casual and let me know."

"Got it," she said.

"Thanks," I said. "Ugh, if I were an Uma Musume, I'd catch up in no time!"

Trecen Academy

I panted. "Finally… here. No word from Fuji, so the clubroom's my best bet."

A student waved. "Hey, Trainer-san! Good work~!"

"Thanks," I said. "Seen Air Groove?"

"Air Groove-senpai? Nope," she said.

"Alright, thanks," I said.

"See ya tomorrow~!" she called.

Clubroom

Click.

"Air Groove…" I said, spotting her.

She glared. "What do you want? Weren't you enjoying your little rendezvous?"

"Please, just listen," I said. "That woman and I aren't like that. She's just my high school classmate's sister. Running into her was pure chance."

"You expect me to believe that?" she snapped. "She was all over you. Explain that."

"She was joking," I said. "She's like that—teasing for kicks. It wasn't flirting. What she said to you was a lie to mess with you."

She stayed silent.

"You don't have to believe me," I said. "But I swear, I'm not sidelining my trainer duties for romance. You and the others are my only focus."

"…" she said.

"Air Groove—" "Stay back."

"Is that your defense?" she said. "Even hearing it, I can't trust you. How do I know this isn't a lie?"

"No way," I said. "It's the truth." "And you think I can believe you now?"

"I can't trust you," she said.

"…"

This is a matter of time… no, it's her issue too. Nothing I say now will help. I need to give her space.

"Fine," I said. "For your sake, I'll keep my distance. Meetings will be short, just the essentials. I'll oversee training but nothing more. No race escorts. We'll keep things minimal. That's what you want, right?"

She frowned. "…What's that mean?"

"Exactly what I said," I replied. "We'll keep it professional."

"…" she said.

"…" I said.

"Fine," she said. "Minimal contact from now on."

"Got it," I said. "Starting tomorrow, that's the plan. Good work today."

"…"

I know this is the worst move as a trainer. But it's the only compromise. Anything else would get shot down.

I stepped outside. "Ugh…"

Crash!!

I slammed my fist into the wall. I'm pissed. That woman, Yukinoshita, screwing everything up.

"…" I stood there.

Rice Shower's voice trembled. "B-Brother…?"

I turned. "Rice? What's up?"

"Um… no reason, but…" she said, hesitant. "You looked angry. Is… everything okay?"

"I'm fine," I said. "Sorry you saw that."

"No, it's okay!" she said. "Just… don't push yourself, okay? If something's wrong, you can tell me."

"Thanks, Rice," I said.

She headed to the dorms. If Rice had seen that mess instead, would it have gone differently? No point in what-ifs. This is reality.

"Tomorrow's gonna be rough…" I muttered.

Oh, gotta call Fuji.

Hachiman's POV End

Air Groove's POV

"…"

I couldn't do it. The chocolate stays ungiven. Hah. What's the point now? If a god exists, they'd say, "Don't do what doesn't suit you."

I bit into the chocolate. "…"

It's milk chocolate. So why… why does it taste so bitter?

A month has passed since I distanced myself from him. The Osaka Hai looms in a few weeks, yet… I can't move like I used to. It's not just that—I've been slipping up in student council duties, making trivial mistakes. I can't even recall a proper meeting lately. But that's fine. I agreed to this distance. I won't complain now. Still… my performance is noticeably worse. Is this his influence?

Fuji Kiseki spoke up. "Air Groove, don't you think it's time?"

"…Time for what?" I asked.

"Don't play dumb," she said. "Hachiman Trainer-san. I've heard both sides. My take? He's not the type to lie or upset you for fun. Why not talk it out again?"

"…"

"You know I'm right," she pressed.

Don't act like you understand!

"I know!" I snapped. "I get it in my head, but it doesn't help! Seeing him with that woman still makes my blood boil! And I accepted his stupid proposal—what am I supposed to do?!"

Fuji tilted her head. "Did you really hear him out to the end?"

"…Yes," I said.

"Then why are you still torn up?" she asked. "If you truly listened, this wouldn't be happening. There's only one reason: you didn't accept his explanation. Am I wrong?"

"You trust him?" I shot back.

"It's not about that," she said. "I trust both of you. But all I feel from you is anger. How can you hear anyone out like that?"

"…"

"Besides," she added, "in your current state, I wouldn't lose to you, even in a race."

What did she say?

"Then let's race!" I declared.

"Fine by me," Fuji said.

Minutes Later

I panted. "Ha… ha… ha…"

Fuji caught her breath. "Done already?"

I hadn't won once against her. Four races, four losses…

"Why?!" I shouted. "Why can't I win?! What's wrong with me?!"

Fuji's gaze softened. "One question, Air Groove. Do you trust Hachiman Trainer-san?"

"What?" I said.

"Do you?" she pressed.

"Of course—" "I trust and believe in Hachiman Trainer-san." Her voice cut through.

"He's one of a kind," she said. "You know that. Two years ago with Bourbon, last year with Bubblegum, rehabbing injured pony girls—he's there. Even this track. Janitors maintain it, but he pitches in first. This course? Same deal. He's kind, unlike some selfish Uma Musume who won't listen."

I flinched. "!!"

"I hate saying this," she continued, "but if you can't trust him, end the contract. He's too kind to say it, but I don't see you two working out like this."

"!!?" I gasped.

Wait… those words…

"If you can't trust someone, isn't it obvious? The first answer was amusing, but if that's your stance, there's only one choice. Training under someone you don't trust breeds anxiety. Why force it? Find a trainer you deem trustworthy."

That Uma Musume by the riverbank… Fuji's saying the same thing?

"I don't want to hurt you, as your friend," Fuji said. "But if you plan to keep this contract, change your mindset now."

"…"

"I'm heading back to the dorm," she said. "Don't stay out too late. It's a rest day—you shouldn't even be doing this."

…I don't trust him, so I should end the contract? But…

"What should I do?" I whispered.

Air Groove's POV End

Hachiman's POV

"It's been a month since her—Yukinoshita's sister," Hiratsuka-sensei said. "What's your plan?"

"Honestly?" I said. "I don't want anything to do with her. I'm fine leaving it at that."

"Your Uma Musume was practically a victim," she said. "And you'll just let it slide?"

"If she doesn't come around, that's fine," I said. "I don't expect more. Air Groove probably doesn't want to see her face either."

"How's Air Groove doing?" she asked.

"…We're keeping distance," I said.

"As a person, that's fair," she said. "As a trainer—" "I know, it's the worst." "Let me finish. You had no choice, right? To give her some peace of mind?"

"…"

"Hachiman," she said. "If she won't budge, consider ending the contract."

"But—" "It's not about your pride. With your talent, will you let it go to waste? Waste time? Air Groove isn't the only one. Plenty of Uma Musume want your guidance. Training those eager girls would be better for you, no?"

"…"

"It's your call," she said. "But remember, the consequences are yours too."

"…Yes, ma'am," I said.

"Good," she said. "I'll visit soon. I want to talk to her too."

Ending the contract… If that's best for Air Groove, maybe I should. But… what do I want?

Afterword

A fractured bond teeters on collapse. Air Groove's trust wavers, her losses to Fuji exposing her turmoil as the Osaka Hai looms. Fuji's tough love and Hiratsuka-sensei's advice push both Air Groove and Hachiman toward a breaking point—end the contract or rebuild? The Yahari crossover's shadow lingers, with Haruno's chaos unraveling the "Empress" and "Tengan" Trainer's partnership. What's next?

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