Hachiman's POV

Why did I take that selfie with Sensei? I'm exhausted, and it's not even training time. Meanwhile, she's in high spirits. Please don't send that photo to Professor. I can see the hassle coming.

"Training's about to start," I said. "What's your plan, Sensei?"

"About that," she said. "I'm canceling today's training. I want to talk to an Uma Musume instead."

"Air Groove?" I asked.

"Exactly," she said. "I need to gauge her heart."

"…I'll let Fuji know," I said.

"Do that," she said. "Let's head to the clubroom."

It's obvious—100% about that incident.

Clubroom

Fuji emailed back: Got it. I'll come by tomorrow. Sorry, Fuji. I'll take you to a show sometime—gotta book it soon.

"When's training?" Sensei asked.

"Four o'clock," I said. "They'll be at the course. Takes about forty-five minutes to gather."

"Good," she said. "We'll wait."

Minutes Later

Click.

Air Groove froze. "…!"

"Hey, long time no see," Sensei said.

"…It's been a while," Air Groove said stiffly.

"You've grown strong," Sensei said. "I'd like to talk. I've taken today's training time. Will you indulge me?"

"So you're overseeing training?" Air Groove asked.

"No, my apologies," Sensei said. "I've canceled it to speak with you."

"…"

"Or do you refuse to talk to someone who urged you to end your contract?" Sensei pressed.

Wait, what? She said that? Seriously? I had no idea.

"If it's not training, I've no reason to stay," Air Groove said. "Excuse me."

"By the way," Sensei said, "I know about last month's incident. If I include that, would you listen?"

"Last month?" Air Groove said.

"When you returned from Kyoto after your race," Sensei clarified.

Air Groove flinched. "!!"

Yeah, that'd hit home.

"…Fine," Air Groove said. "I'll listen."

"Thank you," Sensei said. "I'm glad."

Air Groove sat across from Sensei. I was next to Sensei, facing Air Groove's guarded expression.

"Let's be blunt," Sensei said. "Hachiman has no romantic ties. It was your misunderstanding. Clear so far?"

"Yes," Air Groove said.

"The issue came after," Sensei continued. "That woman's on house probation. I handled it, but it's lenient. We can only hope for better moving forward."

"…" Air Groove said.

"That's probably irrelevant to you," Sensei said. "I want to talk about you two since then. What's changed? Nothing? I haven't heard from Hachiman, so I'm in the dark. Lie if you want, but I'll get the truth from him later. He doesn't lie to me."

"…" Air Groove said.

She recounted the events to Sensei, who listened without a word.

"…I see," Sensei said. "That's what happened."

"Yes," Air Groove said.

"You couldn't trust Hachiman even then," Sensei said. "A year ago, I told you: if you can't trust him, end the contract. Forgotten that?"

"…I remember," Air Groove said.

"Yet you're still his Uma Musume?" Sensei said. "Odd. With this incident, isn't that reason enough to cut ties?"

"That's…" Air Groove faltered.

"No answer?" Sensei said. "Fine. But as a mentor, I hate seeing my disciple waste time. How about it? Ready to walk away?"

"…Waste time?" Air Groove said.

"Yes," Sensei said.

"Are you saying the two years I spent with Trainer were worthless?!" Air Groove snapped.

"Aren't they?" Sensei retorted.

"No!" Air Groove shouted. "Our relationship isn't great now, but that's—" "Hachiman's fault, is it?" "!!?"

"Don't deny it," Sensei roared. "When Hachiman chased you here, what did you say? What words did you hurl? Those words don't just waste your shared struggles—they destroy everything you built! Do you grasp that? No, you can't!!"

This is bad… Sensei's genuinely furious.

"I asked Symboli Rudolf a question in the cafeteria," Sensei continued. "A friendly but third-rate trainer versus a skilled one who can't build trust. Rudolf chose the former: one heart, one stride, the true ideal. But you? What's changed in two years? Has your bond grown? Your distance closed? No! It's widened! What's this if not a waste?!"

Air Groove trembled. "…" Shake, shake.

"Hachiman isn't your tool!!" Sensei bellowed. "What do you think a trainer is? What do you think Hachiman is?! If you want a convenient trainer, then—" "Sensei!!"

"…" I said.

"…Sorry, Hachiman," Sensei said. "I lost control. Air Groove, my apologies for getting heated. But I stand by my words."

Air Groove shook. "…" Tremble.

"I'm leaving," Sensei said. "I need to cool off. Hachiman, think hard about what's next, got it?"

"…Yes," I said.

"Excuse me," she said, quietly exiting.

I haven't seen Sensei like that in ages. Probably since those newspaper scandals about me. What a heavy silence.

"Air Groove," I said.

She flinched. "!!"

"Sensei was harsh," I said. "She's like that—hates injustice and irrationality. But I don't think she was wrong. Decide what's next. I'll wait."

"…" she said.

"I'm heading to the trainer's office," I said. "Training's canceled. Go back to the dorm when you're ready. Leave the keys as is."

Sensei's unspoken words… Air Groove probably caught them. But they're too harsh for Uma Musume, even if true.

Afterword

Hiratsuka-sensei's fury erupts, shaking Air Groove to her core as she challenges her refusal to trust Hachiman, branding their two years wasted. The Yahari crossover intensifies with Sensei's wrath, echoing Rudolf's ideals and exposing the "Empress" and "Tengan" Trainer's fractured bond. Hachiman's restraint offers a sliver of hope, but with the Osaka Hai nearing, can Air Groove face her truth?

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