Air Groove's POV
"…"
"Uh… no good?" Fine Motion asked.
"No way," I said. "How'd it even come to this? I met your sister the other day, but we're hardly close enough to dine together."
"Well…" Fine said, "ever since you met her, my phone's been blowing up! 'What's the Empress doing now!?' or 'I'm coming over with flowers!' or 'Let's train together until the Japan Cup!' It's intense…"
"That last one's absurd," I said. "I'm in race adjustments now—hardly the time. Sorry to your sister, but decline every invitation."
"I've been trying," Fine said, "but she's really persistent."
Her words made that clear, whether I liked it or not.
"Anyway, I'm counting on you, Fine," I said. "Handle her invitations. And don't you dare weigh me against ramen or something."
"H-Hey, come on, Groove-san!" Fine said. "Do I look that heartless?"
"…A little," I said.
…Well, I'll trust my friend for now.
Clubroom
"Phew…" I sighed.
"Rough day again?" Hachiman asked.
"Yeah," I said. "Fine says she's persistent, but that's an understatement."
"I hear you," Hachiman said. "No offense, but you've got a wild one attached to you."
"Didn't need to hear that," I said.
Fine mentioned it earlier, but ever since meeting Pilsudski, she's been calling Fine constantly, wanting another meeting. I keep telling Fine to say no. That type just doesn't sit well with me.
"Haa…" I sighed again.
"You look beat, Air Groove," Fuji said. "Can't blame you, with those daily calls."
"Fine's the one suffering most," I said, "having to reject her every time. It's exhausting. I can't deal with her while I'm training for the Japan Cup. Not that I want to."
"Does Pilsudski get that the race is soon?" Hachiman asked.
Click!
"Hachimaaan!" Mr. CB burst in, tackling him. "I'm here!"
"…Hey, CB," Hachiman said.
"Haa, Hachiman's so warm~ Nukumuku♪" CB chirped.
"CB-senpai," Fuji said, "is Hachiman Trainer-san really that warm?"
"Oh yeah!" CB said. "Way better than a hand warmer or hot water bottle~ So cozy♪"
"Don't use me as a heater," Hachiman grumbled.
"…" I grabbed his hand.
"Hm?" Hachiman said.
"Oh?" CB said.
"Well, well," Fuji said.
…It's not that I was jealous of CB-senpai. His hand just looked warm, so I took it. No ulterior motive… no, that's the old me talking. Truth is, I wanted to hold his hand—maybe even hug him like CB-senpai—but I'm not there yet. This is fine for now… and, hmm, it is warm.
"Hmm~," Fuji said. "Air Groove, is it warm?"
"…Yes, it's nice," I said.
"Right~?" CB said. "So nukumuku~♪"
"Wow, that good?" Fuji said. "Maybe I'll join in~"
"But his arms are full," CB said. "Oh, Air Groove's just holding his hand, so there's room!"
"!" I hugged him.
"Whoa!?" Hachiman yelped.
"!?" I froze.
I-I messed up! I hugged him on impulse! But… hmm, this is nice///
"No room left now~," Fuji said. "Guess I'll take…"
Hug!
"…Hachiman Trainer-san's back!" Fuji said.
"!" I tensed.
"Hey, that's not fair, Fuji!" CB said.
"CB-senpai, you're fine there," Fuji said. "Air Groove too. I'll settle for this."
"Uh, guys," Hachiman said, "I can't move."
"Hehe," Fuji said. "Isn't this nice once in a while?"
"It's not that," Hachiman said. "We've got an electric heater, right? It's not even cold."
"Not cold, but Hachiman's warm~♪" CB said. "And you're happy too, right?"
"Why would I be?" Hachiman said.
"'Cause girls are hugging you!" CB said.
"What are you on about…" Hachiman said. (Sorry, first taste of popularity, and I'm kinda hyped.)
Knock, knock, knock!
…! Someone's here!?
"Excuse me," Takanotsume said, entering. "Hachiman Trainer, I need to discuss—oh…"
(…This is bad. Really bad. Total misunderstanding waiting to happen, Hachiman thought.)
"Hey, Takanotsume-san!" CB said. "Wanna join? Hachiman's super warm~"
"What are you saying!?" Hachiman said. "Takanotsume-san, it's not what it looks like! They just hugged me 'cause I'm warm! I didn't ask for this!"
"S-Sorry!" Takanotsume said, bolting.
"Wait—ow, strong grip!?" Hachiman said. "Guys, let go! This isn't the time!"
"Calm down," Fuji said. "It's kinda cozy, and I don't wanna let go///"
"I'll help later," I said. "For now, let me stay like this///"
"Nukumuku forever~♪" CB said.
Afterword
Pilsudski's relentless invitations overwhelm Air Groove, but the real chaos erupts in the clubroom, where her newfound openness leads to a "harem" hug-fest with CB and Fuji. Hachiman's flustered heart can't catch a break! The Yahari crossover fuels the comedic warmth—how will Air Groove handle the Japan Cup with this chaos?
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