Air Groove's POV
I won… I won! Today's run was my absolute best! Even now, my steps feel light. Heh, I've never felt this free! Second place… Pilsudski-dono, huh. Impressive, as expected. Bubble Gum Fellow took third—close, but not quite.
"Empress," Pilsudski said.
"! Pilsudski-dono…" I turned.
"That was a first," she said. "I've never lost so utterly. You showed me an overwhelming gap in strength… But why? How can you run like that? No offense, but I didn't see this coming—not in the paddock, not in the tunnel. What's your secret?"
The answer's obvious.
"My trainer, Hachiman—no, my partner—made this run possible," I said. "I decided to show the one who claimed to belong at my side what true strength looks like. You could never draw this performance from me, Pilsudski-dono. No one in the world could. No one, that is, except my trainer, Hachiman."
"…" Pilsudski fell silent.
Pilsudski: (I see… I paved my own path to defeat. A run no one else could create… Her trainer's that exceptional.)
"Empress," she said, "I apologize for my earlier rudeness. I crossed a line. And… congratulations on your victory."
With that, Pilsudski-dono walked away. I soaked in the crowd's cheers, stepping into the winner's circle as I did after the Emperor's Cup, then headed underground to the one person I most wanted to see.
"Hey, nice work," Hachiman said.
"! I won," I said.
"I knew you'd pull it off," he said, "but 8 lengths against the world? Overkill. Thanks to you, I've been swamped with people asking how I trained you like that."
"Heh," I laughed. "But you're not generous enough to share your secrets, right?"
"No way I'm spilling that easily," he said. "Anyway, forget me. Your run today was sharper than ever. Probably for… other reasons, huh?"
"My side belongs to you alone," I said. "Got a problem with that?"
"…I get it, so I won't deny it," he said, "but pick your audience for that stuff."
No need. You understand both meanings perfectly.
The interviews came next, and they were the real chaos. Why? Because Secretariat-dono and Man o' War-dono showed up together. Even Hachiman's eyes widened—a rare sight. Then they announced to everyone that they're his mentors. Apparently, Man o' War took only Secretariat as her disciple, and Secretariat took only Hachiman. The crowd went wild. Exaggeration? No, "wild" fits perfectly.
Man o' War: "As expected of my grand-disciple's Uma Musume. That run exceeded every expectation."
Secretariat: "She's still rough around the edges, but that was a stunning performance against the world. I'm looking forward to her next race. And, Hachiman, my pride and joy, you've trained her well."
One thing's clear: these two are total mentor fanatics.
Hachiman: "Was that okay? Didn't you say you hate the spotlight?"
Secretariat: "Too late for that. Besides, I'm planning a short trip back to America soon."
Hachiman: "…"
Secretariat: "Just for a bit, don't make that face. I've already made this place my home."
Hachiman: "…Got it."
Secretariat: "Go on, get to your Uma Musume. Don't mess up your priorities."
Hachiman: "…Yes, ma'am."
Hachiman finished talking with Secretariat-dono and came back to me.
"All done?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm good," he said. "You?"
"No issues," I said. "[Clairvoyant] trainer—…huh?"
There stood Pilsudski-dono and her trainer.
"Empress," Pilsudski said. "I said it on the turf, but let me apologize again. I'm sorry. And, [Clairvoyant] trainer, I was rude to you too."
"Don't sweat it," Hachiman said. "Even if I did, Air Groove's win cleared my head."
"That's a relief," Pilsudski said.
Pilsudski's Trainer: "Still, I'm shocked. You're the disciple of America's greatest Uma Musume…"
"I'm just as surprised she went public," Hachiman said.
"Hmm…" Pilsudski said. "As I thought."
The three of us: "?"
Pilsudski: "[Clairvoyant]—no, Hachiman, was it? How about becoming my husband?"
"…Huh?" Hachiman blinked.
"What!?" Pilsudski's trainer gasped.
"What!?" I snapped.
"I've heard from my princess and the Empress," Pilsudski said. "You've got incredible talent. It'd be a shame to let it go to waste. So, what do you say? Want to join me and build the future of Ireland's Uma Musume world?"
"…What are you even talking about?" Hachiman said.
"Exactly, Pilsudski-dono!" I said. "You're royalty! This can't possibly be allowed!"
"My parents would approve once they see your skill," Pilsudski said.
I knew it from the start—this one's trouble!
Afterword
Air Groove's 8-length Japan Cup triumph sets the stage ablaze, her bond with Hachiman, the Clairvoyant, shining through as she shuts down Pilsudski's taunts. But Pilsudski's wild proposal sparks chaos, testing Air Groove's fiery loyalty. The Yahari crossover fuels the hilarity—Pilsudski's a walking landmine!
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