Air Groove's POV
Announcer: "What a race! Neither gave an inch! Who could've predicted it'd come to this?! It's been a head-to-head duel between these two since the final stretch!"
Commentator: "The other Uma Musume are talented, no doubt! But Air Groove and Mejiro Dober's sheer determination—their raw hunger to win—was on another level compared to the other fourteen. You don't pull off a run like that at an unfamiliar distance without that kind of fire!"
Air Groove: "Huff… huff…"
Dober: "Huff… huff… huff…"
I never imagined Dober would grow this strong… Heh. Compared to back when her dislike of men kept her from training properly, this is night and day. I've never been pushed to the brink like this before.
Air Groove: "Huff… huff… phew."
Finally catching my breath. I need to give my respects—and gratitude—to this junior who's come so far.
Air Groove: "Dober."
Dober: "Huff… huff… S-Senpai…"
Air Groove: "Heh. Still out of breath? No surprise there—it's your first long-distance race. No shame in that. It's my first time at this distance too, you know."
Dober: "S-Senpai… huff… I-I…"
Air Groove: "Catch your breath first. Let me say my piece. That race today? Absolutely brilliant. It's the first time I've ever felt someone might actually overtake me… No, that's not right. The results aren't out yet, so assuming I've lost is a mistake. But the fact that you made me feel that way shows how far you've come. Running with you on this turf today is something I'll never forget… You've grown strong, Dober."
Dober: "…!! S-Senpai…" tears welling up
Air Groove: "Heh. Hold those tears. Save them for after the results."
The review lamp stayed lit for a while. It was a long deliberation, so Hachiman and Dober's trainer brought us coats to keep warm.
Air Groove: "Thanks, Hachiman. And… sorry. I got pushed harder than I expected."
Hachiman: "Don't sweat it. Your opponent was just that good. Besides, she's the junior you mentored, right? Her strength makes sense."
Air Groove: "Flattery won't get you anywhere, you know."
Hachiman: "Oh yeah? I was thinking of giving you a head pat back in the lounge."
Air Groove: "…That's playing dirty…" mumbles, blushing
Hachiman: "My bad, my bad. I'll do it, so don't pout. I'll make it happen later, okay?"
Air Groove: "…You'd better." shy glance
Hachiman: "Tch! Y-Yeah…"
Announcer: "It's official! First place is a dead heat between Air Groove and Mejiro Dober! In third, Silk Justice, followed by Marvelous Sunday in fourth, and Rozen Cavalry in fifth! This year's Arima Kinen crowns two champions! Air Groove achieves the Spring-Autumn Grand Prix double and a perfect sweep of the Senior Autumn Triple Crown! Mejiro Dober fulfills the classic-class Uma Musume's dream, breaking a 37-year drought for a classic-grade to win the Arima Kinen!"
A tie, huh…
Air Groove: "Looks like we didn't settle it, Dober."
Dober: "Yes… but next time, I'll overtake you! I'll surpass the senpai I admire!"
Air Groove: "That's the spirit… but I won't let you catch me so easily. Next race, I'm taking the win!"
We shook hands, and the crowd erupted in cheers, showering us with praise.
The victory interviews and ceremony wrapped up, leading to the final winning live performance. The song was Special Record!, but today held something more.
Hachiman: "Hey, why'd you insist on putting me in the front row? I'd be fine anywhere—hell, I didn't even need to be here."
Air Groove: "Don't say that. I wanted you to see this. No one else but you."
Hachiman: "…Tch, fine, whatever."
Here we go—my second performance of the day. This live… I can't mess it up!
Air Groove's POV Out
Hachiman's POV
I'm here watching the live because Air Groove asked, but I'm not exactly the type to wave a glow stick and lose my mind. Even in the front row, I'm just… observing. Special Record! ended without much fanfare.
Fan 1: "C'mon, Trainer-san! You gotta get hyped! What a waste!"
Hachiman: "N-Nah, I'm not really into that…"
Fan 2: "What?! Seriously?!"
Fan 3: "Forget the embarrassment and just go for it!"
Hachiman: "That's not my style—'Ladies and gentlemen, to celebrate Air Groove-san's Senior Autumn Triple Crown achievement, we present her solo live performance!' …Wait, what?"
Fan 1: "Huh?! A solo live?!"
Fan 2: "No way, that's insane!!"
Announcer: "And now, Air Groove-san, take the stage!"
The moment the drums kicked in, the lights blazed to life. This song…
Fan 1: "Wait, Irodori Phantasia?"
Fan 2: "She's singing that after the Arima?"
Fan 3: "Hmm~?"
…Was this what she meant when she said she wanted me to watch?
Air Groove: "Day by day, I dreamed of you / Step by step, building it true / A future we weave, just me and you."
Air Groove: "One by one, I'll overcome / By and by, I've pulled it near / This one-time stage, my heart's frontier."
Air Groove: "Petals dance as I take flight / Now I soar, through time and space / Dimensions crossed in this embrace."
Fan 1: "…This feels different from her Tiara days, doesn't it?"
Fan 2: "Yeah, it's like… it tickles your heart?"
Air Groove: "Fragrance falls from heavens high / I'll tempt the gods as I defy / I won't let go, won't compromise / I'll never yield, or give this prize."
Air Groove: "Heartbeats race, more phantasia / Reach out now, I'll seize the spark / This pulse, so tight, it breaks my heart."
Hachiman: "…!"
What was that? Did our eyes just meet? …Nah, must be my imagination.
Air Groove: "Hey, this moment we've finally found / With honest thanks, my heart's unbound / I waited so long, forever true / I'm your flowering phantasia."
Fan 1: "Hey, doesn't Air Groove seem… different? She's always beautiful, but now she's… cute?"
Fan 2: "…Kinda get what you mean."
Air Groove: "It's fine, right? Even if the world's our foe."
Air Groove: "It's fine, it's fine, it's fine, I'll never let you go / Won't give you up, won't let you slip / I'll hold you close, my heart's tight grip."
Air Groove: "Heartbeats soar, more phantasia / Reach out now, I'll seize the flame / This urge, so dear, it calls your name ♡."
Hachiman: "…!!"
Fan 1: "Whoa! That Air Groove was insanely cute!!"
Fan 2: "It hit me right in the heart… kyun!"
Fan 3: "But, uh… isn't she kinda staring at Trainer-san?"
Air Groove: "Hey, this moment we've finally found / With honest thanks, my heart's unbound / I waited so long, forever true / I'm your vibrant phantasia."
Air Groove: "Thank you."
Fans: "…Trainer-san."
Hachiman: "…"
Fan 1: "She's totally staring at you, Trainer-san!!"
Fan 2: "Is this for real? Is it confirmed?! No need for the forums—it's confirmed!?"
Fan 3: "Yo, Trainer-san, seriously?!"
Yeah, Air Groove's definitely looking at me… and it's not her usual gaze. It's more like… the way she looked at me last night at my place, maybe.
And so, my first live ended with Air Groove's eyes locked on me.
Afterword
Air Groove and Mejiro Dober tie for first—an epic dead heat! Then, Air Groove's solo Irodori Phantasia performance delivers a heart-pounding "attack" on Hachiman, with her gaze and heartfelt "thank you" stealing the show. The Yahari crossover adds emotional depth, blending racing intensity with idol charm in this thrilling Uma Musume fanfiction chapter!
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