Foreword Response
Thank you for addressing the timeline and engagement questions from the comments! To summarize for clarity:
Timeline: The story progresses from Air Groove's arc to Fuji Kiseki's arc, as confirmed. This chapter aligns with that flow, set before the Yayoi Sho, focusing on Fuji's early Triple Crown preparations.
Engagement: In the Fuji Kiseki arc, Hachiman and Air Groove are not engaged. Their relationship is strong with mutual affection, but not at the level of an engagement. The earlier mention of engagement in the Valentine's Day chapter was a timeline inconsistency, as that chapter precedes this arc.
Hachiman: "Hey, isn't this stuff supposed to go in the foreword or afterword?"
Raw Meat: "I remember it before writing, but after the high of finishing, I forget until later."
Air Groove: "Utterly shameful that our poster is this sloppy."
Raw Meat: "Harsh much? I got chewed out last time because of your mess! Explain that!"
Air Groove: "Oh? Wouldn't you be thrilled if Rice Shower slept in front of you?"
Raw Meat: "…Thrilled! Obviously thrilled!!"
Air Groove: "Exactly."
Raw Meat: "I don't get how that follows, but I'll reflect. This answers the comments, so we're good, right?"
Hachiman: "Can we get to the story?"
Air Groove: "…Fine. We can't keep the audience with this farce forever. Apologies for the wait—here's the main story."
Raw Meat: "Hey, that's my line!"
Hachiman: "Calling it a farce… Well, yeah, but still."
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Fuji Kiseki Arc - Escape
Hachiman's POV
Two months until the Yayoi Sho—gotta figure out how to train Fuji. Her goal's the Derby. For a Derby run, the trial races could be the Aoba Sho or Principal Stakes, but we can't skip the Satsuki Sho. The classic route gets more attention too.
What's nagging me is her mile aptitude. It's solid, no question. But racing on uncertain distance aptitude versus a sure thing is different. So I'm considering the NHK Mile Cup after the Satsuki Sho. That's three G1s in spring—grueling. No room for slacking.
Hachiman: "It's up to her to decide. Can't force her into races, and shouldn't. She's got her own goals."
Guess I'll head home. Nothing else to do. We talked about my team setup earlier, but what's the deal? Air Groove brought it up, but I've got no details or paperwork. Maybe it's someone else's thing—not worth stressing over.
School Gate
Hachiman: "I'll review Nakayama's training menu at home. Maybe add tag or a scavenger hunt. Circuits too… So much I want her to try."
Amazon: "Yo, heading home, Trainer-dude?"
Hachiman: "? Amazon, what're you doing? Dorm leader hanging out here?"
Amazon: "Just keeping watch. Taiki's got a habit of escaping, so I'm on standby. She never learns."
Hachiman: "Escape habit, huh… Some are like that."
Amazon: "Yup! Ritto Dorm had a buzz about Opera-O escaping—or not—before. At my place, Taiki and Windy are the worst. Total headache."
Dorm leader's no easy job… I'd never take it. One Uma Musume handling other Uma Musume? Can she even catch them?
Amazon: "Wanna help out?"
Hachiman: "I could, but I'd be useless. If I tried blocking, I'd get tackled like a bowling pin."
Amazon: "No need to go that far. Appreciate the thought, though!"
Hachiman: "Cool, see ya."
Miho Dorm's got a lot of escapees, but Ritto's quieter. Curious why Opera-O would escape… or if she did. Anyway— "Hachiman?" Air Groove?
Hachiman: "What're you doing? Escaping?"
Air Groove: "Hardly. Just patrolling for student council duties. Heading home?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, ran into Amazon over there. She's watching for Taiki's escape."
Air Groove: "Again Cleopatra…"
Hachiman: "She's done it that many times?"
Air Groove: "More than you'd count."
…Tazuna-san's in on it?
Hachiman: "Even Tazuna-san?"
Air Groove: "Yes. She's fast and has the stamina to catch escapees easily. Truly the Chairman's secretary."
Wait, not that. Is Tazuna-san human or Uma Musume? I've never seen her ears… Is she…?
Hachiman: "…Hey, Air Groove, is Tazuna-san human or Uma Musume?"
Air Groove: "…Come to think of it."
Tazuna: "Good work, Hachiman Trainer, Air Groove-san! What're you two up to?"
Hachiman: "Oh, nothing. Was about to leave, ran into Amazon and Air Groove, just chatting. Right?"
Air Groove: "Y-Yes! Good work, Tazuna-san."
Why do I feel like we shouldn't talk about this in front of her?
Tazuna: "You're both busy, huh."
Air Groove: "I've got patrols, so I'll excuse myself, Hachiman, Tazuna-san."
Hachiman: "Take care."
Tazuna: "See you… It's been a while since we talked, Hachiman Trainer."
Hachiman: "Yeah, when was the last time?"
Tazuna: "Hehe, let's grab a drink again sometime."
Hachiman: "Sure, maybe later."
Tazuna: "Yes, let's!"
Hachiman: "Alright, I'm off—'Wait, Taiki!!' …Huh?"
Taiki: "No one stops when told to, desu!"
Amazon: "Learning useless Japanese, huh!!"
…She really escaped. Guess I'll help. Simple trick.
Hachiman: "Yo, Taiki, hold up!"
Taiki: "What!? Trainer-san!? Can't stop, desu!!"
Hachiman: "Oh? There's a barbecue over there… Guess you're missing out?"
Taiki: "I'll stop right now, desu!!"
Good, honest kid. And…
Amazon: "Gotcha!!"
Taiki: "Wha!?"
Amazon: "Thanks, Trainer-dude! Didn't expect it to be that easy!"
Hachiman: "Had a card to play."
Taiki: "Forget that! Where's the barbecue, desu!?"
Hachiman: "Oh, there isn't one."
Taiki: "…Nooo!!"
Hachiman: "Later~." wave
Heard a scream, but she'll be fine.
Afterword
Taiki's wild escape spices up this Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! Hachiman's clever trick and Air Groove's patrol duties set the stage for Fuji's intense Yayoi Sho prep. Taiki, live strong… and stop escaping!