Response Preface
Author's Note: Sorry for interrupting the preface! I want to address the timeline and connection. Regarding the timeline question, the story begins from the Air Groove side of the story into Fuji Kiseki's side of the story. Regarding the connection question, in Fuji Kiseki's side of the story, Hachiman and Air Groove are not engaged. Their relationship is strong, but not to that extent—although I won't deny that they have some feelings for each other. whispers Comments end here!
Hachiman: "Shouldn't this stuff 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: "Our poster's such a mess… Truly embarrassing."
Raw Meat: "That's harsh! You got me dragged into your lecture last time! Explain that!"
Air Groove: "Oh? Wouldn't you be thrilled if Rice Shower fell asleep 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. The questions are answered, so we're good, right?"
Hachiman: "Can we just get to the story?"
Air Groove: "Fine. We can't keep showing this farce. Apologies for the wait, everyone. Here's the main story."
Raw Meat: "Hey, that's my line!"
Hachiman: "Calling it a farce… Well, yeah, but still."
Escape
Hachiman's POV
With two months until the Yayoi Sho, I'm figuring out how to train Fuji. Her goal's the Derby. For that, the trial races like the Aoba Sho or Principal Stakes could work, but we can't skip the Satsuki Sho. Plus, the main route gets more attention.
That said, her mile aptitude is a concern. She's got it, no question, but running on uncertain distance aptitude versus a sure thing is different. I'm considering entering her in the NHK Mile Cup after the Satsuki Sho. That'd mean three G1s in spring—grueling. No room for slacking.
Hachiman: "It's up to her whether to race or not. Can't force her, and I shouldn't. She's got her own goals."
Time to head home… Nothing else to do. We talked about starting my own team earlier, but Air Groove brought it up, and I've got no details or paperwork. Maybe it's someone else? No need to stress.
School Gate
Hachiman: "I'll review Nakayama's training menu again 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? A dorm leader hanging out here?"
Amazon: "Just keeping watch. Taiki's got a habit of sneaking out, so I'm on lookout. She never learns."
Hachiman: "An escape artist, huh? Some are like that."
Amazon: "You bet! Even in Ritto, there was talk about Opera O sneaking out—or not. At my place, Taiki and Windy are the worst. Drives me nuts."
Dorm leader's no easy job… I'd never want 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 to block, I'd get tackled like a bowling pin."
Amazon: "No need to go that far! I appreciate the thought, though!"
Hachiman: "Alright, see ya~."
Miho dorm's got a lot of escapees, but Ritto's quieter. I'm curious why Opera O would sneak out—or if she did. Anyway— "Hachiman?" Air Groove?
Hachiman: "What're you doing? Escaping?"
Air Groove: "Hardly. I'm just patrolling for student council duties. You heading home?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, ran into Amazon over there. She's watching for Taiki to sneak out."
Air Groove: "Again…?"
Hachiman: "She's done it a lot?"
Air Groove: "Too many times to count. Each time, Tazuna-san and I team up to catch her."
…Tazuna-san?
Hachiman: "Wait, Tazuna-san too?"
Air Groove: "Yes. She's fast and has stamina, catching escapees with ease. As expected of the chairman's secretary."
That's not what I meant. Is Tazuna-san human or Uma Musume? I don't think I've seen her ears… Wait, is she human? Uma Musume?
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 doing?"
Hachiman: "Oh, nothing. I was heading home, ran into Amazon and Air Groove, and we chatted. 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 so busy."
Air Groove: "I've got patrols, so I'll take my leave, Hachiman, Tazuna-san."
Hachiman: "Take care."
Tazuna: "Thank you… It's been a while since we talked, Hachiman Trainer."
Hachiman: "Yeah, when was the last time?"
Tazuna: "Hehe, we should grab drinks again."
Hachiman: "Sure, let's do it sometime."
Tazuna: "Yes, let's!"
Hachiman: "Alright, I'm off—'Stop, Taiki!!' …Huh?"
Taiki: "Nobody stops when told to, desu!"
Amazon: "Ugh, learning useless Japanese!!"
…She really escaped. Guess I'll lend a hand. Simple trick.
Hachiman: "Hey, Taiki, hold up~."
Taiki: "What!? Trainer-san!? I can't stop, desu!!"
Hachiman: "Oh? There's a BBQ over there, but guess you're passing?"
Taiki: "I'll stop right now, desu!!"
Good, good, honest kids are the best. And…
Amazon: "Gotcha!!"
Taiki: "Wha!?"
Amazon: "Thanks, Trainer-dude! Didn't expect to nab her that easily!"
Hachiman: "Had an ace up my sleeve."
Taiki: "Forget that, Trainer-san! Where's the BBQ!?"
Hachiman: "Hm? There isn't one."
Taiki: "…Noooo!!"
Hachiman: "See ya~." wave
Heard a scream like she was dying, but she'll be fine.
Afterword
Taiki, stay strong… and stop escaping. This Yahari x Uma Musume chapter in the Fuji Kiseki arc brings chaotic fun with Taiki's breakout and Hachiman's BBQ bait! Air Groove's patrols and Tazuna's mysterious status add intrigue, while Fuji's Derby prep looms. Next stop: more Fuji action!
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