Fuji Kiseki's POV
Fuji: "Alright!"
Hachiman: "Ready?"
Fuji: "Of course! You've tuned me up so well, Hachiman Trainer-san, it's almost scary how perfectly my body feels."
Hachiman: "Then you're good to go."
Fuji: "This race will decide my future path… right?"
Hachiman: "…Yeah, that's right. Harsh truth, but you don't have much long-distance talent. Not none, but compared to Rice, Rudolf, or Brian, you're no stayer. The Derby's technically mid-distance, but that extra 100 meters makes it a long-distance race. Treat the Yayoi Sho like it's 2400 meters."
Fuji: "I don't know if I can, but if you say so, it's gotta be right. Got it."
Today's the Yayoi Sho. A month flies by, and now it feels like the eve of the spring G1 season.
Hachiman: "Alright, go get 'em."
Fuji: "Yup♪"
Main Track
Back at Nakayama, it feels… longer. I was on the other side before, but today's start is from the stands. Just 400 meters more, and the vibe's totally different.
Fuji: "Time to prove myself. How far can I go? How much can I handle?"
Announcer: "Here comes the trial race, a prelude to the big show! Same stage as the Satsuki Sho—who'll take first and head to the main event? Only three get a ticket! Out of these ten, who'll make it? The Yayoi Sho is about to start!!"
Let's shock everyone!!
Announcer: "Gate loading's smooth. How do you see the race unfolding?"
Commentator: "I expect Telno Shingeki to take the lead, with the front-runners and closers bunching up behind. With fewer runners, it'll be a tactical race."
Announcer: "Top favorite Fuji Kiseki is already in the gate, with only the outside number 10, Kachiboshi, left. Fewer runners than usual, but that doesn't matter to them! Kachiboshi's in! Who's heading to the Satsuki Sho!? Yayoi Sho… START!!"
…Yup, that hill's brutal. Gotta climb it again at the end? Tough stuff.
Announcer: "Leading the pack are Telno Shingeki and Fuji Kiseki! Fuji Kiseki's setting the pace alongside Telno Shingeki! Behind them, Kachiboshi, Automatic in the middle, and Mapper Shan inside. Two lengths back at the second corner are Max Windsor and Hashino Taiyu. Closers Toujou Fenoma, Hokkai Rousseau, and Ibuki Yamon Kagura trail at the rear! Now heading from the backstretch to the third corner!"
Still feeling good. Got control, legs feel strong… I might pull this off!
Announcer: "At the third and fourth corner midpoint, Telno Shingeki leads, but Fuji Kiseki's right there! Kachiboshi surges from the outside, and Toujou Fenoma's closing from behind! Four abreast heading into the straight from the fourth corner! It's a head-on battle now!!"
Here we go!!
Announcer: "Fuji Kiseki takes the lead!! Not much of a gap!! What's behind!? Toujou Fenoma and Kachiboshi are charging! Hokkai Rousseau's got great legs too!! 200 meters left! Can Hokkai Rousseau take the lead!? How's Fuji Kiseki!?"
Sorry… I've still got more!!
Announcer: "Fuji Kiseki pulls ahead!! Hokkai Rousseau can't catch up, holding second! Fuji Kiseki opens a two-length lead and crosses the finish line!! She's as strong as expected—the Junior Champion's no fluke!! She conquered 2000 meters with ease!! That's the mark of a true champion!!"
Fuji: "Haa… haa… Yes, I won!!"
If I can run like this… I can do it in the Derby!!
Fuji's POV Out
Hachiman's POV
Hachiman: "…"
Air Groove: "How was it, Hachiman? Fuji's run?"
Hachiman: "…She'd hold her own in the Derby right now, no question. But if she's set on the Triple Crown path… that's gonna be a rough road."
Air Groove: "So, the spring season's looking good?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, the first half's solid. The real test is autumn, after summer. New Uma Musume will emerge, and some will unlock new potential. That'll be key. You had unique talent compared to your peers, so you stood out early. Fuji's got a distance aptitude wall. If we don't overcome that, her future races will be tough."
Air Groove: "I see… But you can handle it, right?"
Hachiman: "Where's that confidence coming from? No guarantees here."
Air Groove: "You made me win at long distances, didn't you? That's proof enough. I had no long-distance talent, but you brought it out. So, it's possible for Fuji too, right?"
Hachiman: "…I won't say it's impossible."
Air Groove: "Heh, that's our partner. Keep it up."
Hachiman: "Got it, Empress."
Afterword
Fuji Kiseki crushes the Yayoi Sho, banishing her doubts in this thrilling Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! Her victory sets the stage for the Derby, while Hachiman and Air Groove's trust shines through. The Triple Crown looms—can Fuji break her limits? The arc races on!
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