Fuji Kiseki's POV
It's been a week since the Yayoi Sho, and the Classic season's buzzing. I feel a bit shy saying it, but my trial race win has made me the top favorite for the Satsuki Sho. There are other strong girls out there, but being undefeated since my Junior days with a G1 under my belt seems to have everyone hyped. So this is the air Air Groove breathed…
Some are even calling me a "Triple Crown lock" already. Hachiman Trainer-san warned me I lack long-distance talent. I'm grinding stamina training to even reach the Derby, let alone win it.
Fuji: "Sigh… Wonder what the fans would think if they knew my situation?"
Air Groove: "What's that? Worried about something?"
Fuji: "Oh, Air Groove… Yeah, a bit. How much do you know about the rumors?"
Air Groove: "About you? 'Satsuki Sho favorite,' 'Triple Crown lock,' that sort of thing."
Fuji: "Pretty much… yeah."
Air Groove: "But there's talk about Hachiman too. Depending on how you take it, it could be good or bad."
Fuji: "Huh?"
What's that supposed to mean…
Air Groove: "In short, if you win the Triple Crown, Hachiman's a true trainer. If you don't, he's just a third-rate one riding our coattails."
Fuji: "What!?"
Air Groove: "Some people don't like him, it seems. Even after I spoke strongly in his defense during the Arima Kinen interview, they keep at it. Must really hate him."
Fuji: "Why would they…?"
Air Groove: "No clue. But focus on what's ahead. You and I check our fan letters, right? Hachiman used to filter them, but we can't let him bear all the burden. Agreed?"
Fuji: "Exactly. We can't let Hachiman take all the heat… Hey, Air Groove, can I ask you something?"
Air Groove: "What?"
Fuji: "If I win the Satsuki Sho—"
Fuji: "Hachiman Trainer-san, ready for today's training!"
Hachiman: "Yo… You're fired up, huh?"
Fuji: "Gotta be! I'm aiming to win the Satsuki Sho and race in the Derby! No time to slack!"
Hachiman: "Good enthusiasm, but don't burn out."
Fuji: "Got it♪"
Air Groove: "One month until the Satsuki Sho, two months and two weeks to the Derby. Not much time. What's Fuji's training plan?"
Hachiman: "Got it planned. Fuji, on Tuesdays and Fridays, you'll wear these shoes."
Fuji: "These…!? They're heavy!"
Hachiman: "Yup, those horseshoes are three times heavier than usual. You'll train in them. Regular workouts, but no hill dashes in those—they're too much. Instead, we'll do hill dashes on Saturdays. If you hit the target time, your legs will hold up for the Derby."
Fuji: "Sounds like a tough month."
Hachiman: "That said, the week before the Satsuki Sho, we'll go light. No heavy horseshoes, just Satsuki Sho-focused training. Lucky for us, we've got someone who's run Nakayama's 2500 meters. No better ally than that."
Air Groove: "Not an ally—I'm your trainee. If you need my strength, it's yours anytime."
This… makes losing even less of an option!
Hachiman: "For the next three weeks, I'm forging you into top shape. It'll be brutal, so brace yourself."
Fuji: "I'm ready. I want to live up to your expectations, Hachiman Trainer-san. I'm Fuji Kiseki, and I'll show everyone my ultimate Kiseki with my run!"
Hachiman: "Alright, let's start training."
Post-Training
Fuji: "I never realized how light my usual shoes were until today~ Ugh, I'm a bit wobbly♪"
Air Groove: "You seem awfully happy for that."
Fuji: "It's because Hachiman Trainer-san made this training for me. Gotta be thrilled! You've got Osaka Hai soon, Air Groove, so maybe it's prepping us both. Hanshin's got hills too."
Air Groove: "True… Hachiman's menus are for us. We just have to deliver. I want to keep getting stronger."
Fuji: "Haha♪ Then I've gotta get way stronger to prove I'm the best♪"
Air Groove: "Yeah, exactly."
Afterword
Fuji Kiseki's fired up for the Satsuki Sho, fueled by fan hype and Hachiman's intense training in this Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! Air Groove's support and the pressure of rumors about Hachiman add stakes. Heavy horseshoes and hill dashes—Fuji's ready to shine! The arc charges toward the Satsuki Sho!
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