Fuji's POV
Hachiman: "…" sipping coffee
Thaliard: "Hm, quite a nice place."
Air Groove: "Yes, it has a certain charm."
Man o' War: "I don't often come to spots like this. It's a far cry from Tressen Academy."
Fuji: "…" fidgeting
Why… how did this happen? All I wanted was to enjoy a day off from training, hang out with a friend, and do some shopping. So how did I end up here…?
Thaliard: "You did well last year, Fuji Kiseki. To claim the Triple Crown despite your distance limitations—impressive."
Fuji: "Th-Thank you!"
Man o' War: "And I saw some entertaining footage afterward. Same as the Derby, wasn't it?"
Hachiman: "She could barely move a step. What else was I supposed to do?"
Fuji: "…" ///
Thaliard: "That's unlike you, Hachiman, but also very you. Prioritizing your Uma Musume like that—well done."
Hachiman: "It's just what I do. I'd rather avoid injuries on my team at all costs."
Thaliard: "Classic Hachiman. By the way, Fuji Kiseki, I hear your next race is the Takamatsunomiya Kinen. Cutting the distance by more than half is a gamble, but I wish you luck."
Fuji: "Y-Yes, sir!"
I can barely respond properly to their cheers or questions right now! This whole situation's got my head spinning!
Air Groove: "Was this visit planned? Hachiman canceled training, so it must've been sudden."
Man o' War: "Well, it was—"
Thaliard: "My master's whim. We had no choice but to come on short notice."
Man o' War: "Hmph…"
Thaliard: "Booking a flight to Japan the same day you start complaining? Didn't expect that. And Master, you should thank Hachiman for picking us up despite a ten-hour time difference. It was probably nighttime in Japan when I called."
Man o' War: "And yet my adorable grand-disciple came for us! Gotta spoil him a bit!"
Thaliard: "Sigh…"
Air Groove: "I see…"
Thaliard: "Sorry about this. Master tends to lose all reason when it comes to Hachiman. But Fuji Kiseki, you seem a bit tense. Something wrong?"
Fuji: "N-No, nothing at all!"
Thaliard: "If you say so. I just thought you'd be more at ease, like before."
Fuji: "Haha… my bad."
Hachiman: "You feeling okay?"
Fuji: "N-No, I'm fine! I wouldn't be out and about if I wasn't, right?"
Hachiman: "True enough."
Gah!! Just sitting next to Hachiman's got me all flustered… It's all Air Groove's fault for saying that stuff earlier! If she hadn't, I wouldn't be overthinking like this!!
Man o' War: "Pfft… haha!"
Thaliard: "What's so funny, Master?"
Man o' War: "Oh, just a little idea. Fuji Kiseki, mind sparing a moment?"
Fuji: "Huh? Sure, of course."
Outside the Café
Fuji: "So, what's up?"
Man o' War: "Well, call it a hunch. Fuji Kiseki, you're in love with Hachiman, aren't you?"
Fuji: "Wha—?!" ///
Man o' War: "That reaction says it all. Not bad—you've got good taste."
Fuji: "H-H-How did you know?!"
Man o' War: "Why? I'm not even sure myself. Just a gut feeling about your heart. But I get it—falling for my grand-disciple, huh?"
Fuji: "Um, please don't tell Hachiman…" ///
Man o' War: "I wouldn't be that tactless. Besides, no girl who falls for Hachiman could be bad. Was it the Kikka Sho that started it?"
Fuji: "Yes… When I couldn't walk, Hachiman carried me. He praised me for the Triple Crown and… gave me this really kind smile…" ///
Man o' War: "A smile, huh…"
Fuji: "Ever since, I've been… more aware of him. Some teammates say I'm too shy or need to be bolder, but…" ///
Man o' War: "I wasn't there, so I can't say for sure, but you don't feel that way yourself, do you?"
Fuji: "Right. I've been trying to keep some distance to make sure I don't make him uncomfortable. Some teammates are super clingy with him, after all."
Man o' War: "Got it. Well, I understand you've got feelings for him. I'll just watch from the sidelines—meddling's tacky, like I said."
Man o' War… you're such a good person!!
Man o' War: "But being too passive is a problem. You need to make some moves. Hachiman, from what I've heard, doesn't care much for romance. It's tough, but start by sparking something in him. Make him realize you're interested—that's the fastest way, I'd say."
Fuji: "Y-Yes! I'll try my best!"
Fun Fact: Man o' War's blood runs in Fuji Kiseki's maternal line—her great-great-grandfather, seven generations back!
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