The day after the Osaka Hai. It's a training-off day, but Air Groove wanted to discuss the race, so here I am, waiting in the trainer's office. Honestly, yesterday's race could've gone south if she'd been pushed harder. Her racing sense clinched it—nothing more. Her condition was solid, no physical issues, yet her run… felt clouded.
"…Morning," Air Groove said.
"Morning," I replied.
She sat silently. Never this quiet before—still reeling from the incident?
"Want me to start?" I asked.
"…No," she said, startled. "Let me."
"The race," she began. "The pace was fine until the straight. But my legs wouldn't move forward. I checked them after—no issues. So why couldn't I stretch out? I need to know, Trainer."
"Hmm…" I said. "The track was slightly heavy. You've run ten races—nine on good tracks, one slightly heavy. That might've dulled your kick. Also…"
"What else?" she pressed.
"Anything bothering you lately?" I asked.
"You don't have to tell me," I said. "But if it's affecting your races, deal with it fast. I can only push you to your peak. Beyond that, I'm no help—though I'll listen if you want."
Clamming up, huh? Normally, she'd snap back, but this?
"No pressure," I said. "Your call. Talk if you want, or solve it yourself. Anything else?"
"…What's the next race?" she asked.
"I'm mulling it over," I said. "Takarazuka Kinen was the plan, but I'm leaning toward Mermaid Stakes or Naruo Kinen."
"Both G3s…" she said.
"I know what you're thinking," I said. "But using the first half of the season to regroup for autumn is an option."
"Other races?" she asked.
"Looked into it, but nothing stands out," I said. "Middle-distance is your sweet spot. A mile race? Off-form, you'd get swallowed. Post-Osaka Hai, with time to spare, Mermaid Stakes and Naruo Kinen give you the best shot. Takarazuka Kinen's not impossible, but your odds are low right now."
"…Not zero, right?" she said.
"You're set on Takarazuka?" I asked.
"I know it's a stretch," she said. "But I have my pride. I'll redeem my Osaka Hai blunder there. Please…"
She's bowing… first time.
"Raise your head," I said. "You don't need to do that. It's your call—we'll aim for it. But Takarazuka's a Grand Prix race, a different beast, the first half's finale. We'll prep hard."
"Hm? Come in," I said.
"Heya~!" CB sang, bursting in.
"You show up a lot," I said. "Got nothing better to do?"
"Eight, that's a rude question," CB teased.
"We're tight, it's fine," I said. "What's up? No training today."
"Just killing time!" she chirped.
"Wanna ask that question again?" I said.
"Anyway," she said, ignoring me, "got a question for you, Eight. Cool?"
"You dodged mine slick," I said. "Fine, what?"
"You sleepy?" she asked.
"…Not sleepy," I said.
What's with that question?
"So…" CB said, grinning. "Can I borrow your lap? Couldn't sleep much~."
"You made it here on no sleep?" I said. "Why my lap? Use a pillow."
"But I thought, 'Eight's lap sounds nice~,' and my legs just moved!" she said. "'Gotta borrow it, let's go!'"
"Not following a single word," I said. "I'm just collateral damage?"
"Come on!" she said. "Lending your lap to a young girl? Total perk!!"
"Watch it," I said. "High school girls shouldn't say risky stuff. The vice president's right there—she'll haul you off."
"Fiiine," CB pouted. "Shoulder then?"
"Why am I your pillow?!" I said.
Air Groove sat silently. "…"
Air Groove's resolve pushes her toward the Takarazuka Kinen, determined to redeem her clouded Osaka Hai run, but her silence betrays an unhealed rift with Hachiman. CB's playful chaos lightens the mood, yet the "Empress" and "Tengan" Trainer's trust remains fragile. The Yahari crossover's shadow looms, with Haruno's fallout dimming their bond. Can they conquer the Grand Prix?
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