"Haa… haa…" I panted.
I tore through Tokyo's 2000m turf in the G1 Emperor's Cup (Autumn), crossing the finish line first. Undefeated this year—Kyoto Kinen, Osaka Hai, Takarazuka Kinen, Sapporo Kinen, and now this. This moment, claiming the ultimate glory, was one of my greatest goals.
"Haa… haa… phew…!" I gasped. "Right, Trainer…"
As I passed the finish board, I searched for that gaze—his gaze, the one only I feel. But it was gone, nowhere to be found.
"…Right," I muttered. "Even if he showed up now, it wouldn't change anything. Promises don't shift reality… Like Takarazuka Kinen, just being at the course was enough. That's plenty."
"You beat me, Air Groove," Bubble Gum Fellow said.
"I threw everything at you today," she said. "Still couldn't reach you… Man, you're strong! Just when I thought I had it, you stretched further! Gotta train harder~."
"Next time, I'll crush you just like today," I said.
"I'll win for sure next time!" she said. "See ya!"
Bubble left, her words carrying a challenge. Inside, she must be burning with regret. Yet she praised me—words only someone who truly meant it could say.
"Now," I said, "time to fulfill my duty."
I jogged back across the turf toward the winner's circle. Answering the crowd's cheers is part of becoming an Empress—I can't slack. But if I'm honest, I wished Trainer were here… I wanted to wave just for him. Hah, wishful thinking. Expecting that's just pointless.
"Thank you!" I called to the fans. "It's all thanks to you!"
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. So many people celebrating me… It's humbling.
Surely he's somewhere in this stadium…
"Wha… Why…?" I froze.
In the winner's circle stood Trainer—Hachiman—who's always in the stands.
"Fuji, Rudolf, Dober, and Fine begged me," he said. "Those four practically groveled. Dober even grabbed my hand to stop me, can you believe it? I kept saying you didn't need me here, but they wouldn't listen…"
"Well… anyway," he said. "Good job. Hell of a run. And… congrats on the win."
"!!" My heart pounded.
Why? Why does this simple congratulations, this ordinary praise…
"…" My body trembled.
"…" Tears streamed down my face.
My heart feels so warm, so full… I can't stop crying…
"Huh? Seriously?" Hachiman said. "Should I not have—Whoa!?"
I hugged him tight. "…"
"Uh, um, Air Groove-san?" he stammered.
"Just… for now," I said, clinging. "Let me stay … just a little."
This was the first time… my heart felt this full. He'd come to races before, but never here, to this circle—because I said it wasn't necessary. But today, thanks to Fuji, the President, Fine, and Dober, he came. And he congratulated me. I'd never heard those words from him… from Hachiman. Maybe that's why. Or maybe it's something else, a deeper feeling.
"…I'm okay now," I said. "Sorry, and… thank you."
"No big deal," he said. "You good?"
"Yeah…" I said. "And Trainer, I'm really sorry for everything before."
"Huh!?" he said. "Nah, I'm not hung up on it, so don't be either. I… messed up too. Didn't notice, made you feel bad. If you could maybe cut me some slack, I'd appreciate it…"
"I'm in the best mood ever," I said.
"Really? …Best?" he said.
"Let's go, Hachiman!" I said, pulling him. "The race is just the start—we've got work to do! You're joining from now on!"
"Whoa, wait, don't pull!" he said. "Joining what, exactly?"
"The winner's interview, the ceremony, everything!" I said. "My support… no, my partner can handle that, right, Hachiman?"
"There's that much!?" he said. "Wait, why my name?"
Don't worry about it. It's just what I want… And from now on, we'll walk this path together, Hachiman.
The winner's interview was a riot—reporters buzzed over a trainer's presence after two years absent. No surprise, since I'd kept him out of sight all this time. The buzz stretched the interview long.
At the award ceremony…
"Come on, do I have to do this?" Hachiman said.
"No way out," I said. "I told you, you're in from now on."
"I heard you, but do I really need to be here?" he said. "What's the point now?"
"Don't sweat it," I said. "Today, you're in the photos. Stop making that face."
I want to be in these pictures with you. Never had that before.
"That's my face's default," he said.
"Hah, true," I said. "Should've gotten you glasses."
"With or without, doesn't matter," he said.
Snap! Snap! Flash! Flash!
"I suck at photos…" he muttered.
"I hate camera flashes…" I said.
"Wish they'd use silent, flashless phones," he said.
"We're on the same page," I said. "Next ceremony, we make them do it?"
"If the press agrees," he said.
After the photo session, we headed to the locker room to wait for the Winning Live.
"Hey, can I go home now?" Hachiman asked.
"…You've never seen my live, have you?" I said. "You always said you'd wait outside. Why not watch? Or… do you not want to?"
"It's not that I don't want to…" he said.
"Then it's settled," I said. "And we're going home together. It's Tokyo—Tracen Academy's a walk away."
"It's easy," I said. "Just watching, and you'll enjoy it."
(She's completely let loose… No holding back,) Hachiman thought.
The Winning Live went off without a hitch. With Hachiman there, it felt like I performed better than ever.
In the neatly organized clubroom, my trophies lined the shelves—Hanshin JF, Sakura Sho, Oaks, Shuka Sho, Osaka Hai, Takarazuka Kinen. Six G1s, eleven including G2s and G3s. Today, the Emperor's Cup made it seven G1s. And…
"The photo's going up there too?" Hachiman asked.
"It's a monumental day," I said. "Our award ceremony shot. That's okay, right?"
"Fine, do what you want," he said.
"Tomorrow and the day after are rest days," he said. "Training resumes in two days."
"Alright, then—" he started. "Hachiman." "…What's up?"
"Today… thank you///" I said.
Heh, today's the best day ever.
Air Groove's Emperor's Cup triumph blooms into her best moment, as Fuji, Fine, Rudolf, and Dober's plan brings Hachiman to her side, shattering her trust arc's walls. Their bond deepens beyond before, with Hachiman now her partner in victory. The Yahari crossover fuels this heartfelt leap—will the Japan Cup seal their path?
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