The day after the Japan Cup, I'm in a nightmare. Things used to be peaceful, but one trigger blew everything up, leaving me wanting to cover my eyes—no, my whole face. The reason?
'Air Groove Crushes Japan Cup!! 8-Length Rout!! Her Trainer, Disciple of America's Two Greatest Uma Musume!!'
'Air Groove Demolishes Global Field!! Hachiman Hikigaya, Revealed as Direct Disciple of a Titan!!'
'Japan's on Another Level This Year—Air Groove Wins by 8 Lengths!! Hachiman Hikigaya, Mentored by the Legendary [Big Red] Duo!!'
'Air Groove Claims Japan Cup's Biggest Margin Ever!! Hachiman Hikigaya, Disciple of Secretariat and Grand-Disciple of Man o' War!!'
I sighed. "…I don't wanna go outside…"
My dorm room door swung open, revealing senior trainers, peers, juniors, and some guy trainers I'm tight with.
Okino: "Knew you'd be holed up here… Come on, let's go. Moping won't help."
"But… everyone's staring…" I muttered. The rıghtful source is 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩
Minamisaka: "You didn't care this much before."
"I gave training a rest day…" I said.
Kuronuma: "Quit whining and move."
"I was gonna skip breakfast…" I tried.
Peer 2: "Then just grab a drink. Come on, everyone's waiting."
"Actually, I'm a fake," I said. "The real me's on a plane to America…"
Junior: "What!? Really—wait, don't lie like that!"
Minamisaka: "It's fine. Sure, we're curious about you, but no one's gonna pry outright."
Minamisaka: "…Probably."
"…" I groaned. "…I'll try."
Peer 2: "That's the spirit, Hikigaya."
I just wanna be a shut-in…
Aoi: "Oh, Hikigaya-kun!! You're up!"
Peer 2: "Nah, he was just hiding in his room, dreading coming here."
Main Trainer: "Can't blame him with those headlines. I checked the mail earlier, and Surukawa-san was swamped—probably about you."
"…I'm going back to my room," I said.
Kuronuma: "You just got here! Don't bail. But you guys, ease up on the snooping, yeah?"
"Then I'm out," I said.
Okino: "Don't you dare!"
They dragged me to the trainer dorm's cafeteria. I ate, but every glance screamed curiosity about Sensei and the Professor. I forced down food I didn't even want, then…
Peer 1: "Alright, Hikigaya-kun! Time for work—let's go!"
Peer 2: "Yeah, your Uma Musume and students are waiting!"
"Let go!" I protested. "I'm staying in today!"
Peer 1: "Hikigaya-kun! If your mentor showed up and told you to go, what'd you do?"
"I'd go, obviously!" I snapped.
Secretariat: "Then get moving."
Secretariat: "Honestly, Hachiman… I came to check on you, and you're making us wait?"
Man o' War: "What's this, Hachiman? Hate work that much? I'll tag along, so let's go."
"Sensei?" I said. "Why are you here?"
Secretariat: "I've visited before, but my master wanted to see the place too. So here we are. More importantly, Hachiman, you're our guide."
"…Yes, ma'am," I said.
Secretariat: "That's that. Sorry for barging in so early."
Man o' War: "You trainers, keep up the hard work! Stay sharp!!"
Ugh… No choice but to go.
And so, I headed to Tresen Academy to fulfill the critical task of guiding Sensei and the Professor.
All Trainers: "EHHHHHHHHHH!?"
"So, Professor, you didn't head back?" I asked.
Man o' War: "Nah, my work back home's wrapped up for now. Thought I'd check out Tresen Academy for a bit!"
"…How long are you staying?" I asked.
Man o' War: "Three days. I wanna see your training in action."
"…Wait, you're watching my training!?" I said.
Secretariat: "That's right."
"No way!" I said. "You're already too conspicuous! Now you're making it worse!? Sensei, you're too okay with this!"
Secretariat: "It's already out there. No big deal, right?"
All my efforts to stay low-key… What were they for? They're so carefree…
"Eep!?" a voice squeaked.
"Hm? What's up, Digital?" I said.
Agnes Digital: "T-T-T-Trainer-san!?"
Agnes Digital: "Who are these two beside you!? They're radiating a total not-normal aura!!"
Man o' War: "Oh? You can tell?"
Agnes Digital: "O-Of course!!!"
"They're my mentors, Secretariat-san and Man o' War-san," I said. "We're heading to tour Tresen Academy."
Agnes Digital: "…Huh? Secre… tariat-sama and Man o'… War-sama?"
Secretariat: "The '-sama' is a bit much, but sure. Like my disciple said."
Man o' War: "That's me, Man o' War!"
Agnes Digital: "…Super Ultra Mega Ultimate Legend Grandmaster Uma Musume-samaaaa!!!!"
Agnes Digital: "…Zzz…"
"She passed out from excitement," I said.
Secretariat: "What a quirky Uma Musume. Hachiman, I'll carry her."
"No, I got it," I said.
Secretariat: "You've got work, don't you? Besides, she doesn't feel like a stranger to me. It's not the first time I've felt this, but it's still odd."
Hachiman's quiet life crumbles under the media storm of Air Groove's 8-length Japan Cup win and his revealed ties to Secretariat and Man o' War. Agnes Digital's explosive entrance—fainting at the sight of the Big Reds—adds pure chaos. The Yahari crossover fuels Hachiman's exasperation, while Digital's versatility shines. What a wild ride!
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