"Ha… ha… ha…" I panted.
Mr. CB: "Ha… ha… ha…"
Secretariat: "Hmm, running with breaks leaves you . I'm a bit tired compared to my prime, though. Also, 2400m's a bit long… Hachiman, keep training at 2200m max, 1600m minimum. This won't hold up."
We finally finished today's main menu, utterly spent. Yet Secretariat-dono stands there, chatting with Hachiman like it's nothing… looking completely unfazed. And she switched tactics effortlessly—front-running, mid-pack, closing. Despite our best styles, we couldn't keep up. She overtook us in the end, vanishing far ahead.
Hachiman: "Got it. I noticed the same. But I let it run full course this time. The Uma Musume I train aren't soft enough to quit halfway."
Secretariat: "Good trust. Alright, you three, collapse if you must, but stand while you do. Sitting builds lactic acid, making it harder to get up."
"Ha… ha…" I gasped. "Secretariat-dono, how… how are you so calm? Four straight runs, and your face hasn't changed… Why?"
Mr. CB: "Y-Yeah… I was wondering too… How're you so chill?"
Secretariat: "Hmm… Let's say my engine's built different."
Secretariat: "Think of vehicles. Same exterior, but a different engine changes speed and efficiency. Same for Uma Musume or humans. Your three engines, though different, can handle 2400m. But sustaining that power back-to-back? Not quite there. As for me, I've run 2600m before, so I've got long-distance aptitude. Curious why I'm fine after this?"
Secretariat: "Heh, what if my engine's over twice as big as a normal one?"
Mr. CB: "T-Twice!? Like… two normal engines…?"
Secretariat: "Exactly as you're thinking. I can maintain speed and still surge at the end. I didn't lead this time to observe you three. The result? As expected of my disciple's students."
So that's it… Her speed and acceleration. No one could mimic that run. Even Suzuka would burn out chasing her. It's a run only Secretariat-dono can pull off.
Hachiman: "Alright, once you've caught your breath, start cool-downs. Air Groove, stay in the clubroom after training."
"Fine, but… why?" I asked.
Hachiman: "That talk from before. About the injury…"
"!" I nodded. "Got it."
Hachiman: "Sensei and the Professor said they've got time, so today's the day to talk."
Fuji: "How sneaky, Hachiman-trainer and Air Groove, keeping secrets."
Mr. CB: "Me too, me too~!"
Hachiman: "…Look, this isn't some casual chat. It's about forcing open one of Sensei's traumas. If you're just curious, drop it. That'd—"
Secretariat: "It's fine, Hachiman."
Hachiman: "But Sensei!"
Secretariat: "I said it's fine. Your Uma Musume deserve to know. I'm okay with it. Got a problem?" Thıs text ıs hosted at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵
Secretariat: "I get your concern. But the Uma Musume you chose are trustworthy. They won't blab recklessly."
"Of course," I said. "I'd never do anything to stir public backlash."
Fuji: "I swear on my pride I won't either."
Mr. CB: "I'm not that dumb."
Secretariat: "Good. I trust your words. Hachiman, one more thing—call Symboli Rudolf. She should hear this too."
Hachiman: "…Understood. I'll tell her later."
Secretariat: "Counting on you. Let's cool down. Your bodies should be loosening up now."
I'd learned Hachiman's sensitivity to injuries stemmed from Secretariat-dono, but what happened in her past? And Hachiman's urgency to stop us… it carried a heavy air.
Air Groove, Fuji Kiseki, and Mr. CB are outclassed by Secretariat's unreal prowess, highlighting the gap in their "engines." Hachiman's protectiveness shines as he sets up a heavy talk about Secretariat's past trauma, with Rudolf joining. The Yahari crossover deepens the trust—Sensei's story is finally coming!