Air Groove panted, catching her breath. "Ha… ha… alright! I claimed a junior crown!"
When Hachiman had ordered her to run first, she'd wondered how it'd go, but setting her own pace paid off. Her approach to the hill was flawless. This win proved she could hold her own on the Tiara Route ahead.
"Truly the Empress!" a voice murmured.
"She's her mother's daughter," another said.
"She's in a league of her own," someone else whispered.
Not yet the Empress, Air Groove thought, her ears twitching. Only by conquering the Tiara Route—my mother's Oaks—will I truly step closer to that title.
"How's that? I won, even with your orders," Air Groove said, turning to Hachiman. She froze. "Who's that next to you?"
Beside her trainer stood an Uma Musume—not from the academy, but an adult. They seemed close. Who is she? Air Groove had no interest in Hachiman's social life, but she'd never seen this Uma Musume among his contacts.
She stared, her tail flicking.
Should I ask? No, Hachiman's affairs didn't matter. Their contract was strictly about racing and training. No need to waste time on this.
"Hey, good work," Hachiman said, approaching.
"I ran as you instructed," Air Groove replied, her voice steady.
"Flawless, as expected," he said, nodding.
"…Can I ask something?" she started.
"What?" Hachiman asked, tilting his head.
No, forget her. Forget him. Air Groove's path was her own; Hachiman was just the one paving it. Their contract was clear—mutual use, nothing more.
"…Never mind. Forget it. I'm heading to the interview," she said, turning away.
"Alright," Hachiman said, his tone neutral.
They faced the waiting reporters for the post-race interview.
"First, your thoughts on the race?" a reporter asked.
"I feel I've taken another step toward my goal," Air Groove said, her voice firm.
"This race didn't play to your usual strengths. Your thoughts?" another pressed.
"The strategy came from my trainer, but I agreed to it," Air Groove said. "I ran my race, so I have no complaints."
"To the trainer—why opt for a front-running strategy on such a big stage?" a reporter asked Hachiman.
(Sensei's call, not mine… whatever.) "No Uma Musume in this race specialized in front-running," Hachiman said. "I wanted Air Groove to control the pace, preparing for races where no front-runners compete."
"How was her performance?" another asked.
"Exactly as I envisioned," Hachiman said. "Flawless execution, no issues. There's always room for improvement, but we'll address that before the Tiara Route. You'll see an even stronger Air Groove in future G1s."
Of course they asked about the front-running, Air Groove thought, her ears flattening. But why? Why'd he suddenly push that strategy? It's not like him to switch tactics last-minute.
On the train ride back, silence hung between them.
Air Groove broke it. "Why front-running today?"
"Sudden question," Hachiman said. "I explained already—no front-runners in the race, so you set the pace. That's it."
"It felt off," she said, eyes narrowing. "Last-minute changes aren't your style. Why?"
"I told you," Hachiman said, shrugging. "No front-runners, so you took control. Nothing else to it."
"…Fine," Air Groove said.
She wasn't convinced, but she let it drop. The world, however, wasn't done with them.
The next morning, Air Groove spotted Fuji.
"Morning, Fuji," she said.
"Hey, Air Groove!" Fuji said, startled. "Seen today's papers? They're brutal."
"What?" Air Groove asked, taking the newspapers.
"Air Groove's Perfect Victory!! But Her Trainer's Last-Minute Strategy Shift Shocks!!"
"Trainer Ignores Strengths, Orders Front-Run in G1!! A Sign of Incompetence!!"
"Air Groove's Dominant Win! Great, But Trainer's Questionable Tactics Cast Doubt!!"
"What is this?" Air Groove said, her voice tight.
"This morning's headlines," Fuji said. "I can't believe they'd write this. Sure, it wasn't your usual strategy, but to bash your trainer ?"
"It's nonsense," Air Groove snapped, her tail lashing. "I agreed to the strategy. He doesn't deserve this!"
"I was shocked too," Fuji said. "I saw the press conference, but to spin it …"
The articles praised Air Groove endlessly but tore into her trainer with relentless criticism.
"Sorry, I'm borrowing these," Air Groove said, gripping the papers.
"Be careful," Fuji called after her.
He must know about this, Air Groove thought, her fists clenching. This isn't fair!
Hachiman's reputation had tanked… and he didn't even deserve it.