Air Groove couldn't fathom her mother's obsession with that fool of a trainer. Sure, he'd been useful, but it was a mutual arrangement—she used him, he used her. A straightforward deal, neither deep nor shallow, neither complex nor simple.
Yet, the Student Council President and C.B. seemed oddly fond of him…
"I don't get it," Air Groove muttered. "What's so great about him?"
Still, she had to admit, his choice to pick her was bold. His reason? She'd be the most challenging. Ridiculous. Why not choose the President, whom even he acknowledged as exceptional? His skills were top-tier at Tressen Academy, respected by some trainers and students. His quirky training methods—like tag or shopping races—were even adopted by others. His talent stood out, no question. So why her? His flimsy excuse couldn't be the whole story. There had to be more.
"What's with that face?" Dyna said, bursting into Air Groove's room.
"Mother, stop barging in!" Air Groove snapped.
"It's fine, nothing's lost," Dyna said. "What were you brooding about? Wanna talk?"
"It's not worth discussing…" Air Groove hesitated. "Well, maybe a little."
She recounted how the trainer scouted her. Dyna's expression turned dubious.
"Why didn't you cheer when he picked you?" Dyna asked. "You were thrilled, right?"
"I was," Air Groove admitted. "But I wouldn't shout about it. And I had more questions than excitement."
"Questions?" Dyna said. "Does it matter?"
"Huh?" Air Groove said.
"He spent ten days choosing an Uma Musume," Dyna said. "And he picked you. You can ask why later. Shouldn't you be grateful he chose you out of everyone?"
Air Groove fell silent.
"You haven't thanked him, have you?" Dyna said. "Keep that up, and he'll ditch you."
"N-No way—" Air Groove started, then stopped. "I can't say that for sure…"
Dyna was right. Air Groove hadn't shown gratitude, and her attitude could push him away. With the Classic season looming, a contract termination wasn't unthinkable.
"You're tough on yourself and others," Dyna said. "That's not bad, but ease up sometimes. You'll burn out otherwise. You're managing now, but Classic and Senior seasons will be brutal."
"…Yes," Air Groove said quietly.
"That's the end of the lecture," Dyna said. "Be kinder to your trainer. Night!" With that, she left.
"Kinder… softer?" Air Groove murmured. "That's tough for me, but…" She paused. "I'll try."
Meanwhile, Hachiman trudged through Tressen Academy, muttering, "Everywhere I go, I run into Uma Musume. Not that I mind, but why does at least one always beg me to watch their training? Ask your own trainer!"
"Oh, Hikitani-trainer," Symboli Rudolf said, spotting him. "You look worn out."
"Hey, Rudolf," Hachiman said. "Got ambushed by Uma Musume all day. Just got free."
"You're quite popular," Rudolf said.
"More like an easy mark," Hachiman grumbled.
"Go home and rest," Rudolf said. "You don't want today's fatigue dragging into tomorrow. I use this for naps—it might help." She handed him a hot eye mask.
"Are you a god?" Hachiman said.
"Sorry, just an Uma Musume," Rudolf replied with a smile.
At the academy gates, Hachiman sighed. "Got Rudolf's eye mask. Eat, sleep, done."
A faint voice trailed him. "…Following… following…"
At the trainer dorms, Hachiman exhaled. "Finally here…"
"…Following… following…" the voice continued.
"Rice?" Hachiman said, turning. "How long you planning to tail me?"
"Eek!" Rice Shower yelped. "O-Onii-sama, you noticed!?"
"From the start," Hachiman said.
"Aww…" Rice pouted. "I was sneaking, but Onii-sama's amazing."
"Not really," Hachiman said. "So, what's up? You followed me for a reason, right?"
"Um…" Rice hesitated. "You seemed stressed today, so I made Rice Pudding. Sweet stuff helps when you're tired…"
"For me?" Hachiman said.
"If you don't want it, I'll eat it—" Rice started.
"No, I'll take it," Hachiman said. "All of it."
"R-Really?" Rice said.
"I mean it," Hachiman said. "But how many's okay?"
"I made it for you, so take it all!" Rice said.
"You're too good," Hachiman said. "This kid's way too good."
"Huh? Something wrong, Onii-sama?" Rice asked.
"Nah, nothing," Hachiman said. "Thanks, I'll take it. Appreciate it."
"You're welcome!" Rice chirped.
God, thanks for ending my day with kindness, Hachiman thought.