Winter break had left Hachiman alone at Tressen Academy while Air Groove returned home. The remaining Uma Musume swarmed him relentlessly—begging for training tips, rice balls, or sweets. "Give me a break," he grumbled. "I'm not your caretaker!" Yesterday's chaos had drained him, but thanks to Rice Shower's pudding and Rudolf's hot eye mask, he'd slept like a rock, his energy fully recharged. What kind of energy? Don't ask.
Today, Hachiman felt sharper than ever, ready to tackle his work. Those two are gods of kindness, he thought, grinning.
"Morning, Trainer-san," Cafe greeted, her voice soft.
"Hey, Cafe. Morning," Hachiman said. "Where's your 'friend'?"
"She's to my left," Cafe said.
"Right. Morning to your friend, too," Hachiman said, tapping the air beside her.
It had become routine when talking to Cafe. She claimed an Uma Musume called her "friend" was always by her side, supposedly lightning-fast. Cafe, who'd never beaten her, swore she was exceptional.
"Coffee, Trainer-san?" Cafe offered.
"For me?" Hachiman said.
"If it's not a bother…" Cafe said.
"After breakfast, then," Hachiman said.
"Got it. I'll prepare it," Cafe said.
A firm grip landed on his shoulder. Yup, that's her friend's hand, Hachiman thought, half-laughing. What's the deal? Just grabbing me? I don't get it.
"Here you go," Cafe said, handing him a thermos cup.
"Thanks," Hachiman said, sipping. Cafe's coffee was divine, warming his hands and soul.
Minutes later, he sighed, "That was great, Cafe. Your coffee's always top-notch."
"It's nothing," Cafe said. "You always seem so busy, so I thought… What are you doing?"
"Nothing?" Hachiman said, puzzled.
"Sorry," Cafe said. "My friend's behind you, clutching her head, like she's pleading."
Your friend's emotionally unstable, Cafe, Hachiman thought, raising an eyebrow.
"I can't see what's going on, but good luck calming her," he said, patting her shoulder.
Cafe stared silently.
A sudden, "Ooooo!" echoed, startling them both.
"What now?" Hachiman said.
"I… don't know," Cafe said. "She just clenched her fists and screamed."
"Seriously…?" Hachiman muttered.
"Ow! Is she hitting my back now?" Hachiman said.
"Yes," Cafe said. "She looks happy about it."
Hachiman, aka Yahari Hikitani, had just experienced a bizarre morning phenomenon.
In the trainer's room, he muttered, "Tulip Stakes is next… late February adjustments. Regular training until then. This book's tapped out. Guess I'll hit the library. Is it even open during break?"
At the library, he slid the door open. "Open, huh?"
"Hey, Trainer-san!" a voice called.
"Rob Roy," Hachiman said. "Should've known. You're the library's queen."
"Stop it!" Zeno Rob Roy laughed, blushing. A book lover and library committee member, she'd helped Hachiman borrow training manuals countless times. She was also Rice Shower's roommate. Rice and Rob Roy together? Divine, he thought, ignoring a strange heavenly hum.
"Looking for training books," Hachiman said. "Oh, here's the return."
"Go ahead and browse," Rob Roy said.
"Haven't read much left," Hachiman said, scanning. "Finished most of them?"
"You come here a lot," Rob Roy said. "You've read all the training guides. I keep track—you've conquered them all."
Didn't realize I'd read that much, Hachiman thought. The library's books were clear and student-friendly, but he'd exhausted them. "Guess I'll pass today. Sorry, Rob Roy."
"Come back anytime," she said.
"Will do," Hachiman said.
What now? Air Groove's support left him some cash. Buy books? He'd burn through them fast. "Stuck, huh," he muttered. "Teacher always said to switch tasks when you hit a wall. Maybe bake something." Cream desserts were out—McQueen would nag. "Pudding it is," he decided.
"Take care, Mother," Air Groove said, bowing slightly.
"Time flies when it's fun," Dyna sighed. "You're leaving already…"
Three days at home had passed, and it was time for Air Groove to return to Tressen Academy. The visit had been a refreshing break, recharging her mind and body while igniting her determination for the future. Now, she stood on the platform, the Tokyo-bound train idling, ready to depart.
"No need to worry," Air Groove said. "We can call or email."
"You don't get it," Dyna said. "Meeting face-to-face is what matters. A screen's just… lonely."
"I… suppose," Air Groove said, faltering.
"And one more thing," Dyna said. "Get along with your trainer. I'm not saying be besties, but… you know."
"Yes," Air Groove said quietly.
Her mother's scolding about the trainer on her first day home still stung. It was her own immaturity that caused it, and she accepted the rebuke.
Dyna studied her. "You look better than when you arrived. Now, go dominate the Classic class. You're a cut above on the Triple Tiara route, but someone could overtake you. Prepare thoroughly."
"Yes, Mother," Air Groove said.
"Doors closing. Please stand clear," the speaker announced.
"Take care!" Dyna called. "Give it your all!"
"I will, Mother. Watch me!" Air Groove replied.
As the train pulled away, she bid her mother a temporary farewell, vowing to return with her head held high. Just to be safe, she'd inform him. Oddly, the train was empty—bad manners or not, she'd make a quick call.
"Hey, Air Groove?" Hachiman's voice crackled.
"It's me," she said. "Three days, huh?"
"Haven't seen you yet," he said. "What's up?"
"I'm leaving home. I'll arrive past noon. Just letting you know."
"Need a pickup?" he asked.
"No, I'm fine," she said. "What are you doing?"
"Checking supplies in the clubroom," he said. "Just you and me using it, so not much is gone. No issues yet."
"Catch you at the academy," he said.
"Yeah," she replied, hanging up.
A short call was fine on a train, especially with no one else around. Long talks were rude, but this sufficed.
"Training starts tomorrow," Air Groove murmured. "No slacking. I need to prep for the trial races."
Meanwhile, Hachiman, swamped by Uma Musume during the break, was finishing inventory. Yahari Hikitani here, he thought. Yesterday, the girls wouldn't leave me alone. Now, supplies are done. No shortages, all good. Tomorrow, training with Air Groove would kick into high gear. The Classic class was her stage to shine, and he'd give his all to support her. The Junior races went well, but this year demanded focus—no room for slip-ups.
"Check complete," Hachiman said. "Next one's late February or March."
"Done?" C.B. chirped, popping up. "Let's train! Wait, you're not bailing, are you? Come on, watch my run!"
"Look, C.B.," Hachiman said, rubbing his temples. "I've been ignoring you, but why are you here? This is mine and Air Groove's clubroom. No offense, but you're an outsider. I'm not rolling out the red carpet, so… leave?"
"I'll go if you watch my training!" C.B. said, grinning.
She's not budging, Hachiman thought, sighing. "Fine, stay. But don't touch anything. Everything's got a place."
"What're you doing?" C.B. asked.
"My training?" she pressed.
"Go for a walk," he shot back.
"Stingy!" she huffed.
Stingy's fine, he thought. I'm Air Groove's trainer. One girl's enough—otherwise, it's a domino effect.
But a question nagged him. "Hey, can I ask something serious?"
"Why do you keep bugging me?" he asked.
"Now you ask?" she said, tilting her head.
"Yeah, it hit me," he said. "Never heard your reason."
"No big deal," C.B. said. "Just… it's fun hanging with you."
"Fun? With me?" Hachiman said. "Something's off with your senses."
"You don't feel pathetic saying that?" she asked.
"A little," he admitted.
"Stop it, then," she said softly.
"Yeah, I will," he said.
Her answer was vague, but her gentle tone lightened his heart. Maybe I'll go easier on C.B., he thought.