The day after the Ouka Sho, Air Groove's muscles ached for action, but rest was the order. Tomorrow, though, the grind for the Oaks would begin—Tokyo's brutal 2400 meters. A course unknown to her, like most of her rivals. With only a month to prepare, every moment counted. I need to know the plan, she thought, striding toward the trainer's room. Stamina to conquer that distance—I'll forge it.
"Trainer, I'm coming in," she announced, pushing the door open.
Hachiman looked up, surprised. "Yo. No training today, you know that."
"I'm here about the Oaks," Air Groove said, her gaze steady. "What's the plan for the next month? I need to know."
"Simple," Hachiman said, leaning back. "Stamina and speed. First half, we focus on stamina. Last two weeks, we shift to speed for fine-tuning. That's the rough plan. Got thoughts?"
"You're not training speed until the last two weeks?" she asked, frowning.
"Nah, we'll mix in speed," he clarified. "But it's maybe thirty percent speed, seventy percent stamina. Gotta balance it."
"Got it," she said, nodding slowly.
Hachiman raised an eyebrow. "That it?"
Air Groove hesitated, her eyes catching a glint on his ear. "Wait. You wear piercings?"
"These?" Hachiman touched his ear. "Not piercings—earrings. My mentor sent them to the academy. Just trying them out."
She studied them: white on the left, blue on the right. Odd choice. "Then that horseshoe necklace you were staring at in Hokkaido last year… also from her?"
"Yup," Hachiman said. "A commemorative piece from a race she won. Silver chain, gold accents—crazy expensive. Pure gold and silver, so I didn't ask the price. It's not even sold anymore, and it never will be."
Air Groove's eyes widened. Pure gold and silver? "Who is this mentor, giving her disciple something so rare?"
"It's a set, not the original form," Hachiman said, shrugging. "Should be all gold or all silver, but she mixed it. Said it's like a 'matching pair.' Her words, not mine. Sounds like she got 'pair look' wrong, but I let it slide."
Air Groove snorted. "That's her grand reasoning?"
"Her style," Hachiman said. "I'm not giving it away, though. Knowing it's pure gold and silver? No way."
Fair enough, Air Groove thought. Who'd hand over something like that? I wouldn't.
"So, stamina first, speed later for adjustments," she confirmed. "Light speed work, nothing intense."
"Exactly," Hachiman said. "That's the vibe."
"Understood," Air Groove said. "I'll head out then. See you at training tomorrow."
"Yeah," Hachiman said, returning to his notes.
Air Groove turned, her mind already on the dorm. The student council president had insisted she rest, even delegating her council duties. It's just paperwork, she grumbled inwardly. Hardly a burden.
In another corner of Trecen Academy, the air was thick with focus. Narita Brian scribbled notes, her pen scratching rhythmically. Symboli Rudolf flipped through documents, her expression calm but intense. Mr. C.B. lounged nearby, humming a lazy tune, her presence a stark contrast.
"Hey," Narita Brian said, pausing her writing. "Why's C.B.-senpai here?"
Rudolf glanced up, a faint smile playing on her lips. "She's been bored lately. Says hanging out here might spark something. Right, C.B.? Feeling less bored?"
"Nope," Mr. C.B. drawled, stretching. "Still no fun. Got anything exciting?"
Rudolf's eyes flicked to her. "Speaking of, aren't you visiting Hachiman-kun today? I thought you'd be the first to barge in."
"Every day's a bit much," Mr. C.B. said, grinning. "Gotta save some charm."
Clinging to his arm isn't bothersome? Rudolf thought, amused, but let it pass. "Fair enough."
Her gaze fell on a document, and her breath caught.
Proposal for Additional Trainee
Considering Trainer Hikitani Hachiman's outstanding achievements, we propose he take on a second Uma Musume. This is not a mandate but a suggestion. Trainer Hikitani is currently deliberating, so please refrain from premature actions.
We request an inquiry into Uma Musume other than Air Groove. Please gather opinions from a wide range of candidates through interviews.
Rudolf's eyes narrowed. Hachiman-kun, a second trainee? And he's still considering… This wasn't something to probe lightly. But she'd start here, with these two.
"Mind if I ask you both something?" Rudolf said, her tone measured.
Brian looked up. "What?"
"What's up, Rudolf?" C.B. chirped.
"Would you want Hachiman-kun as your trainer?" Rudolf asked.
"Super want!" C.B. burst out, eyes gleaming. "Like, right now!"
Rudolf chuckled. "One's very enthusiastic."
"I'd want him too," Brian said, her voice steady. "There's no better trainer than him."
Rudolf nodded, her smile deepening. "I feel the same. After our last training session, that conviction only grew."
Three of us, then, Rudolf thought. I'll handle this inquiry myself. Air Groove can't be involved.
Things are heating up! Air Groove's laser-focused on the Oaks, but that gold-and-silver gift from Hachiman's mentor? Talk about mysterious! And Rudolf sniffing out Hachiman's potential second trainee—Brian and C.B. are all in! Who'll join his roster, and what's in that package? The track's buzzing—don't miss the next lap!