Hachiman leaned back, exhaling. "Phew, summer camp menus are done. What's left… oh, right, the instructors asked for more training plans. Already handled those last week—here they are." He rifled through his desk. "Bingo. Supplies for the clubroom are set for tomorrow. No pending deadlines. Nice."
Weeks had passed since Air Groove's Oaks triumph. The spring G1 races were winding down—Derby and Yasuda Kinen done, only the Takarazuka Memorial remained before summer racing kicked off. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, racecourses would host the season's battles. Air Groove had debuted in Sapporo last July, a memory that tugged at Hachiman's mind.
The door clicked open.
"Yooo, Hachiman!" Mr. C.B. chirped, sauntering in. "I'm baaack!"
"Mr. C.B., you again?" Hachiman groaned. "How many times do I have to say it? This is technically me and Air Groove's clubroom."
"Chill, it's fine!" she said, grinning. "This place is so cozy, I can't help dropping by!"
Hachiman sighed. "You're impossible."
"Anyway," Mr. C.B. said, leaning closer, "when are you scouting me? Keep stalling, and I'll just crash your training sessions as a freeloader!"
"You're not embarrassed saying that?" Hachiman said, then froze. Oh, crap.
The second-trainee issue. He'd completely forgotten it amid the Oaks frenzy. Two months since the council president's proposal, and he hadn't given an answer. What now?
Mr. C.B. tilted her head. "Hachiman, you okay?"
"Just remembered something," he said, dodging. "A talk with the council president. Kind of a big deal."
No way I'm mentioning the second trainee to her. She'd go wild, and he'd never shake her off.
"Hmmm," Mr. C.B. said, eyes narrowing.
"Anyway," Hachiman said, standing, "I'm heading to the council president's office. Time to clear out."
"What!?" Mr. C.B. whined. "I just got here!"
"No complaints," Hachiman said, ushering her out.
At the council president's office, Hachiman stared at the imposing door. Big doors always feel like trouble. Memories of his school days, facing the staff room, crept in. "No use stalling," he muttered.
"Come in!" Akikawa's voice boomed.
Hachiman stepped inside. "Hikitani, trainer. Sorry to intrude."
"Welcome, Hikitani-sensei!" Akikawa beamed. "Your Oaks performance was stellar!"
"Thanks," Hachiman said, bowing slightly.
"I hope you'll keep wielding that talent for our Uma Musume!" Akikawa said. "Now, what brings you here?"
"It's about the second-trainee proposal from two months ago," Hachiman said.
"Oh, I've been waiting for this!" Akikawa said, leaning forward. "Your answer?"
"I'll take it on," Hachiman said. "But, as Takanotsume explained, I'd like to choose the Uma Musume myself. Is that alright?"
"Absolutely!" Akikawa said. "I trust your judgment—for your growth and theirs!"
"Thank you," Hachiman said, bowing. "I'll take my leave."
The next day, chaos erupted.
"Trainer, please watch my run!"
"I want to be like Air Groove-senpai!"
"Hikitani-sensei, pick me!"
Mr. C.B.'s voice cut through. "Hachiman! Choose meee!"
Hachiman froze as a tidal wave of Uma Musume swarmed him at Trecen's gates. What the hell!? A flood—no, a tsunami, an avalanche—of reverse-scouts crashed over him. I don't even get what's happening! Who spilled about the second trainee? Wait, only one person could've—Akikawa!
Back at the council president's office, Hachiman didn't bother waiting. Screw courtesy.
He burst in. "President, what the—"
Takanotsume's voice rang out. "You!" she shouted, gripping Akikawa's cheeks. "Doing this without permission! Hikitani-sensei said he'd choose himself, didn't he!?"
"Ow! Ow, Takanotsume!" Akikawa flailed, her words garbled. "I'm sowwy! I'ww apowogize! Just stop pinching!"
Translation: "It hurts! I'm sorry, Takanotsume! I'll apologize, so stop pinching my cheeks!"
"You're apologizing to the wrong person!" Takanotsume snapped, squeezing harder.
Hachiman stared, dumbfounded. Well… there goes my anger. Takanotsume was tearing into Akikawa, who thrashed helplessly.
Minutes later, calm returned.
"I'm so sorry!" Takanotsume said, bowing deeply.
"Sowwy…" Akikawa mumbled, teary-eyed, rubbing her cheeks.
"I was gonna complain," Hachiman said, "but watching you two killed that vibe. What happened?"
Takanotsume sighed. "The president posted on the academy bulletin that you're taking a second trainee. A huge poster."
Hachiman's jaw dropped.
"She was probably thrilled," Takanotsume said. "The chance for another star like Air Groove is exciting."
"Yesh, exactly!" Akikawa said, still wincing. "I got too excited and acted rashly…"
Hachiman sighed. "I'll explain my side, but the academy needs to help calm this down. Convincing over 2,000 Uma Musume alone? No way."
"Of course!" Takanotsume said. "We'll handle it!"
Hachiman rubbed his temples. What's next? The whole academy knows. I can't even scout in peace. He'd planned to observe unassigned Uma Musume on his day off, but now? Sigh after sigh.
Talk about a mess! Hachiman's barely done with the Oaks, and now he's drowning in a reverse-scout tsunami! Mr. C.B.'s pushing her case, Akikawa's in hot water, and Takanotsume's pinch game is fierce! With summer racing and Air Groove's training ramping up, who's Hachiman picking as his second trainee? The track's a circus—buckle up!