Fuji's POV
After winning the Kobe Shimbun Hai and securing a priority entry for the Chrysanthemum Sho, I'm back at Tracen Academy. Sundays are usually off, but I had the race, so here we are. Classes are done, and now it's after school, but the team's gathering—without Hachiman-san, just us members.
Fuji: "Sorry to keep you waiting."
Air Groove: "You're here. Everyone's present. Let's start."
CB: "No way I'd miss this~ But, Air Groove, why're we talking about Hachiman now? What's the topic?"
Air Groove: "You all know we visited Hachiman's ancestor, Kurifuji-dono's grave. Agreed?"
Rice: "Yeah. I was shocked Onii-sama's the grandson of someone so amazing…"
Maurice: "I looked her up too. She was incredible."
Air Groove: "Exactly. I felt her greatness anew. Hachiman's a regular human guy, but he's got legendary Uma Musume blood. Doesn't that make you wonder about his physical abilities?"
Ardan: "But it's not rare for men to have Uma Musume lineage. Would it make much difference?"
Air Groove: "That's the catch. Plus, he's a generation removed. Still, there's atavism—traits skipping generations. With such a remarkable Uma Musume's blood, doesn't he have some enhanced ability?"
Fuji: "Hmm… Now I'm curious. Oh, remember when Hachiman-san caught that ex-trainer after the Derby? That burst of speed—I still remember it."
Bakushin-O: "I saw it too! It was as fast as our gate starts!"
CB: "Really? That happened?"
Maurice: "But that alone doesn't prove Uma Musume-level ability."
Air Groove: "True. Anything else?"
Hard to say… That's all I know, and I've never seen Hachiman-san exercise.
Ardan: "Oh! I just remembered…"
Fuji: "What's up?"
Ardan: "It was when Anii-sama was running at the Mejiro family gym."
Flashback: Mejiro Family Gym
Ardan: "Anii-sama, exercising?"
Hachiman: "Yeah. Gotta move or I'll get rusty. Plus, running helps me brainstorm your training menus. It's kinda a hobby."
Ardan: "That's wonderful. Thank you."
Anii-sama was taking a break, sipping water, but when he resumed running, his footsteps were fast for a human. I ran beside him and checked the speed—32 km/h, just casually. That's close to our warm-up pace, and he kept it up for about 20 minutes with a normal expression.
Flashback End
Ardan: "I thought it was fast, but knowing he has Uma Musume blood, that speed and stamina make sense."
Maurice: "…That's pretty convincing."
Air Groove: "Valuable info. Anything else?"
Bakushin-O: "Why are we discussing this behind Trainer-san's back? Couldn't we just ask him?"
Maurice: "But what if it's a sensitive topic?"
Bakushin-O: "He doesn't seem like he'd mind. Would he shy away from something inherited from his grandmother?"
CB: "…Fair point."
Rice: "Yeah, Onii-sama wouldn't think that way."
Air Groove: "Then, Bakushin-O, a mission: ask Hachiman if he has any Uma Musume traits."
Bakushin-O: "Leave it to me, Sakura Bakushin-O! I'll get it done!!"
…Will she be okay?
Door opens
Hachiman: "Bakushin-O, I could hear you outside. What're you all talking about?"
CB/Air/Fuji/Ardan/Rice/Maurice: "Hachiman(-san)(Onii-sama)(Anii-sama)(Trainer-san)!!"
Arrow: "Eavesdropping?"
Hachiman: "Just got here. I don't snoop."
Bakushin-O: "Perfect timing! Trainer-san, a question—okay?"
Hachiman: "Sure."
Bakushin-O: "Have you inherited any Uma Musume powers?"
She really went straight for it…
Hachiman: "…I'm aware of something. Felt different from other guys sometimes. If it's about inheritance, probably, yeah."
Bakushin-O: "Then let's race—"Not happening. I can't keep up with you at full speed." Aww, too bad…"
Rice: "But Onii-sama can keep up with our warm-up pace, right?"
Hachiman: "…That speed, maybe."
CB: "So we can run together—"Nope. Then I'd be too wrecked to coach. I'd go from Hikki to Grokky." Aww, c'mon~."
So when I nearly collapsed at the Derby, he rushed to me that fast? That's… kinda nice///
Afterword
Hachiman's got skills in this Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! Fuji's team digs into his Kurifuji-inherited abilities, uncovering his surprising speed and stamina. A Triple Crown looms!
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