Fuji Side
After safely completing the Kikuka-sho, our Team Polaris returned to the academy as planned, greeting the next morning. I usually read the morning paper before the pony girls wake up, and today, I'm in an unusually great mood♪ Why? Because there's a glowing article about Yahagi-san!
"Fuji Kiseki Achieves Triple Crown!! Trainer Yahagi Hachiman, a True Master!! Undefeated in Both Classic Triple Crown and Triple Tiara!!"
Fuji: "Hehe, this makes me so happy♪"
Ever since the incident on Derby night, negative chatter about Yahagi-san has drastically dropped. After consulting with Air Groove, we've been checking fan letters sent to Team Polaris together, including those for Yahagi-san. Lately, there's hardly any hate mail—proof that Yahagi-san is finally getting the recognition he deserves!
Fuji: "Today feels like it's gonna be a great day♪"
Air Groove: "Hmph, an article like this… Heh, you're right, it's not bad."
Fuji: "Right? It's such a nice piece! Plus, thanks to our achievements, Yahagi-san's reputation is soaring, which makes me so happy♪"
Air Groove: "Yeah. Things like this didn't happen in my time. Maybe when Yahagi's mentor was revealed at the Japan Cup, but that's it. He's probably seen this article but won't care much."
Fuji: "That's so like Yahagi-san. But it's a big deal to us."
Air Groove: "True. If only Yahagi could realize—'Excuse me, may I have a moment!?' Hm?"
…Reporters at the academy gate?
Reporter: "Fuji Kiseki, congratulations on your Triple Crown! May I ask a few questions?"
Air Groove: "That's fine, but do you have official permission from the academy?"
Reporter: "Yes, of course."
Yesterday, my legs weren't up for a long interview, so it didn't happen. But now, it's morning, and we're heading to class—hardly the time for a lengthy chat.
Yahagi: "Yo, Air Groove, Fuji."
Fuji: "! Yahagi-san."
Air Groove: "Yahagi."
Yahagi: "You two head to class. An interview now will make you late. I'll handle this."
Reporter: "Oh! Our apologies, we didn't consider your school commitments… We're sorry."
Yahagi: "No worries, I appreciate your understanding. I'll answer what I can."
Reporter: "Thank you so much."
Wow… Yahagi-san was so cool just now.
Air Groove: "…Are you always this smitten?"
Fuji: "Huh!? ///"
Air Groove: "Sigh… I don't know what's gotten into you, but since yesterday, your face softens whenever Yahagi's mentioned."
Fuji: "I-Is that so?"
Air Groove: "…I thought I understood your feelings yesterday, so I won't pry. But I'd love to see this 'kind-faced Yahagi-san' you keep talking about."
Fuji: "Ugh… ///"
Air Groove: "It's the truth, yet you don't even try to hide it…"
I mean, what can I do…? I've fallen for Yahagi-san///
After School - Clubroom
Yahagi: "Sorry for calling you out suddenly, Fuji."
Fuji: "No worries! I can guess why. It's about my next race, right?"
Yahagi: "Yeah. I'm planning to skip races for the rest of this year and prepare for next year. Fuji, any races you want to run?"
Fuji: "Well… I'm not sure if you'll approve, but I want to aim for the Yasuda Kinen next year. And before that…"
Yahagi: "Before that?"
Fuji: "I want to run in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen."
Yahagi: "…A sprint, huh? Interesting. And then a mile race after. If you win the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, you'd have conquered every distance."
Oh, right—I won the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes as a junior.
Fuji: "I'm not too focused on that, but I remember the Sumire Stakes from my junior days. That feeling… I think if I can recapture it, I'll get even stronger. I know it'll mean a whole new training regimen, though…"
Yahagi: "Hmm… Then the Hankyu Hai is your best bet for the next race. If you can't win a GIII, the Takamatsunomiya Kinen is off the table. You okay with that?"
Fuji: "Yes, I'm in! I want to win the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, run a great Yasuda Kinen, and dominate the sprint and mile races in the fall!"
Yahagi: "Whoa, that's ambitious… but it's a solid goal. One more thing—if you lose the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, do you still want to run the Sprinters Stakes in the fall?"
Fuji: "Personally, I'd love to. What do you think?"
Yahagi: "…Alright. From now on, you'll train with Bakushin O and Maurice instead of Rice. You know this, but it'll be the opposite of the training you did for the Kikuka-sho. It's gonna be tough."
Fuji: "Got it! And thank you for listening to my request."
Yahagi: "Nah, you Uma Musume are the stars. It's only natural to support your goals."
Fuji's next race is set: the Hankyu Hai!
From long-distance to sprinting, quite a shift.
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