In the Trainer's Office
Fuji's Side
Hachiman: "Hey, C.B.?"
C.B.: "Hmm, what is it?"
Hachiman: "I haven't decided anything for your next race… Is there any race you'd like to run?"
C.B.: "Hmm~… How about the Tenno Sho (Autumn) or the Japan Cup?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, I figured… it would come to that."
Fuji: "Hachiman-san, is something wrong?"
Hachiman: "No, it's just that I keep getting asked about C.B.'s next schedule. After the Irish Triple Crown, I said it was undecided, but October is almost here, right? I thought it would be bad to leave it unplanned. An overseas expedition is an option, but honestly, I don't want to make her do that again."
C.B.: "Yeah, I don't want to be away from Hachiman…"
Hachiman: "And since she says that herself, I think we should focus on domestic races. That's the reason, and another overseas expedition isn't realistic for the foreseeable future. If that's the case, it's either the Tenno Sho (Autumn) or the Japan Cup. As for the Arima Kinen, I'm still wondering."
Fuji: "Hachiman-san, what about me, by the way?"
Hachiman: "After this, you have the Sprinters Stakes, and then the Queen Elizabeth II Cup or the Japan Cup, or maybe the Arima Kinen. The Mile Championship is also an option, but Maurice is scheduled for that race, so I'd prefer not to overlap if possible."
Fuji: "I see… Then how about the Tenno Sho (Autumn) after the Sprinters Stakes? That would be easier for me too. In terms of spacing, it's about the same as the Satsuki Sho and Derby, so I don't think there's a problem. If you don't want to overlap races, I think this would be better, don't you? Then Senior C.B. could participate in the Japan Cup with peace of mind."
Hachiman: "Oh… that's a good idea. But are you sure? Fuji, you'll be a bit busy."
Fuji: "I'll be fine. I'll make sure to take care of myself and consult with my body and legs before each race. If I feel anything suspicious, I'll report it to Hachiman-san immediately."
Hachiman: "…Understood, Fuji… It will be another significant distance change, but I'm counting on you."
Fuji: "Ahaha, this time it's skipping one."
C.B.: "This time it's from short-distance to middle-distance~."
Hachiman: "Yeah, I'll have to do something for Fuji this time. Like an outing, or cooking, or giving her extra care, all sorts of things."
Eh, ehh~… Th-that much? You don't have to do that much for me~.
Hachiman: "Also, C.B., could you perhaps get off my lap soon?"
C.B.: "Ehh~ But it's so comfortable to sleep on~… Besides, it's the trainer's office, so it's all warm and cozy, isn't it?"
Hachiman: "Fuji is here too, you know? How does that look for a senior? Try to have a little more dignity."
C.B.: "My motto is freedom!♪"
Fuji: "It's alright, Hachiman-san. I'm already used to Senior C.B. like this, and her clinging to you is a common sight even after lunch during our break, isn't it?"
Well, I do think it's a little annoying… but then again, I do similar things at the same time during lunch breaks, so I can't really say anything.
C.B.: "How about you too, Fuji? No one else is here right now, so we can do the same thing as during lunch break!"
Hachiman: "No, someone is here."
C.B.: "Eh? Ah, that's right!♪"
Aoi: "…"
Hachiman: "Kiryuin, this is just C.B.'s usual behavior, so don't mind it too much."
Aoi: "I-is that so… But Hikitani-kun, you're quite close with your team members."
Hachiman: "No, that's wrong, C.B. is just an anomaly."
C.B.: "No way! You do the same thing with Fuji, and you pat Air Groove's head and ears, and you're sweet to Rice and Aldan, and you often dote on Mauri-chan, and even Bakushin-O and Arrow… Ah~ no, those two are normal, I guess."
Aoi: "Hikitani-kun…"
Hachiman: "No, no, I can't deny Rice, but the others are completely normal. C.B., please stop saying things like that."
C.B.: "Ehh~ But it's true!"
Fuji: "Senior C.B.!…"
Hachiman: "Is that so? Well, then I'll have to make things equal for everyone. That means I'll have to stop giving C.B. a lap pillow too. Well, it's for equality, so it's a good thing."
C.B.: "Ms. Kiryuin, Hachiman is normal! It's just me and Fuji and the others who are spoiling him! Hachiman is just responding to that!"
Wh-what?!
Fuji: "H-hold on, Senior C.B.! Why are you bringing my name into this!?"
I'm not denying it, but why bring it up at this timing!? Look, Kiryuin Trainer is looking at me with such a surprised expression!!?
Aoi: "B-but it does seem that Hikitani-kun and his members are quite close… Ahaha."
Hachiman: "I can't deny that."
Aoi: "But isn't that a good thing, having a good relationship with your Uma Musume? Well, I do think it's quite close, though. It's a different direction from Trainer Okino, isn't it?"
Hachiman: "That person is special."
Aoi: "Touching an Uma Musume's haunches, that really did surprise me a bit."
Ah… I think he was the trainer who touched Uma Musume's haunches? That really is a bit much.
C.B.: "Well, I wouldn't mind Hachiman touching my haunches~."
Fuji: "Mmm, me too."
Aoi: "Eh… Hikitani-kun?"
Hachiman: "No, no, I wouldn't touch them, would I? If it's a massage, I'd do it, but only with their consent, okay?"
Aoi: "R-right~."
Maybe I should ask him for a massage after the Sprinters Stakes? Care is necessary, after all.
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