(Fuji POV)
"It's finally time, Fuji."
"Yeah... The time has finally come to repay the debt of Spring. I remember everything about that day—the scenery, the smell, the sensation. But today, I absolutely refuse to let it end like the Takamatsunomiya Kinen."
"Hah. That's the spirit," Air Groove nodded, satisfied.
"Fuji, just run with enough force to leave everything behind!" Mr. C.B. cheered, throwing her arms up. "Blow away anything that brings you down!"
"Exactly right!" Maurice chimed in. "It is Bakushin time!"
"That is correct! It is indeed Bakushin!" Sakura Bakushin O shouted, vibrating with energy. "As long as you do not forget what it was like to run with me, you will be just fine!!"
"Do your best, Fuji-san!" Rice Shower whispered earnestly.
"We are all praying for a good fight," Mejiro Ardan added with a gentle smile.
At last, the day had arrived. It was the beginning of October, marking the curtain-raiser for the autumn G1 season: the Sprinters Stakes. A 1200-meter dash at Nakayama, often described in racing circles as the "War of Lightning on the Turf."
I was favored as the first choice to win again, but perhaps because of what happened in the spring, I could feel the gap between myself and the second favorite shrinking just a little.
But none of that mattered. The only thing that mattered was winning this race. That was everything.
"Alright then... I'm off."
—The Underground Tunnel—
Clip, clop.
"...Yo."
I stopped. "I didn't see you in the waiting room, so I thought you weren't coming. I'm a little relieved."
"Everyone else piled into the room," Hachiman muttered, scratching his cheek. "It felt awkward going in. Besides, you already got the big pep talk, right?"
"Yeah, exactly. Polaris is a good team, isn't it?"
"What are you talking about? You're a member too. Besides," he looked away, grumbling slightly, "you were the horse girl under my charge long before the team was even formed. But... hearing you say that makes me happy as a team trainer."
Fufu. So, Hachiman turns his face away when he's happy? That's a new discovery.
"The strategy is just as we discussed," he continued, regaining his composure. "There are eleven runners this time. You're in Frame 5, Number 5—right in the middle. It's a great position. If you can control the race effectively, running away with the lead isn't just a dream."
"Yeah, I know. Also... Hachiman? Can I ask for one small thing?"
"Hm? What is i—whoa!"
I stepped in and wrapped my arms around him. Squeeze.
Just for a moment. I just needed to borrow a tiny bit of Hachiman's strength. After all, we did this that night, too.
"...Mmm. That feels right."
"Think you can bring out your power now?" he asked, his voice slightly muffled.
"Of course. Thanks to this, I feel like I can put out 120%! Watch my run closely, okay?"
"Yeah. I'll be watching. Intently."
"You aren't allowed to look at any other ponies, got it? No wandering eyes."
"I won't. I'm only looking at you."
I've got your word on that, you know?
(Fuji POV End)
(Hachiman POV)
Now then, I need to get back to my seat.
Still, the sheer number of people is insane... Was the wave of spectators always this intense? I feel like it was normal just a moment ago. Is it because the G1 is about to start?
"Ah, excuse me! You there, just a moment!"
"..."
"Hey~! You, the boy! The one with the rather distinctive eyes!"
I froze. "Uh... me?"
"Yes, you! Would you mind helping me for a second?"
Standing in front of me was an adult Horse Girl. She had short bay hair and an androgynous appearance. There was something about her that vaguely reminded me of Fuji.
"Hah..." I sighed. "Look, I really need to get back to my seat, so please keep it brief."
"It's okay, it'll be over in a flash. Just hold this for me, and we're done."
"...Just a ball?"
"Yep, just a simple ball♪ And if I snap my fingers like this..."
Snap!
BANG!!
"Gah!!?" I jumped, my heart nearly stopping.
"Ahaha! A huge success~♪"
"No, no, that's not a 'huge success,' that nearly gave me a heart attack—"
"More importantly, why don't you read what you're holding?"
"Huh?"
Read what? I was looking at the ball... wait, what?
The object in my hand had indeed been a ball. But now, it had been swapped for a letter. And I wasn't just holding it; I was pinching it perfectly between my thumb and index finger.
Trembling slightly, I opened the letter to check the contents.
Written inside was:
My daughter has been in your care.
—Fuji Kiseki's Mother
"Ehh!!?"
"Ahaha! The Double Prank! Success~♪" the woman laughed delightedly.
"R-Really? No, wait... with that atmosphere, it has to be true," I stammered, quickly straightening my posture. "My apologies. I am Hikigaya, the trainer in charge of Fuji Kiseki-san. Thank you for entrusting her to me."
"Oh, no need to be so stiff! Besides, I'm the one who should be thanking you," she said, her smile softening. "That child achieved the Triple Crown she always dreamed of. We've been exchanging letters, you know. She writes about you quite often."
"Is that so..." I cleared my throat, feeling the heat rise in my neck. "Ah, please, come this way. If you've come all this way, you should watch from a better vantage point."
"Are you sure? I won't be a bother?"
"Not at all. There isn't a single person on our team who would treat a member's family poorly."
"Is that right? Well then, I'll take you up on your kind offer."
I never expected to meet Fuji's mother here...
Man, she really looks like Fuji. No, that's wrong—Fuji takes after her. And that tendency to surprise people? That definitely comes from her mother, too.
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