After wrapping up training with Air Groove and Fuji Kiseki, I headed to meet Hiratsuka-sensei, Kenta, and Bubblegum Fellow. Kenta had given me the location yesterday, so I didn't get lost. Bubblegum, huh? Let's see that run of yours.

"Sensei," I called.

Hiratsuka-sensei turned. "Hikitani! Been a while since we met like this."

"Yeah," I said. "Kinda weird we're both at Trecen but barely cross paths. How's it going?"

"Not as hot as you, but decent," she said. "Heard you picked Fuji Kiseki as your second. Nice choice."

"Glad she said yes," I said. "Can't exactly force it, right?"

"True," she said. "Gotta show we're worth their trust first. You did good—maybe too good."

"I was green back then," I said. "Still am, a year later."

She chuckled. "Same here. Oh, your kouhai and Bubblegum are over there."

I followed her gaze. Bubblegum was running with fierce focus, while Kenta timed her, scribbling on a clipboard. Her form screamed confidence—not a hint of her past injury.

"Impressive," I said.

"Right?" Hiratsuka-sensei said. "Even in the hospital, they worked out what training she could handle. Diet, habits—they nailed it. That's why she recovered so fast."

"Must be Bubblegum's sheer grit," I said. "That kind of fire doesn't just spark on its own."

"Exactly," she said. "Wish she'd share that drive with other Uma Musume, though!" She laughed. "Kenta's still new, so I'll guide him."

"Counting on you, Sensei," I said.

"You'll do the same when you get a kouhai," she said.

"Me?" I said. "I'd probably shatter their confidence."

"What are you planning to do to the poor kid?" she groaned.

"Nothing!" I said. Just then, Bubblegum spotted me, her eyes lighting up. She's got that energy, alright. Kenta gave me a polite bow. Not bad, kid.

"Go talk to them," Hiratsuka-sensei said.

"They're training," I said. "Don't wanna interrupt. I'll catch them after."

"Spectating 'til then?" she asked.

"Yup," I said.

"Yo, Trainer Hikitani!" a voice shouted.

"It's really him!" another chimed.

"Check out my form!" one Uma Musume called.

"No fair! My race is sooner, watch me!" another said.

Hiratsuka-sensei sighed. "You guys, your trainer's right here, and you're begging another one?"

"Sorry," I said, "I'm just a spectator. No coaching from me. Ask your trainer."

The Uma Musume grumbled but didn't seem upset. Solid trust with their team, huh?

After training ended…

"Trainer-san!" Bubblegum bounded over. "Long time! My fracture's all healed!"

"Looks like it," I said. "Heard about it and nearly fell over. You're already set for your next race?"

"Yeah!" she said. "No way I could handle 3000 meters now. Girls who ran the classics and went to camp might manage, but me? I was stuck with light training during recovery. Jumping to an extra 1000 meters is insane!"

"You're thinking races through better than some trainers," I said.

Kenta approached. "Senpai, it's been a while."

"Yeah," I said. "Watched Bubblegum's run from afar. She's looking strong."

"Yes!" Kenta said. "We're aiming to keep this momentum."

"Good," I said. "One thing: she's up against senior Uma Musume now. They've got experience and careers above her. The key is how well she can navigate and race against them."

Bubblegum nodded. "Got it."

"And don't let the atmosphere overwhelm you," I added. "Get caught up in the moment, and your focus narrows. Keep your eyes on the field."

"Do you tell Air Groove that?" Bubblegum asked.

"Nah," I said. "She doesn't need it. You know her—she's not the type to get overwhelmed. She sets the vibe."

"Oh, yeah," Bubblegum said. "Totally get it."

Hiratsuka-sensei snorted. "What a way to talk about your trainee."

"You get it, though," I said.

"…Yeah," she admitted.

Thought so.

Kenta piped up. "I'll make sure Bubblegum's at her best!"

"That's the spirit," I said. "But don't overdo it. Sometimes you gotta ease off. Look at me—lazy, unreliable vibe, right? Nobody else pulls it off like this."

Kenta hesitated. "Well… from the start, you seemed that way, but most Uma Musume admire you. I figured you were something special—and you are."

"Caught me, huh?" I said.

"Told you," Hiratsuka-sensei said. "You overdid it from day one."

"…Guess so," I said.

Fuji Kiseki's POV

Hey there! First time chatting like this, huh? I'm Fuji Kiseki, Ritto dorm leader. Last month, Trainer-san scouted me as his second trainee—a dream come true! I'm still a rookie, barely a month in, but his coaching's blown me away. Now that I've seen his training, I'm determined to keep up and not let him down.

Today, we're at Tokyo Racecourse, here to cheer on someone Trainer-san's got his eye on: Bubblegum Fellow, racing in her comeback after that fracture. Beside me are Trainer-san, Bubblegum's trainer Kenta, and senior trainer Hiratsuka-sensei. Kenta's looking… antsy, to put it mildly.

Kenta fidgeted. "…"

Hiratsuka-sensei sighed. "Calm down, kid. I get you're nervous, but you're overdoing it."

"B-but it's Bubblegum's comeback race!" Kenta stammered. "What if she finishes out of the money? I'd be too ashamed to face her!"

Hachiman groaned. "You're spiraling already? Fuji, say something—Uma Musume perspective."

"Yeesh, Trainer-san, you're rough on us Uma Musume," I teased. "Alright, Kenta, I haven't raced yet, but if you're wearing that anxious face, it'll rub off on her. At least look confident."

"Ugh…" Kenta mumbled.

Hachiman smirked. "Straighten up. Want me to slap some spirit into your back again?"

"N-no, I'm good!" Kenta said, snapping upright.

Haha, there's that spine! Bubblegum's the second favorite today, which is impressive for a comeback. But with an overseas Uma Musume in the mix, she can't let her guard down.

Announcer: "The 47th GII Mainichi Okan is about to start! What's your take?"

Commentator: "All eyes are on the classic-grade duo. Taiki Fortune, fresh off her NHK Mile Cup win, is gunning for another Tokyo mile victory—she's got the momentum. Bubblegum Fellow, back after a six-month injury, has solid mile aptitude. Expect a strong run from her too."

Announcer: "Absolutely. Don't sleep on Anus Mirabilis, the overseas contender. She's not a top favorite but could surprise. Senior veterans round out a tough field. The Uma Musume are in the gates! The 47th GII Mainichi Okan… they're off! No stumbles from these top-tier runners! Number 9, Applause City, drops to the rear!"

Hiratsuka-sensei nodded. "Solid start. How'll she handle the pace?"

Hachiman stayed silent, eyes locked on the track.

Kenta squirmed. "…"

I watched quietly, feeling the tension.

Announcer: "Last year's champ, Sugano Oji, takes the lead! Toyo Refar surges inside to second, with Britain's Anus Mirabilis in third! Trailing just behind, Bubblegum Fellow and Taiki Fortune, the classic-grade stars, hold fourth and fifth in lockstep!"

Hachiman spoke up. "Good position. She can watch the front and cover her back. That's Bubblegum's sweet spot."

Kenta nodded. "Yeah, we planned for her to stay forward. It suits her style."

I glanced at Hachiman. "Trainer-san, where would I be if I were racing?"

"Same spot as Bubblegum," he said. "From there, you'd have the legs for a strong straight. Plus, you could challenge the lead at the curve without breaking a sweat."

Announcer: "Into the third and fourth corners! Toyo Refar's taken the lead, looking sharp post-break! Anus Mirabilis sticks close, with number 12, Taiki Fortune, climbing fast on the outside! Sugano Oji and Bubblegum Fellow hold tight inside as they round the final corner—here comes the straight!"

Hiratsuka-sensei frowned. "Toyo's escaping? I thought she'd tire out…"

Kenta gulped. "Anus Mirabilis still has gas in the tank. She's got room to push."

Hachiman stayed silent, gripping his stopwatch.

I tilted my head. "Trainer-san?"

Announcer: "Toyo Refar holds the lead! Anus Mirabilis chases hard! Kanetsu Cross surges from the inside! Bubblegum Fellow's got legs on the outside! 200 meters left—Anus Mirabilis from Britain takes the lead! Kanetsu Cross and Bubblegum Fellow are closing fast! It's the British challenger, Anus Mirabilis, crossing the line first!"

Anus Mirabilis cheered. "Yeeeah!"

Kenta slumped. "Third…"

Hiratsuka-sensei clapped his shoulder. "That's a solid result against seniors. She'll win next time."

Hachiman stared at his stopwatch.

I nudged him. "Trainer-san, what's up? You're glued to that thing."

"Just thinking," he said. "She's a real threat."

"The British Uma Musume?" I asked.

"No," he said. "Bubblegum."

Huh? What's he mean?

Kenta blinked. "What's that mean?"

Hiratsuka-sensei leaned in. "Spill it, Hikitani."

"I timed the race," Hachiman said. "Every split, four furlongs to three. Bubblegum's final three furlongs? 34.7 seconds. There's some margin of error, but if Best Tie-Up's stretch was fastest, Bubblegum's was second."

Kenta's eyes widened. "So…?"

"If she'd pushed sooner," Hachiman said, "she could've won. Her legs didn't fade in the stretch. A slightly longer distance might suit her better. Say… Tennō Shō (Autumn)."

"Tennō Shō?!" Kenta gasped.

Hiratsuka-sensei nodded. "So, her late push cost her. To fix that, you're suggesting Tennō Shō (Autumn), a mid-distance race on the same stage."

"Just my take," Hachiman said. "It's your call, Sensei."

I stared. He caught all that in a few seconds of the straight? How much is he processing? If I raced, he'd probably have a ton to say.

"Hey, Trainer-san?" I said.

"Yeah?" he replied.

"Can you give me more pointers in training?" I asked. "Even the small stuff."

"If you're cool with it, sure," he said.

I'm not getting left behind!

Afterword

Bubblegum's back, and the turf's electric! Air Groove's Shuka Sho looms large, but Fuji's POV shines as she witnesses Bubblegum's gritty third-place finish in the Mainichi Okan. Hachiman's razor-sharp analysis stuns everyone, hinting at Tennō Shō for Bubblegum and sparking Fuji's drive. With Kenta's nerves and Hiratsuka-sensei's guidance, the classic season's heating up. Air Groove's still the star, but this race day's packed with drama—let's see who claims the crown!

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