Chapter 28: Victory’s Dawn, Next Race Awaits!!

I outran even my own expectations, and I'm satisfied with the result. But this was just my debut. Today, I raced against fellow rookies, but soon I'll face seasoned Uma Musume. No time to let my guard down.

"Hey, Air Groove-san!"

I turn. "Hm? You're… Daiwa Texas, right?"

Texas's eyes widen. "You know me!?"

"Of course. You're a rival in this race. It'd be rude not to know you."

Texas beams. "I'm so happy! Your debut was incredible! A Junior Class race, yet you were in a league of your own… Just, wow!"

"Thanks," I say. "But you pulled well ahead of the pack too. If I hadn't been here, you'd have won this race."

She's got potential. To finish so far ahead in a 2000-meter race shows promise.

Texas smiles. "Thank you! I've got an interview now, so I'll head off. See you!"

I nod. "Yeah."

She heads toward the changing rooms. As the winning Uma Musume, I've got my own interview waiting. My trainer's probably already there.

Hachiman stands quietly. "…"

"Sorry for the wait," I say.

"Don't worry about it," he replies. "Your form's steadied—good sign. You moved well in the corners and the stretch. If you keep this up, you'll shine in the Classics."

"Good moves don't guarantee wins, do they?" I ask.

Hachiman shrugs. "That's beyond even me."

"I'll carve out victory with my own strength," I say. "Let's get this interview over with."

"Yeah," he agrees.

We head to the waiting reporters for the interview.

"Air Groove, congratulations on dominating your debut race!" the interviewer says.

"Thank you," I reply.

"How do you feel right now?"

"I see this as just the first step from my starting line, but I'm thrilled with the victory."

"You took the lead before the third corner. Was that part of your trainer's strategy?"

"Trainer told me to make my move after the 1000-meter mark," I say. "But choosing that moment was my call."

"And to the trainer, what did you think of the race?"

Hachiman speaks up. "I knew she could win with her skill, but this level of dominance surprised me. Guess my eye for talent still needs work."

"What's the plan moving forward? Can you share her next race?"

Hachiman nods. "We planned for her to run only one 2000-meter race in Junior Class—her debut. Next, she'll compete in the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup at the end of October."

It's not uncommon for debut winners to enter graded races, but only the truly skilled keep winning.

"Trainer, Air Groove, a message for the fans as you look ahead?"

Hachiman says, "I promise you'll see an even stronger Air Groove next time. Please keep supporting her."

I add, "I'll strive daily to show you an evolved me. Thank you for today's cheers, and I hope for your support next time."

"Thank you, Air Groove!" the interviewer concludes.

The interview wraps, and preparations for the live performance begin. I thought a debut race, not a main event, wouldn't draw much of a crowd, but a surprising number of fans pack the stands. Next time, I'll pull in even more.

On the plane, I turn to Hachiman. "You said the next race is the Saudi Arabia RC. Was that set in stone?"

"Pretty much," he says. "I considered Artemis, but the timing's better for Saudi. Kyoto in November was an option, but that'd mess with Hanshin JF prep."

"So you're planning to enter me in the Hanshin JF?" I ask.

"For now," he says. "We'll decide after Saudi. We'll talk details the day after tomorrow. Rest up today and tomorrow."

"Got it," I reply.

And so, my first race ended in a crushing victory.

Meanwhile, at Tressen Academy…

Symboli Rudolf: "To think she'd dominate that much…"

Narita Brian: "I expected her to win, but that gap? Unreal."

Rudolf: "Her future's looking bright."

Maruzensky: "Talk about a wild card showing up!"

Tojo: "True. But it's just her debut. Where it goes depends on her and Hikitani-kun."

Maruzensky: "Oh, come on, you're rooting for her to climb, aren't you?"

Tojo: "…She's my junior. It's only natural to care."

After Air Groove's dominating debut, we're off to a strong start and now planning for her next race, the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup, in a strategy meeting.

It's a Tokyo race with a long, gentle slope on the final stretch, demanding power. I chose Saudi to prep her for Hanshin's steep slopes in the Hanshin JF and Cherry Blossom Prize, and to familiarize her with Tokyo's course. Junior Class races cap at 2000 meters, but I don't think Air Groove's ready to win Tokyo's 2000 meters yet. So, I picked the 1600-meter distance.

I explain this to Air Groove.

"With just over a month until the race, it's good practice for the Classic Tiara route," she says. "Understood."

"Good," I reply. "We're revamping training starting today. You know the Tiara route's three races all have slopes. Master those, and your chances soar. We'll do hill training twice a week—Tuesdays and Fridays."

"What about the other days?" she asks.

"Wednesdays, strength training—course or gym, your call. Thursdays, we build your mile-running form. Saturdays, light training to tune your performance. Sundays, rest. Mondays, you decide."

"What's that?" she says, surprised.

"I've packed your week," I say. "One day's yours. I know you've got student council duties or mentoring juniors. If you can't make it, just let me know."

"…Got it," she says.

I'm curious how she'll use that free day. Knowing her, it'll be student council, mentoring, or race prep—no slacking off.

"Anything else?" Air Groove asks.

"That's it from me," I say.

"Good. Then I've got a question," she says. "Why are we holding a meeting in this ridiculous situation?"

Oguri Cap munches loudly. "Mmm, your rice balls are delicious, Trainer. I could eat them forever… munch."

Special Week chimes in, "Right, Oguri-san?! Trainer's rice balls have the perfect saltiness and rice texture!"

Rice Shower nods. "Yeah! Big Brother's food is so good♪"

McQueen sighs happily. "Delicious… and half the calories of my usual sweets. Marvelous!"

Dober adds quietly, "…It's good."

Okay, fair question—why is this happening? Simple: they wanted my cooking, so I fed them. Oh, and I invited Rice because of her reward from last time. She eats so eagerly and never leaves a crumb—it's hard not to cook for her. This crew? They'd never waste food.

"Look, they missed my cooking," I say. "Even though they haven't eaten much."

Air Groove smirks. "You're something else. But Dober being here? That's unexpected."

"Probably tagged along with McQueen," I say. "Or maybe she's got something to ask you? Though she's eating sweets now. Is everyone in the Mejiro family a sweet tooth?"

"Don't ask me, I don't know," Air Groove says.

"Whatever," I say. "They're not here to crash our meeting."

Oguri nods. "Exactly. I just waited to eat your food, Trainer."

"Waiting at the door, no less," I say. "Real convincing."

"Don't praise me so much…" Oguri mumbles.

I wasn't praising her at all.

"Anyway," I say, "training gets tougher tomorrow."

"Understood," Air Groove says. "Dober, why are you here? Not just to chaperone McQueen, I bet."

Dober flinches. "Uh, yes! Sorry, I… had something to ask Trainer about last week's training."

She glances at me, her eyes a mix of a glare and unease.

Air Groove raises a brow. "To Trainer, huh? That's why you're here?"

Dober nods. "Yes. McQueen being here was unexpected…"

I frown. "If I can answer, I will, but are you okay, Dober? You don't like guys, right?"

Dober freezes, silent.

"Yeah, thought so," I say. "Write it down on this paper and give it to me. I'll hand it back after."

"…Okay," she says.

That should work. But why's she so wary of guys?

Oguri sighs, satisfied. "I'm full. Your rice balls fill me up fast, Trainer."

"Really?" Special Week says. "I could eat more… Can I have the rest?"

Oguri nods. "I'm done."

Rice smiles. "I'm full too!"

"Yay!" Special Week cheers, grabbing the leftovers. "Thanks!"

McQueen pouts. "Trainer, no more?"

"Nope, that's it," I say. "You devoured all the snacks. How starved are you?"

"It's not my fault!" McQueen protests. "They're so tasty and low-calorie, I had to eat them!"

"They're normal calories," I say. (Total lie.)

McQueen pales. "…No…"

"Kidding, kidding," I say. "Don't look so horrified."

"Trainer!" McQueen snaps. "Your pranks go too far!"

It's just a little teasing, snack-obsessed Mejiro McQueen.