Chapter 33: Rescuing the Day, Sort Of!!

The day after Air Groove's graded stakes triumph, the school gates swarmed with reporters. Was there some special interview scheduled? The thought nagged as she pushed through the crowd.

"Is Air Groove's trainer here!?"

"We'd love to talk, just a moment of your time!"

"A quick word, please!"

…They're after that fool? Must be something she forgot to ask yesterday. Who'd have thought they'd storm the school for it? What did they want?

"Gah!" Air Groove snapped to attention. "Sorry, Prez, I'm heading over now."

No time to dawdle—student council duties awaited. She couldn't burden Rudolf with her delays.

Meanwhile, with training off for the day, Hachiman had pushed the next race's meeting to tomorrow. What to do now? …Wait, what's that commotion?

"You're making this difficult!" Takanotsume scolded. "Get permission first! Unauthorized entry onto academy grounds is trespassing, and we'll take legal action!"

"We just need to speak with Trainer Hikitani! A few minutes, please!"

"I'm telling you, you need prior approval!" Takanotsume insisted.

…What a mess. And they're after him? What for?

"Ah!" the reporters gasped, spotting him.

"Crap…" Hachiman muttered.

Eyes locked. His face, plastered from the debut and yesterday's interviews, was no secret. No escaping now—not on academy grounds, at least. Maybe he could still dodge.

"Trainer Hikitani! Can we have a moment!?"

"Just a quick word!"

"Please cooperate!"

Takanotsume faltered. "W-Wait, this is trouble!"

Poor Takanotsume. Fine, time to step up—though he really didn't want to.

"Takanotsume-san, I'll take it from here," Hachiman said.

"Trainer Hikitani! But…" she hesitated.

"They say it's brief, so it won't take long," Hachiman said. "One or two questions, probably. These folks came all this way, so they wouldn't stoop to fabricating stories, right? Especially after barging in without permission."

Takanotsume fell silent.

"What's that supposed to mean, Trainer Hikitani?" a reporter demanded.

"My line exactly," Hachiman shot back. "You stormed the academy without approval, ignored staff explanations, and kept pushing. That's bordering on obstruction of duties, maybe even business interference. You realize that, right? I'm fine answering about me, but I'll report this to your higher-ups. Takanotsume here knows the details. Leave now, and I won't report it. Your call."

How's that? Enough to make them back off?

"…Our apologies for the intrusion."

"Sorry, we'll leave."

"We're sorry."

The reporters retreated in unison. Hachiman exhaled. Phew, that worked.

"Trainer Hikitani!" Takanotsume said. "I'm so sorry for the trouble!"

"Don't worry," Hachiman said. "Guys like that don't listen to reason, but flash some legal threats, and they scatter. Don't like using it, though."

"You really saved me!" Takanotsume said, grabbing his hand. "And… you were so composed back there. Impressive."

"Uh…" Hachiman froze. Wait, what? Why this reaction? He just stepped in to help. Her hand—soft, warm, like a girl's should be—no, focus! "Got it, uh, can you let go?"

"Oh!" Takanotsume released him. "Sorry…"

"It's fine," Hachiman said. "I'm heading out."

"Yes! Keep up the great work!" she called.

Great work? It was a rest day. The next race's plans were set, the clubroom offered nothing, and wandering risked getting roped into training with other Uma Musume. What now?

"Did you see that!?"

"Yeah, totally! Are Trainer Hikitani and Takanotsume… you know?"

"No way, really!?"

"But that moment…"

"There's a chance, right!?"

"…"

"KYAA!"

Lately, the Uma Musume's gazes felt… off. Not the usual stares—those were warm, watchful, almost protective. Even as Hachiman walked the academy halls, they stared openly, unashamed. What was going on? It made no sense.

Hachiman kept his eyes forward, ignoring the feeling.

Rustle… rustle…

Whisper… whisper…

Too bad he lacked an Uma Musume's sharp hearing—those hushed talks were inaudible. Curiosity gnawed, but asking would just make them clam up. Better to let it slide. Still, it bugged him.

"Trainer Hikitani!" Takanotsume called, spotting him. "There you are!"

"Takanotsume-san, something up?" Hachiman asked.

"Yes, about the gate incident," she said. "The reporters sent apology letters. Could you stop by the chairman's office when you're free?"

"Before or after Air Groove's training works," Hachiman said. "Which is better?"

"After training, if that's okay?" Takanotsume suggested. "It'll be calmer to review then. Also, I haven't properly thanked you for the other day."

"No need to fuss over that," Hachiman said.

"No, I insist!" Takanotsume stepped closer.

Too close. Way too close. They were in the academy hallway, Uma Musume milling about. But she wouldn't back down, would she?

"…Alright," Hachiman said. "I'll swing by the chairman's office after training."

"I'll be waiting," Takanotsume said. "See you then."

"Yeah," Hachiman replied.

Hmph. Reporters, huh? If all three outlets sent apologies, fine. One missing would be a problem. Whatever—time to head to the trainer's room.

"Hey, did you see that!?"

"Takanotsume-san's so bold!"

"What's this 'thank you' she's planning?"

"Uma-poi stuff!?"

"But Trainer-san totally brushed it off, huh?"

"Yeah, no wonder Prez and the others respect him."

"Maybe this 'thank you' is… just the two of them!?"

"Uma-poi, you say!?"

"Shut up already!"

More whispers. What were they even talking about?

Trainer's Room

"Hey, Hikitani-kun," Kiryuin greeted. "Morning! Congrats on the graded stakes win the other day!"

"Thanks," Hachiman said. "Your girl won her debut too, right? Congrats."

"Thank you," Kiryuin said. "We've gotta keep pushing for more wins!"

"Don't stress too much," Hachiman warned. "Kids—Uma Musume included—pick up on anxiety like it's written on your face. We gotta stay solid, or we'll throw them off."

"Wow, really?" Kiryuin said, intrigued.

Yup, kids were sharp—sometimes scarily so. Maybe not always at their age, but still.

"By the way, Hikitani-kun," Kiryuin said. "Are you still doing that Sakaba training? I was thinking of having Meek try it. Could she join?"

"Sure, it's fine," Hachiman said. "I designed it, but it's not exclusive. Some trainers already copied the tag game without asking."

"Really?" Kiryuin blinked. "They got your permission, right?"

"Nope, not a word," Hachiman said. "They just took it. No consultation."

"What!?" Kiryuin exclaimed. "Is that okay?"

"Eh, if they get the core right, it works," Hachiman said. "If not, they're just wasting time. Not useless, but close."

Some trainers with teams or multiple Uma Musume used the tag game. Hachiman had watched—less than half understood it. Probably got it from the Uma Musume's explanations alone. Kids' words weren't enough—you had to dig deeper.

Oh, right. Might as well ask.

"Hey, Kiryuin," Hachiman said. "Heard any weird rumors about me lately?"

"Rumors? About you?" Kiryuin asked.

"Yeah," Hachiman said. "I've been getting strange looks from the Uma Musume. Not about the stakes win or training invites—something else. Any ideas?"

"First I'm hearing of it," Kiryuin said. "Did you do something attention-grabbing again?"

"If I did, they'd swarm me," Hachiman said.

"Coming from you, that's convincing," Kiryuin laughed.

It wasn't a big deal, but the stares made him uneasy. Better figure it out soon.