Towards the Next Challenge
Fuji's Side
Several weeks had passed since Hachiman-san returned to Japan and resumed overseeing our training. There were only a few days left until the Sprinters Stakes, which I was scheduled to run. This would be my first short-distance race since placing second in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in spring, and I was absolutely ablaze with motivation. I could feel it myself; my heart had never been this hot before.
The upcoming Sprinters Stakes, I absolutely had to win it… For Hachiman-san, and for myself. Plus, it's at Nakayama Racecourse, where I've run several times, so I'm reasonably confident. That's why I can't afford to lose, and I don't want to lose.
Fuji: "HAAAAAAH!!!"
Bakushin-O: "BAKUSHIN BAKUSHIIIIIIIN!!!"
Fuji: "…Alright, first to finish!"
Bakushin-O: "CHOOWAAAAAAAH!!!"
Yes! That's three consecutive wins against Bakushin-O! I'm in great form!
Maurice: "Th-that's amazing… Senior Fuji. To win against Senior Bakushin-O three times in a row."
Hachiman: "It just shows how serious she is. There's the spring race, after all, and she probably wants to win more than anyone. That's why she's putting so much power into it."
Maurice: "If I win the next Fuji Stakes, I'll be able to go for the Mile Championship… I can't afford to lose either! Trainer-san, please watch my run too!"
Hachiman: "Yeah, got it."
C.B.: "You're really fired up, Mauri-chan. Alright, then I'll help you with pacing. That should be enough, right?"
Maurice: "Of course, please do!"
Fuji: "Hachiman-san, the five sets are done! Next… oh, that was the last one. Still some time before cooldown. What should I do?"
Hachiman: "If there's nothing else to do, you can go into cooldown."
Fuji: "Hmm~… I'll watch Maurice. I'll do cooldown with her."
Aldan: "Fuji-san, here's a drink and a towel. Your important race is coming up soon, so please take care of your body."
Fuji: "Thank you, Aldan."
Hachiman: "Make sure you don't get cold."
Fuji: "Mmm, I know…"
Hachiman-san… his profile still looks so cool. But that smile I saw during the Kikuka Sho, I want to see it again… A smile that no one else would probably have seen, a smile only I know. When will I see it next time…?
Hachiman: "…Hm, what's wrong, Fuji?"
Fuji: "Eh!? N-nothing at all!///"
Hachiman: "Is that so? Then it's fine."
Aldan: "Fufufu~♪"
Fuji: "Wh-what is it?"
Aldan: "Oh, nothing."
Rice: "Big Brother, Rice and everyone else are done too!"
Air Groove: "I was a little worried about training immediately after the St. Lite Kinen, but your run was so good it made that concern irrelevant. With this, you should perform well in the actual race. More than that, it's a distance suitable for Rice to truly show her potential, so I'd say it's impeccable."
Hachiman: "If Air Groove says so, then it must be true. I'm really looking forward to the actual race."
Rice: "Ehehe… I lost to Bourbon-san again in the St. Lite Kinen, so I was determined to win next time."
Hachiman: "Hmph, next is your specialty, a long-distance race. I'd be troubled if you didn't win. I'm counting on you, Rice."
Rice: "Okay!"
Air Groove: "Also, Hachiman, have you noticed? The media and trainers are surrounding us. I assume you know since you gave permission, but was it really alright to give permission to so many?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, they were getting pretty annoying. Just as C.B. came back and we were about to start training, requests for observation and filming, interviews… if I kept refusing, the public's perception, as you and Fuji mentioned, might drop again."
Fuji: "You were worried about that?"
Hachiman: "When I'm told repeatedly, you know. Besides, with C.B. winning the Irish Triple Crown, the team's reputation is skyrocketing. We can't let that hard-earned reputation fall, can we?"
I'm so happy… Hachiman-san is worried about me… well, not directly me, but still.
Aldan: "Even so, your reputation, Big Brother, has only risen since the incident after the Derby. Your personal reputation is naturally high, and since you've won three Triple Crowns, your trainer's reputation is impeccable."
Air Groove: "That's right. And if Fuji wins the next Sprinters Stakes, it will rise even further. If she wins, Fuji will have conquered all aptitude distances. There's no way we can miss this opportunity."
Hachiman: "Indeed."
Fuji: "It's alright, Hachiman-san. I'll definitely win next time. I won't repeat what happened in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen. I won't make the same mistake twice."
Hachiman: "…Yeah, that's right."
C.B.: "Hachimaaan~, I'm done~♪"
Maurice: "Ugh~ I couldn't finish first even once…"
C.B.: "If you finished first that easily, I wouldn't have any standing. Besides, it's better for the wall to be high, right?"
Maurice: "O-of course!"
Hachiman: "Alright, everyone's here, so let's go into cooldown. Stretch thoroughly, each of you. I'm sure you know, but it's already autumn by the calendar. It's getting colder, so don't let your bodies get cold. Especially those with races coming up."
Fuji: "How about you join us, Hachiman-san?"
Hachiman: "What would happen if I did cooldown when I haven't done anything?"
Air Groove: "In your case, it would be a warm-up."
Hachiman: "Exercise now? No way… I have time I want to spend on myself too."
Fuji: "Then how about training with us?"
Hachiman: "I'll consider it during self-training time."
Fufufu, I wonder when that will be?
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