Hachiman's POV
Phew… So cool and refreshing. I'm back, oasis—Hokkaido, after two years!
Well, we got here yesterday, but today's the big day: Air Groove's race, the Sapporo Kinen. She's got this. No obvious issues, and her form's peak. Victory's in the bag.
Last week, Fuji had her debut in Niigata, and man, she crushed it. The scoreboard called it a "huge margin," but 15 lengths? That's overkill for a debut. At the press conference, she said, "I poured everything I had into this race," hyping up the crowd. That's gotta spook her同期 rivals.
Now, one week later, it's Hokkaido—Sapporo's race day.
"Sapporo's straight is so short," Fuji said, gazing at the course. "Nothing like Tokyo or Kyoto."
"Yeah," I said. "Chasers and mid-pack runners need sharp legs, but it might not be enough to close. Air Groove's fine, though—she's run here before."
"Her debut, right?" Fuji said. "Same distance, but you're that sure she'll win, Hachiman Trainer-san?"
"No walls, no late starts, and it's a 100% lock," I said.
"That's some confidence," she said.
More than that, I'm betting Air Groove won't drop this. She's skipping the Emperor's Cup trials in September and October, starting with Sapporo in August. She was fired up, saying, "This is basically my trial race."
"Plus, I drilled this course's quirks into Air Groove before her debut," I said. "She doesn't need hand-holding—she'll move."
"So that's why you explained Niigata's course to me?" Fuji said.
"Exactly," I said. "Knowledge never hurts."
"You're sneaky like that, Hachiman Trainer-san~," she teased.
"I'm a trainer," I said. "We don't run—Uma Musume do. They need to get it first."
"That's why your explanations are so clear~," she said.
"Gotta make sure students actually get it," I said. "If they don't, I haven't done my job."
Race time's near. Instructions given. Now, we watch her charge to the finish.
Announcer: "Rainbow Queen, number 13, is the last to enter the gate! Who'll kick off autumn with a bang? Gates open—START! Mejiro Suzumaru takes a strong lead! Osumi Max and Wind Fields surge from the outside! Wind Fields takes the front! Rainbow Queen holds third, a length ahead of Osumi Max and The Folia inside. Aloha Dream pulls even as they hit the first curve!"
Air Groove's… mid-pack. Perfect. She's got a clear view of the field. Solid spot.
Announcer: "Wind Fields still leads, with Mejiro Suzumaru close behind. Rainbow Queen's third, a length up. The Folia and Osumi Max run neck-and-neck, followed by Aloha Dream. Air Groove's creeping forward! Admire Lapis and Narita King O trail her, with Genuine close behind. Erimo Chic and Osumi Leopard follow, with KS Miracle at the rear!"
"Thousand meters in about a minute," Fuji said. "Average pace, so the back won't get left behind."
"Right," I said. "Moving up now was smart. Sapporo's straight's short. Starting from the backstretch cuts losses. The long corners here make it easy to ride the speed and close in."
"You've got a bit of a villain face, Hachiman Trainer-san," Fuji teased.
Announcer: "Past the 800 mark! Wind Fields leads by half a length! Mejiro Suzumaru's right beside! The Folia, Osumi Max, and Rainbow Queen run three-wide. Air Groove surges forward! Aloha Dream and Narita King O trail, with Genuine closing the gap! Erimo Chic, Admire Lapis, Osumi Leopard, and KS Miracle hit the fourth corner into the straight!"
"This is Air Groove's race," I said. "No one's blocking her, and she's got the speed."
"I couldn't pull that off yet…" Fuji said.
Announcer: "Air Groove storms from the outside! She's already in front! Mejiro Suzumaru and Aloha Dream chase! Genuine's up to fifth! Erimo Chic's stretching too! Air Groove leads by three lengths! Aloha Dream's second, with Genuine and Erimo Chic neck-and-neck for third! Air Groove cruises to victory—GOAL! Erimo Chic edges out Aloha Dream for second by a nose! Genuine takes fourth, Mejiro Suzumaru fifth! Air Groove claims another win, launching autumn in style!"
Sapporo 11th Race - Results
1st: ⑦ Air Groove
2nd: ① Erimo Chic
3rd: ⑨ Aloha Dream
4th: ④ Genuine
5th: ⑤ Mejiro Suzumaru
Afterword
Air Groove's Sapporo Kinen triumph, her first in two years, cements her autumn charge, with Fuji's blazing Niigata debut setting the stage. Hachiman's steely confidence shines, fueled by the Yahari crossover's grit, while Air Groove's trust arc inches forward. Haruno's shadow lingers—will Air Groove's momentum carry her heart too?
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