Air Groove's POV
"…Nnh, mmm… Morning, huh," I murmured.
When was the last time I woke up feeling this refreshed? Probably the best morning I've ever had. Yesterday… the day all my tension with Hachiman melted away. At least, that's how I feel. I don't know what he thinks—maybe I'll ask him the day after tomorrow? All this is thanks to the President and the others. I need to thank them today, or I won't feel right.
"Yaaawn… Oh, morning, Groove-san~," Fine Motion said. "You're up already."
"Yeah," I said. "Though I only just woke up myself."
"Hehe♪" Fine giggled.
"What's that about?" I asked.
"Nothing, just… this is the Groove-san I like~," she said. "You're back to your usual self."
"Sorry for worrying you," I said. "Asking Trainer to…"
Hachiman said they begged him to show up, but how did they pull it off? He's not one for the spotlight. So how…
"What's up?" Fine asked.
"Oh, just something on my mind," I said. "How did you all convince… Trainer to show up yesterday?"
"Ohh, that was a whole ordeal~," Fine said. "But Dober really saved the day in the end~."
"Can you tell me more?" I asked.
"Sure," she said. "It went like this~…"
Air Groove's POV Ends
Fine Motion's POV
It was the day of the Kikuka Sho. The President, Fuji-san, and I stayed at the academy instead of heading to the racecourse, waiting for a moment when Trainer-san was alone. Well, Fuji-san was training with Groove-san, but you get the idea.
Once we confirmed Groove-san was gone, we called the President and met with Trainer-san to talk.
"Talk about Air Groove?" Hachiman said.
"Yes," Rudolf said. "We've discussed this before, so I'm sure you understand, but I believe another conversation is necessary. Would you do it?"
"I don't think it'd do much good," Hachiman said. "I appreciate the idea, but it's pointless."
"So a talk won't solve it?" Rudolf asked.
"Probably not," he said.
"I figured you'd say that," Rudolf said. "So we brought an alternative."
"Alternative?" Hachiman said.
Fuji-san, who came up with it, explained the plan. But then…
"No way," Hachiman said.
"…" Rudolf, Fuji, and I froze.
"Why the hell would I go out of my way to stand out like that?" he said. "Hard pass."
"No matter what?" Fuji asked.
"Welcoming her at the winner's circle?" he said. "Me, acting like Fuji? No chance in hell."
"…" Fuji stared.
"What am I even supposed to do there?" he said. "And do you really think Air Groove would want that? I sure don't."
"But… she's been talking about you a lot lately!" I said. "Her heart must be so lonely! Even at the student council, she's been off…"
"Even if that's true," he said, "what's the point of me doing that? Will it fix her mental state, like you're saying?"
"I'm sorry, but we don't have proof…" Rudolf said.
"Thought so," Hachiman said.
He said it without a flicker of expression, like he already knew…
"Sorry, I can't help," he said. "Find someone else or another way—Wait!"
"…" Mejiro Dober appeared.
"Mejiro Dober?" Rudolf said.
"Why're you here?" Fuji asked.
"I… noticed Air Groove-senpai's been off too…" Dober said. "So… T-Trainer… I'm begging you. Please, help her! Help Air Groove-senpai!"
"…" Hachiman stared.
"…" Dober trembled.
"Sorry, but—" Hachiman started.
"Hachiman-kun!" Rudolf cut in.
Rudolf bowed—bowed! I'd never seen her lower her head to anyone but higher-ups.
"…" Fuji, Dober, and I gasped.
"Fuji-san…!" Fuji said. "Hachiman Trainer-san!"
"Please!" I said.
"…" Hachiman paused.
"Trainer…" Dober said, grabbing his hand, shaking. "Please…"
"!?" Hachiman flinched.
(Dober's terrified of men, and even I know that. For her to grab my hand…) Hachiman thought.
"…If I say no now, I'm the bad guy, huh?" he said.
"!! Then!" Fuji said.
"Fine, I'm in," he said. "So? Just the winner's circle welcome?"
"Um!" Dober said. "If… if senpai wins, please say something. Like 'congrats' or 'great job.'"
"Got it," he said. "That's the plan, then."
And so, at the Emperor's Cup, it worked. Groove-san won and snapped back to her old self. That's how Trainer-san ended up there.
Fine Motion's POV Ends
Air Groove's POV
"So that's what happened…" I said.
"Yup!" Fine said. "That's why Trainer-san was there. I was worried it wouldn't work, but it did, and you're back to normal~♪"
"Sorry for the worry," I said. "I'm fine now."
Thanks to you all… and Hachiman.
Afterword
Air Groove wakes to her best morning, her heart unburdened by Hachiman's presence in the winner's circle, thanks to Dober's brave plea. The plan—Fuji, Fine, and Rudolf's gambit—reveals the team's unity, with Dober stealing the show. The Yahari crossover deepens Air Groove's trust arc—what's next for her and Hachiman as the Japan Cup looms?
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