Fuji Kiseki's POV
Ugh~ I never imagined I'd be so embarrassed…/// I'm grateful Hachiman Trainer-san carried me, but couldn't there have been a better way!? Like, letting me hold his shoulder! Why a princess carry…? Geez!///
Waiting Room
Hachiman: "Alright, we're here. How're your legs?"
Fuji: "…Feeling's coming back a bit."
Hachiman: "Don't pout like that. It was the only way."
Fuji: "You could've let me grab your shoulder."
Hachiman: "That'd put strain on one side. The carry was better. I didn't want to do it in front of a crowd either, but you guys matter more than my embarrassment."
Fuji: "…That's not fair. How can I argue with that?"
Hachiman: "Didn't know? Adults are usually pretty sly."
Tch, Hachiman Trainer-san… But it shows how seriously he takes us Uma Musume.
Click
CB: "Fuji! Congrats on conquering the Derby~! And Hachiman, just a quick princess carry for me too~!!"
Arrow: "W-What are you saying, CB-senpai…? That's obviously a no-go."
Rice: "Fuji-san, congrats on the Derby!"
Air Groove: "Fuji, that was a stellar run. And Hachiman, what was with that stunt?"
Ardan: "Congratulations! My heartfelt best wishes. Also, Anii-sama, I'm jealous of Fuji-san."
Maurice: "Fuji-senpai! Congrats on the Derby and second crown!!"
Bakushin-O: "What an incredible race!!"
Everyone came…
Hachiman: "Yo, sorry for rushing out. I figured she'd collapse from exhaustion."
Maurice: "No worries, we're fine."
CB: "Forget that—carry me~!"
Ardan: "I'd like one too."
Hachiman: "No way, idiots."
CB: "That's Air Groove's line, huh!?"
Air Groove: "W-What nonsense! Hachiman, don't copy me! And explain that thing with Fuji!!"
Hachiman: "I thought she wouldn't be able to move, and I was right."
Air Groove: "…Fine, we'll leave it at that."
What does that even mean?
My legs recovered enough, so I headed to the winner's circle with Hachiman Trainer-san for the interview.
Interviewer: "Now, the champion's interview! This year's Derby winner and second crown achiever, Fuji Kiseki! Congratulations!!"
Fuji: "Thank you!"
Interviewer: "How do you feel right now?"
Fuji: "I'm thrilled. More than being called the Derby Uma Musume, I'm happy I could gift my trainer the 'Derby Trainer' title."
Interviewer: "Looking back, did the race go as planned?"
Fuji: "I meant to follow Trainer-san's instructions, but the outer gate made it hard to get a good position. I bet everything on the final straight. It wasn't quite the race I wanted, but I stuck it out, so I'd give myself 50 points."
Interviewer: "To the trainer: the Chrysanthemum Sho, the final Triple Crown race, is next. Any thoughts?"
Hachiman: "Fuji's not suited for long distances, so we're not focusing on the Chrysanthemum Sho. But if she wants to run it, we'll consider it. For now, we're prepping for autumn."
Interviewer: "Trainer Hikigaya, you're a team trainer now. Is Fuji Kiseki and the team a promising group?"
Hachiman: "…Not just promising—I handpicked them, so I know they'll deliver. I want them to follow Air Groove's lead and Fuji's win today."
Interviewer: "Lastly, Fuji Kiseki, a word to the fans!"
…Gotta say it here, or it won't get through!
Fuji: "Thanks to my trainer, my team, and all of you, I won today! I'll keep working to show you my 'Kiseki'! Please keep cheering! …And one more thing."
Interviewer: "?"
Fuji: "Like Air Groove said at the Osaka Hai, our trainer gives his all for us. Please stop sending slander or hate letters to him. I won this Derby because I asked him to let me race in it. He didn't just get me here—he led me to victory! A mile-leaning mid-distance runner like me winning the Derby was only possible because of Trainer Hachiman Hikigaya. I can't stand him being called incompetent. This isn't just about our trainer—please stop sending hate letters to the academy. That's all."
There, said what I needed. Time to poof out!
Interviewer: "T-Thank you! That was Fuji Kiseki, the Japan Derby champion!"
Fuji: "Alright, Trainer-san, let's go!" grab!
Hachiman: "…Huh?"
Fuji: "See you all at the next stage!"
Poof!!
With a puff of white smoke, Trainer-san and I vanished from the interview spot. The trick? That's my little secret♪
Afterword
Fuji's Derby win shines in this Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! Her fiery interview defends Hachiman, while Team Polaris celebrates her second crown. That princess carry and smoky exit? Pure Fuji flair! (Here's hoping the hate stops…)
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