Fuji Kiseki's POV
After the Derby, Team Polaris is heading back to the academy. Naturally, Hachiman Trainer-san is with us… but the stares from passersby are getting to me. It's probably because of what I said about him in the interview. Why else would people be whispering like this?
Maurice: "It's… kinda uncomfortable."
CB: "Can't be helped. That was a Derby interview—pretty much all of Japan was watching. But I don't think you were wrong at all."
Arrow: "Same here. I can't stand Trainer getting badmouthed."
Hachiman: "If you were gonna say that, a heads-up would've been nice. You gave me a heart attack."
Fuji: "I couldn't hold back… I joined partway, but Air Groove saw it all from the start, right? She told me about the letters. I couldn't just ignore it."
Air Groove: "Fuji's right. When this has been going on for years, ignoring it is the weird choice."
Rice: "Y-Yeah… I hate it when Onii-sama's insulted. He's an amazing trainer."
Maurice: "Rice-san's right! And Trainer-san's my…!?"
CB: "? Something wrong?"
Maurice: "…I think someone just took a picture. I heard a click."
Hachiman: "Where'd it come from?"
Maurice: "Um… from the right."
Hachiman: "…Don't move. No looking around either—they'll catch on."
Air Groove: "…Seriously?"
Hachiman: "…!!"
Dash!!
Whoa, Hachiman Trainer-san's fast!!
"Gah!!"
Hachiman: "Hey, you. What were you planning with photos of my team? Spill it."
"Let me go!!"
Hachiman: "You think I'd just say 'sure' and let you off? Answer me—what's the deal with the photos?"
"Ugh…!!"
Hachiman: "…Wait, you're that guy from my year, aren't you? Got your trainer license revoked and fired from Tresen years ago?"
"Don't bring that up!!"
Wait, this guy's a former trainer?
Hachiman: "…Air Groove, check his phone. I saw him typing something."
Air Groove: "…Got it."
"Hey!! Who do you think you are, messing with my phone!? Give it back!!"
Hachiman: "Sorry, you're staying put."
Air Groove checked the phone as instructed. She found our photos, but the real shock came next.
From his phone, Air Groove uncovered a site where he was editing defamatory articles about Hachiman Trainer-san. This guy… he's the one behind the hate campaign.
Air Groove: "A personal site, huh? You've got some nerve. Looks like getting fired wasn't enough for you."
"Quit messing around!! It's all your fault my life's a wreck!! I'm suffering, and what're you doing!? Undefeated Triple Tiara? Autumn senior Triple Crown? Why're you the only one shining!!"
Hachiman: "That stings. I'm not the only one shining—plenty of others are too. What about them?"
"It's YOUR fault!! Because of YOU!!" click!
Hachiman: "!?"
A knife!?
"Kyaaa!!"
Panic erupted around us. We were shaken too, but Hachiman Trainer-san stood protectively in front of us, helping us stay somewhat calm.
"You… I'll never forgive YOU!!"
Hachiman: "…Put that away. Swing it, and you're done."
"Shut up!! Don't tell me what to do!!"
Hachiman: "…You guys, get back. It's too dangerous. Someone, anyone, call the academy. Get the police too."
CB: "Got it!"
Air Groove: "Understood! Fuji, Bakushin-O, look after Maurice and Rice."
Fuji: "On it!"
Bakushin-O: "Leave it to me!"
"What're you—'I'm not letting you go!'—Hikigaya!!"
Hachiman: "I'm your target, right? Keep your eyes on me."
While Hachiman Trainer-san kept him at bay, we escaped. But I'm so worried… Hachiman Trainer-san…
Hachiman: (Damn, he's got a knife. Even with jujitsu, it's tough to handle if he charges like that. Gotta stall till the police show.)
"Stop dodging!!"
Hachiman: "Till I'm safe."
"Don't screw with me!!"
Hachiman Trainer-san's dodging… Where are the police!? If this keeps up, he'll get stabbed!!
Afterword
The Derby's aftermath turns dark in this Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! Fuji's interview sparks whispers, but a vengeful ex-trainer with a knife escalates things. Team Polaris flees as Hachiman faces danger.
Note: He's the rookie from the prologue who tried to hit Rudolf, got his license revoked, and was fired. He's the mastermind behind Hachiman's smear campaign, fueled by deep resentment.
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