CB's POV
Arrow: "So, Trainer, where are you headed? I didn't do any research, so I only know Kyoto at a tourist level."
Hachiman: "Do whatever you want. It's Kyoto—spread your wings. We'll be back in a month for Maurice's debut and Fuji's Chrysanthemum Sho, but it won't be this relaxed then. So, enjoy now."
Rice: "B-But where should we go? We're near the racecourse, and it's Saturday, so there are races, right?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, there are. It won't be too crowded since the big one's tomorrow's Kobe Shimbun Hai."
CB: "Well~ I'm sticking with Hachiman, so I'm good~♪"
Hachiman: "Following me's fine, but why pick the boring option on purpose?"
CB: "It's not boring! Being with you is fun—I guarantee it!!"
Hachiman: "Your guarantee's worth nothing…"
Ardan: "No, I guarantee Anii-sama's never boring. We spent time together last year♪"
…!! Right, right! Ardan won that bet and got a date with him!
Hachiman: "Don't say that…"
Ardan: "It's true♪"
Air Groove: "So, what's the plan?"
Hachiman: "I'm going somewhere dull. Not saying don't come, but…"
CB: "I'm coming!"
Ardan: "I'll join you."
Maurice: "Me too, with Trainer-san!"
Bakushin-O: "Fufu! I'll head to the racecourse! Cheering other Uma Musume is part of my duty!!"
Air Groove: "Hmm… I'll join Bakushin-O. Watching their efforts will fuel my next race."
Arrow: "…I'll just wander around."
Rice: "W-Wait, Arrow-san, it's dangerous alone! I'll go with you."
Fuji: "Then I'll tag along with Arrow and Rice. You two don't interact much, right? I'm in the same dorm as Arrow and know Rice, so I can bridge the gap."
Nice, we split up evenly. But wow, Ardan really doesn't leave Hachiman's side.
CB-san, isn't that a boomerang?
Hachiman: "Alright, it's settled. Free time today, but be back before dark. It's almost October, so the sun sets early."
Yesss, a date with Hachiman♪
Shopping District
Ardan: "Anii-sama, where are we going?"
Hachiman: "Just… somewhere."
CB: "Don't be coy, tell us~!"
Hachiman: "You'll see when we get there. You guys really sticking with me?"
CB: "It's rude to ask that now, Hachiman! I'm with you till the end!"
Ardan: "I'll follow Anii-sama anywhere."
Maurice: "I've always wanted to go out with Trainer-san!"
Hachiman: "…Fine."
Flower Shop
Hachiman: "Excuse me, is the owner here?"
"Oh! Kuri-chan's grandson!? It's been two years!!"
Hachiman: "Long time no see. Couldn't make it last year, but I'm here now. The usual flowers, please."
"Sure thing, hold on. Kuri-chan'd be thrilled—you've become such a great trainer!"
Hachiman: "Thanks."
Is this person Hachiman's friend? Is "Kuri-chan" his grandma?
"Here's the usual! No charge—Kuri-chan paid for a lifetime. Go see her! She's waiting."
Hachiman: "…Got it."
"Come back soon~!"
CB: "Hey, Hachiman, is Kuri-chan your grandma?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, I'm going to see her now."
Ardan: "Anii-sama's grandmother… What's she like? I'm curious."
Maurice: "She must be kind. Trainer-san's like that, after all."
CB: "Ooh, Maurice gets it~♪"
Maurice: "Th-Thanks… ehehe."
Hachiman: "…"
Fujimori Shrine: Before a Grave
Hachiman: "…Sorry I'm late, Grandma. Got busy last year and couldn't come… Two years flew by. Forgive me."
Hachiman brought us to a shrine, standing before a well-kept, impressive grave. He placed the flowers, lit incense, and clasped his hands. We hurriedly did the same.
Hachiman: "The race after next, my Uma Musume might run in the Chrysanthemum Sho. I'd love your strength. You're the only one in its history to win by a huge margin. If you lend us your power, nothing'd be more reassuring. Watch over us, okay?"
CB: "…"
Ardan: "…"
Maurice: "…"
We couldn't speak as Hachiman talked to the grave. His face was happy, sad, excited, pained—Ardan, Maurice, and I didn't know what to do.
Hachiman: "Sorry for dragging you here. Told you it'd be boring."
CB: "N-No, it's fine! Just… your grandma's gone, huh… Sorry."
Hachiman: "It's okay. I barely remember her, but I know she was kind. And strong—back then, she was an incredible Uma Musume. Races were different, so it's confusing, but she won the Derby, Oaks, and Chrysanthemum Sho. An amazing person."
Maurice: "Wow… Winning long-distance Classics like that."
Derby and Oaks!? And Chrysanthemum Sho… Wait, didn't Hachiman say "only one with a huge margin" in the Chrysanthemum Sho…?
CB: "H-Hey, Hachiman… Is your grandma… Kurifuji, the strongest Uma Musume of her time?"
Hachiman: "…Yeah."
Afterword
A poignant twist in this Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! CB, Ardan, and Maurice follow Hachiman to a shrine, learning his grandma was the legendary Kurifuji. Fuji's trial race nears!
Bonus: Kurifuji Introduction
Kurifuji, a mare born in 1940, was undefeated in 11 races! She conquered the modern-day Japan Derby, Oaks, and Chrysanthemum Sho—an incredible feat for a mare! She's the only horse to win the Chrysanthemum Sho (then differently named) by a huge margin. She dominated the Derby by 6 lengths and the Oaks by 10—an unstoppable force!
Why Hachiman's grandma? Kurifuji hailed from Chiba, and her owner was the father of Rice Shower's owner. A neat coincidence! Back then, the Derby was in May, Oaks in October, and Chrysanthemum Sho in November, making her triple crown possible.
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