(Perspective: Hachiman)
The fifth Sunday of October has arrived. Today is the day of the Tenno Sho (Autumn). This marks Fuji Kiseki's fifth race of the year. Looking ahead, she'll probably manage one more race after this at best, but we can worry about that after the Tenno Sho.
I've been careful not to let her condition drop since the Sprinters Stakes, so it's safe to say she's in the same top form she was for the last race. It's a significant shift in distance from a sprint to a middle-distance run, but this range is Fuji's specialty. Plus, she's run the Tokyo course three times before and won every single one.
Hachiman: "I don't think she'll lose... but there's always the possibility of a 'what if'. Maybe we should attack from the inside this time."
Fuji Kiseki: "Hachiman-san, I can hear your monologue, you know? But that means I have the green light to do that, right?"
Hachiman: "...Right, exactly. I want you to attack from the inside. You're in Gate 7, right around the middle, but fortunately, the girls in 1 through 6 are either Runners or Chasers. Getting to the rail should be easy. So, once you round the fourth corner, make sure you're ready to burst to the front instantly. Make sure you catch the runaway leader, too."
Fuji Kiseki: "Hachiman-san, aren't you aiming for the kind of victory that crushes the confidence of the other Uma Musume? Besides, this is what it sounds like to me: 'Once you hit the final stretch, tear them apart without worrying about what's behind you.' Am I imagining things?"
Hachiman: "Well now, I haven't the faintest clue what you're talking about."
Fuji Kiseki: "Ahaha, you really are a terrible liar."
Hachiman: "You say that, but you won the Yasuda Kinen in the spring with a four-length lead, didn't you? You didn't let anyone get close."
Fuji Kiseki: "...I have no idea what you are referring to."
Hachiman: "Why are you playing dumb? You're the one who did it. And with a terrifying, demon-like intensity, I might add."
Fuji Kiseki: "Ahem! 'Well now, I haven't the faintest clue what you're talking about.'"
Hachiman: "Now you're mimicking my lines..."
Fuji Kiseki: "Fufufu... I wonder what kind of 'Miracle' I should show you for today's Tenno Sho?"
Fuji stared straight into my eyes as she said that. It felt like her eyes were pleading, expecting something from me, wanting me to say something specific. I didn't know exactly what she wanted to hear, but this was my answer.
Hachiman: "Let's see... What if I said a 'Miracle' that captivates everyone?"
Fuji Kiseki: "Everyone, huh...? That sounds quite difficult."
Hachiman: "I suppose so. Well, don't worry about it. Just consider it the rambling of a bored man. You don't need to tense up over it."
Fuji Kiseki: "Is that so? And here I was thinking of actually doing it..."
Hachiman: "If that stops you from running your usual race, then there's no point. I'd rather you just perform as you always do. If you run with a face like a demon, people will just be creeped out."
Fuji Kiseki: "Hachiman-san, aren't you being a little too rude?" (Stare)
Hachiman: "It was a joke. Please, don't look at me with those eyes."
Fuji Kiseki: "Shall I really run with that kind of face? You'll have to handle the PR follow-up, okay?" (Glare)
Hachiman: "I'm begging you, please don't. My bad."
Fuji Kiseki: "...Ahaha, it's okay. I won't do that. Besides, if I ran with a face like that, my whole body would tense up and I wouldn't be able to run properly anyway."
Ideally, she doesn't seem angry, so that's good. But a genuinely angry face from Fuji... I'm not sure I've ever seen one. No, wait, did I see one that one time? But that seemed more like sadness than anger...
No, no, let's stop with the negative thoughts. It's right before the race; I need to get it together.
Fuji Kiseki: "Well then, Hachiman-san. Is it about time?"
Hachiman: "? Time for what?"
Fuji Kiseki: "There's something we have to do before I go, right?"
Hachiman: "...Sorry, I'm lost."
Fuji Kiseki: "Even though we did it before the Sprinters Stakes the other day?"
Hachiman: "...You mean, this?"
I spread my arms slightly. Immediately, Fuji wore a delighted expression and wrapped her arms around me. C.B. does this often, but Fuji does it too—pressing her head... or rather, her forehead? She nuzzles and grinds it against my chest.
Fuji Kiseki: "...Hachiman-san's scent really is calming. I could stay like this forever and never get bored."
Hachiman: "Don't do it forever."
Fuji Kiseki: "I know. But, just a little longer is okay, right?"
Hachiman: "...Just a little longer, okay? There isn't much time before the race, and entry time is coming up soon."
Fuji Kiseki: "Mhm ♪."
Hachiman: "Also, could you stop grinding your head into me?"
Fuji Kiseki: "I have no idea what you are referring to."
Hachiman: "Why does nobody understand me?"
You called me a bad liar earlier, but you're one to talk, aren't you?
Fuji Kiseki: "...Okay, that's enough charge ♪. Looks like I'll be fine for today's race, too."
Hachiman: "What happens if we don't do this?"
Fuji Kiseki: "I guess I'd only be able to bring out 30% of my usual power. But thanks to this, I can bring out 100%."
Hachiman: "Seriously? That act alone accounts for a 70% difference? I didn't think it would take away more than half your strength. How does that even work...?"
Fuji Kiseki: "That's just how important it is to me. So, Hachiman-san, I'll be counting on you for the upcoming races as well."
Hachiman: "...I'll have to make sure the others don't find out."
Especially C.B. Actually, everyone. I can't imagine this is a valid way to get pumped up, but if they all demand it, I'd have to do this before every single race, wouldn't I? That would shred my mental state, so that's a hard pass.
(Author's Note: What exactly are you two doing before a race...?)
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