Hachiman's Perspective
The day's schedule at Kyoto Racecourse had finally ground to a halt. Night had fallen. I wasn't exactly heading home on a train with my three trainees; instead, I found myself at "Fuji," a high-end Japanese restaurant located within the racecourse grounds. I'd told Rice and the others they could head back with Okino and the Spica crew, but Rudolph insisted on attending this meeting, claiming it concerned the team's future.
I knew what I was getting into, but the atmosphere was still stifling. I was surrounded by the heads of the Great Houses and the top brass of the URA. On top of that, my mentors—the Professor and the Teacher—were there, along with the Academy Chairwoman and Hayakawa-san.
"Let us introduce ourselves formally," the woman at the head of the table began. "I am Speed Symboli. Former head of the Symboli House and current Vice-Chairman of the URA. Beside me is the current head of the house, my daughter, Sweet Luna."
"My daughter, Rudolph, as well as Sirius and Kris S, are in your debt," Luna added with a graceful nod. "I have heard much of you. They say you are a trainer one can truly rely on."
"The honor is mine," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "I am Hachiman Hikigaya. I currently manage Rice Shower, Symboli Rudolph, and Mr. CB."
"Let's skip the stiff formalities and get to the introductions," Speed Symboli said, gesturing to the others. "Representing the URA leadership, we have Sakura Shingeki, head of the Victory Club. Next is Hishi Masaru, Chairman of the Hishi Family. And Hagino Top Lady, a member of the 'Glorious Lineage.' Then, representing the major investors of Tracen Academy, we have Mejiro Asama, head of the Mejiro House, and Agnes Lady, head of the Agnes House. That is all."
Just looking at them gave me indigestion. These were the faces of the Uma Musume world—the absolute peak of the hierarchy.
"I suppose it's our turn," Man o' War rumbled. "I believe you all know the Chairwoman and her secretary. I am Man o' War. I've come from America to see the girls my grand-disciple Hachiman has raised. Beside me is my student, Secretariat. Perhaps you know us better as the 'Big Reds'?"
Hagino Top Lady gasped. "...The two greatest legends in American history are… Trainer Hikigaya's mentors?"
Agnes Lady chuckled, her eyes sparkling. "This is a surprise! I never thought I'd live to see the day I met you both in person... fufu."
"I-I'm going to need an autograph later!" Hishi Masaru blurted out, her composure cracking.
It seemed my mentors were just as legendary in Japan as they were back home.
"Now then, Hikigaya-kun," Speed Symboli said, her gaze turning sharp as she cut to the chase. "I want to ask you directly. Was there any falsehood in the words you spoke on the turf today? I want an honest answer."
"If I can answer your question with one of my own," I said, leaning back slightly, "does a woman of your experience truly think I sounded like I was lying? I'm not a performer, and I'm certainly not an actor."
"I imagine not," she replied. "However, your words have triggered a massive situation. There was always the possibility that you were simply caught up in the heat of the moment. Therefore—"
"Are you asking if I'm just a loud-mouthed blowhard?" I interrupted.
Speed Symboli went silent.
"There was no lie in what I said, nor was there any ego," I continued. "I refuse to be the kind of spineless coward who stays silent while the girl he raised is insulted by a bunch of nobodies. If you think I was faking it, then you're looking at a world-class con artist."
Rudolph watched me from the side, her eyes wide. (To speak to my grandmother with such grit... and he doesn't show a hint of fear. Brother, who exactly are you?)
"...I see," Speed Symboli said, a small smile playing on her lips. "That lack of fear, combined with your resolve… it seems you aren't lying. Forgive me for testing you. You have my sincere apologies."
"As long as we understand each other, that's enough for me," I said.
Speed Symboli didn't look away, though. She began to stare at my face. Intently.
"...…"
...What now? Why is she staring at me?
"...Mother?" Sweet Luna asked tentatively.
"Vice-Chairman, is something the matter?" Sakura Shingeki added.
Speed Symboli blinked, snapping out of it. "—! No, it's nothing. It's just… his presence. He reminds me slightly of someone I've long admired."
"Are you referring to 'her'?" Hagino Top Lady asked. "The one you've called the strongest Uma Musume your trainer ever saw?"
"Yes. That's the one," Speed Symboli said, her voice turning nostalgic. "I never met her in person. I've only ever seen photographs from that era. She was someone who defied all logic, someone who broke every common-sense rule of the turf. Even now, watching her old race films makes my heart race. Especially her final Kikuka-sho... she was so dominant that the rest of the field couldn't even catch a glimpse of her shadow. She went eleven starts without a single defeat. And then, she vanished from the racing world. She is my idol—the one whose form I've chased my entire life."
"Don't mind her," Hishi Masaru whispered to me. "The Vice-Chairman gets like this whenever her idol comes up."
"I… see," I muttered.
It was impressive. Even at her age, she still had that much passion for a legend she'd never even met. I wondered who it was. Not that I'd know any Japanese legends—
"Her name," Speed Symboli said, her voice hushed with reverence, "was Kurifuji."
I froze. "Eh?"
...Wait. Did she just say my grandmother's name?
"...—! My apologies," Speed Symboli coughed, trying to regain her dignity. "I've let the conversation wander. Let us return to the—"
"Um, excuse me," I said, my voice sounding a bit strained. "Can I say something?"
"Hm? What is it? Speak freely."
"That name you just mentioned. Kurifuji. If we're talking about the same person... she's my grandmother."
The silence that followed was absolute.
"You... are the grandson of Lady Kurifuji?" Speed Symboli whispered.
"Yes. Eleven starts, eleven wins. She won the Kikuka-sho by a distance so large the record for the winning margin still hasn't been broken. She took the Oaks, the Derby, and the Kikuka-sho—the 'Irregular Triple Crown.' I don't know if this counts as proof, but…" I pointed to the stubborn cowlick—the ahoge—sticking up at the top of my head. "This trait is genetic. She had it too."
Speed Symboli stared at me. Her eyes began to shimmer. (I've only seen the photos... but I see it now. The resemblance to her younger self is undeniable.)
"You... are her blood..."
A single tear rolled down the URA Vice-Chairman's cheek.
"Eh..." I gasped.
"M-Mother?!" Sweet Luna cried out.
"Grandmother?!" Rudolph exclaimed, half-rising from her seat.
"...…Heh," Speed Symboli whispered, more tears following the first. "I suppose I really have grown old."
The meeting was put on hold as Sweet Luna and Rudolph rushed to comfort the weeping Speed Symboli. Feeling the awkwardness of the situation, the rest of us quietly filed out of "Fuji," leaving the Symboli family to their private moment.
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