Hachiman's Perspective
"Forgive me," Speed Symboli said, dabbing her eyes as she regained her composure. "I allowed my emotions to get the better of me. That was an unseemly display for someone of my years."
"No, it's fine," I replied. "I think my grandmother would be happy to know she's remembered so fondly."
"I look forward to hearing more about Lady Kurifuji at a later date," Speed Symboli said, her voice returning to its iron-willed professional tone. "For now, we return to the agenda. I believe your honesty has been made clear to everyone in this room. Therefore, I, Speed Symboli, officially propose that we suspend public race attendance. In short: we move to closed-door races. I would like to hear your opinions—though I suspect I already know them."
"Vice-Chairman, that is a redundant question," Sakura Shingeki replied sharply. "Anyone who saw that display today would feel the same. Knowing what we know now, who among us would want to send one of our own girls into such a den of vipers? I have already stated my position: I support the Trainer's claim. I speak for everyone here when I say—it's time to act."
"Are there any objections?" Speed Symboli asked, scanning the room.
Silence followed. In this world, silence didn't mean hesitation; it meant unanimous consent. The motion was carried.
"It's decided, then," Speed Symboli said. "When shall we begin?"
"Regarding that, Vice-Chairman," Hagino Top Lady spoke up, "the Tenno Sho is over. May begins next week, bringing with it the NHK Mile Cup. The timing is ideal. May is the height of the Classic season, culminating in the Japan Derby. What if we implemented this for the entire month? If the public is barred from the 'Festival of Japan'—the absolute pinnacle of our tradition—the backlash will be immense, but the message will be unmistakable. What do you think? I would also like to hear from Chairwoman Akikawa."
"...Reflection!" Chairwoman Akikawa barked, her eyes narrowing. "I was not present at the track, nor did I witness the broadcast. Thus, I cannot claim to know the full extent of the atmosphere. However! The fact that Trainer Hikigaya took such drastic action suggests a situation of dire proportions. Therefore—Decision!! We, Tracen Academy, stand with you all! No... we stand with Trainer Hikigaya! As those who love the Uma Musume, we align our will with yours! Resolve!! You have my permission to conduct all races behind closed doors for the next month!"
Top Lady turned back to the Vice-Chairman. "What are your thoughts? It is a sudden proposal."
"No, sudden is better," Speed Symboli replied. "People only realize the weight of their actions when reality is snatched away from them. We are in a position where we cannot afford to be lenient. When it comes to the future of our girls, mercy is a luxury we don't need."
I'm the one who suggested it, but watching these people actually pull the trigger was something else. They were perfectly aware of the PR nightmare this would cause, yet they didn't flinch. Unlike me, they actually held positions of power and responsibility, yet they were willing to risk it all for a "self-righteous" cause.
"Hey now, why the long face, Trainer?" Hishi Masaru asked, noticing my expression. "You don't need to carry the weight of this. We're doing this because we believe it's right. If anything, your speech today was just the spark that finally lit the fuse."
"Fufu, she's right," Agnes Lady added with a chuckle. "You spoke up, we moved, and this is the result. That's enough. Let the masses scream all they want; it won't leave a scratch. Why? Because you are right, and they are wrong. It's that simple."
"They speak the truth, Hachiman," Secretariat said. "If you hadn't shouted those words in front of that crowd, Rice Shower—and likely many other girls after her—would have continued to suffer in silence. Your 'outburst' wasn't a mistake. It was a shield. Hold your head high. Consider this a well-earned bit of poetic justice."
"It was a disgusting display," Man o' War rumbled. "Purely unpleasant. But Hachiman, you changed the air in that stadium in an instant. I suspect tomorrow will be a very busy day. Apologies will be flying toward Tracen and the URA, and 'U-Tube' will be flooded with apology videos. Of course, the trolls will be out too, but..."
"Let them come," Speed Symboli said coldly. "We'll show them exactly how serious we are."
We spent the next few hours hammering out the fine details. By the time we finished, it was nearly an hour before midnight. The plan was set: a "Special Urgent Notice" would be released by the URA at 9:00 AM tomorrow. Simultaneously, Tracen Academy would hold an emergency general assembly to announce the news to the students.
You think things moved too fast? You haven't seen Speed Symboli when she's determined to convince the URA Chairman. When that woman decides to move, mountains get out of the way.
"Well, I appreciate you staying so late," Speed Symboli said, standing up. "Now, Trainer Hikigaya, do you intend to return to Tokyo tonight?"
"No, there are no more trains at this hour," I said. "I'll probably find a local place to stay."
"In that case, why not stay at the facility I frequent? My daughter is eager to hear more about her daughter's progress from your perspective. Of course, your mentors and Rudolph are welcome as well. What do you say?"
I looked at the Professor and the Teacher. "What about you two? Do you have a hotel?"
"Fortunately, yes," Secretariat replied. "We have a reservation at a hotel here in Kyoto. Speed Symboli, it's a kind offer, but we'll have to decline. Hachiman, you go ahead and accept. It's a rare gesture of hospitality; don't let it go to waste."
"Understood," I said. "Then I'll be in your care."
"Tell me everything about my daughter," Sweet Luna said with a warm smile. "And don't worry about tomorrow; feel free to sleep in."
"And I wish to hear more of Lady Kurifuji," Speed Symboli added. "I've spent a lifetime wondering what kind of person she truly was."
Rudolph looked at her mother and grandmother, then back at me. "...I've never seen Mother or Grandmother look so… lively. You really are something, Brother."
"I didn't do anything special..." I muttered.
This was going to be a long night. I could see it in their eyes—they were ready to talk until dawn. I'm used to pulling all-nighters, so that's fine, but just for the record? It's 11:00 PM. The day is basically over. And they're just getting started.
Bonus: In the Car
Speed Symboli (on the phone): "Yes, exactly. To ensure this never happens again, we must implement the suspension of public viewing as Trainer Hikigaya suggested. Myself, Sakura Shingeki, Hishi Masaru, and Hagino Top Lady—four major houses—officially demand a one-month ban."
Hachiman: "...Is the person on the other end the URA Chairman?"
Sweet Luna: "Most likely. Mother is a very busy woman. But more importantly, Rudolph… I noticed you're calling the Trainer 'Brother'."
Rudolph: "—! I… apologize for the unseemly display."
Sweet Luna: "Oh, don't be. I don't mind at all. It's a good thing for a trainer and their trainee to be close."
Rudolph: "Yes. He is a trainer in whom I place my absolute, unwavering trust."
Hachiman: "Spoken like someone who forced her way onto my team."
Rudolph: "I simply knew I had to be under your guidance. I had no choice."
Sweet Luna: "Fufu. You haven't changed a bit, Luna."
Rudolph: "M-Mother! Please..."
Hachiman: "? Did she say something weird?"
Rudolph: "N-no. If you don't understand, let's keep it that way."
Hachiman: "?"
Sweet Luna: "Luna was our nickname for her when she was a child. Her 'infant name,' if you will."
Hachiman: "Oh, I see. Luna, huh..."
Rudolph: "...Mother!"
Sweet Luna: "Oh, don't glare at me. This Trainer isn't the type to tease you maliciously, is he?"
Hachiman: "I'm not going to start making fun of your nickname, if that's what you're worried about."
Speed Symboli (hanging up): "Done. The Chairman agrees that the situation is too grave to ignore. He'll help us convince the other board members. Now, all that's left is to draft the official statement."
Hachiman: "God, they work fast... I guess it runs in the blood."
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