Hachiman's Perspective
Click-clack, click-clack.
The rhythmic sound of the tracks accompanied our journey. I was currently on the Shinkansen, heading from Kyoto back to Tokyo. It's a two-hour trip; I'd boarded around 8:00 AM, so we were scheduled to pull in around ten.
Earlier this morning, I'd checked in with Rice via LANE. It seemed like none of the students at the Academy had given her any trouble yet. They might be whispering behind her back, but the fact that they weren't saying it to her face was already a win in my book. Meanwhile, the Chairwoman was holding an emergency general assembly at the school, and at 9:00 AM sharp, the URA officially released the statement regarding the suspension of public race attendance.
Even here on the train, I was keeping a close eye on the fallout.
"Brother, are you worried about how things are going at the Academy?" Rudolph asked, her voice low so as not to draw attention.
"Hm? Oh, no, it's not that," I muttered. "I was just thinking about how surreal this all is. The stuff we talked about last night is actually happening today."
"Indeed," Rudolph said, looking out the window. "An 'abnormal' daily life is about to begin. How the fans choose to accept it is one thing—but how we, the ones on the track, handle it is another. Cheers are a form of energy for a runner; I expect there will be plenty of opinions coming from the Uma Musume side as well."
"Well, it's only for a month. Given what those people pulled, this is a fair trade."
"They likely never dreamed your words would actually manifest as reality," Rudolph noted.
ーーー Shortly After 9:00 AM ーーー
The atmosphere inside the carriage shifted the moment the clock struck nine. People began getting up to take calls in the vestibules; others stared at their phones in visible shock. Rudolph and I shared a silent look. The URA had pulled the trigger.
"...Hey, is this for real?" a voice whispered nearby. "They're actually canceling public viewing for a month because of the heckling at the Tenno Sho?"
"It's on the URA homepage and their official UmaTube channel. There's no way it's a prank."
"Are you kidding me? My business trip finally ended and I was looking forward to the races in Tokyo... this is too much."
"I know, man. We aren't even die-hard fans of any specific girl; we just like the sport and cheering for whoever's running. Those idiots at Kyoto really screwed the rest of us over."
"But what about 'him'? You know, the trainer of the girl who won? If he hadn't opened his mouth, this wouldn't be happening, right?"
"Don't be an idiot. That guy is a legend. He did that to protect his own girl. Can you imagine standing up in front of tens of thousands of people and saying that? You know exactly why he did it—don't pretend you don't."
"Well, yeah. Honestly? I'm with the trainer. It's messed up to win a record-breaking race and get insulted for it. Those hecklers needed a reality check."
"I just wish the reality check didn't involve banning me, too..."
I felt a pang of guilt for people like them. Because of a vocal minority of toxic "fans," the people who genuinely loved the sport were being locked out.
But I also noticed a few people whose faces had gone pale—likely the ones who had been at Kyoto yesterday. The URA homepage didn't mince words: they explicitly stated the ban was "due to the behavior of the spectators at Kyoto Racecourse."
"I feel for the people in the seats ahead of us," Rudolph murmured. "Even if it isn't strictly our 'fault,' we were the ones who set the gears in motion."
"Yeah. But the ones who really owe them an apology are the people who threw those insults," I said. "No matter the reason, there's no excuse for what they did."
"I quite agree."
ーーー One Hour Later: Fuchu Station ーーー
"...We've arrived," Rudolph said as we stepped onto the platform.
"Yeah. But the vibe in the city is definitely sour."
"It's only natural. After an announcement like that, everyone's in a foul mood."
"True. But I don't think that's the only reason," I noted, pulling my collar up. "Do you feel the stares?"
"...I do. They're looking at you."
I'd made that speech in the dead-center of the turf; my face was all over the news by now. I wouldn't be surprised if half the people in this city blamed me personally.
"Let's just get back to the Academy," I said.
ーーー Tracen Academy: Front Gate ーーー
Rudolph: "...…"
Hachiman: "...…"
Taking a taxi all the way to the gate was the right call. If we'd tried to walk from the station, we would have been swarmed.
A literal wall of reporters was stationed outside the school, hounding anyone who entered or exited. They were clearly here for a follow-up on yesterday's drama. I didn't know if the school had granted any official interviews, but I certainly hadn't. I had no obligation to speak to a bunch of vultures.
"...Rudolph, we're going to ignore them," I whispered.
"...Is that wise?"
"If they try anything, I'll handle it."
"Understood."
"Alright, let's go. Driver, keep the change. I'll take the receipt, please."
Click.
The moment we stepped out of the cab, the shouting started.
"Look! It's him!"
"That's definitely Trainer Hachiman Hikigaya!"
I kept my head down and walked with a steady, brisk pace. Rudolph followed suit, her expression a mask of regal indifference.
"Trainer Hikigaya! Do you have a moment?"
"Your ultimatum from yesterday has become a reality—how do you feel about the ban?"
"The URA leaders seem to have moved in perfect sync with you. Was this a pre-planned stunt?"
I didn't owe them a single word. Once we crossed the threshold of the gate, the school's security—who were already on high alert—blocked the reporters from following. Only those with pre-approved permits could step foot on campus.
Finally, we were in the clear.
Now, for the important stuff. I was going to treat Rice to the best lunch money could buy today. Consider it a pre-celebration for that little restaurant she wants to open.
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