NOVEL NEXT Chapter 116: Pride
Air Groove's POV
What's this about…? The President said it's about me and Trainer, but could it be our recent rift?
"Here's the issue," Rudolf said. "Fuji consulted me about you and Hachiman-kun. Bluntly, she asked how to handle your bad terms. Has Air Groove's recent drop in performance been because of this?"
"Ask her," Hachiman said. "But yeah, the past three months have been rough. I can't say why—privacy."
"You don't deny the rift?" Rudolf asked.
"It happened," he said. "Differences, misunderstandings—it led to this."
She's right… That mess with the Yukinoshita family drove a wedge between us. A gap I still haven't closed.
"It's affected her races and academy life," Rudolf said. "I've seen it, so I know."
"…" Hachiman stayed silent.
"I won't pry into private matters," Rudolf said. "So I'll cut to the point."
"What?" he asked.
"If this grudge persists, I can't stand by," she said. "She's the student council vice-president, my right hand. I can't ignore her state. So, Hachiman-kun, would you consider ending your contract with her?"
"…" Hachiman paused.
"!?" I gasped.
C-Contract… termination?
"I know your track record with her," Rudolf said. "That's why I suggest this. Many students have switched trainers for compatibility. Air Groove's not special here. If this continues and her slump worsens, the blame will fall on you. Why not step back now?"
"…" Hachiman stayed silent.
I trembled. "…"
End our contract? Honestly, I don't want that. After three years with him, I finally understood what Mother meant about trust. To lose him now, before I can act… No way! I won't let it end like this!
"You're right," Hachiman said. "It might be better to switch trainers while the wound's shallow."
"…" My heart sank.
"This kind of relationship isn't practical," he said. "Water and oil, that's us. No point in a trainer and Uma Musume staying like this."
…So that's his answer.
"…"
Another regret… I always realize too late with him. By the time I understand, it's… too late.
It's obvious what's next—contract termination. Our relationship's over…
"But, Rudolf," Hachiman said, "even so, I won't break the contract myself."
"...?" Rudolf said.
"What?" I whispered.
"What's that mean?" Rudolf asked.
"Simple," he said. "It's my unbreakable pride. That's all."
Air Groove's POV Ends
One Year Ago, Trainer's Office
"I won't cut ties with her," Hachiman said.
"Because you chose her?" Dyna asked.
"No, not that simple," he said. "It's just my unbreakable pride."
(Dyna: Pride… Someone like you must get offers from other Uma Musume. And yet?)
"It's straightforward," Hachiman said.
"Can I hear it?" Dyna asked.
"If you don't mind boring," he said.
"Please," she said.
"Fine," he said. "My pride is this: once I commit, I see it through with pride to the end. That's it."
"…" Dyna listened.
"We trainers carry Uma Musume's dreams, helping make them real," he said. "They seek trainers who can fulfill those dreams. We trainers do the same. So, I'll only end the contract if Air Groove says she wants out. Until then, I'm her trainer."
"Even if it hurts you?" Dyna asked.
"I said it before," he said. "Uma Musume shine; trainers stay in the shadows. I'm fine out of the spotlight. Back in school, I was slandered constantly. A few harsh words won't faze me."
"…" Dyna paused.
"So, Dyna Car-san," he said, "your worries are for nothing. As long as Air Groove needs me, I'll keep supporting her."
Flashback Ends
"As long as Air Groove doesn't deem me unnecessary, I'm her trainer," Hachiman said. "I'll never leave her side. Never."
"Good grief, you're stubborn too," Rudolf said.
"Nah, it's just pride," he said. "You think I'd stick around out of stubbornness?"
"I get it," Rudolf said. "I'm wasting my breath. Hachiman-kun, keep looking after Air Groove."
"That's the plan," he said. "I'll make sure things don't get worse."
Afterword
Hachiman's unyielding pride saves his bond with Air Groove, leaving her heart in turmoil. Rudolf's tactful push and Fuji's unseen concerns deepen the stakes, with Air Groove's trust arc teetering. The Yahari crossover fuels Hachiman's "Tengan" resolve, with Haruno's shadow looming. Fuji's debut nears—what's Air Groove's next move?
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