Hachiman's POV
Phew… So this is how the new kids run. No standouts, though. Short-distance was a total bust—no freshmen I'd want to train. Just the mile race left. If I don't find someone, I'll have to pick the best of a mediocre bunch. Either way, this is getting tough.
Air Groove: "Any luck, Hachiman? Find a good one?"
Hachiman: "Nah, nothing clicked… I'm bracing for the worst."
Fuji: "The worst?"
Hachiman: "Digging for potential in a pool of 'meh.'"
Air Groove: "…I see."
Hachiman: "…Or maybe you two are just so exceptional everyone else pales in comparison. Should I lower my standards? No, I've already lowered them enough…"
Air Groove: "Scouting's tougher than it looks for you. I can't help much, but let me know if there's anything I can do."
Hachiman: "Got it, thanks."
Fuji: "But the final group's up next, right? If no one stands out, you'll pick from what we saw today?"
Hachiman: "That's the deal."
That'd mean settling for less, though. I really want an Uma Musume with true potential.
Bang!!
Trainer's Room
In the end, I didn't scout anyone from the selection race. They all had talent, but none matched what I'm looking for.
Aoi: "Hikigaya-kun, summing up today's selection race?"
Hachiman: "Yeah. It's bad… Team setup's in less than a week, and I still haven't scouted a short-distance or mile Uma Musume. This might fall through."
Aoi: "No way! After all the work for the team!?"
Hachiman: "They want one freshman, but finding someone for short distances is brutal. I checked their profiles, but nothing's clicking."
Aoi: "…That's pretty bad, right?"
Hachiman: "Catastrophically, insanely, seriously bad."
…Guess I'll step outside.
Racecourse
Ugh… Things started strong, but now it feels like I'm failing my goal. What do I do?
???: "…Excuse me, are you a trainer?"
Hachiman: "Hm? Yeah… New face, huh? Freshman?"
???: "Yes. This time's usually quiet, so I use the track."
Hachiman: "You weren't in the selection race. Why skip it? It's a chance to show off to trainers."
???: "I'm not ready yet… Oh, not that I'm giving up! My paternal grandmother was an Uma Musume, a late bloomer who grew stronger later. So I think maybe I'm the same? I felt it's not my time to shine yet."
Hachiman: "…I see."
Betting on the future instead of now, huh? Interesting mindset.
???: "R-Really? First time someone's said that. Thank you."
Hachiman: "Said that out loud, huh… Whatever. You're training now, right? Mind if I watch?"
???: "Not at all! If you notice anything, please point it out. The more feedback, the better. Oh… sorry, was that too forward?"
Hachiman: "Nah, you should be that hungry for improvement. Alright, let's see your run."
Her build suggests mile to mid-distance. I'm kinda excited to see what she's got. Scouting's been a slog, so this might be a nice break.
???: "I'll run 1600m. Here I go!"
Dash!!
…Forgot to ask her name. Oh well, just watching her run. Hmm… Pretty solid. Good pacing for a freshman. She's got a steady style.
??? (Here!!)
Slide!!
…Is she mimicking a race tactic? Spurring before the fourth corner? That could work for strong legs, but a freshman keeping up on this straight… Her legs aren't fading?
???: "Haaaa!!!"
…No way, a freshman!? This course's straight is as long as Tokyo Racecourse's! And yet…
Beep!
…She finished, with a time of 1:32.8—damn good. Her final three furlongs, by my estimate, hit 33.7 seconds. At Tokyo, that'd be unreal. And I bet she's not even going all out…
???: "Ha… ha… phew, how was it?"
Hachiman: "…This might throw you, but wanna join my team?"
???: "…Huh?"
I explained my name and the team setup conditions. For some reason, her eyes sparkled as she looked at me.
Hachiman: "So, what do you say?"
???: "I-Is this real? You're scouting me… It's not a dream, right?"
Hachiman: "I'm the one who wants to call it a dream. I struck out at the selection race and was stressing, then I find a prodigy like you here. Joining's not mandatory, but I'd be thrilled if you did. How about it?"
???: "I-I'm thrilled!! To be scouted by the Hikigaya Trainer!!"
Hachiman: "Wait, you know me?"
???: "Of course! At Tresen Academy, you're the first trainer anyone thinks of! My dream was to train under you here! To think you'd approach me!! Oh, the team—please let me join!!"
Hachiman: "Whoa, thanks! Looking forward to working with you… Oh, I didn't catch your name."
???: "S-Sorry for not introducing myself… I'm Maurice! Please take care of me, Trainer-san!!"
Didn't expect to meet such a promising Uma Musume like this… Damn, I'm pumped.
Afterword
Hachiman stumbles upon a gem in Maurice during a scouting slump! This Yahari x Uma Musume chapter delivers a thrilling encounter, with Fuji and Air Groove's support and a nod to Maurice's late-blooming potential. The team's complete—Fuji's arc races toward the Derby!
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