Fuji's POV
A month of training at the academy, and today's the first day of August. Air Groove and I are a bit restless this morning… Why? We're wondering if we'll get to eat Hachiman-san's cooking today! He mentioned at the pre-camp meeting that he'd borrow the academy kitchen this year, which was reassuring, but is it today? I remember feeling this antsy during camp, but was it this bad?
Fuji: "If Hachiman-san mentions it after training, that's the sign, right?"
Air Groove: "Y-Yes… During camp, he cooked on the first, so we'll bet on that."
Fuji: "B-But… was it this nerve-wracking? I thought we were calmer last time."
Air Groove: "True… I'm oddly anxious too. If Hachiman doesn't bring it up today…"
Fuji: "Let's head to the clubroom! It's Tuesday afternoon practice, and we rested this morning. If we train hard, good things will happen! Let's believe that!"
I have to say this, or my energy's gonna vanish! Gotta distract myself!
Clubroom
Click
Fuji: "Hello…"
Hachiman: "Yo, Fuji. Air Groove too."
CB: "…Zzz…"
Air Groove: "…What's she doing?"
Hachiman: "Using my lap as a pillow. She showed up an hour early for training. When I asked why, she said, 'Bored at home.' Then she saw me on this couch and just… made herself comfy and passed out."
Air Groove: "Just wake her up."
Hachiman: "Touch her, and I'm toast."
Air Groove: "Fair point. Smart move."
Fuji: "Yeah, not touching CB-senpai was the right call, Hachiman-san."
Hachiman: "What do you guys think CB is? She's not a wild animal."
Air Groove: "Anyway, I'll wake her. Hachiman, stay still."
Hachiman: "Uh, yeah…"
A few minutes later, the team gathered, and training started. How'd we wake CB-senpai? Well… some things are better left unknown, right? Let's just say that.
Training: Hill Sprints
Fuji: "Ha… ha… Phew, I'm keeping up better, but still not there. I can match three out of five sprints, but from the fourth, I start falling behind."
Rice: "You've improved so much since the start! That's proof your stamina's growing."
Fuji: "Three sprints without getting dropped in a month is progress. Maybe we should try a 3000m demo run soon."
Rice: "Should we ask Onii-sama?"
Fuji: "Hmm… Not yet. I'll bring it up mid-August."
Rice: "Okay! I'll keep training with you until then. Let's do this!"
Fuji: "Sorry, Rice. You've got your August debut, and I'm dragging you into this."
Rice: "No, it's fine! You're aiming for the Triple Crown, so I want to help however I can."
I don't know what Hachiman-san felt in moments like this, but I bet I'm feeling the same. Rice is such a good kid.
Rice: "Hey, Fuji-san, it's the first today. Think we'll get Onii-sama's cooking?"
Fuji: "You're curious too, huh? Air Groove and I were wondering all morning."
Rice: "Yeah. Last year, he made food for me and Ardan-san as thanks for the summer festival."
Fuji: "Oh, right! CB-senpai got a tart, didn't she? But since we're at the academy, what's the menu?"
Rice: "Hmm… No clue. Last year was croquettes, right?"
Fuji: "Yeah, and before that, bifuteki. Air Groove might've gotten the fanciest one."
Rice: "But getting to eat it at all is great. Oguri Cap-san and Special Week-san were begging him like crazy."
Fuji: "Haha… True."
Last year, Hachiman-san got begged on the bus too. I was ready to join in—that's how intense their obsession was.
Post-Training
Hachiman: "Alright, training's done. So… dinner plans?"
CB: "Cook!!"
Fuji: "I'd love to eat~ It's the first, after all."
Air Groove: "If ingredients are short, I'll shop with you. It's only fair."
Rice: "Th-Then Rice'll shop too! Onii-sama can't do it alone!"
Maurice: "No, I'll go! Can't let my seniors do it!"
Bakushin-O: "No way! As class rep, I'll go with Trainer-san!!"
Ardan: "In that case, I'll go. The Mejiro car can handle the load and travel."
CB: "Fine~ I'll go on a shopping date with Hachiman, so you all rest at the dorm."
Fuji: "Can't let a senior go. Hachiman-san, I'll help pick ingredients—wanna go together?"
Arrow: "…Guys, aren't you all a bit too intense?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, it's kinda overwhelming."
Arrow: "But I'll help shop too. With this crowd, one person can't carry it all."
Hachiman: "What's with this? You're all willing to help, but only Maurice and Arrow seem normal."
Afterword
Fuji and Team Polaris are buzzing for Hachiman's cooking in this Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! Fuji's stamina is climbing, but the real race is for who gets to shop with Hachiman. The kitchen showdown's coming!
--------------------------------
That chapter ended on a bit of a cliff, didn't it? 😅 Don't worry, the next one's already on Patreon! [If you'd like to support my work, check out my: patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ]