Hachiman's POV
Maurice: "Trainer-san, is this enough meat?"
Hachiman: "Nah, we need more. Some big eaters in the group—better to have extra."
Maurice: "Got it! I'll grab more!"
Arrow: "Trainer, what about veggies?"
Hachiman: "Tomatoes, onions, baby leaf lettuce. Get regular-sized tomatoes, and for onions, both whole bulbs and pre-sliced."
Arrow: "Gotcha."
I brought Maurice and Arrow to a nearby supermarket. The others offered to help, but these two were the most sensible, so I picked them. They're reliable, which makes this easier.
Maurice: "But Trainer-san, won't you tell us what you're making?"
Hachiman: "That'd spoil the fun. Plus, I'm cooking solo."
Arrow: "Solo? Last year, it was just Air Groove-senpai and Fuji-senpai, but now there's eight of us. Isn't that too much for one person?"
Hachiman: "It's fine if I get the order right."
Maurice: "Still, I can't guess what it is. We got a decent amount of steak meat, but way more onions…"
Arrow: "You're not making onion dishes, right?"
Hachiman: "No way I'd serve something that'd make your eyes water. Relax, it'll be proper food."
Arrow: "Good then."
Got the ingredients—time to head back to the academy and cook. With this many people, I gotta nail the order.
Tresen Academy: Cafeteria
Hachiman: "Come to the cafeteria at 6 p.m. I told Air Groove and the others, so no worries. Thanks for carrying the stuff."
Maurice: "No problem! But are you really okay alone?"
Arrow: "I can help. I'm not great, but still."
Hachiman: "I'm good, no issue. You two rest at the dorm till then. I'll have it ready. Three hours is plenty."
Arrow: "…That's weirdly convincing."
It should be. Two years ago, I cooked for about this many at the open house wrap-up.
Hachiman side out
CB's POV
5:50 p.m.: Cafeteria
CB: "Hachiman, I'm here! Need help—whoa, that smells amazing~♪"
Hachiman: "Yo, CB. Almost done, so hang tight. Made a bunch of stuff—hope you like it."
CB: "Not liking it would be weird! Hey, why don't we send a pic to Rudolf?"
Hachiman: "Rudolf's fine, but don't send it to those three. They'll hound me the second they're back. Actually, don't send it to Rudolf either."
CB: "C'mon, it's fine~ Send it?"
Hachiman: "No way."
As the time gets closer, everyone's showing up. They're all hyped. Air Groove and Fuji's tails are wagging like crazy, and their ears are perked up. Not gonna lie, mine too.
Hachiman: "Alright, sorry for the wait. Here's your reward dinner. Camp was diner-style, but this time, I mixed in different cuisines."
Air Groove: "Hmm… White rice, three pieces of salmon sushi, steak with minced onions, and the salad… Never seen this one."
Maurice: "Wow… All this from those ingredients!?"
Arrow: "You really made this in three hours…"
Hachiman: "Here's the menu. First, salads. One's a Cobb salad—lettuce base with diced chicken, tomatoes, boiled eggs, cucumbers, and pumpkin. Dressing's my special blend, so use what you like. The other's Insalata Caprese, Italian-style with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil. I used dried basil, added prosciutto, and sprinkled black pepper."
Ardan: "Cobb salad and Insalata Caprese… American and Italian salads. They look so different."
Hachiman: "Next, Japanese sushi—salmon, three styles: raw, seared, and grilled. And the big one: Chaliapin steak, a Japan-exclusive dish. Marinating the meat in minced onions makes it tender. It's softer than it looks, so enjoy."
CB: "That's what smelled so good!"
Fuji: "The steak from the open house was great, but this looks amazing too♪"
Bakushin-O: "Trainer-san's cooking looks as delicious as ever!!"
Rice: "I-Is it okay for us to eat something this fancy?"
Hachiman: "Of course it is. I made it for you guys. I'd be in trouble if you didn't eat."
Air Groove: "Hachiman made it for us—let's eat before it gets cold."
CB: "Hachiman, lead the way♪"
Hachiman: "Me? Fine. Let's eat."
"Itadakimasu!!"
Afterword
Hachiman's reward dinner steals the show in this Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! From Chaliapin steak to sushi and global salads, Team Polaris digs in. CB's ready to tease Rudolf, but Hachiman's keeping it low-key!
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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]