Hachiman's POV
Fuji: "Haaaaaa!!"
Rice: "Yaaaaaa!!"
August is almost over, and training's been smooth. Fuji's made huge strides—she can now keep up with Rice in hill sprints and mock races. Rice debuted last week in Niigata and won solidly. Still, she needs more distance, but Junior and early Classic races limit that, so we'll make do. The others, despite skipping camp, have grown impressively. Ardan's leg issues are barely noticeable now—a big win.
Now, what's next? Maurice is set for the next debut. I want Rice in October's Fuyo Stakes. A graded race is tempting, but she needs more experience. Fuji should ideally run a trial, preferably the Kobe Shimbun Hai in Kyoto. Air Groove just won her second Sapporo Kinen and is aiming to repeat in the Tenno Sho (Autumn). The rest will likely debut next year. We've talked about taking it slow, and they're on board.
Air Groove: "By the way, Hachiman, today's when the camp students return. Are we wrapping up at the usual time?"
Hachiman: "No, we'll end early. Got plans. Ones I'd rather ditch, but I can't say no, and I want to treat them."
Air Groove: "?"
Hachiman: "Just muttering, don't mind me. You okay? You're the only student council member left at the academy. Getting swamped with work?"
Air Groove: "What do you take the council for? Relax, no one's that tactless."
Hachiman: "What about Brian?"
Air Groove: "She's just slacking. Prefers roaming and racing or catching suspicious folks over paperwork."
Hachiman: "…Is that okay?"
Air Groove: "I'd like her to do her vice president duties, but she's active enough. And the president doesn't push her…"
Hachiman: "…Got it."
Heard some council drama… Best to ignore it. Let's finish strong!
Minutes Later: Cafeteria
Hachiman: "Phew… Time to start before the food-obsessed crew shows up. Only four portions this time, so it's easier than last. And… no seconds~♪"
Except for Rudolf, maybe?
"Hey? Isn't that Trainer Hikigaya? Cooking again? Impressive—most trainers don't go this far for their team."
Hachiman: "Not for my team this time. Got a… request, more like a demand."
"Got a hunch. The three always begging you to cook, right?"
Hachiman: "Yup, them, plus a dessert maniac and their overseer. Five total."
"You're a hard worker."
Hachiman: "Tell me about it."
Alright, let's do this.
Hours Later
"Man, your skills are top-notch! And this spread—great work, Trainer!"
Hachiman: "Thanks. I've done double this before, so it's a breeze. Camp folks should be back soon, right?"
"Yup. Tomorrow, it's back to kitchen chaos."
With two—no, three big eaters, counting Rice. Maybe I'll make bentos… Nah, someone'd swipe them. Not naming names.
BANG!!
Hachiman: "Hm?"
Oguri: "Trainer, we're back!!"
Hachiman: "Yeah, I can see that."
Spe: "Made it back safe!!"
Hachiman: "Also obvious."
Brian: "And I'm starving."
Hachiman: "Don't care about that…"
McQueen: "I saved room, properly!"
Hachiman: "Don't care about that either…"
Oguri/Spe/Brian/McQueen: "So hurry and make food (rice) (meat) (sweets)!!!"
These guys… Food's all they think about.
Hachiman: "Sigh… Before I feed you, I've got one condition each."
Brian: "Conditions?"
Hachiman: "Nothing big. Oguri, help with some dirt training for a bit."
Oguri: "Dirt training? Got it, I'm in."
Hachiman: "Spe, I heard from Suzuka you've got a ton of carrots. Can I have some?"
Spe: "That's it?"
Hachiman: "Yup. No shady stuff, promise. (Gotta cut costs to feed the team. Helps me too.) Too much?"
Spe: "No, it's fine!"
Hachiman: "Cool. Brian, help Air Groove out sometimes."
Couldn't ignore that council stuff. Occasional help's fine, right?
Brian: "…Sometimes?"
Hachiman: "Not once a month. At least weekly."
Brian: "…Fine."
Hachiman: "Lastly, McQueen. Train with Rice. Can you?"
McQueen: "Of course, it's a small price!"
Hachiman: "Good. Take your seats. Oh, know where Rudolf is?"
Rudolf: "You called?"
Hachiman: "Yo, got your share too. Eat up. Also…" whispers "You get seconds. Not that you caused trouble, but I left Air Groove and Fuji here, so consider it an apology."
Rudolf: "If that's the case, I'll gladly accept. Looking forward to it, Hachiman-kun."
I served the five and retreated to the kitchen, watching from a distance. They're eating slowly, savoring every bite.
McQueen's crying again… Really? That much?
Afterword
Hachiman's back in the kitchen in this Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! Oguri, Spe, Brian, and McQueen storm in, starving, but Hachiman sets terms for his feast. Rudolf scores seconds, and McQueen's in tears over sweets!
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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]