Rudolf's POV
Rudolf: "…"
Creek: "Oh my~…"
Suzuka: "Spe-chan…"
Hayahide: "Ha…"
Ryan: "…"
Oguri: "Today's August 1st, right? Normally, Trainer would be cooking for us. But this year, he's not at camp… My stomach feels so empty…" Highlight off
Spe: "Food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food food…" Highlight off
Brian: "Meat… I need his meat right now…" Highlight off
McQueen: "Trainer-san, what's this year's dessert~? A cake, maybe~? Please share with me~!" Highlight off
Rudolf: "…This is hard to watch."
Hayahide: "Sorry, President. My sister's causing trouble."
Suzuka: "Team Polaris' trainer isn't here, so they should give up…"
Creek: "Oguri-chan…"
Ryan: "Mac's not any better… Talking to Trainer-san when he's not here. To get like this…"
Hachiman-kun, I know it's a futile wish, but please, come to camp. These four are getting worse by the day, and today's just… unbearable.
Rudolf: "Haven't you tried talking to them?"
Suzuka: "We have, but…"
Tama: "They're not respondin'! Dunno if they hear us or not, but they've been like this!"
Creek: "Even Tama-chan's voice isn't getting through. Maybe it has to be Trainer Hikigaya's voice?"
Rudolf: "…Give me a moment."
Camp: Outside
Rudolf: "Please, pick up…"
prrr… prrr… prrr!
Hachiman: "Yo, Rudolf?"
Rudolf: "Hachiman-kun, thank you for answering."
Hachiman: "…You sound stressed. Let me guess—the four of them?"
Rudolf: "They've been off since they learned you're not joining camp. Training's fine, but I think it's because they can't eat your cooking."
Hachiman: "And? You're calling me for what? I'm not coming there now, no way."
Rudolf: "The next month worries me. I want to boost their motivation. Hachiman-kun, could you prepare something when we return from camp? Even something small."
Hachiman: "Sounds pretty bad."
Rudolf: "Yes, it's hard to watch."
Hachiman: "…Alright, I'll help. An injury would be no joke. Rudolf, you're back on the same day as the last two years?"
Rudolf: "Yes, exactly."
Hachiman: "I'll cook then. Tell those four."
Rudolf: "Got it."
Hachiman: "See you then."
Rudolf: "Thank you, Hachiman-kun."
This should help. Time to tell them.
Camp: Cafeteria
Click
Rudolf: "I have good news for the four of you. Care to hear?"
Four: "…" Muttering
Rudolf: "Hmm, I see… I just spoke with Hachiman-kun, but maybe it's not worth mentioning."
Oguri: "T-Trainer!?"
Spe: "Trainer-san!? What did he say!?"
Brian: "President, spill it!"
McQueen: "What did Trainer-san say!?"
(((((They're hooked…)))))
Rudolf: "I told Hachiman-kun about you. He agreed to cook for you on the day we return from camp."
Oguri: "Really, Rudolf!?"
Rudolf: "Yes, he said so. So don't doubt—hm? ♪~"
A message from Hachiman-kun… "Show them what I'm making." Heh, tempting.
Brian: "Don't stop mid-sentence."
Hayahide: "Brian, watch your tone."
Rudolf: "It's fine, I don't mind. Here, take a look."
Oguri: "This is…!?"
Spe: "Wow, looks delicious!!"
Brian: "…Good meat."
McQueen: "Desserts!? President, no desserts!?"
Rudolf: "Sorry, no dessert photos—♪~ Another from Hachiman-kun… Mejiro McQueen, no need to worry. Look."
McQueen: "This is…!?"
Rudolf: "A French pastry, mille-feuille. Not just any mille-feuille—this is a Mille-Feuille aux Fraises, called a Napoleon pie in Japan. It looks delicious."
McQueen: "…" Sparkling eyes
Rudolf: "Hachiman-kun will make this, so give your all for the rest of camp."
Oguri: "Alright, let's do this!"
Spe: "Trainer-san's food is waiting when camp's over!"
Brian: "Heh, can't wait."
McQueen: "Yes… Yes, indeed!"
Hachiman-kun, it worked… sort of. But why do I feel conflicted about food being their motivation?
Afterword
Rudolf saves the day in this Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! Oguri, Spe, Brian, and McQueen are down without Hachiman's cooking, but his promise of a post-camp feast (with Napoleon pie!) reignites their fire. Poor Rudolf!
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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]