Hachiman's POV
Hachiman: "…" scribble scribble
I'm working on training menus for my Uma Musume. You probably already know, but I don't usually use a computer. I do sometimes, but I've gotten used to handwriting. Feels like I can jot down more ideas this way.
Clink
Hachiman: "Hm?"
???: "…Here you go. I chose beans with a sweet note, just how you like it, Trainer-san."
Hachiman: "Oh, thanks, Café."
Café: "…"
Hachiman: "…Mm, delicious. Your coffee's always great, even without sugar or milk."
Café: "…I'm glad."
Manhattan Café, with her long, straight black hair and piercing yellow eyes, has a dark, unapproachable vibe. But talk to her, and she's pretty normal—no need to be scared. Apparently, she chats with friends sometimes too. She even comes to mess with me occasionally, so I know she's got pals.
By the way, I'm in the academy's cafeteria right now. The trainer's room or clubroom would've worked fine, but I tend to lose track of time when I'm too focused. So, for menu-making days, I come here.
Hachiman: "As thanks… want this?"
Café: "! Is that… okay?"
Hachiman: "Chocolate, matcha, strawberry, blueberry, and coffee flavors. If you're cool with that, it's yours."
Café: "I-I'll take it."
I handed Café some macarons. I cook sometimes, and when I'm free and in the mood, I usually whip up sweets. Gotta keep it on the down-low from Oguri, Spe, and McQueen, though. If they find out, I'm toast.
Café: "…" munch
Hachiman: "…Uh, Café-san? I can't work on menus with your head on my shoulder. Mind moving?"
Café: "…If you let me nibble your neck, I'll consider it."
Hachiman: "That doesn't solve anything! It's the same problem!"
Café: "…Then I'll stay like this."
Hachiman: "…Fine, guess I'll take a break."
When did this start? Café resting her head on my shoulder or nibbling my neck? Her "friend" doesn't do this stuff. Sure, they play with my ahoge or mess with my head, but still.
Café: "…Can I nibble, then?"
Hachiman: "You're still on that!?"
Café: "Your neck looks tastier than usual today."
Hachiman: "Didn't you say that last time and sucked on it? Huh?"
Café: "…Your imagination." looks away
Hachiman: "Then don't avoid eye contact."
Rice: "H-Hello, Onii-sa… Ehh!? W-What are you doing!?"
Hachiman: "Rice!?"
Rice: "C-Café-san… You can't do that…"
Phew, thank goodness for Rice. Someone with common sense— "Rice wants to do the same to Onii-sama!" …You're kidding, right?
Café: "…" smirk
Rice: "Muu~!" cling!
Hachiman: "…"
My arms are officially sealed by my Uma Musume. What do I do now? What's the right move? It's a school holiday, so it's fine for now, but if Rudolf or Air Groove caught me like this, I'd be done for.
A Few Minutes Later
Café: "…" snooze
Rice: "…" snooze
Hachiman: "…"
They're asleep… After hijacking my freedom, they just pass out. And my menu work? Zero progress.
Hachiman: "Asking their roommates won't help… Rice is with Rob Roy, and Café's with Yukino, right? I don't have their contacts…"
Guess I'm stuck waiting for them to wake up. What do I even do in the meantime? And how do they sleep so skillfully? Leaning on me while sitting in chairs?
Hachiman: "Ugh… You too, Friend?"
Friend: "…" smirk
Hachiman: "Hey, if you're gonna chill on my head, can you at least wake Café? I can't work like this."
Friend: "…" twirl twirl
Hachiman: "Got it, you're no help. Fine, do whatever. I was supposed to work and take a quick break, but I can't even drink my coffee…" sigh
So there I was, arms locked by two sleeping girls, head claimed by Friend. Are these two ever waking up?
A Few Dozen Minutes Later
"Trainer-san, what're you doing?"
Hachiman: "Ask those two."
"…Sunbathing?"
Hachiman: "Where's the sunlight in here?"
"But they look so comfy sleeping like that~"
"Yeah, they seem kinda happy♪"
Hachiman: "It's actually three, though." mumbles
"Three?"
Hachiman: "Yup, three."
"But it's just Rice-san, Café-san, and… wait, Trainer-san?"
Hachiman: "Why me?"
"You said three, so…"
Hachiman: "Obviously it's Café's Friend, who's always with her."
"…Is there really someone there?"
Hachiman: "Floating above, arms crossed on my head, chin resting on top. Café says they don't usually sleep, but… oh, they're up."
"They're up!?"
Hachiman: "Yup. To clear your doubts… Hey, Friend, can you yank my ahoge in all directions?"
Friend: "~~~!!" twirl twirl tug tug!
"It's really moving!!!"
Hachiman: "See?"
After that, things got chaotic. The two woke up, apologized, and asked about the commotion. Café got bombarded with questions, and Rice clung to me again. Oh, right—Rice is terrified of ghosts.
Afterword
Rice, Café, and Friend make for a hilarious trio in this Yahari x Uma Musume side story! Hachiman's attempt at work gets derailed by Café's quirky affection and Rice's clingy panic, with Friend's ghostly antics stealing the show. A fun, chaotic breather before the Fuji Kiseki arc!
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
If you guys wanna check it out.