Air Groove's POV
It's been a while since I've narrated from this perspective. I'm Air Groove, currently buried in paperwork in the student council room. Even with President Rudolf, Brian, and me working at full speed, there's no end in sight. It's not like we've been slacking—the daily workload gets done on time. But this pile? It's overwhelming.
Rudolf: "Today's stack is unusually large."
Air Groove: "Yes. It's surprising, considering it's not even year-end."
Brian: "Ugh, what a pain."
Air Groove: "You're not escaping. Two of us can't handle this volume today."
Rudolf: "Exactly. We need your help today, Brian."
Brian: "…Yeah, I get it."
Phew… Looks like Brian's cooperating, thank goodness. But if more paperwork shows up, she might just bolt.
Door swings open!
Teio: "Kaicho! I came to hang out!!"
Rudolf: "Teio, I'm glad you're here, but we're swamped. Look at this mountain of paperwork. Sorry, but you'll have to come back another day."
Teio: "Whaaat!? It's that busy!?"
Air Groove: "Take a look at the student council room. Even the president's tied up. Give it up for today."
Teio: "Ugh~ Fine…"
A Few Minutes Later
Knock knock knock
Rudolf: "Hm? Come in."
Hachiman: "Yo~… Whoa, what's with this insane pile of paper? Brutal…"
Air Groove: "What's up, Hachiman? You rarely come to the student council room."
Hachiman: "Fuji said you were here, so I thought I'd check in. But this… Yikes. Is it like this every day?"
Rudolf: "No, today's exceptionally bad. No idea why, but it's a lot. We're struggling."
Hachiman: "Got it… Hand some over. I'll help."
Air Groove: "…You sure?"
Hachiman: "No one's gonna complain about me pitching in. By the way, this all comes through the chairman, right?"
Rudolf: "Most of it, yes."
Hachiman: "Then when we're done, I'm dumping these on the chairman's desk to complain about the volume. Don't tell Tazuna-san."
Brian: "You don't hold back, do you?"
Hachiman: "I still haven't forgiven the chairman for that photoshoot fiasco. Time to settle the score."
Air Groove: "You're still holding a grudge over that?"
Extra hands are a lifesaver, though. Hachiman's fast and accurate—a one-man army.
A Few Dozen Minutes Later
Hachiman: "Done."
Air Groove: "That was quick, as expected."
Hachiman: "I can double-check my stack, but should I take on some of Rudolf's too? It'd be faster."
Rudolf: "Won't that eat into your time? No plans today?"
Hachiman: "Nah, that's why I'm here. Do I look like some playboy off on a date?"
Air Groove: "Not at all. You're a dependable guy. I know you're not the type to ditch Uma Musume for some random fling."
Hachiman: "…Uh, yeah, that's me."
Rudolf: "Seems so. I'll review your stack. Keep going with mine, please."
Hachiman: "Got it. How's yours, Air Groove?"
Air Groove: "I'm halfway done, so I'm fine. I'll ask if I need help."
Hachiman: "Alright. Brian?"
Brian: "Don't need you yet, 'Black Wagyu Zabuton.' I'll crush this in no time."
Hachiman: "Good to go, then."
Lighting a fire under Brian like that… Is that method safe?
The paperwork battle raged on, but Hachiman's help sped things up massively. That pace? I couldn't match it. Is it just Hachiman's magic?
Another Few Dozen Minutes Later
Hachiman: "All done~."
Air Groove: "Mine's finished too."
Brian: "Same here."
Hachiman: "By the way, one of these papers had a request for trainers to cook once a week. Gotta be Oguri, right? Why's she so persistent?"
Air Groove: "Probably started when you made those onigiri."
Hachiman: "…Maybe."
Rudolf: "You really saved us, Hachiman-kun. Now we just need to review and send these to the chairman. You're free to go."
Hachiman: "Nah, I'll handle that too. I'm kinda fired up. Maybe it's the goal of slamming these on the chairman's desk?"
Air Groove: "Your motivation's questionable, but fine. Sort the reviewed papers once the president's done."
Hachiman: "On it."
After sorting, we hauled the papers to the chairman's office. Hachiman pushed the cart, knocked, stormed in, and shut the door. Shocked yelps echoed from inside. When he came back…
Hachiman: "That should lighten the load."
He pushed the cart back to the student council room.
Rudolf: "Everyone, great work today. Let's call it quits. Any more, and it'll wreck our health."
Air Groove: "Yes, good work."
Hachiman: "It's about time to head out. Wanna come to my place? I'll cook. I gave Brian a hard time, and today was rough, so you deserve a reward."
Brian: "Obviously I'm in."
Air Groove: "I'll take you up on that."
Rudolf: "It's been a while since I had your cooking. I'll join too."
Hachiman: "Alright, let's go."
We survived today, thanks to Hachiman. Without him, we'd have been doomed…
Afterword
Air Groove's rare POV shines in this Yahari x Uma Musume side story, tackling a paperwork avalanche with Rudolf and Narita Brian! Hachiman's unexpected aid and bold move against the chairman steal the show, capped by a cozy dinner invite. A perfect breather before the Fuji Kiseki arc!
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