Air Groove's POV
Air Groove: "Alright, just need to chill and set it."
Dober: "As expected, senpai, you're so good at this. Mine didn't turn out nearly as well."
Air Groove: "Yours looks fine to me. If anything, it feels more homemade that way."
Dober: "Still, I want him to eat something tasty and pretty."
Air Groove: "Heh, even if it's for my trainer, I'm a bit jealous. Having someone else give to the same person right in front of me."
It's February, the month of Kisaragi, and tomorrow's Valentine's Day. The academy's holding its usual chocolate-making event, but I'm making mine on my own. I don't mind teaching the younger girls, but this year, I want to focus on myself. Last year's mess stopped me from giving him anything… This time, I'm making sure he gets it!
Dober: "M-Mine's not like that! It's just thanks for watching my training! Not love or anything!"
Air Groove: "I know. You don't seem like the type to fall for a guy easily. But are you coming back here tomorrow? Miho Dorm's a bit far from this one."
Dober: "It's fine. It's good exercise."
Air Groove: "Fair enough. Let's both do our best tomorrow."
Dober: "Yes!"
Hachiman's bound to get a ton of chocolates tomorrow. But mine's the best!
Air Groove side out
Hachiman's POV
Hachiman: "…" munch munch
I'll eat this, take a breather, then head to the academy. Sounds good. It's Valentine's Day—gonna be drowning in sweet vibes from the morning. Hard pass on that.
Ding-dong
Hachiman: "? Coming."
Delivery: "Package for you!"
Hachiman: "This early? Seriously… Alright."
Delivery: "Thank you!"
Hachiman: "…From Sensei and Professor. Looks like chocolate. Gotta say, this kind of delivery is nice. It's, what, 8 or 9 PM there? They're probably working. I'll send an email and call later if I get a chance."
I emailed them, stashed the chocolate in the fridge, and headed to the academy.
Tresen Academy
Looks like the students are in class. No one's crazy enough to skip, thankfully.
Aoi: "Oh, Hikigaya-kun! Good morning!"
Colleague 2: "Morning, Hikigaya-kun~."
Hachiman: "Yo, morning."
Colleague 2: "I was looking for you! Here, Valentine's Day chocolate♪"
Aoi: "From me too! Thanks for all your help!"
Hachiman: "Thanks. Want something for White Day? Training menu?"
Colleague 2: "Tempting, but at least give chocolate back."
Hachiman: "Kidding. I'll return the favor properly. Appreciate it."
After that, I got chocolates from female trainers, the Chairman, Tazuna-san, even the female staff. Expected it, but this is a lot… Did I do something? Is this just tradition?
Note: Hachiman often helps others under the guise of "assisting," so he's pretty popular with women.
Lunch Break
Hachiman: "…Bell's ringing. Time for lunch… Got a feeling I'll get more chocolates, but I'll just thank them and take it. Can't exactly accept them during training."
Heading to the cafeteria, I got a flood of chocolates from Uma Musume. Some even gave cookies instead, predicting I'd be swamped—grateful for that.
Hachiman: "Phew, good thing I brought a bag. Otherwise, my arms'd be full of chocolate."
Dober: "…Quite the ladies' man, huh."
Hachiman: "Oh, Dober. Why, though? I don't recall doing that much for them."
Dober: "Those girls? You helped them when they were unassigned. Even now, the unassigned ones owe their progress to your menus. They're grateful."
Hachiman: "…Almost a year already, huh."
Dober: "You sound like an old man… Anyway, here, I made this for you."
Hachiman: "…For me?"
Dober: "D-Don't get the wrong idea! It's thanks for helping me! That's all!"
Hachiman: "Alright, alright, slow down. Thanks. Want feedback?"
Dober: "No need."
She replied curtly and left. Guess she really just meant to hand it over. No way she'd eat with a guy like me.
After School, Post-Training
Hachiman: "Good work today, Fuji. Yayoi Sho's coming up, so stay sharp. A month feels long, but it's gone in a flash."
Fuji: "Hehe, I know, Hachiman Trainer-san. Oh, here! Valentine's Day chocolate. You've probably got tons, but will you take mine?"
Hachiman: "Thanks, Fuji. Gladly."
Fuji: "I taste-tested it, so it's good. See you tomorrow, good work♪"
Hachiman: "Yeah, good work."
…Time to head home.
Click
Air Groove: "…Hachiman."
Hachiman: "Hm? Forgot something?"
Air Groove: "Yeah, I forgot to give you this. Will you accept it?"
She handed me a beautifully wrapped package—probably chocolate.
Hachiman: "Yeah, thanks."
Air Groove: "Couldn't give you one last year… Unavoidable reasons, but it's different now. We understand each other, right?"
Hachiman: "…Yeah, you're right. Let's forget last year. Now's what matters."
Air Groove: "Exactly."
She planned to give me one last year too, huh.
Air Groove: "You know it's my main one, right?"
Hachiman: "!? Y-You… You move on fast. Even if you're hiding it, we've only been engaged two months. Bit too open, no?"
Air Groove: "Only in front of you. Never anyone else."
Hachiman: "…White Day's gonna need something on this level."
Air Groove: "I'm counting on you, Hachiman."
Yup, I'll do my best.
Afterword
Air Groove finally delivers her Valentine's chocolate in this heartfelt Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! Hachiman's swamped with chocolates, from colleagues to Uma Musume, while Air Groove's bold "main" gift steals the show. Fuji's arc simmers as the Yayoi Sho nears!
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