Hachiman's POV
Yo, Hachiman Hikigaya here. It's Monday, a rest day from training, so I've got… well, not nothing to do. Seriously, the requests to watch training or make menus are endless! Mostly from unassigned Uma Musume or Tresen Academy instructors. I get the unassigned girls—they're showing off to trainers, hoping for solid advice. Fair play. But the instructors? Do your jobs! Dumping menus on me? Just because my menus are a hit doesn't mean you can offload everything. You've got teaching credentials, right?
…Sigh, maybe I'll talk to Tojo-san.
Hachiman: "…Sigh."
Hayahide: "Hm, something wrong, Trainer-kun? That was a heavy sigh."
Hachiman: "Oh, Hayahide… Just venting."
I spilled my frustrations to Hayahide. Gotta let it out somewhere, even if it's to a student. Feels a bit off, but whatever.
Hayahide: "I see. But it shows how much they rely on you. Accepting it graciously might lighten your mood."
Hachiman: "If it were that easy, I wouldn't be stressing. Guess how often I get these menu requests?"
Hayahide: "Twice a month?"
Hachiman: "Nope. Once a week."
Hayahide: "…That's basically full-on dumping."
Hachiman: "Told ya. It's too much. Plus, it's like my skills are on display. I'm careful not to overstep, but still."
Hayahide: "Why not talk to the Chairman or Tazuna-dono? They'd be more helpful than me."
Hachiman: "Yeah. I'll also ask for 30% of the instructors' salaries."
Hayahide: "That's a bit tyrannical…"
Half the effort's mine—maybe 70%?
Hallway
Venting to Hayahide helped, but now what? Tomorrow's menu is set, and I don't need new ones. No napping for me either…
Bakushin-O: "Well, well! It's Trainer-san!!"
Hachiman: "Hm?"
Bourbon: "Hello, Trainer."
Rice: "Hi, Onii-sama."
Hachiman: "Yo, rare trio. You guys close?"
Bakushin-O: "Close? We're same-year, same-class comrades! And I'm the class president!! Proud puff"
Oh, same year? Didn't know that. I knew Rice and Bourbon were tight, but nice.
Bourbon: "What were you doing here, Trainer?"
Hachiman: "Nothing much. Training's off today, so I'm free. But not desperate enough to make new menus or watch extra sessions."
Bakushin-O: "I see! But if you're free, why not watch someone's training? Learning other Uma Musume's styles could be good!"
Hachiman: "…You asking me to watch your training?"
Rice: "B-Bakushin-O-san! That's too much!"
Bakushin-O: "No, no, not like that! With Trainer-san's skills, scouting would be a breeze!"
Hachiman: "I've already seen most Uma Musume run, so no need. Plus, I still get tons of those requests."
Bourbon: "Already got all the data? Impressive."
Bakushin-O: "Then how about us!? Want us as trainees!?"
…Honestly? Yeah, I do. Rice'd dominate long-distance, Bakushin-O's unmatched in sprints, and Bourbon's a short-distance star who's solid at mid-distance—maybe even long-distance someday.
Hachiman: "You've all got strengths—sprinter, stayer, all-rounder. My team's mid-distance focused, but if I could, I'd want all of you."
Bakushin-O: "Ohh!! Then—'No can do. Team size is capped.' …Ugh, limits."
Rice: "W-Well, if there was no limit, would you scout us?"
Hachiman: "Probably. But who knows when I'll get a team. Veteran trainers earned their spots through grind."
Bourbon: "And you're probably swamped with students chasing you."
Hachiman: "…Maybe I'll hold off on the team thing for a while."
Bourbon: "!?"
Bakushin-O: "Whoa!?"
Rice: "Fuee!?"
Afterword
Hachiman's day off isn't so restful in this Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! Swamped with menu requests and venting to Hayahide, he runs into the lively trio of Rice, Bakushin-O, and Bourbon. Their scouting hopes spark chaos as Fuji's arc rolls on!
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