Hachiman's POV
The entrance ceremony's over, and the new students are probably in orientation now. Air Groove and Fuji are training with Tojo-san. I was supposed to oversee them, but the chairman called me in. At this timing? Weird, but I let it slide. I figured she'd be swamped with other stuff post-ceremony, so why summon me?
Knock knock knock
Hachiman: "Trainer Hikigaya here."
Akikawa: "Welcome! Come in!!"
Hachiman: "Excuse me."
Tazuna: "Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule, Hachiman Trainer. We have important news."
Hachiman: "…Alright."
Tazuna: "Chairman, please."
Akikawa: "Ahem, official order!! Hachiman Hikigaya, you are hereby promoted to team trainer and tasked with managing at least five Uma Musume by the end of this month!!"
Hachiman: "…Me, a team?"
Akikawa: "Given your achievements, it's only natural!! Your trainees have won the Triple Tiara, the Autumn Senior Triple Crown, two Junior Outstanding Awards, one Classic and one Senior Outstanding Award, and two Horse of the Year titles!! You've earned the Outstanding Trainer Award twice in just three years!! Even the URA headquarters says it's a waste to keep you as a regular trainer!!"
Hachiman: "…"
Akikawa: "So!! Starting today—effective immediately with the entrance ceremony—you'll be a team trainer, wielding your skills for the Uma Musume!!"
Hachiman: "Chairman, a question."
Akikawa: "Granted!!"
Hachiman: "If I become a team trainer, how should I choose the Uma Musume? I'm getting reverse-scouted left and right, so I could pick anyone…"
Tazuna: "On that note, excluding Air Groove-san and Fuji Kiseki-san, we'd like you to recruit five more. Select one for each aptitude: short-distance, mile, mid-distance, long-distance, and dirt."
Hachiman: "Got it… Anyone's fine? No need for new students?"
Tazuna: "We'd prefer at least one new student. Otherwise, it might look like you're favoring only certain girls."
Hachiman: "…Understood. Five recruits by month's end, right?"
Akikawa: "Expectations high!! It's a big task, but do your best!! That's all from me!!"
Tazuna: "Oh, and Hachiman Trainer, you'll need a team name when forming it, so don't forget!"
Hachiman: "No worries, I've already got one in mind."
Hallway
Hachiman: "A team, huh… Five more besides Air Groove and Fuji, so seven total. And at least one freshman. Man, they're asking a lot."
If this goes public, I'll be swarmed. Please, Chairman, don't announce I'm a team trainer! If you must, stick a single A4 sheet somewhere discreet—somewhere nobody notices!!
Hachiman: "Guess I'll talk to those two first. Maybe they know some good Uma Musume."
Training Course
Hachiman: "Sorry for the wait."
Tojo: "No big deal. A chairman's summons is unavoidable. Your two girls are something else, though. We ran a mock race, and even my Maruzen and the others only win less than half the time."
Hachiman: "I didn't raise them to go down easy. They're undefeated for a reason. A loss might teach them something, but when?"
Tojo: "Don't jinx it. So, what'd the chairman want?"
Hachiman: "It's awkward if the Uma Musume overhear, so I'll whisper."
Tojo: "? Alright."
Hachiman: "I'm a team trainer now." whisper
Tojo: "Finally, huh?"
Hachiman: "Finally…?"
Tojo: "With your record, I thought it'd happen sooner. Well, it's deserved. Congrats."
Hachiman: "Thanks."
Air Groove: "Hachiman, you're back."
Hachiman: "Yeah, sorry for dipping out."
Fuji: "No need to apologize, it happens."
Hachiman: "Since we're here, let's train with Tojo-san today. Team Rygil, I'll be watching you alongside Tojo-san, so be ready."
I'll talk to those two in the clubroom after training. It'll be calmer there.
CB: "Hachiman I wanna join too♪"
Hachiman: "The stray's back… Tojo-san, can CB join?"
Tojo: "Fine, but you're handling her. You let her in."
Hachiman: "…Yes, ma'am."
Afterword
Hachiman's promoted to team trainer, a huge step in this Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! The pressure to recruit five new Uma Musume, including a freshman, looms large, while Air Groove, Fuji, and CB keep the energy high. What's the team name? Who'll join? Fuji's arc races on!
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