Hachiman's POV
Arrow: "Huff… huff… huff…"
Hachiman: "…"
Arrow: "Huff… huff… phew!!"
Her short-distance is decent, but her mile-to-mid-distance performance is stellar. Definitely suited for mile to mid-distance, with a closer or chaser style. Her speed surge in the final stretch is unreal—like an arrow.
Arrow: "Ha… ha… How was it?"
Hachiman: "…Better than I expected. Not many Uma Musume can pull off that kind of chase on dirt. You've got great legs."
Arrow: "T-Thank you!"
Hachiman: "Alright, the others are wrapping up soon. Stretch a bit, then cool down. You've been running short, mile, and mid-distance non-stop."
Arrow: "Got it."
Gotta scout her. Didn't expect that level of talent. But why hasn't anyone picked her up? Sure, dirt's less glamorous than turf, but she'd shine in local races. This is Central Tresen, though—local races might get you labeled as "second-rate" by the elitists.
Hachiman: "Now, I'll—"
CB: "Hachimaaan♪"
Hachiman: "…CB."
CB: "So, how was Arrow?"
Hachiman: "She runs well. Hard to believe no one's scouted her."
CB: "Right? But it's actually super simple."
Hachiman: "Oh? What's that?"
CB: "Her running's great—you saw it, I knew you would. But you know how dirt races are, right? Chasing's tough, and even closing is iffy. No matter how good her runs were, her aptitude and style kept trainers away."
Hachiman: "…"
CB: "She was struggling with it. Tried boosting her aptitude, even trained on turf. But you can't change your core ability… You get how hard it is to shift aptitude, right?"
Hachiman: "Yeah…"
CB: "So, she half-gave up. There was a rumor about a rare dirt chaser, but that's it. They said she'd never catch up before the finish. Trainers and instructors told her that."
That explains her half-resigned eyes…
CB: "Hey, Hachiman, I recommended her for her talent, sure, but there's another reason."
Hachiman: "…What's that?"
Later
Hachiman: "Good work, we're done for today."
Air Groove: "Yeah. So, Hachiman, what's next?"
Hachiman: "Huh? What?"
Fuji: "Duh, Wing Arrow's situation."
Arrow: "Me?"
Fuji: "Yup. We're curious. This team's our business too, you know."
Hachiman: "…Fair point."
Air Groove: "So, what's your call?"
Hachiman: "…"
Arrow: "Um, Trainer, you don't have to overthink it. If it's about scouting, I'll pass."
Air Groove: "What?"
Fuji: "Huh!?"
Arrow: "It's fine. There are better Uma Musume out there. Pick them instead."
…Was just thinking of how to say it, geez.
Arrow: "I'll take my leave—'Hold on, you're bailing without hearing me out?' …I mean, you're thinking the same as other trainers, right?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, I thought it. Chasing on dirt's tough, especially on tracks with short straights."
Arrow: "Exactly. So—'But that shallow reasoning won't change my mind.' …Huh?"
Hachiman: "CB told me about your time here. Wish I hadn't heard. I don't know who those instructors or trainers were, but they're trash for dismissing an Uma Musume's potential like that. Pisses me off… But you're no different."
Arrow: "…Me?"
Hachiman: "Those resigned eyes bug me. Tell me you didn't run today half-expecting rejection, half-giving up. Was CB and I wrong about you?"
Arrow: "N-No! I wasn't giving up—'Then why the hell do you look like that?' I-I… it's…"
Hachiman: "You ran knowing you'd get rejected, didn't you? Or maybe you thought your style would get you turned down?"
Arrow: "…"
Hachiman: "Nailed it, huh… If chasing's all you've got, make it your weapon. Own it—it's all you have. Right now, you're a dull arrow, sitting there, unable to hit the mark no matter how well you fly. You're trapped in your own shell. I'll turn that dull arrow into a master blade." slap
I placed the team contract on the desk.
Hachiman: "That piece of paper's your first and last chance. Decide now: stay dull or become an arrow that overtakes anyone."
Arrow: "…You're… really giving me this?"
Hachiman: "Hm?"
Arrow: "You'll really change me? Someone like me…?"
Hachiman: "That's up to you. If you're serious about winning and changing, I'll stick with you to the end—as long as you don't quit on me."
Arrow: "…"
Air Groove: "No need to overthink. Just choose: join or don't. No one's judging. But this is your turning point."
Arrow: "…"
And so, Arrow wrote "Wing Arrow" in the dirt slot.
Arrow: "Trainer, make me strong!!"
Hachiman: "Yeah, you got it."
Thus, Wing Arrow claimed the dirt slot on my team.
Bonus
CB: "Hey, Hachiman, I recommended her for her talent, sure, but there's another reason."
Hachiman: "…What's that?"
CB: "She's been put down by trainers, instructors, even other dirt Uma Musume. It's made her doubt herself. I know her skill's real, so, Hachiman…"
Hachiman: "…"
CB: "Please… help Arrow."
Hachiman: "…She's already my pick, so no worries there. The rest depends on how it plays out."
CB: "…Thanks."
Hachiman: "Yeah, I don't wanna let her slip away either."
That's the conversation we had.
Afterword
Wing Arrow seizes her last chance, joining Hachiman's team in this intense Yahari x Uma Musume chapter! CB's heartfelt plea and Hachiman's fiery resolve to transform Arrow's potential shine, while Fuji and Air Groove back him up. The team's set—Fuji's arc races toward the Satsuki Sho!
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