Perspective: Hachiman
Rice: "♪~ Even so, everything you make is delicious, Oniisama! Why does it always turn out so tasty?"
Hachiman: "Well, I had cooking drilled into me back in college. If the teacher wasn't convinced, I had to remake the whole thing from scratch. And if they weren't satisfied with the taste, they'd take one bite, end the evaluation, and make me eat the rest. It was spartan."
Rice: "Th-That sounds like a really intense teacher..."
Hachiman: "Yeah. But thanks to that, I'm able to make food like this."
Oguri: "Ah, truly, it is very delicious. This flavor... it really resembles the taste of the food people made back in my hometown. It feels like I could keep eating it forever, yet I get full so quickly. It's a waste to stop..."
Hachiman: "Honestly, I almost want to ask why you're even here, but whatever. Still, Rice... I thought this before, but you really can eat. I intended to make quite a few rice balls, but they're already gone."
Rice: "Because you made them for me, Oniisama! It would be a waste to leave any leftovers!"
Did you hear that just now? That was basically a roundabout way of saying she has no intention of ever leaving food on her plate! Man, she really is a good girl.
Hachiman: "I'm happy to hear you say that, Rice." (Pat, pat)
Rice: "Ehehe~... Thank you, Oniisama." (Bounce, bounce)
Hachiman: "This much is no big deal. Besides, I'm doing it because I like to. Managing my charge's physical condition and health is part of my job, in a sense. I don't think you'd ever neglect that sort of thing, Rice, but I want to do whatever I can."
Rice: "But are you sure? Making lunch twice a week... even though you're so busy, Oniisama."
As Rice just mentioned, I've made it a rule to cook lunch for her twice a week. I already stated the reasons earlier so I'll skip them, but if I were to give one more reason, it's to keep my skills from getting rusty. When I first got here, I wasn't cooking at all, and I realized that was bad news. So, I decided to cook: 30% for my own sake, and 70% for my charge. Of course, since health is the priority, I try to keep it balanced.
Plus, Rice has never left a single scrap since I started making these, so I can rest easy on that front. Well, today we have an uninvited guest, but I suppose it's fine. I felt like I made a bit too much anyway, so let's just say she showed up at the perfect time.
Hachiman: "Don't worry about that. This is for my sake, too. If I don't cook at least a little, my skills will drop. It's partly to maintain my ability. Sorry if it feels like I'm using you for that..."
Rice: "No, not at all! Actually, thank you for making such delicious food, Oniisama! But, but... if you ever want to stop, please tell me, okay?"
Hachiman: "If that day comes, sure."
Oguri: "Trainer, I find this delicious enough that I would like you to make it every day."
Hachiman: "Unfortunately, this is a one-time thing."
Oguri: "W-What..."
Hachiman: "It only happened this way because I made too much this time. Unless something like this happens again, don't expect it."
Oguri: "No... Is it... absolutely impossible?"
Hachiman: "Rice is my only charge. Besides, food costs aren't free. I'm managing right now because it's just one portion for Rice, but adding another person is a different story."
Rice: "R-Rice will p—"
Hachiman: "You don't have to pay, remember? I told you, I'm doing this because I want to."
Rice: "I-Is that really it?"
Hachiman: "Besides, if you leave good results in your upcoming debut race, the money will come in. So there's no need to worry."
Rice: "Oniisama, you aren't living on bean sprouts, are you?"
Hachiman: "I'm not living some poverty-stricken life like that, so relax. I have money, and I'm eating proper meals. So don't look at me with those abandoned puppy eyes."
I really am eating properly. It's not a lie!
Rice: "If that's true, then okay..."
Oguri: "You must eat properly, you know?"
Hachiman: "I told you, I am. Do I look like I'm wasting away to you right now?"
Oguri: "Mu... Now that you mention it, I suppose not."
Hachiman: "Actually, if we're talking about living on bean sprouts, you seem more like the type, Rice."
Rice: "Eh?"
Hachiman: "This is just a vague impression, but you seem like the type who gets so absorbed in something that you can't stop. The type who won't stop until someone makes you."
Rice: "I-I don't really know about that myself..."
Hachiman: "Well, it's just a 'what if.' You might end up messing something up without even realizing it."
Rice: "Fweh?! Oniisama, don't say scary things!"
Hachiman: "Just a joke. Anyway, hand me the dishes when you're done. I want to wash them quickly."
Rice: "Ah, okay!"
Oguri: "Yes, let's do that."
Since we were already near the end of the meal, we finished eating a few minutes after that conversation. I wonder why, though... the gazes from around us bothered me a little. We were just eating lunch normally... Oh well.
Now then, I need to rethink today's menu a bit.
Hachiman: "Good luck with your afternoon classes."
Oguri: "Yes. Thank you for the meal today."
Rice: "See you after school, Oniisama."
Hachiman: "Yeah, see you after school."
Next time: Rice's Debut Race!
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