Perspective: Hachiman
With the Fuyou Stakes looming less than a month away, Rice is training as hard as ever. She's putting in the work, certainly... but to be honest, the current situation feels underwhelming. She's executing the regimen I designed to the letter, but every plan has a ceiling. Unless we figure out how to unlock that final, pre-finish line burst, all her vaunted stamina will go to waste.
The question is: how do I polish Rice's legs?
What Rice lacks right now is explosive power. If she had that, she could display her true ability even on a heavy track, and—more importantly—she could propel herself decisively forward during the final spurt. Rice's running style is strictly that of a Leader; she runs at the front. If she intends to overtake the pack, that burst is non-negotiable. Furthermore, she needs enough speed to ensure she isn't swallowed up by those coming from behind.
It's a long list of demands, I know. But if we don't aim this high, winning is nothing more than a pipe dream.
That said, there is one area where Rice is fatally different from other horse girls. Her core strength.
Ever since I became her trainer, I've been obsessively analyzing her running posture, the swing of her arms, the mechanics of her legs, and even her stride length. It sounds obvious, sure... but putting that aside, Rice hasn't changed her running form a single time. Even when she shifts laterally to overtake an opponent, she makes absolutely no wasted movements. It's astonishing that she manages to execute maneuvers with only the bare minimum of motion required.
It's been six months since I took charge, yet I haven't needed to make a single correction. I'm genuinely impressed; she has ingrained her style into her body so thoroughly that it's become unconscious.
So, the problem remains: how do we graft raw speed and explosiveness onto that established style? What to do...
And on that note.
Rice: "Nnnh... mmm..." Zzz...
Hachiman: "Apparently she couldn't sleep last night, but what on earth was she doing? Well, there's no point forcing her to train when she's in bad shape. I'll let her rest for now."
Her roommate is Rob Roy, so I can't imagine they were up late doing anything crazy. That implies it was someone else in the dorm... but I can't quite picture who. The noisy ones in the Miho Dorm... Taiki? No, maybe El? Wait, are those two the only loud ones in the whole building?
Knock, knock, knock.
Hachiman: "Hm? Come in."
Cafe: "Excuse me... for interrupting."
Hachiman: "...This is a first. I didn't expect to see you here."
Cafe: "Yes, it is my first time. But somehow, it looked... comfortable, so I found myself coming in."
Hachiman: "...Is that really the only reason?"
Cafe: "No, not exactly. Rice-san is... fast asleep, it seems."
Hachiman: "Yeah. Apparently, she had trouble falling asleep last night. I didn't ask why, but did something happen?"
Cafe: "...Actually, I told a few ghost stories."
Ah. I get it now.
She was too terrified by the stories to sleep. It's not hard to imagine... and Rob Roy doesn't seem like the type who handles horror well, either.
Hachiman: "So that's how this happened..."
Cafe: "Yes. Rice-san and Rob Roy-san had such vivid reactions that I became a little worried and came to check on them. But it appears she is fine for now."
Hachiman: "Well, she can't train effectively while sleep-deprived anyway. Thanks for coming by, though."
Cafe: "No need... Oh, that reminds me, Trainer-san. I haven't had the chance to ask you before, but... do you enjoy making us students call you 'Brother'?"
Hachiman: "...I'm not making you do anything. You horse girls started calling me that on your own."
Cafe: "Fufufu... I am joking. I know well enough that you aren't that sort of person, Trainer-san."
Hachiman: "That's good to hear. So, where is your 'Friend' right now? Not here with you?"
Cafe: "If you mean my Friend, they are currently undergoing punishment in Tachyon-san's laboratory."
Hachiman: "Punishment?"
Cafe: "Yes. They made my collection glow a strange color again. I do not know exactly what Tachyon-san intends to do, but I am certain they will not escape unscathed."
Hachiman: "Hey, hey, is your personal space going to be okay? You share a room with her, don't you?"
Cafe: "...For some reason, there is never any collateral damage."
Is that some kind of psychic ghost power?
Cafe: "...Continuing our previous conversation, perhaps it would be better if I addressed you as 'Brother' as well—"
Hachiman: "Stop, please. Just stick to the usual."
Cafe: "...Is that so? Very well. Trainer-san it is."
Hachiman: "Yeah, I'd appreciate that... By the way, since you're here, want some coffee? I have snacks, too."
Cafe: "! ...Yes, please!"
Hachiman: "Alright, give me a second."
Her eyes changed color instantly... she's an easy one to read.
Hachiman: "Here you go."
Cafe: "Thank you very much. These sweets look delicious. Did you make these as well, Trainer-san?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, I bake every now and then."
Cafe: "Between the macarons from when we first met and these... you are a man of many talents, Trainer-san."
Hachiman: "For a trainer, maybe. If I didn't have to do it from the start, I probably wouldn't bother."
Cafe: "...What do you mean by that?"
Hachiman: "Don't worry about it; it's ancient history from before I became a trainer. Let me know if you want more coffee, I'll brew another cup."
Cafe: "...Onii-san."
Hachiman: "Oi. I told you to stop with the 'Brother' stuff."
Cafe: "But I believe this talent for looking after others is more than enough reason to want to call you that."
Hachiman: "...Is that why everyone does it?"
Maybe I should stop doing favors for people voluntarily?
Rice: "No good... Onii-sama..." Zzz...
...
The reason for the lack of sleep: Manhattan Cafe's ghost stories.
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