Rice's POV
"So, everything is going smoothly for you then, Bourbon-san?" I asked.
"Yes," Mihono Bourbon replied, her voice as precise as ever. "I am confident that I can achieve a positive result at the Spring Stakes. And what about your own preparations for the Yayoi Sho, Rice-san? Is your conditioning proceeding according to schedule?"
I nodded, feeling a small swell of pride. "Mhm, it's going well. I'm starting to feel really confident about the Yayoi Sho too!"
"I am glad to hear that," she said, the slight softening of her expression the only sign of her relief.
We were sitting together in the classroom, chatting quietly. Since we'd both moved into the final adjustment phase for our next trial races, it was all we could think about. During our visit to the shrine on New Year's Day, I'd promised Bourbon-san that we would face each other in the Satsuki Sho. I knew I couldn't afford to lose a single step before then.
"Wait, wait, wait! If it isn't Rice-san and Bourbon-san! Good morning! Let us give it our absolute best today as well!"
A whirlwind of energy burst into our conversation. It was Sakura Bakushin O, radiating her usual blinding enthusiasm.
"Good morning to you both!" Machikane Tannhauser added, trailing behind her with a cheerful wave.
"Bakushin O-san, Tannhauser-san—good morning!" I greeted them.
"Good morning," Bourbon-san echoed.
"It sounds like you were discussing the Classics!" Bakushin O declared, her eyes sparkling. "I intend to participate as well, so let us all work hard together!"
"O-Oh, definitely!" I stammered. Internally, I couldn't help but worry. Wait, isn't Bakushin O-san a short-distance specialist? The Classics might be a bit of a stretch for her...
Bourbon-san, ever polite, didn't miss a beat. "Yes, let's do our best. Since you and Tannhauser-san are entered in the same race as I am, I look forward to competing with you."
"Ready and raring!" Tannhauser chirped. "I lost to you back at the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, but I won't let that happen again!"
"Aha! The spirit of competition is heating up!" Bakushin O struck a pose. "In that case, let us dash forward with full bakushin spirit! To the track, post-haste!"
"B-Bakushin O-san, wait!" I called out, reaching a hand after her. "Class is about to start! You can't go to the track now!"
Aside from me, everyone here was preparing for the Spring Stakes. I was the only one taking the Yayoi Sho route to the Satsuki Sho. I felt a tiny, nagging sting of isolation—like I was walking a path separate from my friends—but I shook it off. As long as everything went well, we would all meet at the starting gate for the Satsuki Sho.
— Lunch Break, Cafeteria —
"I wonder where Big Brother is...?"
I scanned the crowded cafeteria, my eyes searching for a familiar head of messy hair.
"Rice, who are you looking for?"
"Um, I'm looking for Big Brother... Eek!" I let out a tiny squeak as the very person I was looking for appeared right beside me.
"Whoa, easy there," Hachiman said, steadying a tray. "I almost sent your lunch flying. I'm always in the same spot, you know? You don't have to go on a search party for me every day."
"Ehehe... I just find myself looking for you without thinking," I murmured, ducking my head. "And sorry for jumping like that."
"Don't worry about it. More importantly, let's find a seat and eat. If we wait any longer, the rush will take all the good spots."
"Right!"
We found a quiet corner and settled in. Ever since my debut race, Big Brother has made lunch for me every single day. It's always so delicious that I'm constantly worried I'll overeat, but he always prepares just enough to leave me perfectly full and happy.
Today's meal is amazing too! I thought, feeling a little hum of joy.
Hachiman let out a short, dry chuckle. "Heh... you really do look like you're enjoying that."
"Is it that obvious? It's just... it's really tasty."
"Glad to hear it."
I looked at him, realizing how hard he works behind the scenes. "But are you sure you have time for this, Big Brother? Don't you have a lot of work to do, like planning training menus and things?"
"To be honest, I think I work a bit too fast for my own good. I'm actually ahead of schedule, so I've got plenty of breathing room," he explained, leaning back. "Besides, I don't plan on changing your core menu for now. It's more efficient to stay the course. I tweak the intensity, but the fundamental structure remains the same."
"Oh... I see. I thought the training was changing a little every day, but it's actually all part of the same foundation."
"Well, it's not exactly the same," he clarified.
Even so, I knew he put so much thought into it. To help me gain speed, he constantly varied the drills so I wouldn't get bored. But that made me wonder... where did he get all these ideas?
"Hey, Big Brother?"
"Yeah? What is it, Rice?"
"How do you come up with all those different training methods?"
Hachiman looked thoughtful for a second. "Books, watching what the seniors do... but mostly just everyday movements, hobbies, and games."
"Games? You find training in games?"
"You'd be surprised. There are plenty of 'old-fashioned' games that people have forgotten which are actually goldmines for physical conditioning. For example, you know what Tag is, right?"
"Mhm, of course."
"Then have you ever heard of Spider Tag?"
I tilted my head. "...Spider... Tag?"
"I figured as much. Simply put, it's a game of Tag played on all fours. The 'it' person crawls like a bear, and the people running away have to move in a reverse-crawl—belly up, hands and feet on the ground. It's best played in a confined space. The key is moving your limbs in sync. It's great for building arm and leg strength as well as stamina, though the downside is you can't really do it alone."
"Wow...!" I was genuinely impressed.
"There's also Cat and Mouse or Cross Tag," he continued, his eyes taking on that analytical glint I admired. "I know a bunch of them. You can learn a lot from traditional play. You build explosive power, endurance, flexibility, and reflexes. It even helps with balance—or what trainers call 'core stability.' That's why a lot of my training comes from old games."
"So... if more people joined your training sessions, we could all train while playing games?"
Hachiman shrugged. "I suppose. It's not impossible."
Wait, that means training could actually be fun! The idea was incredible.
I looked at him, feeling a warm glow of admiration. As I thought—Big Brother really is amazing. He's always thinking so far ahead for my sake.
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