Hachiman's POV
Rice and I have wasted no time dwelling on the loss at the Satsuki Sho. We've dove headfirst back into training, with a heavy emphasis on stamina. Looking ahead to the Kikka Sho at the end of the year, I know that a strategy centered on her endurance is where her true potential lies.
That's why the drill I have Rice… well, all of them doing right now is…
"Okay, second lap finished! Next is… this one!" Rice pulled a slip of paper from the box, her eyes widening. "Wh-what?! 'Full sprint on the backstretch, jog the final straight'?!"
"Phew… I'm done," Zenno Rob Roy exhaled softly, reaching for her own slip. "Then I'll take… this. The instructions are… 'Corner spurt, jogging for the rest.' I-I see… that's quite the change in rhythm."
"I'm back!" Mr. CB chirped, sliding to a halt and grabbing a paper without looking. "Let's see the next challenge… Whoa, 'One full lap on the extreme outside'? That's actually pretty cruel, Hachiman!"
"Done," Symboli Rudolf said, her breathing remarkably steady. "Next. Hmm… 'Attach two-kilogram weights to each limb for one lap.' You've prepared some truly rigorous options, Brother."
I'd implemented a new "Randomized Course" drill. As you can see, they're all running completely different patterns based on the luck of the draw. The rule is three slips per person, and then they're done. Anything more than three laps of this would put way too much strain on their legs.
— Five Minutes Later —
"Alright, everyone's hydrated? Good. Next is the cool-down: two laps of light running. I know you're tired of the track, but it's just a jog. Last push, let's go."
"Hachimaaan," CB sang out, leaning toward me. "Run with us?"
"If you're saying that while looking at what I'm wearing—and the fact that I'm a regular human—your personality is even more twisted than I thought," I deadpanned.
"Hmm, then next time, you should wear your gear and train with us! Then we can all do it together! Doesn't that sound great?" She beamed.
"And who exactly would be monitoring the training if I did that?"
"It's an amusing thought," Rudolf interjected, "but I must veto it. The training loses its meaning if Brother isn't observing. CB, let's go. Cool-down."
"Fine, fine," CB pouted.
"We're heading out then," Rice said. "Come on, Rob Roy-san."
"C-coming!"
I watched them go. Today, I'd asked Rudolf to participate as a "trial run." Including CB, who crashes my sessions as a hobby, and Rob Roy, whom I'd invited personally, I now had four girls on the track. Naturally, we were drawing a crowd. The trainers who had tried to scout CB earlier were watching me from a distance. Based on the glares they were sending my way, not a single one of them was feeling friendly.
After-practice is going to be a nightmare.
— The Clubroom —
"Today's session was incredibly meaningful, Brother," Rudolf said, wiping her brow with a towel.
"Glad you think so. From your perspective, how did the drill feel?"
"From a runner's standpoint, it forces a variety of movements. It makes you conscious of your form and pace transitions, not just your raw speed. However…" Rudolf paused, her sharp eyes meeting mine. "From a trainer's standpoint, isn't this drill nearly impossible to manage?"
As expected of the Student Council President. She spotted the flaw instantly.
"W-what do you mean?" Rob Roy asked, tilting her head.
"Today, the four of us were all performing different tasks simultaneously," Rudolf explained. "Which meant Brother had to track four different girls doing four different routines at once. Accurately monitoring multiple athletes across varied drills is a feat that borders on the impossible for one person."
"Oh! I see!" Rice exclaimed. "So Big Brother was…"
"I was mostly just catching the key data points," I admitted. "To do this properly, everyone would need to be on the same routine. Or, I'd need to split you into two-man cells—pairs. But I can't really manage that alone."
Bringing Rudolf in was definitely the right call. A Horse Girl who can analyze training both subjectively and objectively is a rare find. Aside from Rudolf, maybe Biwa Hayahide is the only one who could pull that off—at least among the ones I know.
"So, are we going to do the two-person teams from now on?" Rice asked.
"That's the plan. Assuming I ever get permission to take on a second trainee…"
"ME! Me, me, me! I volunteer!" CB shouted, her hand shooting into the air.
"…Right. Well, that's on hold for now. If I ever get a second—"
"Brother, I am also volunteering," Rudolf cut in smoothly. "Since I am the one who scouted you, it's only natural that you accept."
"…Like I said, pending further review."
I'll keep that thought to myself for now. If I get the green light for a second student, this training style will actually work. Until then, I should probably scale it back before I miss something critical.
"Hey, Hachiman," CB said, leaning into my personal space. "It's gonna be me, right? When the slot opens, you're scouting me, right? You are, aren't you? You have to!"
"Brother," Rudolf added, her tone regal but unyielding. "Coercion is unbecoming, CB. Besides, I have a standing reservation. Since I've already made my 'reverse-scout' offer, perhaps you should wait in line?"
"Order doesn't matter! Hachiman is the one who chooses, so your 'reservation' means nothing!"
"…"
"A-awa… awawa…" Rice stammered, looking back and forth between the two legends.
"We're… we're standing in the middle of a very intense situation, aren't we?" Rob Roy whispered, clutching her book to her chest.
"Rice… save me," I groaned.
"Eeeek?! No way! I-I can't! Rice isn't strong enough for this!"
"Relax, I'm joking," I sighed. Though, looking at the two of them, their offers certainly didn't feel like jokes.
"Oh, I'm dead serious," CB chirped with a wink.
"As am I," Rudolf added.
I need to end this meeting. Fast.
— After Training —
"So, Hachiman, Hachiman! It's me, right? When the second slot comes up, you're picking me? You'll scout me? You're definitely going to, right? Right?!"
"CB, please. Pressure is not the way to win a man's professional interest. Brother, as I've said, I am waiting for your answer to my proposal. You should consider the benefits of a formal partnership."
"The benefits are me! I'm the benefit!"
"…"
Why are they following me? Do they want a verbal commitment that badly?
Give me a break. I don't have the mental capacity to think about a second trainee right now. I have a Triple Crown to worry about! Go back to your dorms already!
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 30 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"