Hachiman's POV
Three weeks until the Derby.
Rice has finally moved out of her high-intensity training phase and into the final adjustment period. Having taken second in the Satsuki Sho, her spot at the starting gate is guaranteed, and the pressure is mounting. Meanwhile, I've noticed a strange surge of activity among the student body. Something is happening under the surface.
I've tried asking around, but the answers I get are always suspiciously vague. It's obvious that something big is being orchestrated, but I can't tell if it's a territory I should be stepping into. Normally, I'd just ask Rice, but with the biggest race of her life coming up, I don't want to clutter her mind with academy politics.
The most obvious sign, however, is the Student Council. Rudolf and the others are definitely the ones pulling the strings. They've been going around interviewing Horse Girls—trainees and unassigned alike—about the specific traits and behaviors of their trainers. I don't know which specific trainers they're targeting, but they're definitely hunting. As long as it doesn't interfere with my work, I suppose I don't care.
"So… why you guys today?" I sighed, looking around the table. "Why does it feel like someone is always competing for the seat next to me lately? There are plenty of other empty tables in the cafeteria."
"Now, now, don't be like that," Mejiro McQueen said, delicately dabbing her lips with a napkin. "Is it so wrong for us to share a meal? A little social exchange is vital for a healthy academy life."
"Exactly!" Mejiro Palmer added with a grin. "Don't be so prickly, Brother. Just relax and eat."
"Palmer is right, Brother," Mejiro Ardan added softly. "Let's just enjoy the meal as we always do."
"Actually, this is the first time I've shared a table with you, Brother! It feels really fresh," Mejiro Ryan said, her eyes bright with energy. "Don't you think so, Dober? Bright?"
"I suppose it is quite a rare occasion," Mejiro Bright hummed in her usual airy tone.
"I mean… yeah. I guess," Mejiro Dober muttered, looking away.
So, here I am. Having lunch with the elite daughters of the Mejiro family. It feels… well, it feels like someone took a handful of common weeds and tossed them into a meticulously groomed flower garden. That's me. The weed.
Oh, what about Rice? Don't be stupid. Rice isn't a weed. She's a blue rose. I'm the only weed here, and I'm perfectly fine with that. Who am I even trying to act tough for?
"Brother!" Ryan leaned in. "Do you think we can win the Derby this time? Rice, can I ask what you think too?"
"H-hyaii?!" Rice squeaked, startled by the sudden attention.
"We're on track," I answered for her. "Conditioning is smooth. All that's left is the tactical fine-tuning. The competition is fierce, but Rice is stronger than she was last month."
"Ooh, I like the sound of that," Palmer said. "So, Rice? How are you feeling? Give us the scoop."
Rice took a deep breath, her eyes shimmering with a quiet, steely resolve. "Um… I'm confident. I lost at the Satsuki Sho, so I really want to make sure I'm the one standing in the winner's circle at the Derby."
"That's the spirit!" Palmer cheered.
"Fufu. It seems this year's Derby will be a spectacle to remember," McQueen noted.
"...By the way," I said, setting my chopsticks down. "Can I ask you one thing?"
"What is it, Brother?" Ryan asked.
"Is there any chance of you guys stopping with that nickname?"
I know, I know—I'm a bit late to the party on this. But it's not exactly a small matter to me. All these prestigious young ladies calling me 'Brother' or 'Onii-sama.' There are a few who don't, but they're becoming a endangered species at this point.
"Oh… do you really hate it that much?" Ryan asked, her shoulders dropping. "I can go back to calling you 'Trainer-san' like I used to, if you want…"
"I actually think it's quite charming," Palmer said, resting her chin on her hand. "Calling you 'Onii' feels… right, somehow. Very approachable."
"Actually," Mejiro Bright interjected with a sly smile, "Dober-san has been secretly practicing how to say it in private."
"B-Bright! Shut up!" Dober's face turned a spectacular shade of crimson. "Don't say weird things! That was a joke! A total joke!"
"Yeah, yeah… whatever," I sighed, rubbing my temples. "If you don't want to stop, fine. I guess I'll just have to live with it. I've reached the point of total resignation."
"My," McQueen giggled. "So it really wasn't the trainer who encouraged it, after all."
"Of course not. Why would I invite that kind of headache? Though… I suppose it's had the side effect of making everyone trust me more, for whatever reason."
"I think the name suits you, Brother," Ardan said, her voice like silk. "It feels… like who you are."
"I'm not sure I like what that implies about me," I muttered. "But fine. There's one more thing I want to ask."
"Oh? More than one question?" Bright teased.
"Last one, I swear. Are you guys… planning something with Rudolf and the Student Council?"
That was the real question. I couldn't ignore the intuition any longer. Asking it in front of Rice was risky, but this was the only chance I had to catch them together.
Ardan's smile didn't falter, but her eyes took on a knowing glint. "...It's a secret."
"..."
The table went quiet.
It was clear they had no intention of talking. But their refusal to deny it was an answer in itself.
"I see. So you're not talking."
"You're as sharp as ever, Brother," Ardan said gently. "It's simply that we'd prefer it if you didn't look too closely at this particular matter just yet."
"I figure it has something to do with the Student Council's investigation into the trainers," I said. "But given that the Mejiro family is involved, I assume it's not anything malicious. Fine. I won't pry anymore."
"We appreciate your understanding," Ardan said.
"Yeah, whatever… by the way, Rice. Your lunch looked a little light today, didn't it?"
"Eh? Oh, um… just a little bit compared to usual. But I'm fine! I won't complain," Rice said bravely.
"I see…" I stood up and walked away toward the counter.
The Mejiro girls watched me with puzzled expressions. I knew a little incentive would go a long way with this group. Especially with a certain "Queen of Sweets" at the table.
I returned a moment later carrying a plate. "I made a Soufflé Cheesecake this morning. I'll cut it however you like, so don't be shy."
Rice's eyes went wide. "Whoa… a soufflé?! It looks so fluffy and amazing!"
"You can have the first slice," I said.
"I-is that okay?"
"I made it for you, didn't I?" I said, intentionally glancing toward the others.
Ardan's eyes locked onto the cake. "Oh, my…"
"Wow, that looks incredible," Ryan whispered.
"It looks like a cloud," Bright added.
"Wait, you made this yourself? The quality is insane!" Palmer pulled out her phone. "I have to send a pic of this to Helios! #Gains #CakeLife!" Click!
"...Wow," Dober breathed.
"H-hawaaa~!" McQueen's eyes were practically sparkling.
Hook, line, and sinker.
"So, Rice? You want to do the honors?"
"M-mhm! How should I cut it…?" Rice pondered, looking at the cake with pure adoration.
She could have eaten the whole thing herself, but Rice isn't the type to be greedy.
[Bonus Scene]
McQueen: "Trainer-san! Would you… perhaps be willing to make one for me as well?!"
Hachiman: "Sure. If you're okay with something incredibly rich and high-calorie."
McQueen: "H-how cruel!!"
Hachiman: "If you want dessert, go order something from the menu."
McQueen: "But… I cannot have a piece of that one?!"
Hachiman: "That one belongs to Rice."
Rice: "Um… McQueen-san? Do you want some?"
McQueen: "MAY I?! TRULY?!" Sparkle sparkle.
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