Rice's Perspective
H-hello, everyone. My name is Rice Shower... Um, usually at this time, I'd be right in the middle of a training session, but the Chairwoman called Big Brother to her office, so I'm waiting for him here in the club room. I don't know why she wanted to see him, but since it's Big Brother, I'm sure it's for something good. Still... what if it's about me? What if I did something wrong?
"Being all alone is a little lonely, isn't it?" I murmured to the empty room.
"Yeah, totally. I get like that too when I'm on my own," a voice chirped.
"Yeah, exactly... Wait, fueh!? S-C.B.-san!? What are you doing here!?"
Mr. C.B. stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe. "I was just thinking that I haven't hung out with Hachiman much lately. Besides, you guys have been training off-campus most of the time, right? I wanted to see him, but since you weren't around, I didn't know what to do with myself."
"A-ah... I see..."
"Say, Rice-chan," C.B. said, stepping closer with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Has Big Brother said anything to you? You know, about a team or anything like that?"
"A team? N-no, I haven't heard anything."
"I see... Haaah, I wonder when I'll finally get to be one of Hachiman's trainees?"
I knew C.B.-san had been joining our training sessions quite often lately, but... so that's what it was. She really wanted Big Brother to be her official trainer.
"Rice, can't you put in a good word for me?" C.B. pressed. "I'm dead serious about wanting him as my trainer."
"U-um... well..."
Click.
"Sorry I'm late, Rice... Oh, you're here too, C.B.?"
"I missed you, so I came to find you!" C.B. beamed. "So, Hachiman? What was the meeting about?"
Hachiman sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "...Alright, Rice. Let's get started. We need to make up for the lost time."
"Hey! Hachiman! Don't ignore me!" C.B. cried, immediately latching onto his arm.
"You're a nuisance. Let go. Rice's training takes priority right now."
"Um... Big Brother?" I interjected softly. "I'm actually a little curious myself... why the Chairwoman called for you."
"..."
Oh no... Big Brother has that look on his face. He looks troubled... Is it something really difficult to talk about?
"...Fine. I'll be straight with you," Hachiman said, his voice dropping an octave. "The Chairwoman brought up the expansion proposal again. It seems my recent track record—five graded wins, including G1s, plus Rice winning the Best Horse Girl award for her Classic year—was the final straw. I've been issued an official order to increase my roster. As of today, I'm authorized to handle up to three trainees, Rice included."
"R-really!?" I gasped. "Congratulations, Big Brother! That's incredible, isn't it?"
"...Well, the veteran trainers told me they've never seen a roster expansion happen this early in someone's career," he admitted.
"That's so amazing!" My eyes were practically sparkling.
Hachiman's internal monologue:
(It's too bright... Rice's gaze of pure admiration is blinding. But right now, there's another source of light even more intense than Rice—one I unfortunately just gave the green light to.)
"—!!" C.B. was vibrating, her eyes glowing with a terrifying intensity.
"Anyway," Hachiman continued, trying to look anywhere but at C.B., "that's the situation. I'll start looking at potential candidates soon and—"
"Hachiman?"
"—I'll watch some trial runs and decide—"
"Hachiman?"
"...What?"
"I want to be your trainee!" C.B. declared.
"Look, I need to consider other horse girls as well—"
"I! Want! To! Be! Your! Trainee!"
Wait... so Big Brother was hesitant because he knew C.B.-san would react like this? She looks so desperate!
"Listen, I'm not—" Hachiman started, but he recoiled as she leaned in. "Whoa! Don't get so close!"
C.B. didn't move. She just stared at him with unblinking intensity. Staaaaare...
"Look, I want to carefully weigh my options. I can't just decide on a whim."
Knock, knock, knock.
"Who is it now? Come in," Hachiman called out.
"Forgive the intrusion, Brother... Ah, it seems C.B. has already cornered you," Symboli Rudolf said as she entered.
"Yeah, and as you can see, I'm in a bit of a mess."
"Fufu, you look completely overwhelmed," Rudolf noted with a small smile. "Now, Brother... I would also like to become your trainee. You are the only one who stands on the same horizon as I; therefore, you are the only one I wish to lead me. What do you say?"
T-there's another one!!?
"...Rice, let's go to the—"
"Brother, I would like an answer immediately," Rudolf interrupted.
"Not right now, I need to train with Rice—"
"Hachiman! I want an answer now, too!" C.B. chimed in.
"You two..."
"Hachiman!" C.B. barked.
"Brother!" Rudolf countered.
"Hachiman!"
"Brother!"
"Hachiman!"
"Brother!"
"H-H-H-H-Hachiman! What's your answer!!?" C.B. shouted, leaning in so far they were almost nose-to-nose.
Hachiman's internal monologue:
(So loud...)
"Look, for now, the matter is under inves—"
""Hah?"" They both glared at him with terrifying synchronization.
Hachiman withered under the dual pressure of two Triple Crown winners. "...You guys aren't going to leave me alone until I say 'yes,' are you?"
"Yep! (Of course.)" They answered in perfect harmony.
"Don't look so proud of yourselves," Hachiman sighed. "And Rudolf, you're the Student Council President! You shouldn't be the one leading a mob!"
"I had no choice," Rudolf said regally. "This was a golden opportunity while the others were still unaware. I had to take it."
"Exactly!" C.B. added. "I wasn't about to let this chance slip through my fingers!"
"Haaaaah... Fine. Fine! I'll take you both. Just... let me get back to Rice's training before the sun goes down."
"Oh? Was that what was worrying you?" Rudolf asked, her expression softening. "I apologize for the delay. Forgive me, Rice Shower."
"Sorry, Rice!" C.B. chirped. "We were just in a bit of a 'do or die' situation!"
"I-it's okay..." I stammered.
Oh no... poor Big Brother. It's my fault for asking why he was called to the office... I'm so sorry, Big Brother!
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