Fuji's POV
Fuji: "So, starting next month, Hachiman-san's moving back to his own place!"
Hachiman: "Yeah, it's been about four months, and things have settled down. I planned to stay at the Mejiro estate until then."
Ardan: "It's a bit sad not to wake up with Anii-sama, but you have your own life, so it can't be helped."
CB: "Bet Ardan tried to stop you, huh~?"
Air Groove: "I can picture it."
Ardan: "I did try, but Mac and Grandmother were the most insistent."
Air Groove: "What? Mejiro McQueen and the Mejiro matriarch?"
Ardan: "Yes. They loved the sweets—er, tea snacks—Hachiman-san made for breakfast and tea time. Grandmother even offered a contract to pay him to come weekly and make desserts."
Fuji: "…That's intense, right?"
Arrow: "Kinda get it, though. Trainer's cooking is great, and that mille-feuille was amazing."
Hachiman: "They were really insistent. Offered 10,000 yen per visit."
Wow… That's the Mejiro family for you.
Hachiman: "Turned it down, though. Autumn season's coming, and I'll be too busy."
Rice: "So you'll go back to your normal life, Onii-sama?"
Hachiman: "Yup, that's the plan."
Rice: "That's great!"
Hachiman: "Yeah, no more worrying every time I go back."
So… if something comes up, it's okay to visit Hachiman-san's place, right?
CB: "So, can we visit your house~?"
Hachiman: "No way. Why would you? A guy's place isn't somewhere you just drop by."
CB: "But I've never been~!"
Hachiman: "Still no."
Ardan: "I'd like to see Anii-sama's home too."
Rice: "Rice is curious…"
I went there on Derby day, but that was a fluke, so no need to mention it, right? Or that other time… It's a bit scary to bring up…
Air Groove: whispers "Fuji, you know to keep quiet."
Fuji: whispers "Of course, Air Groove."
((Never mention staying over!!))
Hachiman: "Alright, I trust you good, wholesome girls won't casually talk about visiting a male trainer's house."
CB: "But it's you, so it's fine!"
Hachiman: "Thanks, but same difference."
Maurice: "Everyone gets so intense about Trainer-san…"
Hachiman: "I didn't even do anything…"
Fuji: "Haha… Hachiman-san, am I going straight to the Chrysanthemum Sho, or a trial race?"
Hachiman: "I'm thinking Kobe Shimbun Hai. You've only run left-handed at Nakayama, and this year's in Kyoto. It's a good chance to practice sprint timing."
Rice: "So we're going to Kyoto?"
Hachiman: "Yup. It'll be good prep for you, Rice. Kyoto's probably your best track."
Rice: "R-Really…?"
Hachiman: "Plus, Maurice's debut is in Kyoto. You two should watch closely. Inner and outer courses are very different."
Ardan: "So September and October are all about Kyoto and Kansai?"
Hachiman: "Once a month. Going a day early for fun is an option, but that'd mean overnight permits for everyone. Not ideal."
Air Groove: "But it's doable?"
Hachiman: "If you file permits before Friday, finish training, prep, catch a train to Kansai, and secure a place to stay."
CB: "Ooh~ Let's go♪"
Arrow: "You say that so casually…"
Hachiman: "If everyone agrees, I'll consider it. One more thing, though."
Ardan: "What's wrong, Anii-sama?"
Hachiman: "It's a day off, right? Why's everyone in my trainer room? Don't you have shopping, friends, hobbies… anything?"
Yup, today's Team Polaris' rest day. Yet, here we all are, crowding Hachiman-san's trainer room.
Air Groove: "I planned to check on you after student council work."
Fuji: "Not much to do at the dorm, so I thought I'd hang out with you."
CB: "I figured you'd be here, so I came to play~♪"
Ardan: "I wanted to bring drinks and a hand massage to ease Anii-sama's fatigue."
Rice: "I-I just wanted to see what Onii-sama's up to…"
Arrow: "…No real reason, just curious about your trainer room."
Maurice: "Uh… I-I just showed up!"
Hachiman: "…Whatever."
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That chapter ended on a bit of a cliff, didn't it? 😅 Don't worry, the next one's already on Patreon! [If you'd like to support my work, check out my: patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ]