(Perspective: Hachiman)
Hachiman: "..." (Clack, clack, clack)
With training wrapped up for the day, I found myself in the rare position of typing away at a computer in the Trainer's Room. I was currently drafting training menus for the unassigned Uma Musume.
I had taken a look at the menus created by the instructors once before, but they were lacking. To put it bluntly, they were regimens that barely scraped by with a passing grade. Depending on the girl's personality, some might rebel against such lackluster drills, while others might ignore them entirely. That's why, once every two weeks, I stepped in to create the menus myself.
Once a month, I review the instructors' work and offer corrections. The plan is that once I feel they're up to scratch, I'll withdraw from menu creation entirely. I mean, it's exhausting, right? Ever since I formed my own team, I've become incredibly busy. I have zero free time as it is.
Hachiman: "I could just reuse old menus, but they'd definitely get bored of them. Maybe I should have just made a stockpile and handed them over..."
Knock, knock, knock.
Hachiman: "Hm? Come in."
Fuji Kiseki: "Pardon the intrusion, Hachiman-san."
Hachiman: "Oh, Fuji... What's up?"
Fuji Kiseki: "No big reason. I was just wondering how you were doing, so I came to check on you. So, what are you up to? It's rare to see you using the computer..."
Hachiman: "Menus for the unassigned girls."
Fuji Kiseki: "Are you okay, Hachiman-san? You've looked incredibly busy lately. are you getting any rest?"
Hachiman: "It's hit or miss. Since October started, the team members have moved into full-scale operation, and naturally, the workload increases with a team. The G1 races continue through November and December, so you could say this season is the critical moment."
Fuji Kiseki: "I know me saying this might not offer much comfort, but please don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
Hachiman: "I rest when I can, so I'm fine."
I wasn't lying. I make it a point not to overwork myself more than necessary. I even make sure to take power naps before training sessions.
Fuji Kiseki: "Well, I don't see any energy drinks on your desk or around you, so I suppose you aren't pushing yourself to the brink."
Hachiman: "If Air Groove saw them, she'd just throw them away. Not that I drink them anyway."
Fuji Kiseki: "...Hachiman-san, what is left of your work?"
Hachiman: "Hm? Once I finish creating this menu, I plan to register the race entries for the month after next. So, I'm heading to Hayakawa-san's desk later."
Fuji Kiseki: "Hachiman-san. Once that schedule is cleared, you are going to take a break."
Hachiman: "Huh? I don't mind, but what about you?"
Fuji Kiseki: "I, of course, will stay with you. If I don't, there is a chance you won't actually rest."
Hachiman: "No, no, I'll rest."
Fuji Kiseki: "Yes, and I will have you do exactly that. I'll stay right here, so I'm going to have you rest, even if only for a little while. There's still time before curfew, after all."
Hachiman: "Do I really have that little credibility?"
Fuji Kiseki: "It's not that. It's just that I haven't seen you taking it easy lately. Just lying down in front of me is enough."
Hachiman: "Haa... Fine. Understood."
Fuji didn't look like she was going to budge even if I tried to stall. It seemed less troublesome to just fold.
—Several Tens of Minutes Later—
After constructing menus for nearly an hour under Fuji's watchful eye, I finally completed one full regimen. I then went to Hayakawa-san and finished registering the race entries for the month after next. Naturally, Fuji tagged along for that too. It's not like I was going to wander off or anything.
Hachiman: "Phew, that's don—"
Fuji Kiseki: "Not yet. Now, Hachiman-san, lie down here."
Hachiman: "...Hey, Fuji. Can I ask you something that's been bothering me?"
Fuji Kiseki: "Mm, what is it?"
Hachiman: "To me, 'here' looks an awful lot like the sofa you are currently sitting on."
Fuji Kiseki: "Yes, that is correct. Is there a problem?"
Hachiman: "Are you going to move?"
Fuji Kiseki: "If I move, you won't have a pillow. Therefore, my lap will serve as your pillow."
Hachiman: "No, that's definitely out. I can't do that."
Fuji Kiseki: "In that case, are you saying that sleeping together would be acceptable?"
Hachiman: "No, that's not the issue either."
Fuji Kiseki: "Hachiman-san... if you continue to be difficult... we might have to resort to brute force, you know?"
Hachiman: "..."
...No escape, huh?
Wait, if I leave this room, maybe I have a one-chan—
(Telepathic Vibe from Fuji: "Don't even think about leaving the room. I will chase you.")
...Yeah, never mind.
Hachiman: "Alright. I'll borrow your knees."
Fuji Kiseki: "Mhm. Go ahead ♪."
I lay down on the sofa and placed my head on Fuji's lap. Immediately, Fuji peered down into my face.
Fuji Kiseki: "How does it feel?"
Hachiman: "It's my first time getting a knee pillow, so I don't have a frame of reference... but I wonder why? It feels... perfect."
Fuji Kiseki: "Fufufu, I'm glad to hear that ♪."
Hachiman: "..."
Fuji Kiseki: "..." (Stare)
Hachiman: "...Why are you looking at me like that?"
Fuji Kiseki: "I suppose I'll watch until you fall asleep."
Hachiman: "I can't sleep like this. Give me a break, I can't sleep while being watched."
Fuji Kiseki: "But I'm already used to seeing it? Your sleeping face."
Hachiman: "...Come to think of it, have I slept around you twice? The hammock and my apartment... but if you include the Derby and my parents' house, it's more than that."
Fuji Kiseki: "We've surprisingly slept together quite a few times, haven't we? Even with Air Groove, it was just that one time during the Arima Commemoration, right?"
Hachiman: "Even then, we were in separate rooms. The only one I've actually slept next to—past or future—is you, so far."
Fuji Kiseki: "Is that so...? Then I'll have to make sure you aren't taken away. I want to make that my exclusive privilege."
Hachiman: "...You realize the implication of what you just said?"
Fuji Kiseki: "...Well now, I wonder? (Wait, what did I do!!? I just said it without thinking!! No, I didn't mean it consciously, but... th-this is embarrassing!!) More importantly, why don't you close your eyelids and take a little trip into your dreams?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, yeah. Understood."
It doesn't look like she's going to let me go until I get some shut-eye. Guess I have no choice but to sleep for a bit.
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