Hachiman POV
The Tenno Sho (Autumn) concluded without incident, and we have now entered November.
Arrow, who challenged the Breeders' Cup Juvenile in the States, pulled a massive move from the outside just before entering the final stretch. Once she hit the straight, she mowed down the Horse Girls in front of her one by one, claiming a magnificent first-place victory. The Breeders' Cup is the pinnacle series of American racing. It was a race that hadn't been established yet when Sensei was still active, but if it had existed back then, I'm certain Sensei would have won it.
To win a race in such a prestigious series... Arrow undoubtedly possesses world-class ability among dirt runners of her generation.
In October, we managed to achieve a result where everyone took first place. For November, Maurice is scheduled to challenge the Mile Championship, and CB takes on the Japan Cup. In December, Aldan heads to the Hopeful Stakes, and Fuji to the Arima Kinen. Provided her condition doesn't drop, I'm currently planning for Arrow to run in the Zen-Nippon Junior Yushun. November only has two races for us, but since they are both G1s, we can't afford to let our guard down.
Sigh... Well, that's the current situation, anyway.
"Hachiman-san, are you tired?"
"Hm? No, I'm fine. No problems here."
"Oniisama, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good, so don't worry."
Truth be told, I don't have much mental bandwidth to spare right now. There is something weighing on my mind. It's that emotion I felt after the Tenno Sho (Autumn). I've never felt it before, so I don't quite understand what it is. I actually found myself thinking that I didn't want to show Fuji's smile to anyone else.
What on earth was that?
"...You're making a difficult face, you know? Hachiman-san, what exactly are you thinking about?"
"I'm not plotting anything evil, alright? I was just thinking about what kind of training to have Arrow do when she gets back."
"Still, knowing you, you'll put together a proper menu for her, won't you?" Air Groove remarked.
"Obviously. It's not like I plan on assigning her any reckless training."
"Hmph. I suppose not."
"Hachiman~, pat my head~."
"You... You're already using my lap as a pillow without permission, and now you're making demands? Taking advantage of me just sitting on the sofa..."
"Ehhh~? But you were right here, Hachiman!"
"Hachiman-san, can I have a turn next?" Fuji asked.
"Brother, please allow me to go after that," Aldan added.
"I'm not doing it. Look, CB, thanks to you, there are now two... no, about four applicants waiting."
"Eh? Who are the other two?"
"Mm."
I shifted my gaze to find Rice and Air Groove looking at CB with undisguised envy.
"As expected of Brother. Even your lap pillows are popular."
"This situation is almost entirely CB's fault."
"Trainer-san really is amazing," Maurice noted. "To think even his lap pillows are in high demand..."
No, that's wrong. This only happened simply because CB started it. Good grief, does CB have any idea whose fault it is that we're in this situation...?
"Trainer-san! Please give me a lap pillow as well!!"
"I told you, I'm not doing it."
"Can't you make an exception!?"
"Why are you the one persisting...?"
"Oniisama, please!"
"...It's hard to refuse when it's Rice."
"You really are weak to Rice-san, aren't you, Trainer-san?" Maurice observed.
"It's not like I'm doing it consciously..."
"Hachiman-san, can't we work something out?" Fuji interjected. "At the very least, could you ask CB-senpai to move?"
"No way!!" CB shouted. "Right now is my time!! I won't hand this time over to anyone!!"
"... somehow, I'm sorry," I muttered, patting Fuji's head. Pat, pat.
"Ah... uh, n-no, it's fine..." Twitch, twitch.
...Her face looks a bit red. Is she okay? But her ears are twitching energetically, so I assume she doesn't dislike it.
"Muu... Hachiman, Hachiman! Me too~!"
"I have nothing more to offer you while you are currently receiving a lap pillow. In fact, please move."
"If you pat me, I'll move."
"Haaah..."
"It certainly is tough being you, Brother."
"You're one of the causes of this, you know."
"I sympathize with your mental fatigue, Hachiman," Air Groove said. "How about this? If you're willing, I will lend you my lap."
"I-I'm fine, really."
"Oniisama! Rice can give Oniisama a lap pillow too, okay?"
"I can't lose here," Fuji smiled. "Hachiman-san, I'll lend you my lap too, okay? And if you'd like... sleeping together would be fine too..."
...Hey, why has the flow of conversation shifted to me using someone's lap as a pillow? I'm not doing it. Why did it turn out like this?
"I'm not doing it. So please stop with that. Also, this has happened before, but today is your day off—why are you all here?! Don't you have to go play or something?"
"Because being with Hachiman is good, and it's fun!" CB chirped.
"I have no particular plans," Air Groove stated.
"I was just in the mood to be with you," Fuji said.
"Umm... was it no good?" Rice asked timidly.
"Gathering here has become normal, so I just did," Maurice admitted.
"I simply wanted to be by your side, Brother," Aldan smiled.
"That is because I am the Class Representative!" Bakushin O declared.
There were reasons I could accept, and reasons I couldn't. And reasons that made absolutely no sense. Well, for the time being, I'll just give them this answer.
"Fine. Do whatever you like."
Hachiman, before you knew it, you were doing something enviably outrageous!!
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