Rice's POV
It feels like those two months went by in the blink of an eye. I trained so much, and there were plenty of drills that were incredibly tough, but more than anything, it was a fun two months. Now, the camp has officially come to an end, and today is the day we head back.
Onii-sama told me that once we're home, we're taking a break from physical training to have a strategy meeting for the Saint Lite Kinen and the Kikuka-sho. Because of that, there's no practice today. I'm physically fine to keep going, but I know it's important to hear what Onii-sama is thinking.
But lately… Onii-sama has been acting a little strange. It's not like he's sick or brooding over a problem. It's more like… how do I put it? Like he's waiting for a package that never arrived. He'll rest his chin on his hand and tilt his head with a confused look. I wonder if something went wrong?
— Inside the Miho Dorm Bus —
"Hrmmm… I wonder what's up with Onii-sama?" I whispered to myself.
"Rice-san? Is something the matter?" Cafe asked, leaning over from the next seat.
"Oh, Cafe-san… No, I'm okay, but I was just worried because Onii-sama's been acting a little different than usual."
"The Trainer?"
"Yeah. I can't quite put my finger on it, but he's just not his usual self."
"...I hadn't noticed," Cafe murmured, "but I'm sure it's fine. If you're that worried, perhaps you should just be there for him? I'm sure he'd appreciate the company."
"...You're right. Yeah! I'll do that."
Alright! As soon as we get back to school and head to the clubroom, I'm going to ask him what's on his mind!
Hachiman's POV
— Inside the Ritto Dorm Bus —
"....."
"Hey… do you think something happened to Big Brother?"
"I don't know. He's been wearing that worried look for ages, hasn't he?"
"Yeah… ever since we got on the bus, he's looked so serious. Is it a difficult problem?"
"....."
"I wonder…" Special Week whispered loudly. "Is Trainer-san agonizing over tonight's dinner menu?"
"Ah…" Oguri Cap nodded solemnly. "That is a distinct possibility. I have never seen a Trainer look that intense unless the stakes were very high."
"No," Silence Suzuka said flatly.
"Not a chance," Tamamo Cross added.
I could hear the whispering going on around me, but I didn't have the energy to care. I had other things on my mind.
Sensei and the Professor… they never showed up.
That was the problem. Taliat had told me back in May that the Professor was coming to Japan in July. She said that as soon as he arrived, they'd head straight to my location. But I got so wrapped up in the intensity of the summer camp that I completely lost track of the date. Now it's the end of August. It's too late to reach out now… I really should have remembered sooner.
"...Honestly, fix that expression already," a sharp voice commanded. "You're ruining the atmosphere of the entire bus."
"Air Groove…" I sighed. "My bad. Just had something on my mind. I was trying to figure out what to do next, but I guess it was written all over my face. Sorry."
"...Is this about that Trainer you had friction with before?" she asked, her tone softening slightly.
"Hm? Oh, no, not him. I don't give a damn about that guy. It's about my mentors."
"Your mentors?"
"Yeah. They were supposed to visit during the camp, but they never showed. I'm a little worried. I know thinking about it won't change anything, but I can't help it."
"I see…" Air Groove said, crossing her arms. "Well, if that's the reason, I suppose it can't be helped. Though it seems some people are making some rather… off-base assumptions."
"I hope it's a dish with plenty of carrots…" Special Week muttered, swallowing hard.
"Any dish the Trainer makes is delicious, so I'll take anything…" Oguri added, literally drooling.
Yeah, I need to stop brooding right now. The two of them are starting to look dangerous.
— Tracen Academy —
"Onii-sama!"
"Hey, Rice. Ready to head to the clubroom?"
"Yes!"
"Everything go okay on your bus?" I asked as we walked. "You were sitting next to Cafe, right? She didn't tell you any scary stories or anything?"
"Nope! I was fine."
"No paranormal activity? No sudden heaviness in your shoulders? No blurry vision or black mists floating around?"
"Awa-wa-wa! Onii-sama! Don't say such scary things!"
"Right, sorry. My bad."
"Nothing scary happened," Rice said, regaining her composure. "Actually, Cafe-san and I were talking about you the whole time! ♪"
"...I'm almost afraid to ask what you were saying."
I wonder what those two could possibly find to talk about regarding me, but I know better than to pry into "girl talk." It's a minefield I have no desire to walk through.
— The Clubroom —
"So, apparently Special Week and the others saw me brooding and assumed I was planning a five-course meal," I told Rice as we reached the door.
"Ehehe, Special Week-san and the others really do love your cooking, Onii-sama."
"Tell me about it. It's not like I'm a private chef for hire. Anyway, we're here. Let me just get the keys…"
I reached for the handle.
Click.
"...Huh?"
"Fueh? Onii-sama, what's wrong?"
"The door's… already unlocked?"
I pushed the door open.
"....."
"Hachiman, you're back. We were beginning to think you'd moved to the beach permanently." Taliat was sitting calmly in my chair, sipping tea.
"HACHIMAN! I've missed you, my boy!!"
SLAM!!
Before I could even blink, a mountain of a man collided with me.
The Professor—the legendary Man o' War himself—had me in a bear hug that would have made a professional wrestler weep. I'm happy to see him after all these years, I really am… but I'd appreciate it if he'd loosen the grip. My shoulder just made a very distinct crack sound. A very, very loud crack.
The mentors were housesitting the whole time!!
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