Saturday morning.
Kuroha was woken by his body clock. He opened his eyes with a trace of confusion.
He stared at the somewhat unfamiliar ceiling, his mind blank for several minutes, before he gradually came to.
"... A familiar ceiling."
Kuroha turned his head.
What came into view was a breathtakingly beautiful profile.
Fujimasa March was nestled against his chest like a kitten, her silver-white long hair spilling like a waterfall across his arm and the pillow.
She was sleeping deeply. Her long eyelashes were clearly visible, and her breathing was steady and calm.
Kuroha instinctively softened his movements, carefully easing her hand out of that still-warm embrace, little by little.
"Mm..."
The girl seemed to sense the heat leaving. She hummed in mild displeasure, but in the end she simply rolled over and continued sleeping, hugging the blanket.
Kuroha let out a quiet breath of relief, got up as silently as he could, and walked out of the room.
After washing up, he went to the kitchen, tied an apron with practiced ease, and began preparing breakfast.
Not long after, the bedroom door behind him opened again.
"Haaah..."
Fujimasa yawned as she walked out. She was wearing an oversized men's T-shirt, long enough to cover the top of her thighs, showing off a pair of slender, fair legs.
She rubbed her sleepy eyes, her voice thick with drowsiness.
"Trainer-san... Isn't today a day off? Why are you up so early..."
It was precisely because she knew it was a day off that she'd let herself be a little indulgent last night.
She'd insisted on dragging Kuroha into "gaming" until after midnight, leaving her still dazed and foggy now.
"Mm?"
Kuroha turned back. Seeing how not-awake she looked, he smiled gently.
"It's fine. If you're still sleepy, go back and get some more rest. We agreed to head out at ten, so I'll wake you then."
Today was a special day.
Not only was it Kuroha's once-a-week, absolutely non-negotiable rest day, it was also Mother's Day in this far eastern island nation.
After considering everyone's input, Kuroha decided to take March back to Kasamatsu for the first time in a while.
It also counted as going home to see March's parents.
Besides, that was where Kuroha's dream had started. He could treat it as a trip down memory lane.
And since mid-May in Kyoto would bring one of the three great festivals, the Aoi Matsuri, with many preliminary and formal events happening throughout early May, their itinerary wasn't just Kasamatsu.
They also planned to spend half a day in Kyoto.
"Mm... It's fine. I'll just stay in the living room..."
March shook her head. She splashed cold water on her face, trying to wake herself up, then wandered into the living room and plopped down on the soft sofa.
"..."
After a muffled mumble, the girl slid down as if she had no bones, collapsing into the cushions with her eyes half-closed.
Even for Fujimasa March, who was usually unreliable in her own way, this vacant, cute look was rare—and genuinely adorable.
Watching the cute ash-haired horse girl, Kuroha couldn't help smiling to himself.
It had been a while since he'd seen March this defenseless. Seeing it once in a while really did lift the mood.
Not long after, breakfast was ready.
Kuroha carried out two bowls of steaming noodles.
However, when he reached the living room, he found the girl on the sofa had already closed her eyes, breathing evenly.
She had clearly fallen asleep again.
"This kid..."
Kuroha froze for a moment, then smiled helplessly.
He didn't wake her. He set the noodles down on the coffee table as quietly as possible, then returned to the bedroom to fetch a thin blanket, draping it over her with a gentle touch.
Only after that did he sit down in the armchair beside the sofa, pick up his own bowl, and eat in silence.
Between bites, he habitually picked up his phone, opened his contacts, and scrolled a little.
One name caught his eye—Berno Light.
Seeing that name, Kuroha's finger paused.
It was only a little past six in the morning.
"... Light's probably not up yet."
Given what he knew about Berno, if it was a rest day and she didn't need to help Oguri Cap with training, this was absolutely the kind of girl who could sleep until the sun was overhead.
After thinking for a moment, Kuroha put the phone away and didn't message her.
Today wasn't just Kuroha heading back to Kasamatsu.
Light and Cap were also going back to Kasamatsu.
Since everyone was going anyway, Kuroha figured it made no difference whether he brought them along, so he simply became the driver and agreed in advance to meet at the academy gate at ten.
They'd drive back together—more convenient that way.
"Whew..."
Kuroha finished the last sip of noodle soup and set the bowl down.
Beside him, March had somehow leaned onto his shoulder at some point, sleeping deeply.
He didn't know what she was dreaming about, but the corner of her lips curled into a satisfied little smile.
…
Time flowed by in quiet stillness.
9:30 a.m.
At the main gate of Central Tracen Academy.
Two figures stood there. Even on a bustling street with people coming and going, they still looked like they belonged in a different world.
One had long silver-gray hair and a diamond-shaped hair ornament, her coat-like hair swaying in the wind like a dune.
She held a bag packed with assorted onigiri. Her cheeks were puffed up like a hamster as she chewed blissfully.
Beside her, a petite short-haired girl held a small bag and kept looking around.
"... Morning, Oguri Cap~"
Horse girls passing by would excitedly nod and greet Cap when they saw her.
"Mmh... Morning..." Cap replied through a mouthful, then offered earnestly, "Want some?"
"... Uh, no thanks, senpai. You eat," the horse girl said with an awkward but polite smile.
"Okay."
Watching this, Berno Light stood to the side, completely unfazed.
She was long used to Cap's natural, innocent way of being.
Just then, a car engine rumbled, followed by a couple honks, and a vehicle slowly pulled up beside them.
The window rolled down, revealing Kuroha.
"Yo, Light, Cap. You two are early."
"Trainer Kuroha~"
Light waved at Kuroha, then tugged Cap into the back seat with her.
After they settled in, Light gave a small sigh.
"It's all because of Cap. Even on a day off, she dragged me out for a run."
"Running is good for you. Your stamina is too weak," Cap said, blinking.
"It's because you're too hyped, Cap!" Light pressed a hand to her forehead.
In the front passenger seat, March smiled softly.
"Trainer-san and I are going to the mall. Cap, do you two want to buy some gifts too?"
"Mm-hmm!" Cap nodded vigorously.
"I won't eat—"
March had been about to say it wasn't food, but actual gifts, when she reconsidered.
On second thought, maybe food wasn't a bad idea either.
"Trainer-san."
March turned to Kuroha and blinked at him.
Kuroha chuckled.
"Then sit tight. We're heading out."
"Ohhh—!!!"
The car let out a low roar and slowly pulled away from the academy gate.
(End of Chapter)
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