"Haaah..."
Rubbing my sleepy eyes, I change into my uniform. Being a morning person isn't my strong suit, so I end up buttoning things wrong a lot.
But sleepy is sleepy, so what can you do? I tell myself that.
After changing, I head downstairs to eat breakfast.
"You up? It'll be ready soon, go wash your face."
"Y-yeah."
Saying that, I head to the sink to wash my face.
"Haaah~"
Not that the yawning stops, though.
Ahh, so sleepy.
"It's ready. Come on, eat up."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm eating."
"Hum hum hum♪"
Finally, tomorrow is Thanksgiving! I'm so excited. I'm buzzing with anticipation.
I wonder what Fujikiseki-san will do this year. Hehehe, I can't stop drooling.
"Alright, I'm off!"
And so, with my heart full of anticipation for tomorrow, I left the house.
Still, how am I going to get True-chan to race?
There are a few ways, but hmm.
There's the quickest option, but I'm not sure about that.
Honestly, I'm not keen on that method. Especially financially.
Well, I'll resort to it if True-chan refuses.
...Oh.
I figured it was probably Nana and turned around.
"Good morning, True-chan!"
"Ow!?"
"Nah, you looked so sleepy. Just a wake-up greeting, you know?"
"But that hurt pretty bad."
"Ehehe~ Sorry, sorry."
But it definitely did chase away the sleepiness.
But that doesn't mean a lariat is okay.
"True-chan, it's finally tomorrow!"
"Huh? Was there something?"
"No way~ We promised. To go to True-chan Academy on Saturday."
"Ah, right."
"Right? Don't just bail on me the day of, okay?"
"I know. Don't worry so much."
Still, meeting at 8 AM... Well, if I wake up like usual, it should be fine.
"True-chan, I have a little favor to ask."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Actually, there's a race event at this Thanksgiving Festival. True-chan, wanna try entering it!?"
"No way."
"Right away!? Can't you at least think about it a little?"
"No way, it's too much trouble. Why do I have to race anyway?"
Why did Nana bring this up right now?
Could she be scheming something again?
"Come on! You're an Uma Musume! Just give it a shot!"
"Why are you so desperate anyway? Trecen Academy has tons of Uma Musume, right? So why do I need to run?"
"That's that! This is this! Just run, okay~!"
Nana started clinging to me, crying. It was rare to see her this desperate.
Even so, honestly, I didn't feel like running. There was no particular reason, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
"Train fee!"
"...Huh?"
"I'll pay for your train fee! Please, True-chan!"
"Huh!? Ah... okay..."
"If you win, I'll pay for your return fee too!"
"Guh..."
This is tough. This offer is seriously tempting. I might even say yes right now.
"...Give me a moment to think. I'll give you an answer by the time we get back... no, by tomorrow."
"Got it! I'm counting on a yes! See you later then!"
"Hey! Wait a sec!?"
I tried to call her back, but before I knew it, she'd reached the school.
Well, I'll try to think it over so I can give him an answer by after school.
I thought about it so much I didn't remember a single thing from that day's classes.
"No good~ How many losses is that now~?"
Muttering such complaints, I plopped down on a bench inside the academy, a can of coffee in hand.
Apparently, it's not that unusual for someone to still be undecided at this point, but actually facing reality like this... it really gets to you.
There's no point in freaking out, though. Seeing my peers decide their assignments one after another just adds to the pressure.
Oh... I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Shibukawa Haruna! A rookie trainer with my heart racing with anticipation!... Somehow, I'm starting to feel kinda empty...
"Looks like you're still the same as ever, Haruna."
"Waaah~ Tojo-saaan~"
"Hey, don't expect me to help you just because you whine like that."
"Buuuuut buuuuut~ I still haven't been assigned a Pokémon~."
While I was throwing this tantrum, Tojo-san sighed and said this.
"How should I put it... I understand why you haven't been assigned one yet."
"What!? That reason!? Tell meee~!"
"Sigh... You lack Drive."
"Drive?"
"Yes. It's like... someone who seems dependable, trustworthy, or charismatic. I just don't sense any of that in you."
"Gah!"
Hearing it said to my face like that really hit me. I'm practically on the verge of tears here?
"...Well, I suppose that is just you, though."
"Oh, really?! Ehehe~ Alrighty then, I'll keep trying my best starting tomorrow too!"
"So easily swayed..."
Since I got some energy from Ms. Tojo, I won't get discouraged here! I'll keep pushing forward!
There are still plenty of encounters ahead!
"Oh, right, Ms. Tojo."
"Oh, what is it?"
"Speaking of which, are you guys doing the trial club membership event at Rigil too?"
"We are, yeah. Seems the director is expecting it too."
"Can I come watch that too?"
"Sure. But it'll be the same old stuff, so it probably won't be anything new for you."
"Well, I don't know... I just have this feeling I might meet someone."
I think trusting your gut is best for things like this.
You know, someone once said it too. Don't think, just feel.
"Well, do whatever you like."
"Thank you! See you tomorrow!"
After thanking Ms. Tojo, I headed back to the trainer dorm.
God, please grant me an encounter!