Hachiman's POV
After a few dozen minutes, Ardan woke up, and we headed back. A rare day out with no obligations left me with a strange fatigue—not bad, just new. I'm carrying a huge bag of her Paka Puchi dolls, while Ardan's got a paper bag of books. She insisted on carrying them at first, but letting a schoolgirl lug stuff while I'm empty-handed? I'd look like a total jerk. So, I took the dolls.
When she woke, Ardan blushed, embarrassed I saw her sleeping face. Kinda cute… Made me want to protect her.
"…///" Ardan flushed.
"Sorry about that," I said.
"N-No," she said. "I fell asleep in the first place… Besides, your head pats are really good."
"Thanks," I said.
"I slept so well," she said. "But now I'm not sure I'll sleep tonight."
"Why the drop?" I said. "Don't say I have to sleep over to take responsibility. That's a hard no—way out of line."
"…" she stared.
"Hey, what's with that 'good idea!' look?" I said. "No way. You're a student—live responsibly."
"Fine," she said. "I'll give up on that, as you say."
"What's 'fine' about it?" I said.
Does this lady know what she's saying? A commoner like me sleeping over? If the butlers heard, my trainer career'd be toast.
"Oh, and no sneaking into my room either," I said.
"I understand," she said. "Not to continue, but… don't you ever plan to move? It's been three years as a trainer, and you're still in the academy dorms."
"They're fine," I said. "Good enough."
"No interest in living elsewhere?" she asked.
"Not really," I said. "Thought about it, but no reason to move."
"I see…" she said, sounding disappointed.
"Why the long face?" I said.
We walked to Trecen's gate. I'd love to part ways here, but letting Ardan carry all this? Nah. Still…
"Ardan-ojousama, welcome back," a butler said. "Trainer-sama, thank you for looking after her. I'll take your bags."
"Oh, sure," I said. "They're souvenirs for the other ladies."
"Understood," the butler said.
"Anii-sama, thank you," Ardan said. "It was so fun."
"Yeah, I had a blast too," I said. "And thanks for these. They'll love 'em."
"Hehe, keep it a secret that I got them, okay?" she said.
"Got it," I said. "You noticed, right?"
"Hehe, of course," she said.
"Then it's on you," I said.
"Yes, understood," she said. "Shall we go?"
"Understood," the butler said.
Ardan rode off to the Mejiro estate. Guess I'll hit the clubroom. If they're training, they're probably done by now.
Clubroom
Knock knock knock
"Yo, can I come in?" I called.
"Trainer?" Air Groove said.
"Yeah, all good?" I asked.
"Y-Yes… fine," she said.
"Cool, coming in," I said. "Just finished training?"
"Yeah, some adjustments," she said.
"Gotcha," I said. "Went to Uma Mall today and grabbed this. Want it?"
I showed her an Air Groove Paka Puchi. Ardan got it, but she told me to take credit.
"F-For me?" she said.
"Yeah, if you want," I said. "If not, I'll display it in my room."
"…No, you went through the trouble," she said. "I'll take it."
"Good," I said. "It'll be happier with you."
I handed her the Paka Puchi. Her expression seemed to soften a bit.
"I'll display it carefully," she said.
Ardan's POV
"We've arrived, Ojousama," the butler said.
"Thank you," I said.
I wonder if everyone will like their gifts?
Living Room
"I'm back~," I said.
"Ardan-onesama, welcome back~," Bright said. "You're early~."
"Welcome back," Dober said. "You going out is rare."
Everyone's here—perfect timing.
"I brought souvenirs," I said. "Dolls modeled after you all from a claw machine. Please, take them."
"Wow~ They're just like us!" Palmer said.
"They sell these?" Ryan said. "Wait… you got them?"
"Yes, from a claw machine at the game center," I said.
"I see," McQueen said.
"Mac, that café cake was delicious, wasn't it~?" I said.
"Yes, so tasty!" she said.
"Palmer, shall we all try purikura sometime?" I said.
"Sweet! We missed it today, so let's go!" Palmer said.
"Ryan, can I ask about muscle training later?" I said.
"Sure! I checked out books today!" Ryan said.
"Dober, can I see your Veggie Carolyn drawings later?" I said.
"I found good references, so they're a bit better…" Dober said.
"Bright, shall I teach you some sleep techniques?" I said.
"Oh~ Really~?" Bright said.
"…" I smiled.
"""""…Oh.""""" they said.
I didn't expect them to slip up so easily, but oh well.
"Shall I hear your explanations?" I said, smiling. "Please."
"""""…Yes.""""" they said.
Afterword
Ardan's gentle scolding of her spying Mejiro sisters is pure gold, while her souvenirs and Hachiman's Paka Puchi gift to Air Groove deepen trust. Air Groove's Takarazuka prep and trust arc shine, with Fuji's prior assist keeping her arc near. The Yahari crossover fuels Hachiman's "Tengan" charm, with Haruno's shadow lingering. Mejiro chaos—unmatched!
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