Hachiman's POV
"I have to say, Master… I never expected you to just show up at the academy like this," I muttered. "If you'd called ahead, I could have at least met you at the gate."
Taliato looked at me with a playful, sharp glint in her eyes. "And if I did that, the other trainers would have noticed me immediately, wouldn't they? Besides, classes are still in session. I thought a quiet visit would be more appropriate. I'm here to see if my disciple's edge has dulled in my absence."
"...Are you planning on actually training with us? With Rice and the others?"
"That is the idea. Don't look so worried. I brought my gear, and I have no intention of pushing myself beyond what is necessary."
That's not the problem, I thought, suppressing a sigh.
Master's running isn't "normal." She doesn't just have the lung capacity to run forever; she possesses a tactical versatility that borders on the supernatural. If these students see her in action, they might just lose their confidence entirely.
"Besides," Taliato added, "I want to feel the stride of a Derby winner for myself."
"I don't exactly have a choice in the matter, so I won't try to stop you, but…"
"Heh. You were always a sensible boy, Hachiman. It makes things so much easier."
"I'm only that way because you're the one who taught me."
"I don't recall teaching you how to flatter me so effectively…"
Well, it's not flattery if it's the truth.
♪♪♪~
The chime for lunch echoed across the campus.
"That's the bell for the break," I said. "Master, why don't you join us? If you want to check on my progress, perhaps we should start with my cooking?"
Taliato's expression softened. "Hmph… very well. I shall expect great things."
— The Cafeteria —
"Hey, hey… who's that Horse Girl?"
"I don't know… she's not a teacher, is she? I've never seen her before."
"She's walking with Big Brother. Maybe a relative?"
"I wonder… He just won the Derby, after all. Maybe she's a reporter?"
Taliato's ears flickered as she caught the whispers. (Fufu… Hachiman. Is that what you're having them call you? Regardless, it seems he's quite well-liked. That is a relief.)
A few minutes later, I set a tray down in front of her. "Sorry for the wait. Please, help yourself."
Taliato looked at the plate, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the presentation. "It's clear you haven't been neglecting your kitchen duties. I can tell just by looking."
"I've had a lot of reasons to cook lately," I admitted.
She took a bite, chewing slowly as she analyzed the flavors. "Ammu… Mmm. As I thought. It's delicious. But more than that, it has your personality in it."
"...My personality?"
"Yes."
Before I could ask what she meant, she had already moved on to the next bite, eating with a focused efficiency. I suppose if she enjoyed it, that was enough for me.
"Pardon me, do you mind if we join you?"
I looked up to see Symboli Rudolf and Rice Shower standing by the table.
"Oh, um… is it okay?" Rice asked, clutching her tray.
"By all means," Taliato said, her voice smooth and authoritative. She looked directly at Rice. "You must be Hachiman's trainee. Rice Shower, correct?"
"H-hyai! Yes! I'm Rice Shower!" Rice squeaked, standing stiff as a board.
"There's no need to be so tense," Taliato said with a warm smile. "Hachiman speaks of you often. Your performance at the Derby was magnificent. Allow me to offer my congratulations."
"Th-thank you very much!"
Rudolf sat down, her sharp eyes studying the stranger across from her. "Forgive me, but may I ask a question?"
"Go ahead," Taliato invited.
"What exactly is your relationship with Trai—with Hachiman?" Rudolf asked, catching her near-slip of the nickname. "You seem remarkably close."
"Hachiman is my disciple," Taliato explained. "I beat the fundamentals of training into him back when he was still a student. You could say I am his master. I would introduce myself properly, but I prefer to keep my name out of the rumor mill. I value my privacy."
Rudolf's eyes widened. "So, you are the one…"
"Do you have a problem with the way I've taught him?" Taliato asked, a playful edge to her tone.
"No, far from it!" Rudolf said, her posture becoming even more formal. "I've had the opportunity to train with Hachiman recently. His methods are unconventional, but his insight and powers of observation are peerless. With all due respect to the other trainers here, I have never met a man more capable than him."
"Oho… you think quite highly of him. As his mentor, that makes me proud."
"I apologize for my late introduction," Rudolf said, dipping her head. "I am Symboli Rudolf, the Student Council President of this academy."
"I see. A Symboli… I can see the quality of your upbringing in your bearing. But enough with the formalities. We are in a cafeteria—let's enjoy the food, shall we?"
"Indeed," Rudolf agreed.
The four of us ate together, though Rice was so frozen with nerves that she looked like she was eating in slow motion. I wanted to help her out, but I couldn't exactly act out of turn in front of Master. Sorry, Rice. You're on your own for this one.
"That reminds me, Rice Shower," Taliato said as we finished up. "I'll be joining your training session today. I hope you don't mind."
"Wh-wha?! You're… you're going to run too, ma'am?"
"I am. I need to see my disciple's training in action. Think of it as a pop quiz for Hachiman. I'm looking forward to seeing the stride of a Derby winner up close."
"H-hyai! Understood!"
Taliato tilted her head, watching Rice. "...You're a completely different person when you aren't on the track, aren't you? Is she always like this, Hachiman?"
"Pretty much," I said.
"I see… I think I'm beginning to understand why everyone calls you 'Big Brother.'"
I blinked. "Wait… how do you know about that?"
"Between the students staring at us and the way Symboli Rudolf almost let the word slip just now, the answer was quite obvious."
"...I yield. You win," I muttered.
As expected. I really am no match for her.
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