Secretariat's Perspective
Well, I suppose it's time I check in. I am Secretariat, the one currently looking after my apprentice, Hachiman. Since he's currently on an overseas expedition with his first trainee, Rice Shower, he's been absent from Japan for some time. In his stead, I've been taking care of his other charges, Symboli Rudolf and Mr. C.B.
Two weeks have passed since we entered September. According to the reports, Hachiman and Rice started their training in France three days ago and everything is going smoothly. Rice is in high spirits and is acclimating to the European turf quite well.
As for us back here... the training itself is going fine. The "training" isn't the problem. The problem is... this.
"Haaaah... Hachiman... where are you...?" C.B. groaned, slumping over a desk like a wilted flower.
"Here we go again," Rudolf sighed, crossing her arms.
"Ugh... my poor grand-disciple..." Man o' War added, staring off into the distance with a hollow, longing look in her eyes.
"Master, please," I said, looking at Man o' War. "I beg of you, don't you start too."
Every time Mr. C.B. (Hachiman's trainee) and Man o' War (my own mentor) come into the trainer's room, it's the same story. I thought they'd snap out of it after a few days, but it's been two weeks of non-stop moping. Rudolf and I are already at our wits' end. They're professional enough during actual training, but the moment the timer stops, they revert to this pathetic state.
"Hey, Rudol-phhh," C.B. whined. "Has it really only been two weeks? Does Hachiman really have another whole month before he comes back?! I'm at my limit! I can't do this!"
"You aren't the only one finding this difficult," Rudolf said sternly. "Even Lady Man o' War is in the same state, but we simply have to endure it. It's becoming a distraction."
"Rudolf is right," I added, looking at the two languishing Horse Girls. "C.B., Master—please, pull yourselves together. Where did that legendary fighting spirit go?"
"That's a separate matter entirely..." Man o' War grumbled.
"Good grief," I sighed. "If Hachiman saw the two of you in this state, he'd be beyond disappointed."
Ring... Ring...
"Hm?" I checked my phone. It was Hachiman. I decided to step away and answer it quietly, without alerting the chaos-duo.
"Hello? Secretariat speaking."
"Hi, it's Hachiman," his voice crackled over the line. "I figured you'd be right in the middle of training, but is everything okay over there?"
"Yes, we're managing," I lied.
"Glad to hear it. Rice is doing great; she's been using a translation app to make friends with the local Horse Girls. By the way... how is everyone actually doing? Especially C.B.?"
I glanced over my shoulder. "To be honest? It's a disaster. We're about to start training, and she's currently face-down on a desk, groaning your name."
C.B.'s ears twitched. She bolted upright. "Wait... is that... IS THAT HACHIMAN?!"
"Hm? Oh, yes, it is," I said casually.
"GIVE ME THE PHONE!!" C.B. lunged at me.
"Hey!" Man o' War shouted, joining the fray. "Why are you the only one who gets to enjoy a chat with my grand-disciple?! That's playing foul! Let me talk to him too!"
"You sound like you have your hands full," Hachiman sighed through the speaker. "Sorry for the trouble they're causing."
Hachiman, just hearing you say that makes it all worth it, I thought. But these two are truly desperate.
"Hachiman," I said, dodging C.B.'s grasping hands. "I think it's best if we switch to a video call. These two might actually explode if they don't see your face."
"Sure, no problem. Let's do it. I think they'd appreciate that."
"Thank you. Switching over now."
"Wait! Don't hang up!" C.B. cried out.
"I'm not hanging up, I'm switching to video. You can talk to him until training starts."
"You're a lifesaver, Apprentice!" Man o' War cheered.
"Yay! Hachiman! We get to talk to Hachiman!" C.B. danced in place.
What a pair of children... I thought. Though, I have to wonder—don't they have his contact info to call him themselves? Or are they just waiting for him to reach out?
The screen flickered on, showing Hachiman in his tracksuit.
"Yahoo~! Hachiman! It's C.B.!"
"And don't forget Man o' War is here too!"
"I can hear you," Hachiman said, his expression as dry as ever. "Secretariat told me you guys have been useless since the day I left for France. What are you even doing?"
"W-well, it can't be helped!" Man o' War blustered. "By the time you get back, I'll have to head back to America soon after! Our time together is precious, and you're wasting it in another country!"
"Hachiman, Hachiman!" C.B. pleaded, pressing her face close to the screen. "Can't you come home early? I'm reaching my breaking point!"
"I'm starting to think I can't go on any more trips if this is how you act..." Hachiman sighed.
Rudolf and I stood in the background, watching the two of them practically try to crawl into the phone to reach him. I felt for Rudolf—she hadn't said a word, but I could tell she wanted to speak with him just as much.
[Twenty Minutes Later]
"Alright," I intervened. "It's time for training."
"Ehh?! Just a little longer!" C.B. whined.
"Don't be selfish," Hachiman said firmly. "Rudolf is there too, isn't she? I've talked to the Professor, the Master, and C.B., but I haven't had a chance to speak with Rudolf yet. Next time I call, I'm talking to her first."
"You heard him," I said, pulling the phone away. "Rudolf gets priority next time."
Rudolf's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't managed to say a single word during the call, but hearing that she'd get the next turn brought a small, satisfied smirk to her face. I can live with that, her expression seemed to say.
"Until next time, Hachiman," I said.
"Take care. Goodbye."
Click.
"I wanted to talk more..." C.B. pouted, her ears drooping.
"Be grateful you got to talk at all," Rudolf said, her voice now calm and composed again. "Now, let's get to work. We have training to do."
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