Rice's POV
Time really does fly, doesn't it? It feels like just yesterday I was pouring my heart into making Valentine's chocolates for Big Brother, but White Day has already come and gone. Now, we're in the final week of March, and the Nikkei Sho is right around the corner. Everything is moving so fast.
Thinking back to White Day, Big Brother gave me the most wonderful macarons. There were so many colors and flavors—it was such a treat to try them all. Just thinking about it makes me smile.
But, back to the present. This week is the Nikkei Sho. Last week, Mejiro Palmer won the Hanshin Daishoten and is headed for the Tenno Sho. Mejiro McQueen is starting her season next week at the Osaka Hai before moving on to the big stage... which means if I want to stand a chance against them, I have to give this everything I've got!
Hachiman's POV
I was staring at the magazine on the table, my expression likely souring by the second.
"What's up, Hachiman?" CB asked, leaning over my shoulder. "You look like you're staring at a bad grade."
"...The Nikkei Sho," I muttered.
"Is it the post position?" Rice asked tentatively. "Did I get a bad draw?"
"No, it's not the lane assignment. It's the media." I slid the magazine toward the center of the desk.
The headline was bold, garish, and impossible to miss:
RICE SHOWER'S SPRING CAMPAIGN BEGINS! A PRELUDE TO THE MCQUEEN SHOWDOWN! WILL SHE BE THE SPOILER ONCE AGAIN?!
CB's eyes narrowed as she scanned the cover. "What is this?! Just looking at the headline, you can tell what they're doing. They're painting Rice as the villain again!"
Rice went quiet, her gaze dropping to her lap.
"Yeah. I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt and say they're just trying to drum up hype," I said, "but this cover is trash. They did the same thing back at the Kikuka Sho. Honestly, it's enough to warrant a formal complaint."
Rudolf folded her arms, her "Emperor" persona surfacing. "I agree. Rice Shower won the Kikuka Sho fair and square, but because she stopped Mihono Bourbon's Triple Crown, the public sentiment has turned unnecessarily harsh. I'll look into this publisher myself. I'll consult with Air Groove and see if we need to reconsider our professional relationship with them."
"I appreciate the backup, Rudolf," I said, "but hold off until after the Tenno Sho coverage is released."
Rudolf blinked. "Why wait?"
"...I hate to sound like I'm using Rice as bait," I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck, "but I want to see how they handle the next race. If Rice wins—or even if she loses—and they still insist on printing slanderous garbage, then we know exactly where they stand. That's when we cut them off for good."
Rice looked up at me, her eyes wide. Big Brother... you'd go that far?
"I see," Rudolf nodded. "Your logic is sound. A single trainer or trainee shouting into the wind rarely moves the higher-ups, but a calculated break in relations carries weight. You have my support."
"Me too, me too!" CB chirped, raising a hand. "We can't let this slide!"
"Thanks, you two," I said, before turning my attention to Rice. "Rice, ignore the noise. Most of the people writing this stuff don't know the first thing about you. Their opinions don't matter."
"...Okay. I'm okay, Big Brother," Rice said, a small, genuine smile returning to her face. "I'm not going to let it get to me."
She meant it. As long as Big Brother was her number one fan and was standing right beside her, the rest of the world could say whatever they wanted.
"On a different note," Rudolf said, shifting the mood, "the Entrance Ceremony is approaching. The Chairwoman has suggested a 'Performance Orientation' for the new students. She wants a demonstration of high-level training to inspire the freshmen, and she specifically requested you to lead it, Brother."
"...Pass," I said instantly. "I want to keep Rice focused on the Tenno Sho. Can't you ask one of the other trainers?"
"I wish it were that simple," Rudolf sighed. "To quote the Chairwoman: 'DECLARATION!! THE RISING STAR, TRAINER HIKIGAYA, IS THE ONLY ONE CAPABLE OF CAPTURING THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF OUR NEWEST STUDENTS WITH A SPECTACULAR DISPLAY!!'"
"Whoa, whoa. She's already decided I'm doing it? Rudolf, you couldn't just say no?"
"I tried. But she started lamenting how difficult it would be to find a replacement if you declined. Even though I knew you'd hate the idea, I couldn't exactly shoot her down in the moment."
"Wait, what would we even have to do?" CB asked. "If it's just our usual training, what's the big deal?"
"CB, 'usual' training and 'performative' training are two different beasts," I explained.
"How so?" Rice asked curiously.
"Performative training is all about optics," I said, slipping into my cynical-analytical mode. "You focus on looking good. You don't show the grit, the ugly breathing, the exhaustion, or the harsh corrections. You focus on the 'beauty' of the run or the intensity of the rivalry. It's a stage play. I'm a trainer, not a director."
"Oh... I see!" Rice said.
"So don't go thinking you can just mess around out there, CB," I warned.
"Ahaha! I get it, I get it!"
"So," Rudolf pressed, "what should I tell the Chairwoman about the orientation?"
"Like I said: Pass. Right now, Rice is more important than a bunch of freshmen I haven't met yet."
"I figured," Rudolf smiled. "Alright, I'll let her know—"
"Actually, I'll tell her myself," I interrupted. "You have enough Student Council work to deal with."
"Ah, thank you. I'd appreciate that."
"I'm coming too!" CB shouted, hopping up. "I'll be your moral support!"
"Not interested," I deadpanned.
"J-just in case... can Rice come too?"
I looked at Rice for a second. "...Fine. Rice, come with me."
"Hey! Why?!" CB whined, her ears twitching in protest. "Why is she okay but I'm not? That's totally unfair!"
"Because," I said, already heading for the door, "if I have Rice with me, I can use the 'we're busy adjusting for the post-Nikkei Sho schedule' excuse. It adds more weight to my argument if the athlete in question is standing right there."
Rudolf let out a soft laugh. "I see... as expected of you, Brother. Always a tactician."
"It's just low-level cunning," I muttered.
Next time: The Nikkei Sho!!
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