CB's POV
"Alright, everyone! A toast to Rice's victory in the Nikkei Sho and her official entry into the Tenno Sho Spring! Cheers!"
"Cheers!" the table erupted in unison.
"Ehehe... thank you, everyone," Rice murmured, her cheeks flushing a soft pink.
"There's no need for thanks," Rudolf said, setting her glass down with practiced grace. "This is your victory celebration. It's only natural that we're here to honor you. You're the star today, Rice Shower, so please, enjoy yourself to your heart's content."
"Here, Rice-chan," Saki said, sliding a plate over. "Hikigaya told me you liked these, so I made a double batch."
"Thank you so much, Kawasaki-san!"
"Come on, Rice, let loose!" I nudged her, grinning. "Today's for having fun!"
"Y-yes!" Rice squeaked, her smile widening.
I caught Hachiman's eye from across the table. He looked as weary as ever, but there was a flicker of something—relief, maybe?—in his gaze.
"I appreciate the energy, CB," Hachiman sighed. "But seriously, thank you, ma'am. I know it was a last-minute request to book the whole place."
The Proprietress waved him off with a boisterous laugh. "Think nothing of it! Like I told you before, we're all huge Rice-chan fans here. Closing the doors for a night to celebrate her is a small price to pay!"
"...I'm grateful," Hachiman muttered.
"Geez, Hachiman!" I pouted, leaning toward him. "Why so gloomy? You're ruining the vibe! Are you even having fun?"
"You're having enough fun for the both of us," he deadpanned. "In fact, you're the only one currently shattering the tranquil atmosphere of this bistro. This is a place of refined calm, CB. You're currently an anomaly."
"Who cares?! Rules are out the window today! It's a party! ♪"
When the mood strikes, you've just gotta ride the wave!
"Still, Brother," Rudolf said, looking around the room with an appreciative eye, "I can't believe you kept a place this wonderful hidden away. It's practically criminal."
"It's called a sanctuary, Rudolf," Hachiman replied. "If I start telling people about it, my one place of peace and quiet disappears."
"If you actually brought people here once in a while, the business would thrive," Saki chimed in from the kitchen area. "Stop being so stingy with your recommendations."
"Don't bring the cold reality of economics into my dinner, Kawasaki..."
"In that case," Rudolf declared, "I think the Student Council shall start making regular use of this establishment. The atmosphere is exquisite, the history is palpable... and they have private rooms. It's perfect for our needs."
"You're already planning the takeover, aren't you?" Hachiman groaned.
"Then I'm coming too!" I jumped in. "I'll just show up whenever Hachiman does! It'll be way more fun that way! ♪"
"You do realize I usually come here to eat in silence, right?"
"Oh, right," Rice said, tilting her head. "We've been here for private events, but we've never seen what it's like when it's open to the public. Big Brother, what's the vibe normally like?"
"Like the rest of the shop—quiet and composed," Hachiman said, casting a pointed look my way. "Someone like CB would stick out like a sore thumb."
"Hey! I can read a room when I want to!" I protested. "Don't talk about me like I'm some kind of golden retriever!"
"The fact that you're shouting that right now kind of proves my point. But fine, it's a private party, so I'll let it slide."
Hachiman is so rude sometimes! Hmph! Well, if he ever tries to sneak off here alone, I'm definitely stalking him!
"Well, I'll be here to deal with you if you show up," Saki said, wiping her hands on her apron. "But I'm usually stuck in the kitchen, so don't expect me to entertain you."
"I'll take over the floor so you can spend some time with them, Saki-chan!" the Proprietress added with a wink. "I'm sure you two have plenty to catch up on."
"Ma'am, please... don't start," Saki sighed, her ears twitching in embarrassment.
"I'll be there too! We can make it a regular thing!" I cheered.
"Please don't," Hachiman pleaded. "I just want to eat my rice in peace."
Hachiman's POV
I watched from the counter as the girls chatted and laughed. Saki had eventually migrated from the kitchen to join them, blending into the conversation with surprising ease. It seemed their brief interaction at the racecourse had broken the ice. Now, they were just a group of girls enjoying a night out.
"So?" the Proprietress asked, leaning on the counter next to me. "Aren't you going to join them, Mr. Trainer? Or are you planning on playing the 'lonely brooding intellectual' at the bar all night?"
"I don't have the mental fortitude to jump into a three-way 'girls' talk,'" I replied, taking a sip of my drink. "I'll leave them to Kawasaki. A man needs a moment of silence to appreciate his victory, too."
"Look at you, acting all cool," she teased. "But you know those girls won't leave you alone for long. That energetic one is going to come over here any second and drag you back by your collar, shouting, 'What are you doing over here by yourself?!'"
"Don't jinx it," I muttered. "She's exactly the type to do that."
"Can't be helped. You're the one they look up to. In the meantime, enjoy the fleeting peace. Here—this is on the house. I don't put this on the menu for just anyone."
"...Thanks."
"Rice-chan won, after all," she smiled. "The trainer deserves a little spoiling, too."
She set a series of small plates in front of me: translucent slices of whitefish, a golden-brown karaage, and a steaming bowl of kamameshi. As I looked at the delicate arrangement of the sashimi, my eyes widened. "Wait... is this blowfish?"
"Fugu," she confirmed with a proud nod. "Fugu kamameshi, fugu karaage, and fugu sashimi. The full course. It's expensive and kept off the books—only the regulars who know what they're looking for ever get to taste it."
I looked at the feast, then back at the noisy table. "I'll savor every bite."
"You do that."
I picked up my chopsticks, intending to enjoy a moment of high-class culinary bliss while keeping an eye on the chaos across the room.
Chit-chat! Laughter!
"...They really are having a good time," I whispered.
The Master (the Chef) looked up from the prep station. "You've picked some good ones for your new trainees, Hikigaya-san."
"They picked me, actually," I corrected. "It was more of a hostile takeover. But yeah... I'll admit they're good kids."
"Hahaha! Sounds like you've got your hands full. But remember—whenever the world gets too loud, this place is always open."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Hachimaaan! Come over here and eat with us!" CB's voice boomed across the room.
"...And there it is," I sighed.
The Master laughed. "You're a popular man."
I stood up, leaving my fugu for a moment. I guess the 'lonely brooding intellectual' act was officially over.
I can't wait for tomorrow...
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