Rice's POV
With the first half of the year's Grand Prix races behind us, the major stages are going on hiatus until autumn. In the meantime, the "Summer Series" is kicking off with races in places like Kyushu and Hokkaido. I'm a little curious about them, but they seem a bit daunting for me right now… still, I'd love to try them someday!
But for now, we're on the bus heading to the summer training camp. This bus is specifically for the Miho Dorm students, but Onii-sama is on board as our supervisor.
And currently… we're in the middle of a high-stakes game.
"It's your turn, Chiyono-san," Ardan said.
"Mmm… which one, which one…" Chiyo muttered, her eyes darting between the cards.
Cafe remained silent, a shadow over her expression.
I only need one more to win… I thought, my heart thumping.
Beside us, Onii-sama just stared blankly at his hand.
We were playing Old Maid. I'm down to my last card, but this is the hardest part. Trying to guess which card completes the pair in a group this size is nearly impossible. And more importantly, I have no idea if Onii-sama is the one holding the match…
"I've decided! This one!" Chiyo shouted, snatching a card. "Yes! A match! Hehe, only two more to go and I'm out!"
"...Then, Rice-san," Cafe whispered, "it is my turn to draw from you."
"Y-Yes!"
Cafe's hand hovered over my cards. "...By the way, Rice-san. Are you familiar with them?"
"Eh? W-With what?"
"...Ghosts."
"Fuehh?!" I let out a tiny shriek.
"Hey, Cafe," Onii-sama interjected, his voice flat but firm. "Don't go scaring Rice. You know she's bad with that stuff. If you keep it up, I'm going to wait for the sunniest morning possible, break into your room, and rip all the curtains open."
"...Trainer-san," Cafe replied tonelessly, "that sounds less like a prank and more like a felony."
"Then I'll ask your 'friend' to do it for me."
"...That is playing dirty."
"Then stop the ghost stories."
"Understood. Please relax… that was merely a joke," Cafe said, though her eyes remained as mysterious as ever.
"O-Oh… okay…" I exhaled. A joke. Thank goodness.
"Brother," Ardan said, turning her elegant gaze toward him. "Will Rice-san be the only one training under you during this camp?"
"Hmm? That was the plan. Why?"
"Would it be a nuisance if I joined those sessions?"
Onii-sama paused, looking at Ardan's legs before meeting her eyes. "I don't mind, but the intensity might be too much for you. Your legs aren't exactly built for heavy impact, and your constitution is delicate. I won't say no, but are you sure you're up for it?"
"Yes," Ardan replied with a small, determined smile. "I will coordinate with my own body as we go."
"Ah! In that case, I'll join too as Ardan-san's support!" Chiyo chirped.
"Wait, what?" Onii-sama blinked.
"Me as well…" Cafe added. "I need to catch up to my 'friend' as soon as possible. Please let me join."
"Hey, hold on. When did this become a mob?" Onii-sama sighed. "Chiyo, I get the 'support' thing. But Cafe, is this friend of yours really that fast?"
"...Yes," Cafe whispered. "Since we were children, I have never once been allowed to run ahead of them. I have only ever seen their back… I don't even know what their face looks like."
"Huh… well, whatever. Fine, I guess it's the four of you then?"
"Wait!" Chiyo interrupted. "I want to invite Yaeno-san too! Can we make it five?"
"Sure, sure. Yaeno is on the list too, then."
I couldn't help but smile. "I get to train with different people this time!"
"Yeah," Onii-sama said, leaning back. "It'll be good for you. A little variety helps keep the edge."
Lately, it's mostly been the Student Council President and CB-san, so I'm really happy I get to train with everyone else!
— At the Training Camp —
"You're a lifesaver, Train-man!" Amazon shouted, slapping Onii-sama on the shoulder. "I couldn't have kept an eye on everyone by myself. Having you here is a huge help! I owe you one!"
"Don't worry about it," Onii-sama replied. "My trainee was on the bus anyway, so I'm just doing my job. I'll help out on the way back, too."
"Now that's what I call reliable! You really are a 'Big Brother' type, aren't you? Always looking after people!"
"Don't you start calling me that too… Give me a break, Big Sis Amazon."
"Heh! I'm used to being called 'Big Sis,' so that doesn't work on me!" Amazon laughed, puffing out her chest.
"Is that so? Maybe I should switch it up then. How about… Hishi-Ama-Onee-chan? Does that sound better, 'Big Sister Amazon-chan'?"
Amazon's face went instantly red. "Y-You idiot! Don't use such a cutesy name! It's embarrassing, damn it!"
"I see. So you're weak to the '-chan' suffix. Noted. I'll be sure to tell Fuji later."
"Hey! Stop it, Train-man! If you tattle to Fuji, you're a dead man!"
"Hmm? Did I hear my name?" Fuji Kiseki appeared as if out of thin air, looking as cool as ever. "Did something happen, Hishi-Ama?"
"Oh, yeah!" Onii-sama started. "Actually, she—."
"HEY!! Don't you dare say it so casually!!" Amazon barked.
Onii-sama shrugged. "Ah, my bad. Looks like my life is in danger, so I'll have to keep quiet."
"Oh? Is that so?" Fuji chuckled, stepping closer to him. "That's a problem. I can't just stand by and watch my 'Big Brother' get into trouble. I'll protect you… if you tell me what happened."
"Oh, really? You mean it?"
"Fuuu-jiiiiii…" Amazon growled, a dark aura radiating from her.
"Ahaha… maybe we should stop there?" Fuji said, sweating slightly.
"Yeah, probably," Onii-sama agreed. "My bad, Amazon. I wasn't actually going to say it. Just a bit of American humor."
"What part of that was American?!"
I tilted my head, confused. "Onii-sama, is everything okay?"
"Hm? Oh, it's nothing, Rice. Just some lighthearted banter."
"Exactly, nothing to worry about!" Fuji added with a wink.
"....." Amazon continued to emit a terrifying, silent pressure.
I-Is that true? I wondered. It really felt like Amazon-san was about to explode.
[Bonus Scene]
"Ahaha, that was a disaster, wasn't it, Hishi-Ama?" Fuji laughed later that evening.
"That damn Train-man…" Amazon grumbled.
"Come now, look on the bright side. You can use this to cancel out that 'favor' you said you owed him."
"...Fine. Let's go with that."
"Hehe. Well, I should be heading off now." Fuji turned to leave.
"Yeah, see ya."
"See you later… Amazon-onee-chan~♪"
"Pffft—!! Wha—?! Where did you hear that?! Was it him?! Was it the Train-man?!"
"Nope, not him," Fuji called back over her shoulder. "The guy over there… the one who looks like a giant piece of cartoon meat on a bone… he told me."
The Author (Raw Meat), who was scribbling nearby, looked up. "Phew! That was a great writing session! Now, for the next part…"
"YOU LEAKED IT?!" Amazon screamed, charging at him.
"Wait! What?! Stop! Gyaaaaaaaaah!!"
Fuji watched the chase with a satisfied smile. "Hehe. That's definitely a keeper."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"