Hachiman's POV
One week has passed since the start of summer camp. I've been overseeing the training for a group of four: Rice, Ardan, Chiyono O, and Yaeno. Technically, it's a group of five, including Cafe, but she's taking the day off. She isn't exactly a "fan" of bright, clear days, and the heat has been giving her a rough time since this morning. So, for today, it's just the four of them.
I'm glad I took the time to research the camp facilities beforehand. If I hadn't, I would have been scrambling to rewrite the entire menu on day one. My original plan required both turf and dirt tracks—which Tracen's camp provides—but some people seem to think that "sand is sand" and you can just substitute a beach for a dirt track. Let me tell you: that is a massive misconception. Racing on loose beach sand and a compacted dirt track are two entirely different beasts.
Anyway, technicalities aside, we're in the middle of a session right now. And by session, I mean…
"Alright, ready… Go!!"
Whump—!
The four of them lunged forward simultaneously.
"I have claimed it!" Yaeno shouted, her hand gripping the flag firmly.
"Aww… I was so close…" Rice sighed, her shoulders drooping slightly.
"Yaeno-san, you really are too strong at this," Chiyo noted, brushing sand off her knees.
"I simply concentrate my entire being into my ears," Yaeno explained stoically. "I react the moment the sound waves hit."
"So that's the secret to those lightning reflexes," Ardan added, looking impressed.
We were playing beach flags. Ostensibly, it's for reflex training, but it's also about developing the tenacity to not be pushed aside when competing for space. In a real race, positioning rarely goes exactly as planned. I've incorporated this to help them fight for that "ideal spot" under pressure. Though, hopefully, none of them start actually tackling people in a real race.
"Alright! Next round!" Chiyo chirped, reaching for the lot. "Let's draw again and—"
"Chiyo, that's five rounds of beach flags," I cut in. "We're done."
"Eh?! Already? We did five rounds already?!"
"Yep. That was the last one."
"My, time truly flies when one is enjoying themselves," Ardan remarked.
"B-But this is still proper training, right Onii-sama?" Rice asked, looking at me for confirmation.
"Yeah, exactly. I'm just building the menu so there's a bit of play mixed in. You might as well enjoy yourself if you're going to do the work. Plus, if there's a beach right in front of us, we'd be fools not to use it."
"In that case, wouldn't beach volleyball be effective as well?!" Yaeno suggested, her eyes sparkling with martial intensity.
"It's good for tracking fast objects, sure," I replied, "but the specific movements—serves, digs, spikes—don't translate well to racing. You swing your arms in a race, but you don't exactly jump and reach for the ceiling."
"I see… a logical perspective."
"Perhaps a game of beach tag to train our burst acceleration?" Ardan suggested.
"Oh! Or that 'Cross Tag' game Onii-sama taught me the other day!" Rice added.
"Soccer would be great too!" Chiyo chimed in.
Whoa, hold on. I don't mind them brainstorming, but let's keep it within the realm of training, okay? I can't let the whole camp turn into a vacation.
— After Training: Hachiman's Room —
"Phew…" I slumped into my chair. Maybe I need to mix in some more "serious" drills? I want to keep their motivation high, but I don't want to mess with the core menu too much.
"Hmm, I get what you mean," a voice said from the bed. "You want to keep the 'fun' factor alive. Why not just let them go all-out with the games first, and then move into the main training?"
"Huh… I guess that makes sense," I muttered, staring at the ceiling. "Treating the games as a high-intensity warm-up. That could work."
"Right? Do the fun stuff until the clock hits a certain time, then pivot to the serious stuff! Their bodies will already be warmed up, and since they've been moving every muscle, they'll be ready to perform at a hundred percent~♪"
"I see… I hadn't thought of it that way. Instead of saving the 'reward' for last, use it to spike their motivation at the start… That's actually a great idea."
"Isn't it~? I'm a genius~♪"
I blinked, finally processing the reality of my surroundings.
"By the way, CB… why are you here?"
"Eh? You're asking now?"
"Better late than never. I've been meaning to ask: this is my room, right?"
"Yep. I'm aware."
"And for some reason, a certain Uma Musume has entered my room without my permission and is currently making herself at home. Would you happen to know who that is?"
"Gosh, I wonder who that could be?" CB replied with a look of total, feigned innocence.
"...Whatever. You gave me a good suggestion, so I'll let it slide this time."
"Yay! Hachiman, you really are the sweetest~♪"
Glomp!
"Don't push your luck… and get off me, it's too hot. I'm going to die…"
"It's fine, it's just a little skinship~♪"
"That 'skinship' is borderline heatstroke in this weather!"
Being hugged in the middle of summer is nothing short of a torture tactic. Please, let go. I'm practically thirty; you're a student! Don't go clinging to an old man ten years your senior!
"Mmm-hmm~♪" CB ignored my protests and transitioned into a lap pillow.
"Sigh… fine. Just stay quiet for a bit, okay? Seriously. Give me a break." I gave up and absentmindedly rested my hand on her head, stroking her hair.
"Fuaaa~ Okay~♪"
"Well, I can't exactly work on the menu in this position… Guess I'll watch some race footage."
I opened my laptop. Let's see… Hakodate, Hokkaido, huh? I wonder if it's cooler up there. I'd love to visit Hokkaido someday. I hear the ramen is incredible. There are so many places to try… I wonder which shop is actually the best?
"...Wait, ramen?" CB peered at the screen. "That looks delicious."
"...Ah. I meant to look up races, but I accidentally opened a ramen review site."
"I love it! Let's look at more ramen! I've actually never made ramen myself. Oh, look, Hokkaido! Is Sapporo the way to go? Or Hakodate? Oh! We should go to Asahikawa too, like a little trip!" she said, her excitement building.
"Just stay quiet and stay on my lap!!"
Now I really want ramen…
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