Hachiman's POV
"Alright, training's over!" I called out. "Today was on the lighter side, but don't you dare skip your stretches. Also, I've got some errands to run afterward, so I won't be in my room. If you need anything, speak up now."
"Trainer-san…" Cafe murmured, stepping forward. "A moment, if you please?"
"Hmm? What's up, Cafe?"
"Would you… clip my nails?"
"Ah, right. I remember you mentioning yours are a bit brittle," I said, nodding. It's part of the job, really—hoof and nail maintenance is vital for their balance. "I can do that right now. I just need to be careful not to cut them too short, right?"
"Yes. Please."
"Got it. Anyone else?"
Silence. It seemed Cafe was the only one with a request.
I set to work, carefully trimming the nails on her feet. Even now, I find myself wondering: as an Uma Musume, does she not feel any hesitation about letting a member of the opposite sex touch her feet like this? I mean, I'm her Trainer, and obviously, I'm not going to do anything weird, but still. It feels like a lot of trust to put in a guy like me.
"Trainer-san," Cafe said, her voice drifting down from above me. "You mentioned you wouldn't be in your room. Where are you going?"
"Just the supermarket. There are a few things I need to pick up. Why? You need something?"
"No… I was just curious. My 'friend' seemed quite interested as well."
Why is the ghost interested in my grocery list?
"There. All done," I said, standing up.
"Thank you. I try to do it myself, but I can never get them this clean. I use a file to smooth them out, but they never turn out quite like this…"
"Nails are just as important as your tail or your legs," I reminded her. "You should put as much effort into their upkeep as you do the rest of your grooming."
"...But in my case," Cafe noted, "my tail requires no effort. Even when I wake up in the morning, it is already perfectly groomed and set."
"...That is definitely your 'friend's' handiwork, isn't it?"
WHACK!
"Ow!" I winced as a phantom force slapped me right across the back. What the hell was that for? I wish the ghost would use words; I can't interpret physical violence.
After that mystery assault, I borrowed a car, hit the supermarket for supplies, and headed straight for the camp's kitchen. I had a plan. We'd been eating the provided camp food all week—which was fine—but I wanted to personally cook something for the five girls who had been putting in the work for me.
"Excuse me, I'm Hikigaya, one of the Trainers. I'm here to borrow the kitchen."
"Oh! You're the one!" the head chef laughed. "Go right ahead, that station over there is free. Help yourself!"
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
Alright. Time to get serious. These girls worked their tails off this week. A little home-cooked reward is the least I can do.
— A Few Hours Later —
"....."
I wiped my brow and looked at the clock. It was about that time. I expected things to be getting rowdy in the dining hall by now, but for some reason, it was strangely quiet. Did I get the time wrong? Or did something happen?
"Um, excuse me, students…" I started, stepping out toward the serving counter. "Wait… what is this?"
I froze. A crowd of Uma Musume stood there in total silence, not ordering food, just… staring at me. Or rather, staring at the trays behind me.
"...What are you all looking at?" I asked tentatively.
"Hey, Big Brother… is that for us?" one of the younger students asked, her eyes wide.
"No. This is for my trainees and the girls who joined our session. It's private catering."
"Ehhhhh?! No fair! I want some too! It smells amazing!"
"Sorry. Five portions only."
"I had a feeling this was your doing, Brother," a familiar voice rang out. Symboli Rudolf stepped through the crowd.
"Don't make it sound like I'm committing a crime," I grumbled. "A Trainer cooking for his students isn't exactly breaking news."
"True," Rudolf conceded with a small smile. "But no one makes food that smells quite this enticing. You've already gained a reputation for your skills in the Tracen kitchens, you know."
Great. My domesticity is a local legend.
"Anyway, have you seen Rice?"
"I saw her a moment ago. Would you like me to fetch her?"
"Yeah. Could you?"
"It would be my pleasure," Rudolf said, her eyes flickering to the stove.
"Your reward is a taste-test of the main dish," I said, reading her mind. "Don't worry, I'll be testing it too to make sure it's safe."
"I look forward to it. Wait right here."
— A Few Minutes Later —
"I wondered why it was so crowded!" Rice chirped, weaving through the masses. "I should have known it was because Onii-sama was cooking. It makes sense now!"
"You too, Rice? Everyone's a critic," I sighed. "Anyway, go grab the other four from the training group and get them to a table. I'm almost ready to serve."
"You cooked for all of us?!"
"Yeah. Consider it a reward for surviving the first week of camp."
"Yay! Okay! I'll go get them right now!"
"Good. I'll bring the food out on a cart."
— Shortly After —
"Alright, sorry to keep you waiting."
"We've been waiting!" Chiyo cheered, her eyes sparkling like stars. "Oh wow… it looks incredible!"
"This is…" Ardan murmured, visibly impressed.
"To see such a spread up close… it truly stirs the spirit," Yaeno said, sounding like she was about to compose a poem. "Splendid work!"
"...It smells so good," Cafe whispered.
"Onii-sama, this looks way more fancy than usual!" Rice noted. "Is it?"
"I may have upgraded the ingredients a bit," I admitted. "Today's menu: Chilled Tofu with green onions and bonito flakes, a hearty vegetable Pot-au-Feu, Grilled Shrimp Salad, and for the main course—Ginger Pork. I've got enough for seconds if anyone's still hungry, so just let me know."
"I'm going to finish this so fast!" Rice declared.
"Glad to hear it. I've tasted everything, so it should be fine. Dig in."
I wanted to sit down and eat my own portion, but I couldn't help but feel a heavy, gravitational pressure on the back of my neck.
I turned around slowly.
There, standing just outside the "reserved" zone, were three figures staring at me with the intensity of starving wolves.
The Grey Black Hole (Oguri Cap).
The Bay Pacific Ocean (Special Week).
The Dark Bay Meat Phantom (Narita Brian).
They weren't moving. They weren't speaking. They were just… looming.
Sigh. I knew this was going to happen.
Well, you know what has to happen next.
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