Fuji's POV
This is not relaxing. Not one bit. Thanks to Air Groove and CB's ridiculous suggestion, I'm a nervous wreck! Why am I stuck in this mess? I didn't even do anything! Knowing those two, they'd probably say that's exactly the problem—not doing anything. But come on, people have their own pace! Can't I just take my time?
Worse, their silent pressure is like a spotlight I can't escape. It's pinning me to Hachiman's side, and I can't step away. Speaking of Hachiman… he's just sitting there, flipping through a book, cool as ever.
Fuji: "…" /// Hachiman: "…" flip Air Groove: "…" stare CB: "…" stare
Why are they glaring at me like that?! Okay, fine, I'll do it! I'll try—but not right now! Hachiman's reading, for crying out loud. You don't interrupt someone when they're reading, right? I can put it off a little longer, can't I?
Hachiman: "…Hm? Why are Air Groove and CB staring at us from way over there?"
Fuji: "W-Who knows? No clue!" nervous laugh "By the way, Hachiman, what're you reading?"
Hachiman: "A book on long-distance training. Well, more like skimming one I've read before. Probably boring for you guys. Hayahide's the only one who'd geek out over this stuff."
Fuji: "Haha, yeah, she'd probably eat it up. So what's in it?"
Hachiman: "The usual—training regimens, footwork, ideal group sizes, pacing, posture. It's packed with details. A lot of the prep for the Kikka Sho came from this."
Fuji: "Huh… So I owe that book—and you—for my win, don't I?"
Hachiman: "Half right."
Fuji: "Half? What's that supposed to mean?"
Hachiman: "The real credit goes to you and the team who trained with you. Without Rice, your long-distance prep would've been half-baked. And if you didn't want that win with every fiber of your being, no amount of training would've gotten you there."
Fuji: "…But if you hadn't put together that training plan, my odds of winning would've been zero. So the real answer is: I won because I gave it my all, and because you and the team had my back."
Hachiman: "Tch, listen to you, buttering me up." pat pat "This is all you're getting out of me, you know."
Fuji: "!!!"
He's… patting my head?
Fuji: "H-Hey, Hachiman, cut it out! Not in front of everyone—that's embarrassing!" ///
Hachiman: "Funny. You're fine dishing it out, but you can't take it, huh?"
Fuji: "I-I've got no comeback for that…" ///
Okay, but… one down, right? Touching—check! Sure, Hachiman started it, but that still counts, doesn't it? Two more to go, but… how am I supposed to pull those off?
We're sitting pretty close right now, so it's kind of a perfect chance. I could try going for a hug, but… doing that here? My heart's screaming no way! ///
Komachi: "Hey, big bro, is today your day to get all lovey-dovey with Fuji-chan?"
Fuji: "L-Lovey-dovey?!" ///
Hachiman: "Whoa, where'd that come from?"
Komachi: "I mean, you're always cozying up with a different girl depending on the day. It's not a stretch to wonder, right?"
Fuji: "N-No way! It's not like that at all!" ///
Komachi: "Really? 'Cause Fuji-chan's sticking to you like glue today. Just my imagination?"
Fuji: "T-Total imagination!" /// (This is all CB-senpai's fault! She's the one who put me up to this!)
Komachi: "If you say so~"
Ugh, I hate lying—it makes my stomach twist. But those two are still staring daggers at me! What's their deal?! I cleared one already, didn't I? Give me a break!
Fuji: "Oh, Hachiman, your drink's empty. Want some coffee? I'll brew some."
Hachiman: "Sure, thanks. Two sugars and some milk, if you don't mind."
Fuji: "Got it."
Phew. Time to cool off. Okay, what's next? I've got to stay close to Hachiman—that's non-negotiable. But what do I do about the other two? Hugging him or… lap pillow? Both feel like climbing a mountain!
For now, I'll grab the coffee, sugar, and milk. There's still time to figure this out.
Fuji: "Here you go, Hachiman. Sorry for the wait."
Hachiman: "Nah, thanks." flip
Fuji: "No big deal."
CB: "Hmph!" glomp!
Hachiman: "Whoa! What the—?!"
CB: "I wanna get in on the fun with Hachiman too! It's not fair if it's just you and Fuji!"
Hachiman: "Huh?"
Fuji: "Hold on! CB-senpai, what are you talking about?! Weren't you the one getting all cozy with him earlier?!" ///
CB: "I want Hachiman to pat my head too!" pout
Hachiman: "Uh, what…?"
Fuji: "That's just your own selfish wish!"
CB: "Hachiman! Pat me! You can pat Fuji too, but pat me!"
Hachiman: "Okay, first, let go of my arm. I can't exactly pat you like this."
CB: "Deal!" hugs his torso instead
Hachiman: "Oh, come on…"
CB: "I let go of your arm, didn't I? I'm just hugging you now~" giggle
Hachiman: "Tch, using my own logic against me. Sneaky."
After that, I couldn't let CB-senpai steal the show. So, yeah, I hugged Hachiman too. It was mortifying, but it's for the challenge, right? Two down! ///
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