Perspective: Hachiman
There is a smartphone app currently making the rounds among the students at the academy. It's called "Rice Pikmin Bloom"—or something to that effect. It's wildly popular, or perhaps simply the topic of the moment.
For reasons beyond my understanding, I was urged to download it from all sides.
Bourbon, McQueen, and Nature all came at me with varying degrees of intensity, essentially screaming, "It's insane!" "It is extraordinary!" and "Seriously, it's wild!"
Brian simply scoffed, telling me, "You lack the strength for this."
Gold Ship tried to conscript me into combat, grinning, "Download it so we can battle!"
Taishin muttered a reluctant recommendation: "Why don't you give it a try?"
Oguri mentioned something about finding a "potent ally," while Creek smiled her maternal smile and said, "It's quite fun, you know."
Inari boasted that she'd found a "partner," and Tama was lamenting, "I can't catch up anymore!"
I have absolutely no idea which of these reactions is the correct one, but I have gathered one undeniable fact: this app is dangerous. However, I have not the slightest clue how it is dangerous. Which means there is only one course of action left.
I have to play it.
"I've installed it," I muttered to the empty clubroom. "Now what?"
Tap, tap.
I poked the screen.
"Hm? Whoa!?"
On the screen, a creature appeared. It stared at me intently.
"..."
"Th-this is a Rice Pikmin?" I squinted at it. "It just looks like a miniaturized version of Rice Shower..."
The little creature let out a musical chime.
"♪~" (Hello~!)
"Mm, ah, hello," I replied, feeling slightly ridiculous talking to my phone. "But really, what is so 'dangerous' about this? I'm not sensing the intensity yet..."
The Rice Pikmin tilted its head.
"?" (What's wrong?)
"...Thinking about it won't solve anything," I sighed. "I need to put together the training menus. You just stay quiet, alright?"
"♪" (Okaaay!)
Time passed.
"..." (Heave-ho!)
More time passed.
"..." (Hustle, hustle!)
A significant amount of time passed.
"..." (This goes here... that goes there...)
I looked up from my desk. "...Hey, what are you doing? What exactly is this kid doing?"
The little creature on the screen seemed to be... cleaning? I had to admit, the clubroom had been getting a bit cluttered lately, and I'd been meaning to tidy up, but... could an app actually do that?
The Rice Pikmin paused and looked at me.
"...?" (What is it?)
"I just..." I scratched my cheek. "Thanks, I guess?"
"!" (Ehehe!) The little Rice puffed out its chest proudly.
"Heh." A small smile escaped me. "You're actually kind of cute."
Lunch Break
"Mm, it's already noon," I murmured, stretching. "Come to think of it, do you get hungry?"
The Rice Pikmin clutched its stomach.
"..." (Guuuu...)
"So you do get hungry... Alright." I picked up my lunch. "Consider this thanks for the cleaning. You can have this bento."
The creature's eyes sparkled.
"...☆!" (Sparkle!)
"Will that be enough?"
"..." (Really?) It seemed to ask, hesitating.
"Yeah. I'll go to the cafeteria."
"!!" (Following... following...)
The Cafeteria
"You seriously followed me all the way here..." I sighed, looking at the small creature marching beside me. "And you brought the lunch box, too."
"..." (Following... following...)
"Can't be helped," I relented. "Let's eat together."
"!!" (Yeah!!)
I still didn't understand the purpose of this app's development, but it didn't seem to be malicious.
"..." (Nom!)
The Rice Pikmin took a bite.
"How is it? Does it suit your taste?"
"...♪~!" (Yummy~!)
"That's good to hear."
Tap, tap.
It poked me again.
"Hm?"
"..." (Say aahn?)
It held out a piece of food.
"You're giving me some? Well then... aam."
I took a bite. The little creature watched me with bated breath.
"..." (How is it? How is it?)
"Mm. It's good."
"...♪" (Yay~!)
Several Hours Later – Clubroom
The clubroom was spotless. I sat waiting for the Uma Musume in my charge to arrive. Originally, I had planned to finish the menus and then prepare the drinks and equipment myself. However, perhaps having peeked at my schedule, the Rice Pikmin had prepared absolutely everything for me.
And even now...
"..." (Work, work!)
"..."
"..." (Hustle, hustle!)
"Ah—could you handle this too?" I asked, pointing to a stack of papers.
"..." (Yes sir!)
"You're incredibly reliable."
Click. The door opened.
"Good work today, Hachiman-sa—oh?" Fuji Kiseki paused, blinking. "Is that the famous Rice Pikmin I see?"
"Yeah," I nodded. "It helped with the equipment, the drinks, pretty much everything. It's been a huge help."
"Heh~ Helping Hachiman-san, are we?" Fuji smiled warmly at the screen. "Thank you very much, little Rice Pikmin♪"
"...♪" (You're welcome~!)
"Good work, Hachiman," Air Groove said as she entered behind Fuji.
"Oh, hey, Air Groove."
"Mm? Who is that?" She looked at the creature.
"You don't know?" Fuji teased. "It's the Rice Pikmin everyone is talking about. It prepared all the tools and everything. Amazing, isn't it?"
"..." (Bow.) The Pikmin offered a polite greeting.
"Hoh, is that so..." Air Groove's expression softened. "That is deeply appreciated. Thank you."
"..." (Thank you very much!)
When the time came, we immediately began training.
During the breaks, the Rice Pikmin was a whirlwind of activity. It handed drinks to the two girls, passed them towels, measured lap times, and assisted with various other tasks. Honestly, I never expected it to do this much. I was already unconsciously relying on it.
And then, after training concluded...
"My, my~ thank you so much for today♪" Fuji Kiseki patted the screen gently. "You were such a big help."
"...♪" (Ehehe~)
"Agreed. You helped with everything from start to finish," Air Groove added. Then, she turned her sharp gaze toward me. "However... to think Hachiman was doing all of this alone until now... You should express these things, you know. We only realized the extent of the workload thanks to this child, but you must say something."
"No," I replied, waving it off. "I just figured you two would be tired after training."
"Mmu..." Air Groove frowned, crossing her arms. "It is difficult to argue when you put it that way."
"...?" The Rice Pikmin looked between us, confused.
"Well," Fuji interjected smoothly, "It seems we'll be fine from now on with this little one here. It's surprisingly strong for its size."
"True," Air Groove nodded. "If it is this child, there should be no issues. We are counting on you to look after Hachiman."
"...!" (Hmph!)
The Rice Pikmin puffed its cheeks in determination.
To think it managed to win their absolute trust in a single day...
I finally understood what everyone was talking about.
This kid... is dangerous.
Rice Pikmin... Yeah, it's yabai.
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