Rice's Perspective
"Um, Big Brother? I think you probably know this already, but I should introduce you properly. This is my mother."
"It is an honor to finally meet you," her mother said, stepping forward. "My name is Lilac Point. Please, forgive me for... well, for the rather unsightly display I made earlier. I am terribly sorry."
"No, please, don't worry about it," Hachiman replied, waving it off with a slight, awkward bow.
"You're too kind... it's truly embarrassing," she sighed, before her gaze shifted slightly. "By the way, Rice? I couldn't help but notice earlier—you've been calling your Trainer 'Big Brother.' Is that... right?"
"Ah—! Y-yes. I made sure to ask him first! He gave me his permission to call him that."
"I see... well, if he's comfortable with it, then I have no objections." Her mother turned back to Hachiman, her expression softening into one of deep sincerity. "Trainer, I've watched my daughter's successes on the television. To see our little girl competing on such a grand stage... it makes me happier than I can put into words. Thank you for helping her grow into the person she is today."
"No, honestly, it's just part of the job," Hachiman said. His voice was level, but there was a trace of genuine respect in it. "Besides, your daughter is remarkably sharp. You show her one thing and she's already figured out the next two steps; by the third, she's mastered it completely. From a professional standpoint, she's an incredible horse girl. I'm the lucky one to have her on my roster."
Big Brother... so that's how he really feels about me.
"Is that so? Hearing you say that makes me so very happy," her mother replied. "I'm sure she'll continue to be a handful, but I look forward to your continued support."
"As far as I'm concerned, I'll stay by her side as long as she'll have me," Hachiman said. He glanced at me. "But you let me know if you ever get tired of me, okay, Rice?"
"I'd never—! I could never get tired of you! You're the only Trainer for me, Big Brother!"
Hachiman let out a small, rare breath of a laugh. "Is that so? Well, it's good to know."
After the introductions, I showed him around. I led him to the room where he'd be sleeping and showed him the layout of the house. I don't know why, but I kept tripping over my own feet—clumsy as always. But every single time, Big Brother was right there to catch me. He really is just like the kind hero in those old storybooks...
Finally, we reached the last stop.
"And this is Rice's room. Ehehe... it's the same as it was before I started middle school, so it's a little embarrassing."
"It's well-organized," Hachiman noted, looking around. "It suits your personality. Oh? That photo over there... isn't that the one you use as your phone wallpaper?"
"Wow, Big Brother! You're so observant!" I beamed at him. "You're right. I've loved blue roses since I was tiny. I took so many photos of them and picked the absolute best one for my wallpaper."
"Blue roses, huh? They've practically become your trademark."
"Do you know what the blue rose means in the language of flowers?" I asked.
"No, I'm pretty clueless when it comes to that stuff. What's the meaning?"
"The blue rose stands for 'Miracles' and 'Dreams Come True.' Isn't that lovely? Blue roses don't actually exist in nature; they're man-made. Because they didn't exist originally, people used to say it was impossible to ever create one."
"Huh..." He nodded slowly. "You really know your stuff."
"Ehehe. When I love something, I just can't help but research everything about it."
In the Living Room
"Mother, the tour is finished!"
"Thank you, Rice. Trainer, I know it's a bit cramped, but please make yourself at home."
"Thank you. I appreciate the hospitality."
"Now then," her mother said, clasping her hands together. "Since you've come all this way, I'd like to prepare a proper feast. Are there any particular foods you like? I'll put my heart and soul into the cooking."
"I'm the guest here," Hachiman said, looking a bit hesitant. "Are you sure I'm not imposing?"
"Please, consider it a small token of gratitude for looking after my daughter. I'm actually quite a confident cook—I'm the one who taught Rice everything she knows, after all."
"I'll help too, Mother!" I chimed in. "I want Big Brother to have the best dinner ever!"
"Thank you, Rice."
Hachiman's internal monologue:
(Well, the momentum is definitely heading toward a home-cooked meal. If I refuse now, I'd just be trampling all over Lilac Point's kindness. Better to just accept the favor.)
"Understood. I'd be honored to join you," Hachiman said. "And really, anything is fine. I'm not a picky eater—I'll finish whatever you put in front of me."
"Are you sure? Perhaps there's at least one thing you dislike? It's better to ask now," her mother insisted.
(...True. If I wait until it's served, it'll be too late to say anything.) "If I had to pick one thing... I'm not a fan of tomatoes. Other than that, I'm good with anything."
"Noted! Well, we'll need to head to the market then. Rice, will you help me with the bags?"
"Of course!"
"I'll come along too," Hachiman added. "It feels a bit weird to say this to a horse girl, but you'll probably need someone to help carry the heavy stuff."
We headed to the supermarket Mother always uses. But when we got to the checkout, it turned out Mother had forgotten her wallet at home. In the end, Big Brother had to step in and pay for everything...
"I am so, so sorry, Trainer! I'm honestly hopeless sometimes!" she cried, bowing repeatedly in apology.
"No, it's... it's fine," Hachiman said, trying to get her to stop. "I guess it's a good thing I came along." (Honestly... like mother, like daughter.)
A home-cooked meal from Mother and Big Brother... oh, I can't wait!
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