Mr. C.B.'s Perspective
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaah..."
I let out a long, pathetic groan, collapsing into a heap on the table. I felt less like a Triple Crown winner and more like a discarded candy wrapper.
"Is something the matter, C.B.-san?" Ardan asked, her voice a soothing balm of concern.
"Do I really have to say it? I'd be worried if you didn't already know," I grumbled, not bothering to lift my head.
"…True," Ardan sighed, her posture sagging ever so slightly. "I understand exactly how you feel. I believe we are sharing the same affliction."
"I miss Hachiman so much I could die! It's been a month, Ardan! A whole month without a single sighting of him. Don't you think that's just cruel? I'm his trainee! I'm supposed to be the one by his side!"
"Ever since Big Brother departed for France and vanished from the halls of this academy," Ardan mused, "there has been a persistent sense of… insufficiency. A hollow space that nothing else seems to fill."
"Exactly! That's it! It's like there's no fulfillment anymore. The days just… pass. They don't mean anything. It's just sunrise, sunset, and a lot of boredom in between."
"Hearing you put it like that," Ardan said softly, "makes me realize just how much space Big Brother occupied in our lives. We didn't truly grasp his gravity until he was gone."
Poor Ardan. She's been struggling just as much as me. It isn't just me or Miss Man o' War feeling the withdrawal. That settles it: the moment Hachiman sets foot back in Japan, I am going to cling to him until he begs for mercy.
"Is there anyone else?" I asked, finally sitting up. "Anyone else in our 'club' of the neglected?"
"No, as far as I know, it's just us..."
"I see. Well, when he gets back, an outing is non-negotiable! We're taking him somewhere and we aren't letting him go."
"I agree," Ardan nodded firmly. "It's essential. And of course, we must have some of Big Brother's home cooking… Ah."
"Hm? Something wrong?"
"No, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, but… lately, my sister has been asking after Big Brother quite frequently. I'm not entirely sure why."
"Ramone? But wait, did Ramone and Hachiman even have a connection?"
"I heard he prepared a meal for her once, but beyond that, I'm not aware of any specific interactions."
"Eh, it's probably fine," I said, waving it off.
I couldn't imagine Ramone—the cold, untouchable "Peerless Beauty"—going out of her way to dig into someone's personal life. Besides, I had more important things to do, like planning a list of a hundred things Hachiman was going to have to do for me to make up for his absence.
Symboli Rudolf's Perspective
"I must say, I didn't expect to see you here," I said, looking up from my paperwork. "To what do I owe the visit, Ramone?"
"My," Ramone replied, her voice smooth and dangerous. "Is there a rule stating I cannot grace this room unless I have specific business?"
"I didn't mean to imply that. It's simply unexpected. I assumed you had plenty of other conversation partners to occupy your time."
"I despise trivial conversation. It bores me. And lately," she said, her eyes narrowing with a sharp, crystalline interest, "my thoughts have been preoccupied with him."
"…By 'him,' I assume you mean?"
"Don't play coy, Rudolf. I'm speaking of your trainer, Mr. Hikigaya. Or perhaps," she added with a faint, provocative tilt of her head, "should I refer to him as 'Big Brother'?"
My pen stopped moving. "You are free to call him whatever you wish, but… Ramone, are you telling me you've developed an interest in him? If that's true, I am genuinely surprised."
To my knowledge, they had only shared a space once, back in the cafeteria. For Ramone to show interest in anything other than the pursuit of the 'Absolute' on the racetrack was unheard of.
"I'm surprised myself," Ramone admitted, her gaze drifting toward the window. "We've shared meals before, but lately, that level of distance has begun to feel… insufficient."
"So, what are you saying? That you wish to become his trainee?"
"Who can say? But I noticed my sister looking quite lonely in his absence. It's rather wicked of him, isn't it? Casting a spell over two sisters at once."
"In your case, I suspect it's merely a coincidence," I said, keeping my voice level. "Why don't you try speaking with him when he returns? A direct exchange of views might help you see whatever it is you're looking for."
Ramone smirked. "Are you sure you want to encourage that, Rudolf? You might find your own time with him dwindling."
"Oh? Are you planning to monopolize him? I can't let that comment slide." I leaned back, my eyes locking onto hers. "C.B. is already a handful as it is, but I am still a girl, Ramone. I have my limits. My patience for sharing isn't infinite."
I had no intention of handing over my time with him to anyone else.
"You and C.B. are his official trainees, aren't you?" Ramone countered. "Surely you can afford to be a little flexible?"
"And you, for someone who claimed to have no interest in others, seem remarkably invested in him. If you have a message for him, I'd be happy to take it."
"No, that won't be necessary. I prefer to speak with him directly. Besides, our first and second meetings were private. I think it's best if our third is 'just the two of us' as well."
"I see," I replied, a chill entering my tone. "In that case, perhaps I should follow your lead and ensure I have more private time with him myself. Between his duties and C.B.'s antics, we haven't had enough of that lately. I'll make sure to rectify that upon his return."
Ramone looked at me, a small, knowing smile on her lips. "Rudolf… you're surprisingly possessive, aren't you?"
"Nonsense. I simply wish to increase our 'contact hours.'"
"..."
"..."
Forgive me, Ramone, but I won't yield my time with him so easily. I've been kept waiting just as long as the others, and I intend to make sure he compensates me in full when he returns.
In the Corner of the Room...
Air Groove: (I wish they wouldn't bring their tawdry personal dramas into the Student Council office…)
Narita Brian: (Tch… I should have gone on patrol. Stop fighting over the guy in such a cramped room. It's annoying.)
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