Mr. C.B.'s POV
"...…"
A dark, heavy aura of pure gloom radiated from my desk.
"Hey, C.B.," Ace sighed, leaning against the neighboring desk. "How long are you going to stay like that? He's coming back today, isn't he?"
"Yeah… so they say…" I groaned, my voice muffled by the desk surface.
"Then why do you look like the world is ending? You're finally going to see him. Show a little joy, for once. This isn't like you."
"I wanted to go meet him first thing in the morning!" I snapped, sitting up with a look of pure betrayal. "But Ms. Taliato told me, 'A student has no business skipping morning classes for such a thing. Wait at the Academy.' It's so unfair! Out of everyone, Rudolf, Taliato, and the Professor should understand exactly how much I need to see Hachiman! Why would they do this to me?!"
"I mean, she's completely right…" Ace muttered, unfazed. "Don't try to ditch school just because you're lonely. Even I know that's common sense."
"Aaaaaaagh! I just want to see him! Why is today lasting for ten thousand years?!"
Ace (Internal): (She's actually serious… I've never seen anyone but that trainer turn C.B. into… whatever this is. What kind of magic did he use on her?)
"Haaaah…" I slumped back down.
"Just a little longer," Ace said, trying to be encouraging. "I'm sure the trainer understands how you feel."
"If he did, he would have come home after one race! But no, someone suggests he stay longer, and he just goes along with it! My debut race is this week, you know? What if I come in last because of this? It'll be all Hachiman's fault!"
"Man, you are high-maintenance…"
You could have come to see me at the airport, Hachiman! You dummy!
After School
"Finally… it's over…"
"Nice work surviving the day, C.B.," Ace said, packing her bag. "Now you can finally go see him, right?"
"I'm going! I need to replenish my Hachiman-levels immediately!"
"What kind of weird nutritional deficiency is that? Whatever. Just go."
"Thanks, Ace! See you—"
"C.B. You're still here, I see."
I turned to see Rudolf standing at the door. "Ah, Rudolf! Let's get to the clubroom, fast! I'm at my limit!"
"The feeling is mutual," Rudolf admitted, her voice steady but her eyes betraying a similar intensity. "I've been waiting for this moment all day. Ace, thank you for looking after her."
"Don't sweat it. And hey, C.B.? I know you're excited, but don't go jumping out of any windows, alright? And no sprinting in the hallways, or Rudolf will have your head."
"Give me some credit," I pouted. "Do I really look like the kind of girl who would do that?"
"Yes! That's exactly why I'm saying it!"
Hmph. As if.
In Front of the Clubroom
"We're here," Rudolf whispered, her hand hovering over the door handle. "I can hardly wait to open… wait. C.B. Stop that. Your breathing is getting heavy. Calm down."
"Huff… huff…!"
"...I won't even say anything."
Slide—!
The door opened.
Rudolf: "...…"
C.B.: "...…"
We both froze.
The room wasn't empty. Hachiman was there, sitting in his usual spot. But he wasn't alone.
"You're here," Hachiman said, looking up. He looked tired, but his expression softened slightly when he saw us. "Sorry for being away so long. I brought souvenirs, so come over and—"
"Wait just a second," I interrupted, my voice trembling. "This is wrong. Why?"
"C.B. is right," Rudolf added, her voice dropping an octave into a cold, sharp tone. "Hachiman, explain why they are here before we go any further."
Sitting gracefully on the sofa next to Hachiman was Mejiro Ramonu, sipping tea as if she owned the building. Next to her sat Mejiro Ardan, looking entirely too content.
"Oh, please," Ramonu said, her voice like silk. "Don't glare at me with such frightening faces. It's quite unbecoming."
"Our apologies," Ardan added softly. "We simply wished to see Brother Hachiman as soon as possible, so we took the liberty of visiting early."
"I'd like to know why they're here, too," Hachiman sighed, rubbing his temples. "But I didn't really have a reason to kick them out."
"That's not the point!" I shouted. "Ramonu! Why are you sitting there all elegant and acting like you're his favorite?! That's mine and Rudolf's spot!"
"Fufu. I missed him too, you know," Ramonu teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "You've been shouting his name every single day, C.B. It made me feel quite lonely by proxy. I simply couldn't help myself."
It is NOT 'simply'!
"Calm down, both of you," Hachiman said, gesturing to the other seats. "Sit. I'll stay here with you until training starts."
"Until it starts?" Rudolf asked, catching the phrasing. "Are you not participating in the training sessions today?"
"I was planning to, but Ms. Taliato stopped me. She told me to stay put and let her handle the sessions for the rest of the week so I can recover."
"Whaaaat?!" I wailed. "That means I get even less time with you!"
"I'll be at the Academy, so don't worry about that. But until your debut race is over this weekend, Taliato is officially in charge of your schedule."
"My, my," Ramonu purred, leaning closer to Hachiman. "Then does that mean this time right now belongs entirely to us?"
"Absolutely not!" I barked. "This is my time!"
"Brother," Ramonu whispered, ignoring me and shifting her weight toward Hachiman. "C.B. looks like she's about to attack me. It's quite scary. Won't you protect me?"
"Hey! Stop clinging to my Hachiman!"
"I am not 'yours'..." Hachiman muttered, though he didn't pull away.
"Having Brother's warmth nearby after so long is truly wonderful," Ardan added, gently taking his other side. "In that case, Brother, allow us to escort you back to the dorms later this evening as well."
Excuse me?! What is this?! I've been waiting two months for this, and I have to give up ground to the Mejiro sisters on day one?!
"Grrrrrrrrrrgh—!" I let out a low, frustrated growl.
"Well," Rudolf sighed, closing her eyes in a show of forced magnanimity. "Everyone has suffered from his absence. I suppose we can yield those seats to you... for today."
"You guys act like sitting next to me is some high-tier reward," Hachiman said, looking completely exhausted by the attention. "It's really not that valuable."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"