Early the next morning, Fujiwara Chiya vaguely felt someone shaking him.
He turned over, wrapped himself more tightly in the blanket, and curled up sleepily. Then someone pinched his nose.
Unable to breathe, Fujiwara Chiya's eyes snapped open.
And then he saw Akikawa Yayoi sitting on top of him, wearing pale purple sleepwear.
Fujiwara Chiya's brain short-circuited for a brief moment.
Then, like a woman, he screamed.
"Director!?"
On the other side, Shirayuki, who had still been sleeping, shot straight up from the bed, startling Mejiro Dober, who was combing her hair nearby.
"Why are you shouting so loudly!"
Akikawa Yayoi covered her ears and complained.
"Why is the Director in my room…"
Fujiwara Chiya looked around, then finally remembered that he was under supervision. There was no door lock. If the Director wanted to enter, she could enter however she pleased.
"Of course I'm here to wake you up. What time do you think it is?"
She sat astride Fujiwara Chiya and patted his chest.
Thank goodness there was a blanket.
Otherwise, this position would be extremely dangerous.
Fujiwara Chiya could clearly feel the soft weight of her sitting on him. When she shook him, the motion carried a slight warmth.
"In any case, hurry up and get out of bed. Breakfast is ready."
As she spoke, she reached out, pinched Fujiwara Chiya's cheeks, and rubbed them a few times.
"I'm helping you wake up."
"I'm awake. I'm already awake…"
"Then hurry downstairs. You're already this old, and I still have to wake you up."
After saying that, Akikawa Yayoi hopped off the bed. Her feet made a soft patter against the floor. She put on her slippers and reminded him,
"Comb your hair too. It's a mess."
After Akikawa Yayoi left, Fujiwara Chiya sat up.
What was with that conversation just now?
It had been so smooth that Fujiwara Chiya almost thought he had been talking to his own mother or older sister.
By the time Fujiwara Chiya changed clothes and went downstairs, he found that Akikawa Yayoi had already prepared breakfast. She was wearing a white apron and holding two cups of hot milk.
"Eat, Chiya. I just made it."
After saying that, Akikawa Yayoi crossed one leg and sat down on a chair, signaling for Fujiwara Chiya to take his seat.
This is too strange.
The Director's attitude is way too strange!
She woke me up and even made me breakfast. I'm supposed to be someone under supervision right now, aren't I?
Why don't I feel that at all?
Instead, it feels like I've started a cohabitation life with the Director.
Fujiwara Chiya bit into the crispy toast, then spread a little mayonnaise on it. He raised his head and found the Director looking at him.
"How does it taste?"
"Very fresh. Very delicious…"
"Hmph hmph. Actually, I've been practicing my cooking skills for a long time, all for the sake of this day."
As she spoke, Akikawa Yayoi proudly lifted her nose.
What day?
The day you make breakfast for someone?
Or the day you make breakfast for me?
"I bought some pork ribs yesterday. I'll make them when I come back at noon. You'll help me in the kitchen then."
"Okay…"
Could it be that I really am living together with the Director?
Wait, why is there another breakfast serving?
"Good morning, Director!"
A voice sounded from outside the door. Akikawa Yayoi got up to open it, and Fujiwara Chiya heard the two of them talking.
"Good morning, Tannhauser. Morning run?"
"Mm, I just happened to pass by here!"
"Have you eaten breakfast?"
"I drank a cup of milk."
"Perfect. I made an extra portion, so come eat with us."
"Really? Then I won't hold back."
The sound of movement came from the entrance.
Fujiwara Chiya saw a girl wearing a purple hat walk in. A faint smile hung on her sweet, somewhat innocent face.
It was Matikane Tannhauser.
She also saw Fujiwara Chiya. Her cute yellow eyes blinked a few times.
"Oh~ Isn't this Trainer Chiya? You're here too."
She took off her shoes, walked beside Fujiwara Chiya, and greeted him.
So the extra portion was for her.
"Morning, Tannhauser. You have a habit of morning runs?"
"Hehe~ I have my own unique training method. First, drink a cup of milk in the morning, then start running. That way, the milk can all transform into muscles! This is experience I summarized after a whole month."
Matikane Tannhauser placed her hands on her hips, looking as if she had discovered something incredible. She proudly lifted her nose.
For an instant, Fujiwara Chiya saw her figure overlap with the Director's.
"By the way, why is Trainer Chiya here?"
"There are various reasons…"
"Chiya was reported, so he has to accept supervision here."
Akikawa Yayoi returned to her seat.
"Reported!? I believe Trainer Chiya is innocent!"
"Tannhauser… thank you for trusting me."
Unfortunately, your trust is misplaced.
I really am guilty. The stained bedsheet in my room still has marks on it.
"Enough of that. Hurry and eat. Oh right, Tannhauser, are you coming here at noon?"
"Twin Turbo and the others invited me out, so I won't trouble you, Director."
"I see…"
Akikawa Yayoi's expression fell briefly, but she quickly recovered.
"Then it will just be Chiya and me."
After eating breakfast while chatting about trivial things, Fujiwara Chiya returned to his office.
He looked at the books he had borrowed from the library. After thinking it over several times, he set them aside.
The words of a senior trainer often carried decades of accumulated experience. He could not simply listen and let them pass. Since Musaka Ginjirō had said watching races was more important than reading books, Fujiwara Chiya decided to try it.
Recently, he had indeed spent far more time in the library than at the racetrack. Fujiwara Chiya could also clearly feel that his progress had become sluggish. Compared to before, he had not grown much at all.
If this continued, there was no way he would be able to train Shirayuki properly.
Thinking that, he picked up his camera and notebook, then headed to the racetrack.
"Leading is Kamikaze Wheel! Such fast acceleration—!"
Hearing the noisy surroundings, Fujiwara Chiya silently recorded what he saw. He sketched the other girl's acceleration movement in his notebook and began calculating it in his mind.
Mid-race acceleration.
She will tire out soon. Although she looks like she's leading, the rhythm of her legs is already starting to show problems.
"After she tires, number four will charge up…"
Fujiwara Chiya heard someone beside him murmuring to himself.
The other person wore a brownish-yellow flat cap. His face had sharp, defined features, and he was watching the race nervously.
"The one in the best condition right now is… number six!"
"It's number seven," Fujiwara Chiya said casually.
The man turned his head.
"Flying Sword Gallop! Number seven, Flying Sword, has surpassed Kamikaze Wheel! What a powerful final leg! She crosses the line! The winner is Flying Sword Gallop!"
A burst of cheers came from the racetrack.
The man looked at the racecourse, then turned back toward Fujiwara Chiya. In the end, he moved closer.
Before Fujiwara Chiya could find an excuse for running his mouth, the man said,
"Hello. My name is Kitahara Joe. I'm a local trainer."