Rice Shower's POV
Luck: "Thank you, Trainer-san. I'm so sorry for causing a scene the moment you arrived..." (She bows apologetically)
Hachiman: "Please, don't worry about it. More importantly, how's your toe?"
Luck: "I'm alright now; the throbbing has started to subside."
Symboli Rudolf: "Lady Lyra Point, please accept my apologies. It was because I called out to you so suddenly that you lost your footing..."
Luck: "No need for long faces! Raise your head. It's already forgotten. Besides, thank you for the gift. We'll enjoy it together."
Symboli Rudolf: "You are very kind. I apologize for the late introduction—I am Symboli Rudolf. I serve as the Student Council President at Tracen Academy, and like Rice-chan here, I am one of Trainer Hikigaya's charges."
Mr. C.B.: "And I'm Mr. C.B. I'm also under Hachiman's care, just like Rice and Rudolf. Nice to meet you!"
Luck: "Oh my! Trainer-san, your team certainly has grown! Rice-chan, I'm so glad you've made such wonderful friends."
Rice Shower: "Y-Yes!"
I love them both, but calling the President and C.B.-san 'friends' feels like a bit of a stretch... They're more like... amazing older sisters? Or legends?
Luck: "Oh, where are my manners? I haven't even offered our guests tea! Rice-chan, could you give me a hand?"
Rice Shower: "Coming!"
— The Kitchen —
Rice Shower: "By the way, Mom... so that's what you meant by a 'surprise.'"
Luck: "Hehe, were you shocked? The whole town decided on that together. Everyone was already over the moon when you won your first G1, but when you won those races overseas? The town went wild! It was like a festival all night long. Even I went out to celebrate after watching the broadcast!"
Rice Shower: "I had no idea..."
Luck: "We all talked it over and decided that just a celebration wasn't enough—we wanted banners. The word spread so fast that by the time we went to order them, the designs were already finished. I was surprised myself!"
I can't believe everyone did all that for me.
Rice Shower: "...Mom? Next time I come home, do you think it would be okay to display the trophies I won in France somewhere in town?"
Luck: "If that's what you want, Rice-chan, we'll have to have a word with the town officials. I'm sure they'd be honored."
Rice Shower: "Mhm!"
Luck: "Now then... Rice-chan, what should we serve? Tea, coffee, or juice?"
Rice Shower: "Hmm... let's go with tea."
— The Living Room —
Rice Shower: "S-Sorry for the wait!"
Hachiman: "You weren't long at all, don't worry about it."
Rice Shower: "Oh, good..."
Luck: "And what were you three up to while we were out?"
Mr. C.B.: "A quick game of 'Thumb War.' It's been a while, but it's surprisingly addictive! ♪"
Hachiman: "Oh, right. Ma'am, which rooms will we be using? I'm perfectly fine with the room I used last time, if that's okay."
Luck: "I figured you'd be most comfortable in the same room, Trainer-san, so I've already laid out the futon there. As for Rudolf-san and C.B.-san, I've put them in the room right next to Rice-chan's. I thought that would be the most reassuring for everyone."
Hachiman: "Got it. Rice, show them the way later, would you? It'll be easier once they've dropped their luggage off."
Mr. C.B.: "Let's go now! Rice, lead the way! ♪"
Rice Shower: "O-Oh! Okay!"
Symboli Rudolf: "We are in your care."
Luck: "And off they go. Trainer-san, those two are older than Rice, aren't they?"
Hachiman: "Yes, that's right."
Luck: "Fufu, I thought so. It explains why Rice-chan has been a bit more restless than usual."
Hachiman: "You noticed that, huh?"
Luck: "I am her mother, after all."
— The Guest Room —
Rice Shower: "This is where the two of you will be staying. My mother keeps it very clean, so please, make yourselves at home."
Symboli Rudolf: "Thank you, Rice. We shall gratefully accept your hospitality."
Mr. C.B.: "Yeah, it's a great room! And with these tatami mats, I feel like I could just fall asleep right here on the floor!"
Symboli Rudolf: "Please don't actually do that. At least wait until the futons are spread out."
Mr. C.B.: "Rice's room is right next door, right? Can I come visit?"
Rice Shower: "Y-Yes! Of course!"
Mr. C.B.: "Fufufu~ I wonder what Rice's room is like? Is it full of cute things?"
Rice Shower: "It's... it's just a normal room! But since I haven't lived in it since I was in middle school, it's a little embarrassing... ///"
Symboli Rudolf: "We feel the same. I'm sure I'd be quite flustered if you ever saw my private quarters."
Actually, the only person besides my old friends who has ever seen my room is Onii-sama...
Mr. C.B.: "By the way, Rice... where is Hachiman's room?"
Rice Shower: "Eh? Why do you ask?"
Symboli Rudolf: "Rice, I suspect C.B. intends to spend every waking moment in Brother's room. It's her default state of being. It's practically a force of nature at this point, though I do wish she'd show a modicum of restraint."
Mr. C.B.: "It's too late for that! I'm in the terminal stages! I've got a Stage 4 Hachiman Addiction! ♪"
Rice Shower: "H-Hachiman... Addiction?"
Symboli Rudolf: "C.B., 'terminal' and 'Stage 4' are redundant. But for my own reference... what exactly are the symptoms of this 'Stage 4'?"
Mr. C.B.: "Well... um... lots of things!"
Symboli Rudolf: "I see. So many that you can't even categorize them. Rice, what do you think the symptoms are?"
Rice Shower: "Fueh? Um... maybe... wanting to touch Onii-sama?"
Mr. C.B.: "Naïve! You're being too sweet, Rice! Sweet as strawberry milk! It's not just 'touching.' It's wanting to cling to him! It's wanting to nuzzle my head against him! It's wanting to sniff him! It's wanting to act like a complete spoiled brat! It's wanting headpats! It's wanting a lap-pillow! And that's just the physical stuff! I'm telling you, the list goes on and on!!" (Leans in intensely)
Rice Shower: "Y-Yes, ma'am!" (Backs away slowly)
I mean... I think 'wanting to sniff him' is definitely in a different category than just 'touching'...
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