(I wanted to get in some early morning stretches before I left for the rink, but…someone’s already in here.)

*pant, pant*

Kafka, you okay? I think you should take a break.

Urk, I can keep going… Three more minutes…

Your heart rate’s at 152… That doesn’t look good. Kafka, you need to slow down!

Ugh… *pant, pant* I-I’m done… I’m so dizzy…

Get down carefully… Um… You should do some stretches. I’ll get you water!

……

You’re covered in sweat, Kafka. How long have you been at this?

Yukikaze…!

…You saw all of that?

You’re pushing yourself too hard. There’s no need to go to these lengths to build your stamina.

*sigh*

……

Let’s go somewhere else for the trip. We can go somewhere closer that’s easier on y⁠—

Stop talking. I don’t want to be the reason why we change things.

But I’m worried that you might collapse again.

And I’m working out so that doesn’t happen.

You’re not suited to physical tasks. There are lots of other things you’re plenty good at, so you don’t need to force yourself.

…Why do you think you can boss me around?! Because you’re healthier and more athletic than me? You don’t know how I feel!

…! That’s not what I…

Kafka, I got you some water… Yukikaze? Wait, what’s going on? Did something happen?

It’s nothing! Renga, give me that. I’m going to start my stretches, so help me out. Ignore the skater, he’s going to leave soon anyway.

O-Okay… Are you leaving for practice, Yukikaze? Good luck. I’ll take care of Kafka here, so don’t worry too much!

……

(…Did I say too much? I just hate seeing Kafka push himself so hard…)

Kafka, how are you feeling? I heard from Renga that you were on the exercise bike for quite a while…

Ah, Sakujiro. Can you check these for me? They’re the materials for our next report to Tokyo.

Of course, Mr. President. I shall have it done posthaste.

(…He’s ignoring me again.)

(Yuki-nii and Kafka have been like that for a few days now… Did they have another argument? Even if they did, I wouldn’t have expected things to stay this awkward for so long.)

Looking at those two kinda makes you forget that the whole point of this thing is to help the hosts get along.

Ten-kun… Do you know what happened?

Nah, not really, but I could probably take a guess. Right, Liguang-san?

Tch, why are you involving me?

Liguang-san, you agree that things are weird between them, right?

That idiot agreed to help Oguro work out, but I don’t expect him to know how to support him properly. No wonder Kamina’s worried.

What? No way! I wanted this duo to be amazing… Should I try to step in and help, Boss?!

…I need to go…

Yachiyo-kun, uh… Y-You have so much other work to do… Like, you need to come up with ideas for the new song, right? I don’t think anyone else but you could do that…

*gasp* You’re right!! I need to talk to Sakujiro-san about the outfits too!! I’m crazy busy!

……

(Yuki-nii looks so sad… I wish it was easier for him to talk through things with Kafka…)

Hmm, I hope this is good… I tried to follow the recipe I found…

Thanks for handling dinner, Chief. I know you’ve already started, but let me help.

Ah, welcome home, Yuki-nii. You don’t have to, but thanks. I’m almost done anyway.

Chicken breast and broccoli…? Did Kafka ask you to make this?

Yeah. He said it’s good for fitness. I think he wanted to build up his muscles, or something?

……

Chief, what if we changed our study trip destination? I still want to go to Taisho Pond with you, but maybe we could do that on our own time instead.

…I mean, I’m fine with that, but… Are you doing it because of Kafka?

You remember how he passed out during our dance lessons and ended up in the hospital. I don’t want him to push himself.

……

I know how you feel, I’m worried too… But don’t you think you should consider how Kafka feels about this?

…!

I also had a fight with Kafka because I was worried about him during those HosLive lessons.

I don’t think I was wrong for feeling the way I did, but…Kafka isn’t cooped up in the hospital anymore.

He’s trying to change himself, so I thought that I should do the same… I want to believe in him.

…Believe in Kafka…

It’ll be fine! Everything will work itself out! That’s how it’s been for us up until now, right? I want you to believe in Kafka too.

…You’re right. I…do feel like I’m being inconsiderate of his feelings.

I’ll try and have a talk with him.

Yeah! I’m sure it’ll go well.

Oh, and I forgot…

Could I ask you to record weekly reports until the tour’s over?

Of course… I’ll work hard if that means making you happy.

Thanks, I’m looking forward to it!