The mock races are over, and trainers are buzzing—some scouting, some analyzing data, others starting training. Everyone's got their thing. Me? I've got business to handle, so I'm heading to my trainer's room.
But…
"It's rare to come this way, so it's a good chance," Rudolf says. "Having Trainer Hikigaya watch my run was worth it."
"Indeed," Air Groove says. "I'm curious about what this trainer wrote."
Brian stays silent, staring.
"You got roped into this too, Trainer-kun?" Hayahide says. "Then I definitely want to see your notes."
"Hehe, Trainer-san's already so popular, and he just got here!" Super Creek says.
"Thanks to Trainer, my stomach's not growling, but I'm hungry," Oguri says. "Got anything in your room?"
"Following, following…" Rice murmurs.
The Uma Musume count keeps growing. Why? Seriously, why? I didn't invite them! Rudolf, Air Groove, Brian, and Hayahide make sense—they asked for my notes. But the other two? What's their deal? Oh, except Rice. She's with me because I dragged her along.
This is gonna freak Kiryuin out. What do I even do?
"Look, Rudolf, Air Groove, Brian, and Hayahide, I get," I say. "But why are the other two tagging along?"
Rice flinches. "Oh… right, Rice doesn't belong, so I don't have to—""No, Rice, you're absolutely needed," I cut in. "I'm just curious why the others are here."
"R-really?" she says.
Why's she gotta hit me with that? My big-brother instincts can't handle it. And I said "two," but Rice automatically assumed she's one of them, even though I wasn't looking at her. Damn.
"Whatever, just come along," I say. "I'm not rolling out a red carpet, though."
"What kind of hospitality is that for a guy?" Air Groove says.
"You got enough food for Oguri if she comes to your room?" I shoot back. "I sure don't."
"…Fair, I couldn't either," Air Groove admits. "But your thinking's too extreme."
"Don't worry about me," Oguri says.
"Just so you know, my room's got nothing but health supplements," I say. "Not sharing, though."
Oguri's stomach growls loudly.
"…Fine, I'll give you something," I say. "Just quiet that stomach already."
"Sorry…" Oguri says, her stomach still rumbling.
"Trainer-san tamed Oguri-chan fast," Super Creek says.
"I didn't tame anyone," I say. "And I didn't want to 'tame' her this way."
At my trainer's room, I spot Kiryuin. "Knew you'd be here."
"Welcome back, Hikigaya-kun!" Kiryuin says. "How'd it go?"
"As expected, crazy high-level talent," I say. "Also, some students are coming in. Quick business. That cool?"
"Sure, no problem," she says.
"Alright, come in," I say.
"Pardon the intrusion, Trainer Kiryuin," Rudolf says.
Kiryuin freezes. "…Huh?"
"Pardon," Air Groove says.
Brian stays silent.
"Brian, at least greet her," Hayahide says.
"Excuse me~" Super Creek says.
"Pardon," Oguri says.
"Um, s-sorry for intruding! Auu~" Rice stammers.
Yup, Kiryuin's stunned. No surprise—besides Rice, this is a lineup of first- and second-place finishers from the mock races. A stacked crew.
"Wait here," I say. "I'll copy my notes and menus. Oguri, here's yours."
"Thanks, Trainer!" Oguri says, eyes sparkling.
Never seen someone's eyes light up like that over a snack.
Five minutes later, I hand over the papers. "Here's what you wanted."
"Let's take a look," Air Groove says.
They pore over my notes with intense focus. Meanwhile…
"Kiryuin, snap out of it," I say. "Staring won't change reality."
"Hikigaya-kun, what's going on?!" Kiryuin says.
"Long story short, they're curious about my notes and want to see them," I say. "That's it."
"That's… really straightforward," she says. "But this lineup…"
Yeah, I get it. Don't say it out loud.
"Hey, Rice, what distance are you best at?" I ask. "If you don't mind sharing."
"Um, Rice is good at long-distance," she says.
"Long-distance, huh," I say. "Mind showing me your run sometime? I'd like to see, maybe 3000m. Can you do that?"
"Y-yeah! Rice will do her best!" she says.
…I'm already set on training this kid.
"Trainer-kun," Hayahide calls.
I turn, and the mock race crew is staring at me.
"I reviewed your notes and menus," Hayahide says. "I took the liberty of sharing them with everyone here."
"Got it," I say.
"I'll give you my honest assessment," Air Groove says. "You're… better than any trainer I've seen."
"Good grief, Air Groove, you're too shy," Rudolf says.
"President?!" Air Groove sputters.
"To put it simply, Trainer Hikigaya," Rudolf says, "I've never met a trainer like you. Your eye and training menus are exceptional."
They're showering me with praise. Feels good, but ease up already.
"And we've made a decision," Rudolf says. "No hard feelings, just our choice. Trainer Hachiman Hikigaya, I want you to be my trainer. Let's reign at the top together."
"…Huh?" I say.
"I barely know you, but your talent's undeniable," Air Groove says. "I want you as my trainer."
"When I saw your menu, I sensed something different," Hayahide says. "Now I'm certain. With you, I can build a winning formula. Be my trainer."
"We just met, but you didn't see me as a 'monster,'" Brian says. "Maybe you didn't know, but it meant a lot. I'd be fine with you as my trainer."
"Being with Trainer-san feels like it'll be full of fun," Super Creek says. "So, I'm reverse-scouting you too."
"I don't know how you see me, Trainer," Oguri says, "but I'm sure you're trustworthy. I want you as my trainer."
…No way. Reverse-scouts? From six Uma Musume at once?
Hachiman, reverse-scouted by six at once! What a lineup!
Rice: "Is Trainer-san okay?"
RawMeat: "It's Hachiman, so he'll think it through and decide."
Rice: "…Yeah, Trainer-san will be fine!"
RawMeat: "What about you, Rice? Not gonna make a move on Hachiman?"
Rice: "B-but Rice is a bad kid…"
RawMeat: "Still, why not try once? Might help you grow from 'bad' Rice."
Rice: "O-okay… I'll try a little."
RawMeat: "Go for it! (So cute♪)"