I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?!

Chapter 507 506: All Eyes on the Orbit

[Rice Shower's Side]

Rice: " Haah... haah... haah... haah... "

Hachiman: "Good pace, Rice. At this rate, you'll put up a hell of a fight at the Takarazuka Kinen. The only real hurdle is the distance. Your shortest lately has been 2,000 meters, and between last year and this year, you haven't run anything under 2,500. That's what's got me worried."

Mr. C.B.: "Ha-chi-ma-n? You're thinking out loud again."

Hachiman: "Wait, seriously...?"

Mejiro Ramonu: "You really do have the strangest habits."

Hachiman: "Sorry for being strange. Old habits die hard. As for Rudolf and Ardan... yeah, they're gaining ground too. If she keeps this up, Ardan should be ready for her debut next year."

Mr. C.B.: "Sigh... I want to run too. Come on, Hachiman, not even a little bit?"

Hachiman: "Absolutely not. You just finished the Derby, so you're on training hiatus until summer camp. Besides, I told you to take the day off—why are you even here?"

Mr. C.B.: "Because I wanted to be with you. Why else?"

Hachiman: "Wow. I'm touched. Truly."

Mr. C.B.: "You're not even trying to sound sincere!"

Mejiro Ramonu: "Brother, I would hope you're looking forward to my race as well?"

Hachiman: "Of course I am. And this SDT (Special Dream Trot) is 1,600 meters on the Hanshin turf—the same stage as the Oka Sho. Since you've already conquered the Oka Sho, it should be your backyard. You've run Hanshin twice and the mile five times. But since we only started training together recently, I was worried that—"

Mejiro Ramonu: "—'There's no need for concern, because I've been training alongside you specifically for this.' Is that what you were going to say? Honestly, did you and my trainer plan this all along? You're both quite the tacticians."

Mejiro Ramonu: "My, I'm flattered. Thank you."

Between Rice's Takarazuka Kinen and Ramonu's upcoming SDT, I had my hands full. I'd first heard the news from Ramonu's form—well, current—trainer. To say I was surprised when he told me would be an understatement.

Rice: " Fueee... "

Symboli Rudolf: "Phew... As expected of Rice. It's no small feat to overtake her. This is excellent practice."

Mejiro Ardan: "I still have so far to go. I wonder when I'll finally be able to keep up with the speed of you two..."

Hachiman: "Don't rush it. You only just started training, Ardan. It's only natural. Ramonu has been adjusting to our routine for months now, and we've been integrating her into the menu for a while."

Mr. C.B.: "Exactly. You're just getting started, so take it easy. Besides, the fact that you've been keeping up with our training from day one is impressive enough. Also, Hachiman? You've probably already noticed, but... they're watching."

Hachiman: "...Yeah. Both the students and the trainers."

I couldn't blame them. Up until recently, I only had three girls under my wing. Now, that number had suddenly jumped by two. One of those additions was Mejiro Ramonu—the Triple Tiara winner with six G1 victories to her name. Even if it hadn't been officially announced yet, word that I had become a Team Trainer had clearly leaked. I'd already let it slip to one person, anyway.

Mejiro Ramonu: "...This is a perfect opportunity, Brother. Why don't C.B. and I put on a little demonstration?"

Hachiman: "Absolutely not. You might be fine, but C.B. is supposed to be resting. The only ones who could even give you a real run right now are Rudolf and Rice."

Mejiro Ramonu: "Then how about a three-way heat between them and me?"

Hachiman: "Good grief... just how much of a show do you want to put on?"

Mejiro Ramonu: "I simply cannot allow people to look down on my Brother."

...I appreciated the sentiment, but her sense of "looking out for me" felt slightly off the mark.

Okino: "Yo, Hikigaya! You've really put together a monstrous roster this time, haven't you?"

Hachiman: "Trainer Okino... How is McQueen doing?"

Okino: "She's recovering well. She can't run yet, but if things keep going this smoothly, she should be back to her old self by next spring."

Hachiman: "I'm glad to hear that."

Okino: "Still, you really draw a crowd wherever you go. Your first year, you got a G1 win with Rice Shower. Your third year, you took Japan's first overseas G1. This year, you've got back-to-back Tenno Sho wins and Mr. C.B.'s Double Crown... and now the rumors about you being a Team Trainer are true, right?"

Hachiman: "Yeah, they are. I didn't exactly plan on it, but the official order came down from above."

Okino: "Man, you should've told me! The more I look at this lineup, the more legendary it gets..."

Well, he's not wrong...

Hachiman: "So, do you know why all these other students and Umamusume are hanging around?"

Okino: "Isn't it obvious? They're here for you guys. Everyone found out you had three trainees before they even realized it; now that it's five, the mystery just grows."

Hachiman: "...I suppose so."

Okino: "And hey, that guy is here too. Look, over there."

Senpai 2: "..."

Hachiman: "...So he is. Not that I care."

Okino: "I'm looking forward to the Takarazuka Kinen. I don't have anyone entered this time, so I won't be competing with you, but I'm expecting great things from Rice Shower."

Hachiman: "Thanks."

I'd have to give it my all to make sure Rice was perfectly tuned for the race.

Even now, the world refused to stop watching Hachiman Hikigaya...

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