I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?! Chapter 10 9: Dilemma and Coffee

I sigh heavily.

What do I do? The mock races are done, I showed my notes, handed Hayahide the training nus, and suddenly six Uma Musu reverse-scouted . Not just any six—the student council president, her right-hand, the so-called "Monster," a top-tier BNW mber, a maternal powerhouse, and a stomach-growling foodie. Every one of them is brimming with potential.

Another sigh. "What a ss…"

"What's got you so troubled?" a voice asks. "Sothing wrong?"

"Oh, Southgate-san," I say. "Just… a lot happened today."

"The mock races, right?" Southgate says.

"Yeah, pretty much," I reply.

Southgate's been a trainer at Tressen Academy for a few years, leading a team with solid results. He's one of the few male trainers here close to my age.

"Didn't go well?" he asks.

"No, it's not that," I say. "It's just… saying it might rub people the wrong way."

"Huh?" he says.

"I got reverse-scouted," I say. "By six Uma Musu."

"Six?!" he exclaims. "That's incredible! So many Uma Musu picking you?"

"Thanks," I say. "But could you keep it down?"

"Oh, sorry," he says. "But why would that cause bad blood? Sure, it's unheard of for a rookie, but there's no reason for anyone to resent you."

"It's the lineup," I say. "It's intense."

"The six?" he asks.

I can't say it out loud, so I scribble their nas on my ever-ready notepad and pen.

"Here's who they are," I say.

Southgate stares. "…Hikigaya-kun, is this for real?"

"If it wasn't, I wouldn't be like this," I say. "First-year trainers can only take one Uma Musu, right? But this lineup? The pressure's insane."

"Yeah, choosing from that group takes guts," he says.

"If it was just one reverse-scout, it'd be easier," I say. "But six?"

"I can only offer basic encouragent, but good luck choosing," he says.

"That's so generic it's not even comforting," I say.

Back in my room, I slump. "What do I do?"

That group is way too talented for a rookie like . Being reverse-scouted by them is an honor, but I'm a newbie who started at Tressen Academy two days ago. Southgate didn't care, but a prideful trainer? They'd be seething with jealousy.

Another sigh. "What's the move? There are still Uma Musu I haven't seen, and I promised to watch Rice's run. No rule says I have to pick from those six yet."

But still… what do I do? I can't even think about nus right now. Ti for a break.

At a Tressen Academy bench, I spot soone. "Huh? Who's that?"

An Uma Musu with jet-black hair and glowing yellow eyes sits, sipping coffee. Like an owl or sothing.

She's drinking coffee now? Doesn't that keep so people—or Uma Musu—up at night?

She glances at . "…!"

"Hey," I say.

"…Hello," she replies.

"Mind if I sit?" she asks, gesturing.

"Oh, sure," I say.

I sit next to her as prompted. No real reason to be here, but refusing felt weird. She's not much of a talker, though. Not that I'm waiting for her to start.

"…Got sothing on your mind?" she asks.

"Huh?" I say.

"You look down," she says. "Just a hunch."

"Yeah, well," I say. "I started here this year, watched the mock races, and made reports on their running styles and traits. So Uma Musu asked to see them, and then they reverse-scouted . So, I'm kinda stuck."

"…I see," she says.

"They're so of the most promising talents here," I say. "No idea how to choose."

How do I choose? There's no rule locking to those six, but after that kind of scouting, picking anyone else feels tough.

"…It's like coffee," she says.

"…What?" I say.

"There are many kinds of coffee," she says. "The water's temperature changes the flavor, the amount too. If you ask which I like best, I can't say. The best depends on how it's brewed."

"Oh… uh, okay," I say.

Is she saying everyone's got their own strengths?

"Do you drink coffee?" she asks.

"If it's sweet," I say.

"Then, here," she says, handing a slightly sweetened canned coffee.

Nice of her, but…

"I co here every week on this day to drink coffee," she says. "Co by if you want. I'm Manhattan Cafe."

"Didn't introduce myself, did I?" I say. "Hachiman Hikigaya."

"So you're the trainer the academy's buzzing about," Cafe says.

"Don't know what they're saying, but yeah, I'm getting talked about," I say.

"It's curfew soon, so I'll head out," she says.

Manhattan Cafe stands and walks toward the Uma Musu dorms. What a peculiar girl. Never t her type before.

"Oh, one more thing," she calls back.

"Hm?" I say.

"If you can, keep that girl company," she says. "She seems interested in you."

…Who's she talking about?