I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?! Chapter 15 14: Bourbon’s Heart Unlocked

Miho no Bourbon Side

I'd never been scolded like that before. Not even my father spoke to so harshly, and I thought it would never happen. But today, I didn't report the discomfort in my leg—no, my injury—and Trainer got angry, almost furious, with his warning. His words pierced my heart.

"You want to be sidelined before your debut!?" he'd said.

"…That's the last thing I want," I murmured.

Ritto Dorm – Cafeteria

The atmosphere feels heavier, sohow darker. Why? I also sense eyes on . Of course—it's because they saw what happened. They're watching because of my injury and Trainer's words. But I don't think he's a bad person. The fault is mine.

If I'd reported it, none of this would've happened.

"Hey, you seem troubled. Want to talk? I'm here, Bourbon," a voice said.

"…Dorm Leader," I replied.

"Haha, you're always so formal! Call Fuji," she said.

This is Fujikiseki-san, the Ritto Dorm Leader and the Uma Musu who dominated the recent mock race with overwhelming strength.

"It's not exactly a problem, but today's events…" I started.

"Oh, about that trainer? I saw it, and yeah, he went a bit far. It's fine to warn, but calling you out like that? Not cool," Fuji said.

"No, it was my fault. If I'd reported it, there'd be no issue. Trainer was right—I underestimated the injury. I deserved it."

"If that's how you feel, I won't push. But if it's not that, what's got you so lost?"

What's troubling …

"…I don't know. What am I even worried about?" I said.

"Hmm, so you're not sure yourself. No rush to figure it out. But if sothing's bothering you, tell , okay? I'm the dorm leader, after all," Fuji said, walking off.

"Understood," I replied.

Ritto Dorm – My Room

Why—no, what—am I troubled by? I can't pinpoint it. But it's causing an unidentified haze in my heart. It's unsettling…

"Bourbon-san, are you okay?" a voice asked.

"Ah! Sorry, Flower-san. I'm fine. Thank you for your concern," I said.

"No, it's just… the dorm leader asked to check on you!" she said.

This is Nishino Flower-san, my roommate. She's kind and approachable. Rumor has it her notes are clearer than the teachers' lessons or blackboards.

"Don't push yourself, okay?" Flower said.

"Yes."

"By the way, your run today was amazing! So much faster than yesterday!"

"Yes, thanks to Trainer, I could run faster."

"Wow… Having soone like that as your trainer would be so reassuring, right?"

My heart suddenly felt lighter. If he beca my trainer? My Master?

I don't fully know his skills yet, but he made faster. More than that, he cared about my body…

"Adding mission: [Tomorrow, go to Trainer and express my feelings.] Designated as top priority after attending the academy. Upon locating Trainer, execute mission," I declared.

"Um, Bourbon-san?" Flower said.

"Thank you, Flower-san. Your words cleared the haze in my heart."

"Uh, okay…" she replied, puzzled.

Uncharacteristically, I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

The next morning, I left the dorm early to find Trainer. I don't know where he is, so I'm recalculating… Conclusion: head to yesterday's track.

There he is.

"Operation: Execute," I said.

"Excuse ," I called.

"Hm? Oh, Bourbon. How's your leg?" Hachiman asked.

"No issues."

"Good. You've got classes soon, right? What's up?"

"Yes. I ca to share what I felt yesterday."

"Alright… Go on."

"After my run, I was troubled at the dorm. I didn't know why. It was just a haze in my heart. The dorm leader and my roommate were concerned. But an event cleared that haze."

"Glad to hear. What was it?"

"It was you. I spoke with my roommate about my run. She praised my speed and your skill. Then she said, 'Having soone like that as your trainer would be so reassuring.' That erased the haze, and a wish ford. Trainer, I have a request. I want you to be my trainer—my Master."

No one else can train like him.

Hachiman Side

I sighed heavily.

"Um, Hikigaya-kun… you okay?" Aoi asked.

"Not even close… Another one. I went and added another. Shouldn't have watched their runs—now I'm up to seven," I said.

Aoi gave an awkward laugh.

Bourbon's reverse-scout caught off guard. I put her on hold, saying I need to see other Uma Musu run, but honestly, I'm at my limit. Getting scouted by the academy's top Uma Musu one after another? If I keep delaying, other trainers might start throwing punches.

"Guess I gotta decide…" I muttered.

"No rush, but the longer you dawdle, the longer you're without real inco. You get a base wage, but nothing for fun," Aoi said.

She's right. This academy isn't a normal company. Staff get steady pay, but trainers like ? We're not in that bracket. Take Tojo-san—she's a trainer and faculty, so she earns more. Trainers like Minamisaka, Okino, and Kuronuma rely on their Uma Musu's results. First-year trainers get a safety net, but after that, no trainee ans no pay—zero inco.

"Gotta bite the bullet and choose," I said.

"Got any candidates narrowed down?" Aoi asked.

"Roughly eight. Rudolf, Air Groove, Hayahide, Narita Brian, Oguri, Creek, Rice, Bourbon. It's one of them."

"That's a heavy lineup…" Aoi said.

Don't say it—I'm the one feeling the heartburn.

Cafeteria

"Eating here's becoming routine. Gotta start cooking and eat in the trainer's room," I muttered.

But the food here's damn good. Tressen Academy's chefs know their stuff.

"Hey, Hikigaya, mind if I join?" Okino asked.

"Go ahead," I said.

"Thanks! So, how's it going with your Uma Musu? Making progress?"

"I've narrowed it down. The ones who reverse-scouted and those whose runs impressed ."

"Makes sense."

"Wait, Okino-san, you train Gold Ship, right? Why'd she run in that mock race?"

"Oh, she wanted to, so I let her. No rule says only unassigned Uma Musu can race. I don't stick to one path—I support whatever races they want."

"Got it."

Okino's a ss normally, but when it cos to Uma Musu, he's all in. That's worth respecting. His usual sloppiness is a flaw, but it makes him likable.

"Guess I need to—'Why, Symboli Rudolf!?'" I stopped mid-sentence.

Okino glanced over. "That's △△ and Rudolf. What's the commotion?"

"No idea."

△△ shouted, "I've been calling you out forever! Why!? Why pick a newbie like Hikigaya over !?"

That guy's a trainer from my batch, sa as Kiryuin. Cocky as hell from what I saw during intros. Where'd he hear about Rudolf's scout? She ntioned it while eating yesterday, but her voice was too soft for humans to catch—Uma Musu ears might've picked it up.

"Before that, answer ," Rudolf said. "Where'd you hear I asked Hikigaya to train ?"

"Yesterday, when he was coaching those two Uma Musu, you, Air Groove, and Narita Brian showed up, didn't you? That's when!" △△ snapped.

Oh, that ti. Yeah, there was a crowd. Figures.

"I see," Rudolf said. "As for your question, I chose Hikigaya because I feel he's the best shot at achieving my goals. I'm sorry, but that's why."

"Damn it!" △△ growled.

"I'm grateful you scouted , recognizing my talent," Rudolf continued. "But I have my own path. I can't chase my ideals with soone who doesn't share it."

"You—!" △△ roared.

Oh, hell no!

"Think you can just get cocky!?" △△ lunged.

"!?" Rudolf flinched.

"President!?" Air Groove gasped.

Thwack!

I stepped in, taking the hit. Blood trickled from my lip.

"…" I glared.

"H-Hikigaya Trainer…" Rudolf stamred.

"You're bleeding…" Air Groove said.

"Hey," I said to △△. "You know what you just tried to do? Raising a hand to a younger girl—a student? You get what that ans?"

"It's her fault for not picking !" △△ yelled.

"Trainers and Uma Musu both have to agree for a contract. Forcing it's a violation. And raising a hand to an Uma Musu? That's strictly forbidden."

"Shut up! A latecor like you doesn't get to lecture !" △△ snapped.

"You're the cocky one," Kuronuma cut in.

△△ yelped as Kuronuma grabbed him.

"Causing a scene in public, trying to hit Symboli Rudolf, the student leader, and now attacking a fellow trainer? I can't let that slide," Kuronuma said. "This goes straight to the director."

"Damn it, let go, Kuronuma!" △△ struggled.

"I'm your senior, you know. Whatever—co quietly." Kuronuma twisted △△'s arms behind his back and marched him off with a few other trainers to the director's office.

Ouch… not just my lip—my mouth's cut, too.

"You okay, Rudolf?" I asked.

"I'm fine, but you…" she said.

"Just a cut lip and mouth. No big deal."

"No big deal!?" Air Groove snapped. "To the infirmary—now! You need treatnt before it gets worse!"

Infirmary

"Treatnt's done," Air Groove said.

"Thanks, I owe you," I said.

"No, we owe you," she replied. "If you hadn't stepped in, the President would've been hit."

"Hikigaya Trainer, you saved ," Rudolf said. "Thanks to you, I'm unhard. Thank you for putting yourself in harm's way."

"Don't sweat it. I wanted to. Besides, an adult hitting a student? That's a hard no, legally and otherwise."

"I'm heading to the director's office," Air Groove said. "That guy's probably there. President, can I leave this trainer to you?"

"Of course," Rudolf said.

"Thank you. And you," Air Groove glared at , "don't get any funny ideas just because you're alone with her."

"As if," I shot back. "Go already."

Like I'd try anything in this mood. I figured she'd been scouted, but…

"Hey, you never told about your goals," I said.

"Sorry," Rudolf said. "I thought it'd convince him. I apologize for speaking out of turn."

"It's fine. But choose your words carefully with guys like that. Calm logic backfires—they lash out when cornered."

"You sound like you've seen it before."

"Just did."

She laughed. "Fair enough."

Thud.

"R-Rudolf?" I stamred.

She collapsed against , her face buried in my chest.

"Sorry, just… let stay like this for a bit. I'm a girl, too, and that was… scary," she said, trembling slightly.

Her legs were shaking.

"Don't worry about it. That'd shake anyone. Not crying? That's so serious grit," I said.

"You're terrible at comforting," she teased.

"Deal with it," I said, patting her head.

Is he… patting my head? Rudolf thought. It's been so long… Is this how Miho no Bourbon felt yesterday after training?

"But your clumsiness is a strength," she said. "Keep going?"

"If you're okay with it," I said, continuing.

If this calms her, I'll do it as long as she needs. She seems okay now, but I won't ruin the mont by saying so.