I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?! Chapter 197 - 195: Fuji Kiseki Arc - The Grand Stage of Fier

Hachiman's POV

Two weeks have passed since successfully scouting Wing Arrow. Today's the Satsuki Sho, the first leg of the Triple Crown—Fuji's most familiar course. It's practically a ho ga. She's raced here twice and won both tis, a huge advantage.

CB: "So, Hachiman, how's Fuji doing?"

Wing Arrow: "With you as her trainer, is she in top shape?"

Ardan: "Fuji Kiseki-san seed fine from what I saw…"

Rice: "Y-Yeah… She'll be okay, right?"

…Okay, but why are you all here? This section's supposed to be just for and Air Groove. You guys aren't on the team yet—technically outsiders.

Hachiman: "She's in great shape. She's got the skill to perform. Her goal's the Derby, so tripping up here would kill her montum."

Air Groove: "Hey, watch what you say."

Hachiman: "I know that was a bad call as her trainer. But Air Groove, think about it—what's the one thing that shouldn't happen in a race?"

Air Groove: "Shouldn't happen?"

Hachiman: "Yeah. It's ideal in a way, but also a massive pressure. You, of all people, should get it."

CB: "C'mon, Hachiman, spill it~!"

Can't this clingy girl just wait?

Air Groove: "…Sorry, I don't get it."

Hachiman: "…The answer is 'absolute.'"

Rice: "Huh? What's that an?"

Hachiman: "Rice, would you be happy winning a race you're guaranteed to win?"

Rice: "…No, that wouldn't feel good."

Hachiman: "Exactly. That's just a scripted race. I'm not saying this Satsuki Sho is like that, but look around—everyone's convinced Fuji's got it in the bag."

Arrow: "…True."

Hachiman: "Fuji's strong—we know that best, Air Groove and I. But there's always a 'what if.' With this much attention, she's bound to get marked hard." New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel-fire

CB: "And if she burns too much stamina, she won't have enough for the final stretch… right?"

Hachiman: "That's one possibility. Just thinking about it's exhausting."

…Ti to check on Fuji.

Locker Room

Fuji: "Hey, Hachiman Trainer-san, I'm ready. How should I run this one?"

Hachiman: "Stick close to the lead pack. Ideally, right behind the frontrunner."

Fuji: "Not hanging back further?"

Hachiman: "I get why you'd think that. But this race will be your toughest yet. You'll be heavily marked. This strategy accounts for that."

Fuji: "Got it. I trust you, Hachiman Trainer-san. I'll stay behind the leader. I'm in gate 6, number 11—slightly outside, but good for reading the field. I'll move up when the ti's right."

Hachiman: "Yeah, I'm counting on you."

Fuji: "Alright, here I go!"

Hachiman: "Go get 'em."

…Hope this strategy works. It's the best I've got in this field. If Fuji tried her usual mid-pack, stamina-saving style, she'd get boxed in. This Satsuki Sho's gonna be brutal.

Stands

Hachiman: "I'm back~."

Rice: "Welco back, Onii-sama."

Ardan: "Would you like a drink?"

Hachiman: "Yeah, thanks."

Air Groove: "…Rare to see you this restless."

Rice: "Really?"

Air Groove: "Normally, he's calm and composed. Today's different—half expectation, half anxiety."

Hachiman: "…Four years together, huh? You read well. Spot on."

Arrow: "Wow, she nailed it…"

CB: "Hachiman, don't worry. Fuji's got this. She'll find her own way."

Hachiman: "…Yeah, you're right. No point stressing now. All we can do is believe in her and cheer."

Ardan: "Exactly, Anii-sama. We do our part to the fullest."

Phew… That cleared my head. Now I'm starving, but this isn't the ti to say it… What to do?

Rice: "Oh, Onii-sama! Want so yakisoba? Earlier, Gold Ship-san was selling it in a weird happi coat. I tried it—it's delicious!"

Arrow: "…We're about to watch a big race, and you're eating—'Rice, you're such a good kid.' …Wait, you're eating?"

Hachiman: "Yeah. My nerves settled, and now I'm hungry. Rice, you're a gem."

Rice: "O-Onii-sama, you're praising too much~… But I'm happy, thank you ///"

How'd she turn out so pure? Gotta protect Rice at all costs. Oh, this yakisoba's good.

Afterword

Fuji faces a fierce Satsuki Sho in this Yahari x Uma Musu chapter, with Hachiman's strategy and the team's support in the spotlight. Rice's wholeso yakisoba mont lightens the tension as the race looms. Fuji's arc hits a critical point!

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