I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?! Chapter 2 1: New Base, New Rivals

So this is the trainers' dorm, huh? Tokyo's got facilities like this, no surprise. Other Tressen Academies had info on the school itself, but nothing about workplaces like this.

"Excuse ," I say at the front desk. "I'm starting as a trainer here today. Na's Hikigaya."

"We've been expecting you, Trainer Hikigaya!" a cheerful voice responds. "A warm welco! I'm Tazuna Hayakawa, secretary to the academy's director. Pleasure to et you!"

"Likewise," I reply.

"Let show you to your room," Tazuna says. "The dorm's split by gender, but we all live under one roof. Be careful not to wander into the won's section, okay?"

"Got it," I sigh.

Even among trainers, I can only picture older folks. Sure, younger people are aiming for this job lately, but they're still rare. Wonder how it is here?

"Here we are," Tazuna announces. "Your room, Trainer Hikigaya. It's got the bare essentials for now, but feel free to make it your own."

"Understood," I nod.

"Do you have plans for tomorrow?" she asks. "If not, I've got a great event to recomnd."

"I'm heading to the mock race for unassigned Uma Musu," I say. "Hoping to pick one to train."

"Oh, you know about the mock race!" Tazuna beams. "That makes things quick. Tomorrow's a big day in many ways—definitely unmissable for you! Tons of trainers will be scouting for their ideal Uma Musu, so don't fall behind, Trainer Hikigaya!"

"Thanks," I say.

No surprise the mock race is a big deal among trainers. Tazuna's hype confirms it's a key event.

"First, I need to lock in an Uma Musu," I mutter. "Nothing starts without one. Solo effort's pointless without a partner."

I head to the cafeteria, munching and scribbling notes. This training nu might be too intense. Maybe save it for sumr camp? For daily use, I should tone it down…

"Um, is this seat taken?" a voice asks.

I keep eating and writing, lost in thought.

"Uh, excuse …" The voice taps my shoulder.

"Huh? Oh, sorry, what's up?" I blink.

"Can I sit here?" she asks.

"Yeah, go ahead," I say.

"Thanks!" she says, settling in.

I go back to my notes, scribbling away.

"Wow… impressive," she murmurs.

"Hm?" I glance up.

"Oh, sorry for peeking!" she says. "I'm a new trainer here this year. Na's Aoi Kiryuin. Nice to et you!"

Kiryuin… a big na in the training world. Figures I'd et soone from that family at Central.

"I'm Hachiman Hikigaya. Nice to et you too," I say.

"Trainer Hikigaya, got it," Aoi says. "How'd you co up with that nu? Self-taught?"

"Nah, learned from my ntor," I reply. "This one's too tough, though—probably for sumr camp."

"That's amazing," Aoi says. "I make nus too, but I've never thought like this. Your approach is so flexible."

"It's not that big a deal…" I trail off.

First ti anyone's said that. My ntor always tore into my nus—too unique, unbalanced, or outright wild.

"Pretty interesting nu," another voice chis in.

I look up. Aoi lights up. "Hana-senpai!"

The woman Aoi calls Hana-senpai rocks a grey pantsuit, black dress shirt, long hair in a ponytail, white-rimd glasses, and red earrings—a sharp, intellectual vibe.

"Hey, Aoi," she says. "And you are?"

"Starting as a trainer here today," I say. "Hikigaya."

"Hikigaya-kun, huh? I'm Hana Tojo, a trainer and faculty mber here," she says.

A trainer and faculty? Impressive.

"Sorry for looking at your nu without asking," Hana says, "but it's intriguing. I've made plenty of nus, but this is a first."

"Good first or bad first?" I ask.

"You think I'd bother talking just to rag on you?" she smirks. "Good first. I'd love to borrow that brain of yours."

"That's huge, Trainer Hikigaya!" Aoi exclaims. "Getting praise from Hana-senpai!"

"Really?" I ask.

"Hana-senpai's known for brutal training and dance nus," Aoi says. "Praise from her is massive!"

"Don't overhype , Aoi," Hana says. "Hikigaya, if you need advice, co find . I won't barge into your dorm room, but I'm ga in public spaces."

"Uh, thanks," I mumble.

With that, Trainer Tojo leaves. Having a consultant's not bad at all.

A day at Tressen Academy, and I'm waking up to a crisp morning. Yesterday, I chatted with Kiryuin—she's a同期, who knew?—Tojo-senpai, and so male trainers who were surprisingly helpful. Today's the mock race, but it's still hours away. What should I do?

nu planning's an option, but exploring the campus isn't bad either. I haven't t the director yet, so a greeting's in order. Exploring and eting the boss make the most sense. I'd love to check out the town, but that can wait.

I've seen the track, but the campus itself is new. A map would be quickest. With Uma Musu in classes, I'll steer clear of classroom halls to avoid trouble.

"Morning, Trainer Hikigaya!" a familiar voice calls.

"Oh, Hayakawa-san, morning," I reply, startled.

"What brings you here?" Tazuna asks.

"Just trying to get the lay of the land," I say. "I'm new, so I was checking the campus map to see what's where."

"I see! Perfect timing, then," she says. "I'm heading to the director's office. Want to co along and introduce yourself?"

It's what I planned at the dorm, and I missed the chance yesterday. No ti like the present.

"Sure, please," I say.

"Great, follow !" Tazuna beams.

We arrive at the director's office.

"This is it," Tazuna says. "Director, it's Tazuna."

"Approved! Co in!" a voice booms.

"Excuse us," Tazuna says.

"Excuse ," I echo.

"Question!" the director says. "Tazuna, who's this? The new trainer you ntioned?"

"Yes, this is Hachiman Hikigaya, assigned as a trainer. He arrived yesterday," Tazuna confirms.

"I'm Hachiman Hikigaya," I say. "Sorry for not greeting you yesterday."

"No need!" she declares. "You had your reasons, I'm sure. Showing up today's enough! I'm Yayoi Akikawa, director of this academy!"

Talk about a unique way of speaking…

"Nice to et you," I say.

"Welco!" she exclaims.

"Director," Tazuna adds, "Trainer Hikigaya just arrived yesterday. May I show him around the campus?"

Huh?

"Approved!" Yayoi says. "It'll help him learn faster. Tazuna, it's all yours!"

And just like that, Tazuna's giving a campus tour.

"Where should we start?" Tazuna asks. "Any places you're curious about?"

"I saw the track yesterday, so I'd like to check out indoor training spots," I say.

"Got it, let's go," she says.

We hit the training room first.

"This is for strength training," Tazuna explains. "It's mostly for Uma Musu recovering from injuries, but others use it too, so you'll likely co here often."

"Got it," I nod.

Next, the pool facility.

"This is our pool—50-ter long-course with a diving board," Tazuna says. "Perfect for endurance training. I trust you, Trainer Hikigaya, but…"

"What's up?" I ask.

"Don't stare too much at the Uma Musu, even as a trainer, okay?" she says.

"There's been trainers like that before?" I ask.

"Unfortunately," she sighs.

"I'll be careful," I say.

Then, the library.

"As you can see, this is the library," Tazuna says. "It's got race books, of course, but also tons of other topics. Perfect for studying."

"Hmm," I murmur.

"And please keep your voice down in here," she adds.

"Common sense for a library," I reply.

Next, the infirmary.

"This is the infirmary," Tazuna says. "We can treat minor injuries here with first aid. If an Uma Musu gets hurt, co here right away."

"Who handles treatnt?" I ask. "Is there a nurse?"

"There is, but ideally, the trainer does it," she says. "You know your Uma Musu best."

"Makes sense, unless they're not cool with a guy touching them," I say.

Finally, the cafeteria.

"This is mainly for Uma Musu lunches," Tazuna says. "Trainers rarely eat here. Most bring their own food."

"Where do trainers eat, then?" I ask.

"Usually in the trainer's room," she says.

"Guess that's where I'll be," I say.

We end at the track.

"You saw this yesterday, but this is the training course," Tazuna says. "We've got hill, woodchip, turf, and dirt tracks."

"Even from a distance, you can tell it's top-tier," I say.

"Absolutely! It's our academy's pride!" Tazuna beams.

"The mock race is after school here, right?" I ask.

"Yes, it's a big day," she says. "Especially for you, Trainer Hikigaya."

Gotta keep my eyes peeled for those Uma Musu runs, then.