I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?! Chapter 385 384 Well, This is a Disaster

Hachiman's Perspective

"I see... so it was Air Groove after all," I sighed. "I suppose it makes sense. She was probably looking out for the safety of the students. No matter how much technique or knowledge a trainer has, no one wants to learn from a guy like that. So? Anything else you're hiding?"

C.B. looked down, her usual energy dampened. "No... that's everything."

"Rice doesn't have anything else either..."

I paused, looking at the small girl standing beside the legendary racer. "...Rice, can I ask you sothing?"

"Y-yes?"

"Why exactly did you co all the way back here? I only intended to question C.B. regarding the leak."

Rice fiddled with the hem of her skirt. "B-because Rice was keeping secrets from Onii-sama too. I thought... if you were going to be angry, I wanted us to be in trouble together."

...Good grief. If I had a little angel and a little devil sitting on my shoulders right now, both of them would be waving white flags and giving Rice a pass. How is she this good of a girl? What kind of upbringing results in a soul this pure?

(Internal Dialogue: I forgive everything!! I shall show no rcy to anyone who harms this precious child!)

"Look, I'm not angry, so relax," I said, trying to soften my voice. "I never had any intention of scolding you; I was just curious how C.B. found out about that incident. Rice, you can head back for now. C.B., you're coming with ."

C.B. blinked. "Eh? Where to?"

"Where do you think? The Student Council room."

—The Student Council Office—

Alright, we're here. I just hope soone is actually inside...

Knock, knock, knock.

"Co in," Rudolf's voice rang out from the other side.

I pushed the door open. "Pardon the intrusion, Rudolf."

"Oh, Brother? How rare for you to visit here," Rudolf said, her expression softening into a small smile. "Did sothing happen?"

"Actually... yeah. Co here, you." I nudged C.B. forward.

"H-hey there, Rudolf..." C.B. waved awkwardly.

"I managed to get a very interesting story out of C.B. here," I said, leaning against the doorfra. "And now I'd like an explanation. I want to know why a private conversation between trainers has managed to spread to the entire student body."

Rudolf went still for a mont. "...So, you found out."

"Don't worry. I'm not here to yell at you."

Air Groove, who was standing by the window, spoke up. "Forgive us. It started with . I sought counsel from Narita Brian, and it spiraled from there. Please, do not place the bla on the President."

"I told you, I'm not looking for a scapegoat," I replied. "I just want the facts. That's all."

"I understand," Air Groove said with a nod. "It began like this..."

And so, sipping on a cup of tea provided by the Council, I listened to their explanation. Honestly, I was stunned. To think the entire rumor mill started simply because they were offended on my behalf...

"I get the gist of it," I said after they finished. "But using as the catalyst for a student-wide information blackout? Isn't that a bit much?"

"It is a more than sufficient reason," Rudolf said firmly.

"Exactly!" C.B. chid in, regaining her spirit. "We won't stand for anyone talking trash about our 'big brother'! Also, Rudolf, that creepy trainer is basically stalking now. Tell the Chairwoman to increase Hachiman's official trainee slots so he can protect !"

Rudolf's brow furrowed. "Stalking? What do you an?"

"The guy who insulted is apparently eyeing C.B. as his next trainee," I explained. "He's been following us during training lately. It's becoming a nuisance."

"I see..." Rudolf mused. "Though I can't help but feel there's a bit of personal bias in your request, C.B."

"Well, duh!" C.B. snapped, stepping forward. "You know better than anyone how badly I want to be Hachiman's official student!"

...Wow. Hearing her say it so bluntly was actually a bit overwhelming.

"The man has a terrible reputation among the students regardless," Air Groove added. "His forr trainee testified that he was constantly finding petty faults in her performance."

"So she really did quit," I said. "Is anyone actually still signed with him?"

"There are those who feel they have no choice," Air Groove explained. "With the trainer shortage, many fear that if they break their contract, they'll never find another and their racing careers will end. It's a tragedy, but a common one."

"I figured as much..."

Rudolf looked at intently. "Brother, may I make a suggestion to the Chairwoman? Regarding an increase in your roster limit?"

"Don't you dare," I sighed. "That's just your personal bias talking too, isn't it?"

Rudolf gave a look of perfect innocence. "To borrow C.B.'s phrase: well, duh."

...Of course.

"Just drop it," I insisted. "If you do that, it'll cause an even bigger scene than we have now. Besides, that other trainer will—"

BAM! BAM! BAM!

"CONFIRMATION!!" a loud, boisterous voice shouted from the hallway. "IS ANYONE WITHIN?!"

"Chairwoman Akikawa?" Rudolf called out. "Please, enter."

The door flew open. "EXCUSE ! Oh, Trainer Hikigaya! Good to see you! Your hard work is most appreciated!!"

"Uh, thanks..." I mumbled.

"Chairwoman, what brings you here in such a hurry?" Rudolf asked.

"LUCK!" Akikawa declared. "It is most fortuitous that Trainer Hikigaya is present!"

Wait, why do I have a bad feeling about this?

"PROPOSAL!" Akikawa announced, pointing a fan at . "President Symboli Rudolf! Trainer Hikigaya, though a newcor last year, has achieved monuntal success from his first day to the present! THEREFORE! I wish to increase his trainee quota! I ask you, as the head of the students: What say you?!"

...Are you kidding ? She's really doing this right here, right now?

"The Chairwoman is exactly right," Rudolf said, her voice smooth as silk. "Trainer Hikigaya—my brother—is exceptionally talented. The proof lies in the fact that everyone in this room is desperate to join his roster. We were just discussing the matter, but he was being quite stubborn and refused... It's truly a sha. We all simply wish to be guided by a trainer who is as skilled as he is caring."

"QUESTION!!" Akikawa rounded on . "Trainer Hikigaya! Why would you reject such a developnt?!"

"Well... it's just that if I get a roster increase while senior trainers are still struggling, it'll cause friction. I thought I should wait a bit longer—"

"FUTILE!!" Akikawa cut off.

"Eh?"

"WE SUFFER A CHRONIC SHORTAGE OF TRAINERS! TO LET TALENT LIKE YOURS SIT IDLE IS A CRI AGAINST THE SPORT! President Rudolf, we shall move forward with the expansion of Trainer Hikigaya's roster! I shall consult with the team-founding trainers imdiately! UNTIL THEN, WAIT IN ANTICIPATION!"

"Understood, Chairwoman," Rudolf replied with a victorious glint in her eyes.

"EXCELLENT!! Trainer Hikigaya, prepare your heart!! EXCUSE !!"

With that, she vanished as quickly as she had arrived.

This can't be happening. I ca here to clear up a rumor, and I'm leaving with a promotion I never wanted. Why does my life always go in the opposite direction of 'peace and quiet'?

And you three... stop looking at with those sparkly eyes. I'm not recruiting any of you yet!

He went to settle a dispute and ca back with a bigger job... Hachiman's roster expansion is officially in motion!

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