I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?! Chapter 4 3: Before the Mock Race

The chi rings, signaling the end of classes and the start of after-school hours. At 4 p.m., the mock race kicks off. This is my biggest mont yet. I need to study the Uma Musu—their running styles, forms, footwork—and pick out any standouts. But keeping the lineup and running order secret until the day of? That's so next-level planning.

"Hikigaya-kun, it's ti," Aoi Kiryuin says. "Shall we get ready?"

"Yeah," I say. "Stopwatch, entry list, pen… that's about it."

"Entry list?" Aoi asks. "Was there one?"

"Nah, I made it on the PC earlier," I say. "Nothing fancy—just an Excel sheet with na slots and space to write. The course probably fits ten runners max, so I made ten slots. I'll jot down nas and only ti the ones who catch my eye."

"You're not just picking the winner?" Aoi asks.

"No point in only eyeing the first-place runner," I say. "So might think, 'Winning a mock race is aningless' and hold back. Sure, the Uma Musu world is all about competition, but that only matters in real races. Nailing it here doesn't an squat if they flop on the big stage. So might not even show their full strength today."

"Wow, I'm always learning from you, Hikigaya-kun," Aoi says.

"Really? It's just my take," I say.

"Still, it's enlightening," she insists.

"…If you say so," I mutter.

"Oh, Hikigaya-kun!" Aoi says. "Can I have a copy of that sheet?"

"It's ten slots front and back, so use it wisely," I say. "Don't ss it up."

"I know what I'm doing! I'm a trainer too, you know!" she huffs.

With that, Aoi and I head to the Tressen Academy track.

The track's already packed with trainers.

"Lots of them here," Aoi says.

"Yup," I say. "But mid-tier and veteran trainers probably have their picks locked in. They'll perk up once the runners hit the course."

"You made it, Trainer Hikigaya," a voice says.

I turn. "Oh, Symboli Rudolf… you're racing? That outfit's not your usual uniform."

It's Rudolf, but instead of her student council getup, she's in a tracksuit.

"Yup, I don't have a trainer yet," Rudolf says. "I'm using this race to find a dedicated one. You might have a shot, you know."

"We'll see after I watch you run," I say. "By the way, no entry list floating around? It'd help."

"I've got one you can borrow," Rudolf says. "Need it for long?"

"Nah, just need the nas and slots," I say. "I'll morize faces by sight. Let see it for a bit, Symboli Rudolf."

"No problem," she says. "And call Rudolf. Full na's a mouthful, right?"

"Not really, but if you insist, I'll try to rember," I say, scribbling.

"President, there you are," Air Groove says, then spots . "Hmph, figures you'd show up."

"A rookie like has to show up to get any Uma Musu," I say, still writing. "You're racing too, huh?"

"What, surprised?" Air Groove snaps.

"Not really," I say, scribbling.

"By the way, Trainer Hikigaya," Rudolf says, "I heard a rumor. They say Biwa Hayahide copied a rookie trainer's nu into her notebook."

"Oh, that cafeteria thing? Yeah, that was ," I say. "Is that really rumor-worthy? And is it such a big deal?"

"She's not just a racer—she uses theory for diet and training too," Rudolf explains. "Her smarts are probably unmatched here. For her to copy soone's nu into her notebook? That's unheard of. Get what that ans?"

"Dunno, why?" I say, still writing.

Air Groove huffs. "Think about it. It ans your nu's better than ones from mid-tier or veteran trainers."

"Who knows?" I say. "Maybe she just found it interesting. Alright, done. Thanks for the list."

"No big deal," Rudolf says. "But, Trainer Hikigaya, a word of advice. I like your personality, but your humility can co off as sarcasm to so. Be careful."

"I'll keep that in mind," I say.

"We're off to warm up," Rudolf says. "See you."

"Later," Air Groove mutters.

Humility as sarcasm, huh? Guess I'll watch it. Speaking of…

"Kiryuin, how long you gonna stand there frozen?" I say. "Get moving."

"Huh?!" Aoi snaps out of it. "W-what happened to …?"

"Here, I filled out your entry list," I say. "Write it down now before the race starts."

"Thanks! That's a huge help!" she says.

Man, I'm feeling eyes from all over. Mostly Uma Musu, but so trainers too. Focus on the runners, people. They're the main event today, not .