I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?! Chapter 5 4: Mock Race: Sprint Showdown

The mock race is finally here. It's an event for Uma Musu without trainers to catch the eye of one. Trainers like are everywhere, scoping out the talent. The races are split into four categories—short distance, mile, middle distance, and long distance—with three races each. No dirt races this ti, though—too few entrants.

I split from Kiryuin to find a spot with a good view. It's easier to track the Uma Musu's movents from here. Getting too close ans missing other runners or ssing up my timing. Most of the Uma Musu who approached are in the middle or long-distance races. Not that I know many—just six or seven so far.

"Here we go—the first short-distance race… start!"

Gotta focus on the race.

Gakon!

The short-distance races had a lot of standouts, but the one who blew away was Sakura Bakushin O in the third race, taking first. Her style was pace-setting, but she's got the chops to lead from the start and dominate.

Maruzensky, second in the first race, wasn't bad either. Her running suggests she could handle up to middle distances. The pace was brutal, which cost her, but she had a relaxed vibe—like an all-rounder with room to grow.

Taiki Shuttle, first in the first race, has serious potential. Probably not a step behind Sakura Bakushin O. If Sakura's a short-distance specialist, Taiki's built for short to mile races. Top-tier talent, no question.

Then there's Biko Pegasus, first in the second race. Solid run, but what was she fighting out there? Karenchan, who took second, matched her with equal promise. Man, tough call…

"Well, well, soone's got a serious face," a voice teases. "You're getting wrinkles, you know~"

"Huh? ?" I say.

"Yup, you, Trainer-san♪" she chirps. "Don't overthink it, okay~?"

Who's this Uma Musu? Her outfit screams racer, but I don't know her na.

"I'm a rookie," I say. "Gotta focus, or I'll miss my shot and fall behind."

"Oh my! A newbie, huh?" she says. "Nice to et you~ I'm Super Creek. Looking forward to getting to know you~"

Sothing about her—her voice, her vibe—feels like pure maternal energy. Like a kindergarten teacher. Maybe she's an Uma Musu caretaker?

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

"Got it~" Super Creek says. "And no need for formalities with , okay? Honestly, I don't think any Uma Musu here needs them. We're students, and you trainers are older, after all~"

…Fair point.

"Alright, no formalities," I say. "You're racing, right? Long-distance, if I rember."

"Yup~ Gotta show the trainers my best~" she says, patting my head.

"Why are you petting ?" I ask.

"Oh, sorry~ Just a habit," she says. "Don't mind it~"

"Creek! What're ya doin' here?!" a voice yells.

"Been lookin' everywhere for you!" another adds.

"That's my line! Your sense of direction's a nightmare, Oguri!" the first snaps.

"Oh my, Tama-chan and Oguri-chan," Super Creek says. "Sorry~ I was chatting with this trainer. et Tamamo Cross—she's the gray-haired one with the Kansai dialect, Tama-chan. And this is Oguri Cap—Oguri-chan."

"Tamamo Cross and Oguri Cap, huh? I'm Hachiman Hikigaya, rookie trainer. Nice to et you," I say.

"Don't call Tama-chan, Creek!" Tamamo snaps. "And… Creek, you already staked a claim? This guy doesn't look that impressive. Maybe pass?"

"Hey, Tama-chan!" Super Creek scolds. "Don't say that to soone you just t!"

"Just kiddin'!" Tamamo says.

"Like watching a kid get scolded by her mom… with an older sister looking on," I mutter.

"Right, right, I ssed up, so Mom's mad—wait, who's a kid?!" Tamamo yells. "And Oguri's the sister?!"

"Feels like a cody routine," I say. "Anyway, you three should start warming up. Oguri's mile, Tamamo's middle distance, Super Creek's long distance, right? Get moving, or you'll start cold."

"You're right," Oguri says, her stomach growling loudly. "Creek, Tama, let's warm up."

"Dude, you hungry?" I ask.

"Oguri's stomach growlin' is just her thing," Tamamo says. "Don't sweat it."

That's so loud growling. How starving is she? And it's a daily thing? That's kinda intense.

"Here," I say, tossing her a candy. "If it helps, suck on this. Spit it out or chew it before the race."

"Whoa!" Oguri says. "Thanks! Tama, Creek, this trainer's a good guy!"

"To you, anyone with food's a good guy," Tamamo quips.

"Let's go, you two~" Super Creek says. "Trainer Hikigaya, keep an eye on us~"

Three totally different personalities, but they vibe well together.

The short-distance races are done, and we're taking a breather before the mile races at 1600m. For the record, mile races cover 1401m to 1800m. Here's the breakdown:

Short: 1000–1400m

Mile: 1500–1800m

Middle: 1900–2400m

Long: 2500m

Technically, 1401m kicks off the mile range, but who's splitting hairs over a ter? Still, I can't help but think Taiki Shuttle and Maruzensky got shortchanged. Those two could've shone in longer races.

In the short-distance field, Taiki Shuttle and Maruzensky stood out. Taiki's good up to 1600m, Maruzensky maybe middle distance. That's my take, anyway.

"Hey, Trainer Hikigaya, how's it going?" Rudolf calls out.

"Rudolf, Air Groove," I say. "Doing alright. Central Tressen Academy lives up to the hype—so seriously talented Uma Musu here."

"Of course," Air Groove says. "Even without trainers, we don't slack. Faculty make our nus, and we follow them."

"Nice," I say. "By the way, who's the girl on your left? I'm Hachiman Hikigaya. Mind sharing your na?"

"...You're the trainer Aneki was talking about," she says.

Aneki?

"I'm Narita Brian," she says. "My sister's Biwa Hayahide."

"No way, you're Hayahide's sister?" I say. "Don't look much alike, though."

"One word too many," Brian mutters.

"She's got solid trainer potential, Brian," Air Groove says. "You'd probably agree it's hard to ignore."

Brian stays silent, staring.

"Potential's irrelevant," I say. "Trainers are just polishers, sharpening an Uma Musu's skills."

"You observe closely, though," Rudolf says. "Not many trainers can jot down this much from just the short-distance races. Knowing's one thing; acting on it's another."

Air Groove and Brian lean in, eyeing my clipboard. It's just standard stuff, right? Sure, chasing first place is normal, but you've gotta see the bigger picture. Otherwise, what's the point of being here?

Also, back up a bit. You're way too close, even if you're curious.

"For a short course, that's a lot of info," Rudolf says. "The longer the race, the more you'll have. Trainer Hikigaya, mind if I see your notes after the mock races? I'm curious how I look through your eyes."

"If I can, I'll check too," Air Groove adds. "Your observation skills are decent. I might spot my weaknesses."

"Show too," Brian says.

Why are they so into this? They weren't swarming other trainers. Why ?

"Fine, after the races," I say. "But I'm watching every Uma Musu, not zeroing in on one. I can't show you everything."

"Hmph, obviously," Air Groove says. "That's what makes a trainer."

Yeah, sure, but why do you sound so smug?

"Thanks," Rudolf says. "We'll head off now. I'm looking forward to what you write."

Why do I keep signing up for weird stuff?

"Man, Hikigaya, that's wild," a male trainer says. "Getting approached by the Emperor, the Empress, and the Monster?"

"Eh, I t Rudolf and Air Groove before," I say. "Brian's new, though."

"Still, that's huge," he says. "Those three are top-tier at Tressen Academy. Rudolf's not just top—she's in a league of her own."

"That so?" I say.

"You'll see their runs today," he says. "Gonna observe closely. Catch ya later."

"Yup," I reply.

I knew they had an aura, but top-tier? Air Groove's middle distance, Rudolf and Brian are long distance.

"Hey, Trainer Hikigaya," Biwa Hayahide says. "Been a while since lunch."

"Yo, Hayahide," I say. "Just t your sister."

"Brian? Hope she didn't rub you the wrong way," she says. "She's got a personality. Everything okay?"

"Nah, she's fine," I say. "What's up?"

"Just saw a familiar face and wanted to say hi," she says. "No big deal."

"Cool… oh, crap," I say.

"It's fine," she says, then spots my notes. "You wrote this?"

"Yeah, racecourse-specific training nus," I say. "Tressen's track is too flat to get a real feel. So I made nus for different courses, distances, and running styles."

Hayahide stares intently.

"…You want it?" I ask.

"What?! Really?" she says.

"You're staring like you're starving for it," I say. "Take it. I've got copies."

"…Do you have nus for other racecourses?" she asks.

"Still working on them, but Central's done," I say. "Took a while… wait, what's with that look? Don't tell you want those too? I only have Tokyo's on ."

"Then after the mock races, can I see them?" she asks.

Rudolf's group already asked, but it won't take long, so whatever.

"Alright, after the races," I say. "Might need a bit of ti, that okay?"

"Of course!" Hayahide says. "Thanks, Trainer Hikigaya!"

She walks off, tail wagging, practically glowing. That exciting, huh? I'll never get it.