I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?! Chapter 82 76: Advice for Bubble Gum

After wrapping up training with Air Groove and Fuji Kiseki, I headed to et Hiratsuka-sensei, Kenta, and Bubblegum Fellow. Kenta had given the location yesterday, so I didn't get lost. Bubblegum, huh? Let's see that run of yours.

"Sensei," I called.

Hiratsuka-sensei turned. "Hikitani! Been a while since we t like this."

"Yeah," I said. "Kinda weird we're both at Trecen but barely cross paths. How's it going?"

"Not as hot as you, but decent," she said. "Heard you picked Fuji Kiseki as your second. Nice choice."

"Glad she said yes," I said. "Can't exactly force it, right?"

"True," she said. "Gotta show we're worth their trust first. You did good—maybe too good."

"I was green back then," I said. "Still am, a year later."

She chuckled. "Sa here. Oh, your kouhai and Bubblegum are over there."

I followed her gaze. Bubblegum was running with fierce focus, while Kenta tid her, scribbling on a clipboard. Her form scread confidence—not a hint of her past injury.

"Impressive," I said.

"Right?" Hiratsuka-sensei said. "Even in the hospital, they worked out what training she could handle. Diet, habits—they nailed it. That's why she recovered so fast."

"Must be Bubblegum's sheer grit," I said. "That kind of fire doesn't just spark on its own."

"Exactly," she said. "Wish she'd share that drive with other Uma Musu, though!" She laughed. "Kenta's still new, so I'll guide him."

"Counting on you, Sensei," I said.

"You'll do the sa when you get a kouhai," she said.

"?" I said. "I'd probably shatter their confidence."

"What are you planning to do to the poor kid?" she groaned.

"Nothing!" I said. Just then, Bubblegum spotted , her eyes lighting up. She's got that energy, alright. Kenta gave a polite bow. Not bad, kid.

"Go talk to them," Hiratsuka-sensei said.

"They're training," I said. "Don't wanna interrupt. I'll catch them after."

"Spectating 'til then?" she asked.

"Yup," I said.

"Yo, Trainer Hikitani!" a voice shouted.

"It's really him!" another chid.

"Check out my form!" one Uma Musu called.

"No fair! My race is sooner, watch !" another said.

Hiratsuka-sensei sighed. "You guys, your trainer's right here, and you're begging another one?"

"Sorry," I said, "I'm just a spectator. No coaching from . Ask your trainer."

The Uma Musu grumbled but didn't seem upset. Solid trust with their team, huh?

After training ended…

"Trainer-san!" Bubblegum bounded over. "Long ti! My fracture's all healed!"

"Looks like it," I said. "Heard about it and nearly fell over. You're already set for your next race?"

"Yeah!" she said. "No way I could handle 3000 ters now. Girls who ran the classics and went to camp might manage, but ? I was stuck with light training during recovery. Jumping to an extra 1000 ters is insane!"

"You're thinking races through better than so trainers," I said.

Kenta approached. "Senpai, it's been a while."

"Yeah," I said. "Watched Bubblegum's run from afar. She's looking strong."

"Yes!" Kenta said. "We're aiming to keep this montum."

"Good," I said. "One thing: she's up against senior Uma Musu now. They've got experience and careers above her. The key is how well she can navigate and race against them."

Bubblegum nodded. "Got it."

"And don't let the atmosphere overwhelm you," I added. "Get caught up in the mont, and your focus narrows. Keep your eyes on the field."

"Do you tell Air Groove that?" Bubblegum asked.

"Nah," I said. "She doesn't need it. You know her—she's not the type to get overwheld. She sets the vibe."

"Oh, yeah," Bubblegum said. "Totally get it."

Hiratsuka-sensei snorted. "What a way to talk about your trainee."

"You get it, though," I said.

"…Yeah," she admitted.

Thought so.

Kenta piped up. "I'll make sure Bubblegum's at her best!"

"That's the spirit," I said. "But don't overdo it. Sotis you gotta ease off. Look at —lazy, unreliable vibe, right? Nobody else pulls it off like this."

Kenta hesitated. "Well… from the start, you seed that way, but most Uma Musu admire you. I figured you were sothing special—and you are."

"Caught , huh?" I said.

"Told you," Hiratsuka-sensei said. "You overdid it from day one."

"…Guess so," I said.

Fuji Kiseki's POV

Hey there! First ti chatting like this, huh? I'm Fuji Kiseki, Ritto dorm leader. Last month, Trainer-san scouted as his second trainee—a dream co true! I'm still a rookie, barely a month in, but his coaching's blown away. Now that I've seen his training, I'm determined to keep up and not let him down.

Today, we're at Tokyo Racecourse, here to cheer on soone Trainer-san's got his eye on: Bubblegum Fellow, racing in her coback after that fracture. Beside are Trainer-san, Bubblegum's trainer Kenta, and senior trainer Hiratsuka-sensei. Kenta's looking… antsy, to put it mildly.

Kenta fidgeted. "…"

Hiratsuka-sensei sighed. "Calm down, kid. I get you're nervous, but you're overdoing it."

"B-but it's Bubblegum's coback race!" Kenta stamred. "What if she finishes out of the money? I'd be too ashad to face her!"

Hachiman groaned. "You're spiraling already? Fuji, say sothing—Uma Musu perspective."

"Yeesh, Trainer-san, you're rough on us Uma Musu," I teased. "Alright, Kenta, I haven't raced yet, but if you're wearing that anxious face, it'll rub off on her. At least look confident."

"Ugh…" Kenta mumbled.

Hachiman smirked. "Straighten up. Want to slap so spirit into your back again?"

"N-no, I'm good!" Kenta said, snapping upright.

Haha, there's that spine! Bubblegum's the second favorite today, which is impressive for a coback. But with an overseas Uma Musu in the mix, she can't let her guard down.

Announcer: "The 47th GII Mainichi Okan is about to start! What's your take?"

Comntator: "All eyes are on the classic-grade duo. Taiki Fortune, fresh off her NHK Mile Cup win, is gunning for another Tokyo mile victory—she's got the montum. Bubblegum Fellow, back after a six-month injury, has solid mile aptitude. Expect a strong run from her too."

Announcer: "Absolutely. Don't sleep on Anus Mirabilis, the overseas contender. She's not a top favorite but could surprise. Senior veterans round out a tough field. The Uma Musu are in the gates! The 47th GII Mainichi Okan… they're off! No stumbles from these top-tier runners! Number 9, Applause City, drops to the rear!"

Hiratsuka-sensei nodded. "Solid start. How'll she handle the pace?"

Hachiman stayed silent, eyes locked on the track.

Kenta squird. "…"

I watched quietly, feeling the tension.

Announcer: "Last year's champ, Sugano Oji, takes the lead! Toyo Refar surges inside to second, with Britain's Anus Mirabilis in third! Trailing just behind, Bubblegum Fellow and Taiki Fortune, the classic-grade stars, hold fourth and fifth in lockstep!"

Hachiman spoke up. "Good position. She can watch the front and cover her back. That's Bubblegum's sweet spot."

Kenta nodded. "Yeah, we planned for her to stay forward. It suits her style."

I glanced at Hachiman. "Trainer-san, where would I be if I were racing?"

"Sa spot as Bubblegum," he said. "From there, you'd have the legs for a strong straight. Plus, you could challenge the lead at the curve without breaking a sweat."

Announcer: "Into the third and fourth corners! Toyo Refar's taken the lead, looking sharp post-break! Anus Mirabilis sticks close, with number 12, Taiki Fortune, climbing fast on the outside! Sugano Oji and Bubblegum Fellow hold tight inside as they round the final corner—here cos the straight!"

Hiratsuka-sensei frowned. "Toyo's escaping? I thought she'd tire out…"

Kenta gulped. "Anus Mirabilis still has gas in the tank. She's got room to push."

Hachiman stayed silent, gripping his stopwatch.

I tilted my head. "Trainer-san?"

Announcer: "Toyo Refar holds the lead! Anus Mirabilis chases hard! Kanetsu Cross surges from the inside! Bubblegum Fellow's got legs on the outside! 200 ters left—Anus Mirabilis from Britain takes the lead! Kanetsu Cross and Bubblegum Fellow are closing fast! It's the British challenger, Anus Mirabilis, crossing the line first!"

Anus Mirabilis cheered. "Yeeeah!"

Kenta slumped. "Third…"

Hiratsuka-sensei clapped his shoulder. "That's a solid result against seniors. She'll win next ti."

Hachiman stared at his stopwatch.

I nudged him. "Trainer-san, what's up? You're glued to that thing."

"Just thinking," he said. "She's a real threat."

"The British Uma Musu?" I asked.

"No," he said. "Bubblegum."

Huh? What's he an?

Kenta blinked. "What's that an?"

Hiratsuka-sensei leaned in. "Spill it, Hikitani."

"I tid the race," Hachiman said. "Every split, four furlongs to three. Bubblegum's final three furlongs? 34.7 seconds. There's so margin of error, but if Best Tie-Up's stretch was fastest, Bubblegum's was second."

Kenta's eyes widened. "So…?"

"If she'd pushed sooner," Hachiman said, "she could've won. Her legs didn't fade in the stretch. A slightly longer distance might suit her better. Say… Tennō Shō (Autumn)."

"Tennō Shō?!" Kenta gasped.

Hiratsuka-sensei nodded. "So, her late push cost her. To fix that, you're suggesting Tennō Shō (Autumn), a mid-distance race on the sa stage."

"Just my take," Hachiman said. "It's your call, Sensei."

I stared. He caught all that in a few seconds of the straight? How much is he processing? If I raced, he'd probably have a ton to say.

"Hey, Trainer-san?" I said.

"Yeah?" he replied.

"Can you give more pointers in training?" I asked. "Even the small stuff."

"If you're cool with it, sure," he said.

I'm not getting left behind!

Afterword

Bubblegum's back, and the turf's electric! Air Groove's Shuka Sho looms large, but Fuji's POV shines as she witnesses Bubblegum's gritty third-place finish in the Mainichi Okan. Hachiman's razor-sharp analysis stuns everyone, hinting at Tennō Shō for Bubblegum and sparking Fuji's drive. With Kenta's nerves and Hiratsuka-sensei's guidance, the classic season's heating up. Air Groove's still the star, but this race day's packed with drama—let's see who claims the crown!

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