A night's passed, but no progress. Figures—I've never been hit with that many confessions (well, reverse-scouts) before. What the hell do I do?
"What's up, Hikigaya?" a voice says. "Looking down first thing in the morning. Got a problem?"
"Hey, my problem's being nagged by someone who's broke but still hits the bar on Tojo-san's dime," I say.
"Damn, you're brutal," the voice replies.
"Maybe rethink your lifestyle," another voice adds. "Too many holes in it."
"Says you, but overstuffing it isn't great either," I retort.
The two talking are veteran trainers at Tressen Academy. First is Okino, leader of Team Spica, rocking a yellow dress shirt, vest, and tied-back brown hair. The other's Kuronuma, sporting tinted sunglasses, a black hat, an all-white tracksuit with the zipper wide open to show off his chiseled physique, and a red magatama necklace.
Both lead teams here and have their quirks—definitely unconventional training styles. Okino's always mooching bar tabs off Tojo, too. She griped about it when we first met. If she's venting to a stranger like me, it's gotta be a lot.
"So, Hikigaya, what's got you so glum?" Okino says. "We're fellow trainers, guys too. I'll at least hear you out."
"Helping juniors is a senior's job," Kuronuma says. "Spit it out."
"It's not exactly a problem," I say. "Did either of you get reverse-scouted this year?"
Okino leans in. "Hikigaya, just so you know, an Uma Musume scouting a trainer is rare as hell. They've gotta know you're the real deal."
"Okino's right," Kuronuma says. "Even Tojo handpicks her team, only taking promising girls. Bet none of hers joined via reverse-scout."
Crap, this might be a bigger deal than I thought.
"So, you're saying you got reverse-scouted?" Okino says.
"…Kinda, yeah," I admit.
"That's huge!" Okino says. "Takes serious trust for that to happen. So why're you stressing? Just accept."
Kuronuma stays silent, watching.
"Uh…" I start.
"Good morning, everyone," Southgate says, strolling up. "Oh, Hikigaya-kun, is this about yesterday?"
"Morning," I say. "Yeah, exactly. Southgate-san, what do I do?"
"Haha, why not ask these two?" Southgate says. "They're good seniors. It'll be fine."
Better than brooding alone, I guess.
"Here's the Uma Musume who reverse-scouted me," I say, showing them the list.
Okino and Kuronuma freeze.
"…Well, uh, good luck, Hikigaya," Okino says.
"Huh?" I say.
"We'll cheer you on," Kuronuma says. "Rest's up to you. Think hard."
"No advice?" I ask.
"Sorry, but with that lineup, I can't offer anything big," Okino says. "Tough luck."
Even my senior trainers are stumped?
Later, Kiryuin sighs. "So you're stressing this early? I'm kinda speechless. You're too impressive, Hikigaya-kun."
"Stop that," I say. "Even if I contract with one, how do I know my methods or menus will mesh with them?"
"True," Kiryuin says. "They judged you on your menus, but they don't know your actual approach. That's a factor."
"If it doesn't click, it's a total disaster," I say. "Not funny. By the way, you picked yours?"
"Yup!" Kiryuin says. "She's a bit free-spirited, but a great girl!"
Lucky her, already decided. Another sigh.
"Hey, isn't that Biwa Hayahide and Narita Brian over there?" Kiryuin says.
"Hm?" I look.
Yup, it's them. Morning training? Bit late for that. What's up?
Wait—that running style, that form, those tools… That's one of my long-distance menus from yesterday, tailored for racecourses and distances.
Hayahide says, "Alright, condition's perfect. Body's moving well… 3000m, let's run it clean. Brian, signal."
"Got it," Brian replies.
Brian gives the start, and Hayahide takes off at a steady pace. 3000m? She's already past 2000m, hitting the third corner.
"Here's the spurt!" Hayahide declares, accelerating sharply at the third-to-fourth corner boundary, pushing even faster.
"No way…" Hayahide mutters. "Just following Trainer-kun's menu makes this much difference?"
She finishes, and Brian looks stunned—probably a huge time improvement. Hayahide's grinning, satisfied.
"That was crazy fast," Kiryuin says.
"Yeah, but giving her that menu might've been a mistake," I say.
"Your training menu from yesterday?" Kiryuin asks.
"Yup," I say. "It's like my methods are leaking. Gotta put a lid on that. Hope her run doesn't spread around the academy."
"But spotting it just from watching? That's wild," Kiryuin says.
"Obviously," I say. "Who do you think wrote it? The creator's gotta understand it best. Anyway, let's head to the academy."
"Right," Kiryuin says.
A voice nearby murmurs, "Status: 'Shock' confirmed. That was an incredible run… Who taught her that?"
"Did you see this morning?! Biwa Hayahide-senpai's 3000m! Crazy fast, right?"
"Yeah! I was there by chance, and she zoomed from the last corner! Like, whoosh!"
"Maybe it's because of that trainer?"
"Totally possible!"
The rumors are spreading like wildfire. It's still morning! How's the gossip moving this fast? No way that many Uma Musume were watching, right?
"I should've slept in…" I mutter.
"Don't be so cold," Rudolf says, appearing beside me.
"What about the morning rumors?" I ask.
"I've heard," she says. "Mind if I join you?"
"Nah, go ahead," I say.
"Thanks," Rudolf says. "Her run's already the talk of the academy. An uncontracted Uma Musume pulling that off? Of course it's news. She and her sister have been swamped with recruiters since."
"I regret giving her that menu," I say. "My methods are basically public now. My own fault, but I need to warn the others I gave it to."
"I'll be careful," Rudolf says. "I'll tell Air Groove and Brian too."
"Do that," I say.
Good. I won't have to track them down. That leaves Oguri, Creek, and Hayahide.
"By the way, Trainer-kun," Rudolf says.
"Hm?" I say.
"Have you thought about the scout offers?" she asks.
I freeze. She's asking here?! With all these Uma Musume eyes and ears around? Look, they're staring! This vibe's bad news.
"Can't we talk about this later?" I say.
"I'm an Uma Musume too," Rudolf says. "With five other strong rivals, I get curious. It's a battle royale—we're all vying to be your pick."
"Please, not here," I say. "I'm already getting stabbed by stares. Most of these girls probably know why Hayahide got so fast."
"Talking about me?" Hayahide says, walking up with Winning Ticket and Narita Taishin. Same trio as yesterday.
"Yeah, about this morning," I say.
"As expected," Hayahide says. "I tried your menu, Trainer-kun, but it's not for daily use. Too much attention."
"No kidding," I say. "That menu's not your standard long-distance routine."
"Hey, hey!" Ticket pipes up. "Trainer, you make awesome menus, right? Hayahide was singing your praises!"
"Ticket, hush!" Hayahide snaps.
Yup, Ticket's the type who can't keep a secret. So much for keeping Hayahide's speed under wraps.
"You know the phrase 'loose lips'?" I ask Ticket.
"Yup! It's someone who talks too much, right? So what?" she says.
"Hayahide, can you handle this?" I say.
"After breakfast, it's on," Hayahide says.
"Huh? What's that? What're we doing?" Ticket asks.
"Relax, Ticket, it'll be fun," Hayahide says. "Just you and me."
"Yay, awesome!" Ticket cheers.
"Such a happy soul…" Taishin mutters.
Ticket's done for. Her big mouth spread extra info, so no hard feelings, right?
"You're sneakily ruthless," Rudolf says.
"You think I'm a nice guy?" I say. "Your eyes need checking. My personality's on the bad side."
"Really?" Rudolf says. "I don't see you that way."
"Why not?" I ask.
"You analyzed all those Uma Musume's runs and caught my moves too," she says. "That shows you watch us with incredible care. Am I wrong?"
"Dunno," I say.
Rudolf chuckles. "You're never boring, are you?"
This academy's never dull. Three days in, and I'm already at the center of chaos. Gossip central, apparently.
"Morning, President," Air Groove says, walking up. "Trainer too."
"Morning, Air Groove," Rudolf says.
"Hey," I say.
"So, this is the trainer you mentioned, Groove-san?" another voice says. "Kinda different vibe from the others I've met."
"You think so too, huh?" Air Groove says. "This guy lacks the drive other trainers have. His posture and tone are awful—tons to fix. But his observation skills and training knowledge? Top-notch."
"Pick a side—insult or praise," I say. "I'm Trainer Hikigaya. You are?"
"I'm Fine Motion!" she says. "I'm studying abroad from Ireland!"
An exchange student, huh? Makes sense—yesterday's El Condor Pasa, Grass Wonder, and Taiki Shuttle were from America, so it's not surprising.
"Right off the bat," Fine says, "have you ever eaten ramen, Trainer-san?"
"Yeah, a lot in high school and still now," I say. "Why?"
"Then take me to your favorite spot sometime!" Fine says. "I love ramen! I wanna try your go-to place!"
"You've had the academy's ramen?" I ask.
"Yup, every kind, every noodle firmness—total completion!" she says.
"Impressive," I say. "Alright, we'll go sometime. I'm into rich, heavy broth. You?"
"That sounds tempting!" Fine says. "I'm in!"
A ramen fanatic, right here? I thought this morning would drag me down, but maybe not.
"You two got lost in your own world," Rudolf says.
"Didn't think he'd be like this," Air Groove sighs. "Hope it doesn't go too far. Hey, Fine, even if it's your favorite, don't overdo it—""How about four times a week for research?" Fine cuts in. "That's too much!" Air Groove snaps.