Chapter 12: Hachiman’s Trackside Bonds

It's 3:30 p.m., and the Uma Musume are scattered—some training with their trainers, others following the teachers' menus, or taking the day off to hang out or chill in the dorms. Me? I've got a promise to keep: checking Rice Shower and Miho no Bourbon's running forms. Just watching their runs, nothing else.

But…

"Some advice won't hurt, right?" I muttered.

Track

I arrived at the track, but no sign of Rice or Bourbon yet. A few others were around, but not enough to care. Guess it's a light day for track use.

"Whatever. Rice is set for 3000 meters, but Bourbon… let's start with 1600. Her run yesterday was solid, but I didn't catch enough details," I said to myself.

"Big Bro… Trainer-saaan!" Rice called out.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Trainer," Bourbon added.

They're here. Bourbon's with her, too.

"Yo, good work with classes," I said.

"Thanks!" Rice chirped.

"Words of appreciation confirmed. Thank you," Bourbon replied.

"Alright, let's get to your runs. First, warm-ups. Do your usual routine, then I'll watch."

"Um… is it okay to do the teachers' warm-up menu?" Rice asked.

"Yeah, that's fine. Just get your body ready to move. Jumping straight into running can mess up your muscles, fibers, even bones. Stretch thoroughly."

"Order received," Bourbon said.

"Okay, I'll do my best!" Rice said.

I watched their warm-ups. As expected from the teachers' menu, it's passable but feels lacking. Not my place to meddle, though—I'm not their official trainer.

30 Minutes Later

"Trainer-san, I'm ready!" Rice said.

"Warm-up completed as instructed," Bourbon reported.

"Good. Now I'll watch your runs. Rice, you're up first. 3000 meters, finish at that board."

"Okay!" Rice nodded.

"Bourbon, keep your body warm but don't go all-out running."

"Order received."

Starting Line

"Alright, here we go. Ready… Go!" I shouted.

Dash!

Solid reaction to the start signal. It's just Rice running 3000 meters alone, no pacemaker. How'll she handle pacing solo?

Her form's steady—surprisingly solid. She's got that long-distance core stability, no wobbling. Seems to know her pacing, too—calm, not rushing ahead even with no one else. But here's the real test: in long-distance, the sprint after the midpoint is key. What's your move, Rice?

Not yet… not here… Now! Rice surged forward.

"Whoa…" I muttered.

She's a real talent…

Beep!

"Hah… hah… phew… How… was it?" Rice panted.

"Damn good. You can't pull off that stable core without serious training. You've been logging miles, haven't you? Not just 5,000 or 10,000 meters a day. You're consciously keeping your form tight while running, right?"

"Wow… Spot-on! Amazing, Big Bro! It's like you saw everything I've been doing!" Rice beamed.

"Nailed it, huh? Honestly, you could've pushed harder, couldn't you?"

"Hau… Can't hide anything from Big Bro. Yeah, I had a bit left."

"Might be pointless now, but for a 3000-meter race, you could sprint earlier without issue. Overall verdict."

Thump-thump… thump-thump… Rice's eyes sparkled.

…Saying it out loud is so damn cute.

"You've got insane long-distance talent. Pure stayer type. That was a hell of a run. Honestly, it's a bummer you're another candidate I want to train."

"Candidate?" Rice tilted her head.

"I mean I'd want you as my trainee."

"…Really? You really want to train Rice?"

"Yeah, for real. If you'd run in a mock race, trainers would've been all over you. It's a shame you didn't—someone might've snapped you up by now."

"…" Rice's eyes welled up.

"Look, it just means I've got another person worth considering, but you've got that kind of value."

"…Fweh…" Her tears shimmered.

"Fweh?" I echoed.

"Fweeeeh!" Rice burst into sobs.

What!? She's crying!? Why!? Did I screw up!?

"Whoa, what's wrong? Did I say something bad?" I asked, panicking.

"Sniff… Rice… it's the first time… someone said that. I'm just… so happy…" she sobbed.

"Really? Well, anyone who saw your run would think they've been blind not to notice you."

Exactly. I only saw yesterday's mock race. There could be other talented Uma Musume who didn't run. That race isn't everything.

When Rice's happy tears stopped, her face looked refreshed, glowing.

"Hehe, I cried a lot… but Rice feels amazing. All thanks to you, Big Bro," she said.

"Yeah. By the way, what's with the 'Big Bro' thing? You said it earlier, too."

"Um, well… there's this Big Bro in my favorite picture book! He's super kind and smiles gently. You… kinda remind me of him, Trainer-san… So, um, if it's okay with you… can I call you Big Bro?"

…If word got out I let an Uma Musume call me that, it'd be a new page in my black history. But…

"Sure, call me whatever you want," I said.

"Yay! Okay… Big Bro… hehe♪" she giggled.

If it makes her smile like that, my issues are small potatoes.