Hachiman's POV
"So, once again, what did you want to discuss?" I asked, trying to keep my tone polite but efficient. "I have to get started on the training menus for the Kikuka-sho, so if we could keep this brief, I'd appreciate it… Is this about the proposal to expand my roster?"
"Understood! Yes, brevity is the soul of wit!" Chairwoman Akikawa barked with her usual explosive energy. She turned to the man beside her. "Now then! 'Chairwoman, as the one who drafted this proposal, allow me to speak'… Granted! The floor is yours, Trainer Nishimura!"
Nishimura cleared his throat. "Hikigaya, first of all, congratulations on the win at the St. Lite Memorial. I know things are only going to get busier as we head toward the Kikuka-sho, but keep up the good work."
"Thank you, sir," I replied.
"Regarding why we called you here today—as you guessed, it's about the roster expansion. Let me give you a quick rundown of how we got here."
According to Nishimura, about two weeks ago, a group of team trainers gathered in the Chairwoman's office to debate whether I should take on more girls. The vote was split: six in favor, three neutral, and one against—or something along those lines. The exact numbers didn't matter as much as the fact that they were stuck in a deadlock. To break the stalemate, Nishimura suggested a formal inquiry to settle the matter.
The plan was simple:
Confirm the intent of the individual in question (me).
Interview ten selected Umamusume.
Conduct similar interviews with the other trainers.
That was the "grand plan" they'd settled on. Honestly, I didn't care about the politics of the training teams. As long as I had at least one student to look after, I was satisfied. People might call that a lack of ambition, but it's not like I hated the idea of more work, either… Man, I really am a complicated piece of work, aren't I?
"And that's where the discussion stands," Nishimura said, leaning forward. "Right now, we're on step one: confirming your intent. Hikigaya, I want the truth. Do you want to take on more trainees? Forget about the politics or what people expect of you. I want to hear your honest opinion."
I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts.
"...To be honest? I don't particularly care one way or the other. I didn't ask for this, and I didn't start the rumor. The conversation just took on a life of its own and ended up here. If you're asking if I have a burning desire to do it, the answer is no. But it's not as if I'm strictly against it, either."
"A question, then," Akikawa chimed in. "Essentially, you are saying you have no strong preference for or against the proposal? Is that correct?"
"I suppose... that's the gist of it."
"I see..."
Nishimura watched me closely. "Then tell me, Hikigaya: if the expansion was issued as an official order, what would you do? Would you accept it? Or would you file a protest?"
"That's a tough one," I muttered. "I'd probably at least go and ask for the reasoning behind it."
"And that's it?"
"Probably."
Nishimura sighed and looked at the Chairwoman. "There you have it."
"Indeed! You have my thanks!" Akikawa exclaimed. "Trainer Hikigaya, I shall take your words as your true, unvarnished feelings! We cannot provide a final decision at this exact moment, but I expect we will be calling for you again soon. Please, wait for our conclusion!"
It wasn't like I was losing sleep waiting for their answer, but I kept that to myself.
"Understood. If you'll excuse me, then..."
I slipped out of the office and let out a long, weary breath. Good grief. Just because I happened to talk to Rudolf and C.B. at the same time, this whole thing blew out of proportion. At this rate, it feels like the expansion is pretty much a done deal...
— The Trainer's Office —
The door slid open with a sharp clatter.
"Sigh... what a mess."
"Welcome back, Hachiman!" C.B. chirped, leaning back in her chair. "How'd it go?"
"Let's see..." I looked at her, deadpan. "Step one is kicking you out of my office."
C.B. didn't miss a beat. "Do that and I'll scream that you're harassing me."
"Fine. Even if the expansion goes through, I'm not scouting you."
"Hey! I was joking, I was joking!" she laughed, though she sat up a bit straighter. "So? Come on, tell me. What happened?"
"Why do I have to tell you anything?"
"Because I'm curious!"
"...They just wanted to know how I felt about it. That's all. Nothing else happened."
"Huh..." C.B. hummed, stretching her arms over her head.
"Anyway, it's not happening immediately. The final decision is still a ways off."
"So, that means it'll be a little longer before I officially become your trainee?"
"Why are you talking like it's already been decided?" I asked. "I'm not just going to pick you. I'm going to be very picky about who I take on."
"What?! No way!" she pouted, leaning in close. "Hachiman, you have to scout me! Rudolf definitely has her eye on you too, so I can't afford to let my guard down for a second. You're scouting me, okay? It's a promise!"
I didn't even know how to respond to that.
"Oh, and Hachiman! Don't you dare tell Rudolf what I just said! This is a secret between you and me, okay? If she finds out, she'll never leave your side!"
"You realize you're describing exactly what you're doing right now, right?"
Whatever. For now, I had to focus on the training menus for Rice and Brian. There was only a month left until the Kikuka-sho. I had to get them into peak condition in a very short window.
Still... I looked over at C.B., who was still hovering far too close. Seriously, talk about the pot calling the kettle black.
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