I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?! Chapter 173 - 171: Spending Time with Rice

Hachiman's POV

Rice: "Sorry, Onii-sama… It's my fault…"

Hachiman: "I keep telling you, it's not your fault. It just happens sotis—getting stuck at red lights in a row." Original content can be found at novęlfire

Rice: "B-But didn't you have sothing to do?"

Hachiman: "Nah, nothing. Why'd you think that?"

Rice: "You seed like you were in a hurry…"

Hachiman: "That's why? I wasn't rushing. Just felt like jogging to the academy. I exercise sotis, you know."

Rice: "Oh, okay… That's a relief~."

Yup, that's the Rice smile I love. Her sad face is the last thing I want to see.

Gurgle~

Hachiman: "? What was that?"

Rice: "Eek!? N-No, don't make noise now! Shh, quiet!"

…Why don't I feel any calculated cuteness? It's all genuine, but even knowing that, she doesn't co off as trying too hard. Rice is just too perfect, isn't she?

Hachiman: "Wanna grab so food? You eat a surprising amount for your size. First ti I saw you eat, I was kinda shocked."

Rice: "Eep!? O-Onii-sama, don't say that, it's embarrassing~!"

Hachiman: "My bad, my bad. Let's hit the cafeteria."

Rice: "Okay!"

Cafeteria

Hachiman: "Wow… Pretty crowded."

Rice: "Y-Yeah… I thought it'd be quieter at this ti, but there's a lot of people."

Hachiman: "No helping it. I'll cook. Rice, any requests? I'll make it."

Rice: "Huh? I-Is that okay?"

Hachiman: "Yup, na it. I'll pour my heart and soul into it for my little sister."

Rice: "Ehe~ Thank you, Onii-sama♪ Um, can I have tempura?"

Hachiman: "Got it, I'll whip it up. Any foods you don't like?"

Rice: "If Onii-sama makes it with all his heart, I'll eat anything, so don't worry!"

This kid… She's just too good…

Hachiman: "Alright, wait here. I'll be back."

Rice: "Okay, I'll find us a seat!"

A Few Dozen Minutes Later

Hachiman: "Rice It's ready."

Rice: "Oh! You brought it? I could've helped carry it…"

Hachiman: "It's fine, don't sweat it. You said tempura, so I made tendon. Got shrimp, pumpkin, eggplant, anago, cabbage, egg, asparagus, octopus—tons of stuff, so I fried up a storm."

Rice: "Wow~ It looks so good, Onii-sama♪"

Hachiman: "Yup. I made extra for seconds, so just say the word. Got mine too, so let's eat together."

Rice: "Yay! Itadakimasu♪"

Hachiman: "Dig in."

Rice pops a bite of tempura and rice in her mouth, chopsticks flying as she hums "delicious, delicious." Man, she eats a lot… I'm happy, but where does it all go?

She eats so joyfully, though. Totally worth cooking. Oh, right, I should eat too.

A Few Dozen Minutes Later

Rice: "Phew I'm stuffed. Thank you for the al! Onii-sama, it was so good!"

Hachiman: "Four bowls? That's wild…"

Rice: "Your cooking was just too tasty! And I didn't want to waste any…"

Hachiman: "You're such a good kid…" pat pat

Rice: "R-Really? Ehe~♪"

Hachiman: "We got lucky today. If Oguri or Spe were here, seconds might've been impossible. Lucky break, huh?"

Rice: "Y-Yeah!"

Those two eat even more than Rice. Being their trainer would be a nightmare—mostly for my wallet.

Outside

Rice: "Sorry, Onii-sama. You not only cooked but walked back to the dorm…"

Hachiman: "I had no plans today. Days like this are nice sotis. Plus, I haven't talked with you much lately, so this was perfect."

Rice: "You're right, we haven't talked much. Yeah, like you said, it was perfect timing! Oh, Onii-sama! Have you ever read picture books?"

Hachiman: "Picture books? A few, but not many. Just so famous fairy tales."

Rice: "I've got a favorite I recomnd. Wanna hear about it?"

Hachiman: "Sure. What's it about?"

As we walked, Rice told about a picture book called The Blue Rose of Happiness. At the "developnt" part, the blue rose feels unlucky, but from the "turn" onward, it becos a happy story.

My personal take? Rice has great taste. A blue rose is obviously cool! Who the hell said it's creepy? Sothing wrong with their eyes? Flowers don't have "good" or "bad" vibes, co on.

…Whoa, got a bit heated over a picture book. Calm down, Hachiman.

Hachiman: "Sounds like a good one."

Rice: "! You think so too, Onii-sama?"

Hachiman: "Yeah. Mind lending it to ? I wanna check it out."

Rice: "Sure, I'll lend it to you!"

After dropping Rice off at her dorm, I headed ho with the picture book in hand. It's been a while since I felt this excited to read sothing.

Afterword

Rice Shower steals the spotlight in this heartwarming Yahari x Uma Musu side story! Her genuine sweetness and Hachiman's big-brother energy make their cafeteria al and picture book chat a cozy highlight. No regrets for giving Rice her mont—she's just too adorable!

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