I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?! Chapter 483 - 482 A Morning of Radiant Heat and Sparkling Ey

Hachiman's POV

The next morning, I woke up at my usual ti for a run. Since I was taking the sa route as my last visit, the path was already etched into my mory. As I ran, my mind drifted back to yesterday at the station—the sight of Rice receiving such a passionate welco from her hotown. I quickly realized why…

"Good morning, Trainer! You're certainly keeping busy this early!"

Hachiman: "Morning."

"Good morning, Rice-chan's Trainer! Beautiful day, isn't it?"

Hachiman: "Good morning."

"Morning, Trainer. Give our best to Rice-chan, okay?"

Hachiman: "Will do."

Every few steps, I found myself exchanging greetings with people out for their morning walks or starting their daily routines. I wasn't being slowed down or interrupted; it was just the natural rhythm of walking through this town. I'd decided to take this path, and just like last ti, I couldn't help but think... this really is a good place.

—— Rice's Family Ho ——

Luck: "Oh, welco back, Trainer. I'm just finishing drawing your bath. It should be at the perfect temperature right about now, so please, feel free to use it."

Hachiman: "Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate the hospitality."

Luck: "Don't ntion it! Oh, and breakfast will be hot sandwiches and salad, okay?"

Hachiman: "Thank you for the al as well."

I'd offered to help out, but Rice's mother had insisted: "You take such good care of Rice-chan every day during her training! The least we can do is handle your food and board while you're here!" Since she put it that way, I figured it was best to accept her kindness rather than be difficult about it.

—— The Bathroom ——

Hachiman: "Right then, ti for a soak... Wait, there's a hell of a lot more steam in here than yesterday. Is it possible...?"

Splash.

Hachiman: "Gah! Hot! Tch... Son of a... Okay, I see how it is. Last ti was a cold-water endurance test, and this ti it's a boiling-water challenge? I'm not a variety show codian. I need to get so cold water in here."

Did she forget to turn the cold valve while the boiler was running? That seed unlikely... Is she just a bit airheaded?

Either way, it was going to take a while before this was actually swimmable.

—— The Living Room ——

Rice: "Ah, Brother! Good morning! ♪"

Hachiman: "Morning, Rice. Sleep well?"

Rice: "Mm-hm, I slept like a log! But... my mory of last night is a little fuzzy. I rember being in your room, but when I woke up, I was in my own futon."

Hachiman: "Well, let's just say... you fell asleep at the wheel."

Rice: "Wha?! Rice fell asleep in your room?!"

Hachiman: "Technically no, but it was basically a knockout—partially thanks to CB. I ended up carrying you back to your room."

Rice: "Uuu... I'm sorry, Brother. I went and caused you trouble again."

Hachiman: "Don't worry about it. I don't consider that 'trouble.' As long as you got so rest, that's all that matters."

I decided it was probably for the best not to ntion that "Hachiman Component" nonsense CB was spouting last night.

Luck: "Oh, Trainer! You were in there quite a while. How was the water? Was it relaxing?"

Hachiman: "Uh... well, when I first got in, it was basically a boiling cauldron. I had to spend so ti adjusting the temperature."

Luck: "FUEH?! A-A boiling cauldron?!"

Hachiman: "Yeah... the steam was so thick I had a bad feeling, so I tested it with my finger first. Good thing I did. It took a bit of cold water to make it human-habitable, which is why I was late."

Luck: "Ugh... uuuuugh... Trainer, first last year, and now this... I'm so sorry! Why am I always like this...? Sniff."

...Yep. In monts like this, they really are mother and daughter.

Hachiman: "Please, don't let it bother you. It was a nice soak once I got it right."

—— Breakfast ——

Rice's Father: "What? Boiling water this year? Luck, dear, I thought you said you turned the cold water on too. How did you manage to create a lava pit?"

Luck: "Stop it! I didn't do it on purpose!"

CB: "Hahaha! That's incredible! A boiling water challenge instead of a bath? That's so hardcore! Ahahaha!"

Rudolf: "CB, don't laugh. It's not a joking matter. Look at Lady Luck—she's devastated. Watch your tongue."

CB: "I'm not being an, I promise! It's just so funny I couldn't help it!"

Luck: "Uuu... go ahead, just mock until there's nothing left..."

Hachiman: "No one's mocking you. You went to the trouble of preparing it for , so I have no reason to complain. Besides, you're even providing breakfast. I have nothing but gratitude—I'm certainly not going to hold a mistake over your head."

Luck: "...Oh, Rice-chan... you really did find the best Trainer in the world! He's being so kind to ... I think I'm going to cry!" (Eyes welling up)

Hachiman: "Wait... is it really that big of a deal?"

Rice: "Mm-hm! Rice thinks every day how lucky she is to have t you!"

Rice's Father: "Yes, quite. Always rember to be grateful for everything the Trainer teaches you, Rice."

Rice: "I will!"

The Whole Family: "..." (Glistening with pure, radiant gratitude)

It was the sa exact picture as last year. Seriously... I'm begging you, please look away. Those sparkling, innocent eyes are way too bright for a guy like . I feel like I'm going to disintegrate...

[Afterword]

First cold water, now boiling... Rice's mom is accidentally putting Hachiman through a ninja training regin.

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