I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?!

Trainer Dorm

"He should be here," Air Groove thought, storming into the dorm. "He must've read that article. No way he'd stay silent after such slander!"

"Hey, you're… Air Groove, Hachiman's Uma Musume, right?" Okinu said, spotting her.

"You're Okinu-sensei," Air Groove replied. "Sorry, but could you fetch Hachiman-sensei? I need to talk to him—er, my trainer."

Okinu scratched his head. "Actually, we—me and the others—were just about to look for him."

"What?" Air Groove asked, startled.

"You're here because of today's newspaper, right?" Okinu said. "Anyone would react after seeing that. We were heading out to find him too. Checked his room—Hachiman's gone."

"Gone?" Air Groove echoed, stunned.

Already left the dorm? Did he predict this? No, impossible. Then why's he moving so fast?

Kuronuma approached. "Okinu, don't keep me—Air Groove? You're here about the newspaper too, huh?"

"Yes," she confirmed.

"No one could ignore that article," Minamisaka added.

Okinu clapped his hands. "Alright, let's find Hachiman! The academy's huge, so hit his usual spots first. Air Groove, check the clubroom—we can't go in there. Got it?"

"Understood," Air Groove said.

"I'll start at the course and head to the academy," Kuronuma said. "Minamisaka, when Kiryuin and Tojo arrive, you three search the academy grounds."

"Got it!" Minamisaka replied.

"Let's move, guys!" Okinu urged.

Causing so much trouble… I'll give him a piece of my mind when I find him, Air Groove vowed.

Several Dozen Minutes Later

She'd scoured every likely spot, but Hachiman was nowhere. Where the hell is he?

"Over there next—Air Groove!" a voice called.

"President!?" Air Groove turned, spotting Symboli Rudolf.

"You're out searching too, I see," Rudolf said. "No luck finding Hachiman-sensei, I take it?"

"No," Air Groove admitted. "That fool… causing all this trouble for everyone."

"I don't mind," Rudolf said. "The issue's that article. You thought it was a problem too, right?"

"Of course," Air Groove said. "His looks may not scream 'elite,' but I know his potential's top-tier."

"I agree," Rudolf nodded.

A sound interrupted—a car engine?

"It's from the gate," Rudolf said. "Let's go!"

"Yes!" Air Groove followed.

Academy Gate

"That's Council President Akikawa's car," Rudolf panted. "Out this early?"

Air Groove froze. Emerging from the car were Akikawa, Tazuna, and—her trainer, Hachiman.

"Hey, you!" Air Groove shouted. "Where've you been!? The other trainers are frantically looking for you!"

"What? Really?" Hachiman said. "I'll contact them—oh, my phone's in my room. Guess I'll head to the dorm. Excuse me, Council President, Tazuna-san, I need to meet the others."

"Wait, you—!" Air Groove fumed. "Ignoring those two like that…"

Rudolf frowned. "Is something wrong, Council President?"

Air Groove paused, noticing Akikawa and Tazuna's silence since exiting the car. Their faces were pale.

"Council President!" Rudolf called.

Akikawa jolted. "Oh! Student President…"

"Sorry," Tazuna said. "We zoned out for a moment."

"Both of you, dazed?" Rudolf asked. "What happened? Is it… Hachiman-sensei?"

Akikawa nodded. "Yes, but… specifically, we were talking with his former university mentor, you could say."

"But why would that leave you so… drained?" Air Groove pressed.

Tazuna hesitated. "Hachiman-san's mentor is an Uma Musume. I knew that, but… facing such an intense aura head-on…"

That powerful an aura?

"Urgent!" Akikawa declared. "Tazuna, we need rest. In this state, we can't work effectively. No duties until we're fully recovered."

"Yes," Tazuna agreed.

They headed toward the academy, moving sluggishly, far from their usual vigor.

"What did they see?" Rudolf wondered.

Air Groove frowned. "They mentioned talking to my trainer's mentor. What kind of conversation was it?"

"Either way, we need to stay vigilant," Rudolf said. "With Tazuna absent, some students might get suspicious. Air Groove, could you ask Bamboo Memory and Sakura Bakushin O to handle morning greetings? They'd likely agree."

"Got it. I'll head to the dorm and ask," Air Groove said.

"Please," Rudolf said.

Council President's Office

Akikawa sat, shaken. "Astounding… even retired, that presence and intensity aren't something you just summon."

Flashback

"I gave that strategy," the mentor said. "Hachiman bears no blame. A last-minute change might seem suspicious, but that's no excuse to slander someone—especially my prized disciple. Those writers indirectly insulted me too. I share responsibility and will settle this. Leave the article to me."

Flashback End

"What a shame I didn't catch her name," Akikawa murmured. "How many races must she have run to carry such weight?"

Air Groove had just returned to the Chestnut Dorm after visiting the Miho Dorm, tasked by Symboli Rudolf to arrange morning greetings. Bamboo Memory at Miho agreed to help, and Sakura Bakushin O at Chestnut declared, "As class president, I'll take it on!" With the gate greetings secured, only one issue remained—that fool, Hachiman.

In the academy courtyard, Rudolf said, "Thanks, Air Groove. Entrusting the greetings to those two was the right call."

"No need for thanks," Air Groove replied, bowing slightly.

"Is Hachiman-sensei alright?" Rudolf asked. "With Council President Akikawa and Tazuna in that state, could he be laid out too?"

"I'm right here," Hachiman said, stepping forward.

Rudolf and Air Groove gasped.

"Don't sneak up like that, you fool!" Air Groove snapped.

"Don't lecture me when you're gossiping about me," Hachiman shot back.

Rudolf cleared her throat. "Hachiman-sensei, about this morning with the Council President and Tazuna…"

"Yeah," Hachiman said, scratching his neck. "My mentor's… intense. Most people would freeze facing that. I'm not exactly used to it, but I've seen it a few times. And no, I didn't do anything wrong, got it?"

"That's not the point," Air Groove pressed. "If those two were left like that, your mentor must be an extraordinary Uma Musume. Who is she?"

"Can't say," Hachiman replied. "She told me to keep quiet. She's not one for the spotlight, and I get that. I didn't even tell the Council President or Tazuna her name."

He can't tell us her name? Air Groove thought, incredulous.

"Just to be clear," she said, "you know who she is, right?"

"Yeah," Hachiman said. "Whether you're into Uma Musume races or not, I'd bet you've heard her name at least once."

"If that's the case…" Rudolf began, but Hachiman cut in.

"And don't go digging either. She hates that."

"Understood," Rudolf said. "We'll respect that."

"Cool," Hachiman said. "Now, go ace your classes."

His university mentor… a renowned Uma Musume as a mere teacher? Unimaginable, Air Groove mused.

"Rice?" Hachiman said, noticing her approach. "I'm fine, but what's up?"

"Um… the newspaper," Rice Shower said timidly.

"Oh, that?" Hachiman shrugged. "No big deal. Bunch of weirdos writing nonsense—why bother? Thanks, though."

"Okay…" Rice murmured.

"Trainer," Miura Azusa said, approaching. "I saw the article. Are you alright?"

"I'm good, no problem," Hachiman said. "Just act normal."

My mentor's too intense for me to even get a word in, Hachiman thought. Not that I wanted to.

Hachiman was swarmed by students, all because of that morning's newspaper. Air Groove agreed it went too far, especially the three most scathing outlets. Other articles weren't as harsh, but still sharp.

After school, in the clubroom, Air Groove entered. "Excuse me."

"Huh?" Hachiman looked up. "Didn't we cancel today's training for your schedule?"

"I know," Air Groove said. "I'm here because I have a question for you."

"For me?" Hachiman asked.

"What's your plan moving forward?" she demanded.

"You mean the interview?" Hachiman guessed.

"Exactly," Air Groove said. "Yesterday's press conference led to this article. Who knows what's next?"

"Yeah…" Hachiman mused. "My mentor's handling it, but the effect'll probably fade over time. Hmm… maybe I just skip out?"

"What!?" Air Groove exclaimed. "Are you serious?"

"Look at me," Hachiman said, gesturing. "See any madness? I'm perfectly normal."

"Stop joking and explain," she snapped.

"Alright, look," he said. "The questions they ask are always the same, right? So, does it matter if I'm there? They're questions anyone could answer later anyway."

He's right, Air Groove considered. Based on past interviews, his presence isn't critical. No need to attend.

"Fine," she said. "But you're showing up for mandatory trainer interviews, like pre-race ones."

"Obviously," Hachiman said. "I wouldn't skip those."

The last season of the Junior Class, and this mess… the future's looking rough, Air Groove thought.