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

At the local supermarket, Air Groove and her mother, Dyna, were shopping for ingredients when a passerby spotted them.

"Wow, Air Groove-chan winning a G1 race!" the woman said. "I always knew she was special, even as a kid, but to take the Most Outstanding Junior Award? Amazing!"

"As her mom, I'm so proud," Dyna said, beaming. "Though I worry she'll get a big head."

"She'll be fine!" the woman said. "She's always been a leader, even as a kid. She'll shine in the Classic races too!"

"Oh, big expectations!" Dyna laughed.

"Thank you," Air Groove said. "I'll do my best to live up to them."

"Keep it up!" the woman said. "See you later, Dyna-san!"

"Sure, catch you later!" Dyna replied with a wave.

Being recognized was nothing new. Dyna came from a notable family, and greetings were a daily routine. Air Groove remembered those days before Tressen Academy, back when she was just "Dyna's daughter." Now, as a Junior-grade winner, she was earning her own spotlight.

"That banner we put up really worked," Dyna said, smirking.

"I think it was unnecessary," Air Groove said, rolling her eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Dyna said. "With your achievements, we'd be fools not to show off!"

"If you say so…" Air Groove muttered.

The rest of the shopping trip was a parade of well-wishers, each one stopping to chat. By the time they got home, the sun had set. Fame came with its burdens, but Air Groove accepted it. It wasn't a bad thing, after all.

At the mansion, Dyna declared, "Tonight's hot pot! Since you're back and we splurged on ingredients, let's feast!"

"I'll help—" Air Groove began.

"No, you rest," Dyna said. "You just got here. Take it easy."

"But I'm not that tired," Air Groove protested.

Dyna's insistence won, and Air Groove found herself sidelined with nothing to do. She sighed, staring at the ceiling. "Nothing to do…"

"What's that?" Dyna said, popping up. "Bored already?"

"When did you—!?" Air Groove said. "What about the cooking?"

"Taken over," Dyna said. "They said, 'Leave it to us.'"

"Of course," Air Groove said, exasperated.

Dyna sat beside her. "Since we've got time, tell me about your trainer. Newspapers don't give me the full picture."

"My trainer?" Air Groove said. Why was her mother so curious about that fool? "Why do you care?"

"Of course I care!" Dyna said. "You're in their hands. Knowing you, you're probably giving them a hard time."

"I'm not… doing that," Air Groove said, hesitating.

"Sure you are," Dyna said. "I know you. So, what's this trainer like?"

"Fine," Air Groove said. "My take? First impressions weren't great. Bad posture, shifty eyes, not exactly inspiring. But their skills are top-tier at Tressen. Their eyes don't miss much, and they come up with some wild training ideas. They've got a decent rep with other Uma Musume, though I don't care for that."

"Hmm," Dyna said. "Do you trust them?"

"Trust?" Air Groove said. "Far from it. I just want them focused on racing and training."

"I get your personality," Dyna said. "But they sound good. Putting up with your stubbornness while planning races and training? They're probably serious and kind at heart, even if you don't see it."

Air Groove frowned. Kind? Her mother's praise felt off. That trainer, kind? Hardly.

Meanwhile, at Tressen Academy's clubroom, Hachiman sat in silence, trying to enjoy a moment of peace.

"Trainer-san!" Mejiro McQueen burst in. "Got any cream sweets!?"

"Trainer-san!" Taiki Shuttle followed. "Let's do a barbecue!"

"Trainer-san," Super Creek said, "anything I can help with?"

"Hey, Trainer-san," Fuji Kiseki said. "I'm thinking of baking cakes for everyone staying in the dorms instead of going home. Thoughts?"

"I'm here to help Fuji-san," Elegant Flash added.

"Sorry," Altan said shyly. "I just… wanted to be near Aniki."

Hachiman groaned inwardly. Why are all these Uma Musume piling into the clubroom? He'd listen to their requests, but the rest? Not his problem.

Dyna's heart soared when her daughter, Air Groove, returned home. She'd gotten the call and email in advance, but seeing her in person sent her spirits dancing. Yet, alongside the joy, a flicker of worry stirred. Air Groove had a clumsy side, often coming off cold—especially with men. When Dyna heard her talk about her trainer, gratitude mixed with guilt. That poor trainer was likely enduring Air Groove's sharp tongue. Dyna remembered similar trainer-Uma Musume dynamics from her own Tressen Academy days. Surely, it was the same now.

Air Groove insisted their relationship was strictly about racing and training, but Dyna wondered how that would play out.

"You heard my talk with Air Groove," Dyna said to the butler. "Any thoughts?"

"Indeed, madam," he replied. "The young lady remains as strict with herself and others as ever. But having a trainer now will likely change her path significantly."

"You think so too?" Dyna said.

"Yes," he said. "Unless she softens her attitude toward men, it could hinder her life and races. Things may be fine now, but by the Classic-grade's final season, issues might arise."

Dyna sighed. "Yeah."

"My apologies for overstepping," he said.

"It's fine," Dyna said. "It's true. Air Groove sees her trainer as a tool. She says it's mutual, but I bet he doesn't treat her like one. I hope she realizes that soon."

"She will, madam," the butler said. "Even if it takes time, she'll come around."

"Sooner would be better," Dyna said. "Wonder how it'll go."

How would it go, indeed?

"It's their issue to resolve," the butler said. "We shouldn't interfere unless it becomes excessive."

"That's the problem," Dyna said. "Maybe I should storm Tressen Academy?"

"If permitted, that's fine, but procedures take time," he said. "Perhaps the day before a big race would be ideal."

"Got it!" Dyna said. "You're the best butler in the world!"

"My pleasure, madam," he replied.

Air Groove walked in, fresh from a bath. "Mother, I ate already… What's so fun about this?"

"Curious?" Dyna teased. "Wanna know?"

"I'm curious, but not that curious," Air Groove said coolly.

"So cold!" Dyna pouted.

"Would you like a drink, miss?" the butler asked.

"No, I'm fine," Air Groove said. "Don't worry."

"Oh, I forgot to ask," Dyna said. "How long are you staying?"

"Three days," Air Groove said. "Until the day after tomorrow. Why?"

"Just wondering," Dyna said. "Oh! We should get your trainer a gift! You're always in his care. What's good?"

"Mother, a gift might not be wise," Air Groove said. "He's busy with work and probably doesn't have time to eat perishables."

"Good point," Dyna said. "Maybe frozen food? But he cooks, right? Ingredients, then? Ugh, it's like having another kid!"

"Mother…" Air Groove sighed.

"What does he like?" Dyna asked. "Guys like meat, right?"

"…Ramen," Air Groove said. "Greasy ramen, apparently."

"Really?" Dyna said. "Instant ramen won't cut it for that. Let's get a variety pack of instant flavors and something hearty. Make it happen, please."

"As you wish, madam," the butler said.

"Anything else?" Dyna pressed.

"I don't know," Air Groove said.

"Then I'll ask him myself next time I visit!" Dyna said.

"What are you coming for?" Air Groove asked, suspicious.

"Secret!" Dyna said with a grin.

Meanwhile, at Tressen Academy, Hachiman sat in the clubroom, hoping for a moment to work. With Air Groove gone, I thought I'd get something done…

"Hey! Air Groove's trainer!" Tokai Teio burst in. "Check out my training!"

"Trainer-san!" Special Week said. "Can you make onigiri like last time?"

"Trainer-san!" Sakura Bakushin O said. "Can you tutor me? Super quick, Bakushin-style!"

"Trainer-san," Silence Suzuka said, "I'd like to do that training from before…"

"Yo, Trainer!" Tamamo Cross said. "We're having a takoyaki party. Wanna join?"

"Hi, Trainer-san!" Mejiro Ryan said. "Wanna train together?"

Why? Hachiman groaned inwardly. Why is my life—every day, but especially now—overflowing with Uma Musume?