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

Air Groove's POV

I breathe deeply. "In… out…"

I'm calm. My legs feel fine—no heaviness, no doubt. None of that Osaka Hai mess. I'll erase that mistake on this Hanshin stage at the Takarazuka Kinen!

Announcer: "The main race's top favorite! Overwhelmingly backed, it's number 6 in gate 5, Air Groove! Only one race this year, but still undefeated. Her last run fizzled compared to her usual flair—will she explode today?"

Commentator: "She's 4-for-4 at Hanshin, with a flawless career. She's run 1600m and 2000m, and now faces her longest challenge at 2200m. But with a 2400m win under her belt, stamina's no issue. Her kick's timing will be key."

"…" I focus.

Locker Room

"…"

Just run like always. No stray thoughts. No doubts. Remember the Osaka Hai… I won't let that happen again. I can't lose this race!

"What's with the one-woman face parade?" Hachiman said.

"!?" I jumped. "Knock, would you!?"

"I did," he said. "No answer, so I got worried and peeked. Here we are."

"Oh… my bad," I said. "Is it time?"

"Nah, you've got a bit," he said. "Thinking hard?"

"Just… no repeat of last time," I said. "I reviewed it—awful, especially the final straight."

"I don't know what went wrong," he said, "but I've prepped you to shine as best I can. If you lose, blame me and go all out."

"Like I'd do that!" I said.

"Kidding," he said. "I couldn't handle that, so I'll pray for a win. Strategy: stick to your usual position, but kick at the third corner. If it's like last time, Marvelous Sunday will move early and chase you. No telling how she'll come, but she's a backfield closer. If she overtakes, catching up's tough. Hold the lead."

"Got it," I said.

"Sea Grace will lead, like in the Kyoto Kinen," he said. "The front-runners will bunch up behind."

"Then I'll take a forward spot," I said. "Easier to track Marvelous Sunday. I'll stick inside."

"…You're getting sneaky," he said.

"Not as much as you," I shot back.

…Wait! I just… talked normally with him. It felt… good!

"We talked too long," he said. "Time's up."

"Right, I'm off," I said.

My legs feel lighter somehow. Heh, I can run strong like this.

Air Groove's POV Ends

"Welcome back, Hachiman Trainer-san," Fuji said. "Man, hearing your feats live is something else."

"Is it?" Man o' War said. "But today's Uma Musume could handle my deeds easily. And Hachiman's girls? They'd better breeze through a Triple Crown!!"

"Talking Triple Crowns?" Hachiman asked.

"Yup," Fuji said. "But what's wild is races named after Uma Musume."

"That's how much she's revered," Hachiman said. "Professor decided to mentor Sensei after seeing her race, right?"

"Exactly!" Man o' War said.

"Going this year?" Fuji asked.

"Unnecessary, but I'm invited as a guest of honor," Man o' War said. "Just for lending my name, I'm treated like royalty. It's a hassle, eating up my time."

"Can't say no?" Hachiman asked.

"It's awkward to admit, but I'm a legend there," she said. "If I skip, the reaction's obvious as day."

Fuji and Hachiman exchanged wry smiles at Man o' War's half-exasperated, half-resigned look.

"Sounds tough," Fuji said.

"You'd be surprised," Man o' War said. "Anyway, the race is starting."

"…" Hachiman watched.

Announcer: "All Uma Musume are in the gates, ready to go! Here we go—the upper half's grand finale, the Takarazuka Kinen… They're off! A clean start, no one lagging! Who takes the lead? Narita King O and Sea Grace surge forward, setting the pace! Behind them, Seto Stayer, Zenelist, and Taiki Blizzard run neck-and-neck. Right there, Air Groove, half a length back, with Lafolia, then Rosenkavalier and Yutosei inside, hitting the first corner! A gap forms—Marvelous Sunday's third from last, Dance Partner behind her, and Yashima Sovereign at the rear!"

Air Groove held a forward position, fifth from the front, ready to counter Marvelous Sunday's charge.

Announcer: "Sea Grace still leads! Three lengths back, Taiki Blizzard and Seto Stayer follow! Zenelist and Air Groove, half a length inside, with Narita King O outside! Yutosei, Rosenkavalier, and Lafolia run side-by-side. And from the back, Marvelous Sunday creeps up, charging the mid-pack!!"

(Air Groove: Time to move. Marvelous Sunday's closing in. Time to shift gears!!)

Announcer: "Sea Grace's lead shrinks! Taiki Blizzard, Zenelist, and Seto Stayer close in, with Air Groove biding her time, saving her legs! She's still, still holding! Marvelous Sunday's in the mid-pack! They hit the fourth corner, straightaway ahead—time for the showdown!!"

(Air Groove: Now's the spot…!!)

Announcer: "Taiki Blizzard takes the lead, but Air Groove surges inside! Air Groove's in front, Taiki Blizzard second! Marvelous Sunday and Dance Partner climb from the outside!! Air Groove's got a two-length lead!! Can Marvelous Sunday and Dance Partner catch up!? Will they make it!? Air Groove holds strong! Fifty meters left—they won't catch her!! Air Groove crosses the line!! A comfortable win! She's claimed the spring grand prix, the Takarazuka Kinen!!"

"Hah… hah… hah…" I gasped.

I won… No bad vibes like last time. But… no thrill like my Classic days. Still haunted, huh?

"!" Wait, Trainer…

I tried to feel Hachiman's gaze, but it was already gone.

Hanshin Race 10: Results

1st: ⑥ Air Groove

2nd: ⑧ Marvelous Sunday

3rd: ⑤ Dance Partner

4th: ⑪ Taiki Blizzard

5th: ① Rosenkavalier

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