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

Air Groove panted, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "I did it… I reached the same peak as Mother!"

The finish line was already behind her, but her eyes darted immediately to the scoreboard. Her heart thudded in her chest, not from the sprint, but from anticipation. She had felt it—that burst of power, that clarity, as if she'd transcended something within herself. But she needed the confirmation.

Her breath caught in her throat. It wasn't just a win—it was domination.

The announcer's voice rang out with excitement, but the words felt distant, dreamlike.

"Air Groove has conquered the Oaks, following her Cherry Blossom Award victory! She's claimed the Tiara Double Crown, with only the Shuka Sho left in autumn! And by winning this Oaks, like her mother Dyna Carle, she's achieved the second-ever mother-daughter Oaks triumph! What a spectacular race!"

Her ears picked up the noise, but it was her heart that processed it. The Double Crown… and the same victory as Mother. Her throat tightened, eyes glistening.

The commentator added enthusiastically, "Her speed after the fourth corner was unmatched. She might be the strongest among classic-grade Uma Musume. She dominated in junior class, too, so autumn will be thrilling."

The cheers crashed over her like a wave—cheers filled with admiration, with awe, with respect. Voices rose from the stands:

"Air Groove, congratulations!"

"That was so cool!"

"Double Crown, amazing!"

"Congrats on the mother-daughter victory!"

Each voice warmed her, but also weighed her shoulders. This was the burden she'd chosen. The path to become an Empress, like the woman she looked up to all her life.

She raised her head and called out, voice clear and strong, "Thank you for the support! I promise to take first in the next race, too!"

She lifted her hand, index and middle fingers raised high toward the sky. A gesture reserved only for those who'd seized two of the three classic crowns. The stadium erupted louder than before. For a moment, her chest swelled with pride.

But she couldn't stay too long. The race might be over, but the journey wasn't. She turned briskly to leave.

Backstage, Hachiman stood with a wry smile. "Why aren't you going to your daughter?"

Dyna crossed her arms, not even looking at him. "Why aren't you? Don't you have interviews waiting?"

He chuckled under his breath. "Trying to avoid the media chaos. Last year's G1 mess was enough for a lifetime. Besides, if you go out there, it'll turn into a media storm. Front-page stuff."

Dyna rolled her eyes. "Don't joke. Nobody's snapping photos of an old lady like me."

But Hachiman thought otherwise. If she stepped outside now, every camera would turn to her. That kind of charisma didn't fade.

Just then, a reporter hurried up. "Here's Air Groove, who achieved the Double Crown and a mother-daughter Oaks victory! Congratulations!"

"Thank you," Air Groove replied calmly, though her heart was still pounding from earlier.

"Double Crown achieved. How do you feel right now?"

"This was the race I wanted most," she said, her voice soft but sincere. "It's my happiest victory yet."

"You mentioned before that the longer distance wasn't an issue. How was it today?"

"We trained thoroughly. My trainer and I pushed hard. I had confidence, and I had enough stamina to carry that through to the end."

"Next is the Shuka Sho, the final Tiara. What are your thoughts?"

"If I can maintain this momentum and stay focused, the Triple Crown isn't out of reach. I'll train even harder to avoid letting success go to my head."

"Thank you! That was Air Groove, Oaks champion!"

Later, in the locker room, the weight of the day began to settle into her bones.

Air Groove let out a long breath and sat down, shoulders slightly hunched. "Didn't expect this much celebration… I'm grateful, really, but… it's a bit overwhelming."

Suddenly, a familiar hand extended a cold bottle of water toward her.

"Here. You must be thirsty."

She blinked, reaching out instinctively—then froze mid-motion.

"M-Mother?!"

Dyna stood before her with a grin. "Hey, Air Groove. I watched the race? That's no small feat."

Air Groove took the water bottle, stunned. "Thank you..."

Hachiman leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "Even I was surprised by that performance. You really pulled it off."

She turned to him with a small, rare smile. "It's thanks to you. Your training brought me here."

Hachiman raised an eyebrow, amused. "Well now, that's sweet and all, but I've gotta ask—ma'am, I'm happy to see her being so honest, but her hot-and-cold attitude? Still a mystery to me. Got any tips?"

Dyna chuckled. "You're on your own, Trainer."

Air Groove's face flushed crimson. "Hey! I was trying to thank you, and you go and ask Mother that?! And you, Mother—don't encourage him!"

Hachiman held up his hands in mock defense. "Just a joke. Don't bite my head off."

Air Groove huffed, cheeks puffed slightly in frustration. "Honestly…"

Knock knock knock.

A voice called from outside. "Air Groove, may I come in?"

She quickly composed herself. "Yes, please."

The door opened slowly, revealing a young staff member. "Sorry to interrupt. It's time for the award ceremony, so—"

She froze mid-sentence. Her eyes widened, jaw dropped.

Why's she looking at us like that?

The staffer suddenly shrieked, "AAAAHHH! Dyna Carle?! Air Groove's mother?!"

Hachiman winced. This was bad. Cameras, headlines… It was all about to explode.

The girl bolted. "Captain! Get the cameras! Start negotiating! Hurry! HURRY!" Her footsteps echoed down the hall like a stampede.

Hachiman rubbed his temple. "She's way too intense."

Dyna just sighed, resigned. "Recognized me instantly… That's the real surprise."

Air Groove bit her lip, looking guilty. "Sorry, Mother…"

Dyna gently waved her off. "It's fine. Though I didn't expect a full-blown scream."

But inside, she already knew. No matter how quietly she tried to stand in the background, the past—and her legacy—would always catch up.