I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?! Chapter 166 166: Epilogue

Hachiman's POV

Spring, a few years later… It's that ti again when new Uma Musu flood into Tresen Academy, eager to show off. This season always bums out. "Watch my run!" "Put on your team!" "Teach more tricks!"—it's exhausting. I've got my own work and team to deal with, you know.

"Trainer, you done yet~?"

"I'm tired of waiting~!"

Hachiman: "Can't you guys wait a second? Learn so patience, or you'll burn out in a race and crash hard."

"No biggie~ Our style's all about leading the pack~♪"

"Yeah~♪"

Hachiman: "Oh, really? Then maybe next ti you can go to another trainer—"

"Sorry, please forgive us, anything but that!!"

Hachiman: "You guys switch gears too fast…"

"Hey, Trainer, got a throat lozenge…?"

Hachiman: "Throat acting up again?"

"Yeah, it's just… ugh."

Hachiman: "Hang in there. It'll get better."

"C'mon, Trainer, let's start training! I'm itching to run!! I'm already aiming for the Triple Crown!!"

Hachiman: "Your carefree recklessness is honestly enviable sotis. But you guys get it, right? We're performing at the team showcase soon. If you flop, don't bla ."

"Exactly, everyone. If anyone's falling, Trainer's only worried about ."

"What's that!? Is that true, Trainer!?"

Hachiman: "Don't make this complicated… Just go warm up already."

That's the vibe these days. I'm still a team trainer at this academy, and man, it's gotten noisy. Sotis I miss the days when I was just starting out.

Hachiman: "Haa… I'm beat. Today's finally over. But why do they keep coming? This reverse-scouting never stops… Seriously, go to other trainers. Why's it always ?"

Click

Hachiman: "I'm ho~."

Pat pat pat

"Papa's ho~♪" toddling over

Hachiman: "Hey, Rura. Nice greeting. Where's Mama?"

"Making dinner!"

Hachiman: "Got it. Let's go, then." picks her up

Rura: "Yay, up high~♪"

Click

Rura: "Mama, Papa's back!"

Hachiman: "I'm ho, Groove."

Groove: "Another hard day, Hachiman. Dinner's almost ready, so hang tight."

Hachiman: "Sure thing~."

Rura: "Sure thing~♪"

Hachiman: "Hey, hey, you don't need to copy that."

Rura: "Hehe, okay~♪"

A few years back, when Air Groove graduated from university, we announced our marriage. Dyna wanted us to go public right after Tresen, but it might've looked bad to so, so we waited. After graduation, we started living together, and after four years (or about ten, counting now?), we tied the knot. Now we've got a kid too.

Hachiman: "Rura, let's wash our hands before dinner's ready and help Mama."

Rura: "Okay♪"

She's such a sweet, obedient kid.

Rura: "Mama, I'll help!"

Groove: "That's the spirit. Can you carry Papa's plate?"

Rura: "Yup♪"

Hachiman: "I'll take Groove's, then."

Groove: "And I'll handle Rura's."

The table's set with Groove's well-balanced cooking. Fun fact: Rura inherited my tomato-hating gene. But for so reason, she loves caras and flashes… Go figure.

Hachiman: "Alright, hands together. Itadakimasu."

Groove: "Itadakimasu."

Rura: "Itadakima~su♪"

A Few Hours Later

Groove: "Hehe, she's sound asleep. Hard to believe she was bouncing around with you earlier."

Hachiman: "Kids have infinite energy."

Groove: "No kidding. Today was the entrance ceremony, right? Any interesting newbies?"

Hachiman: "Every single one I had my eye on begged to join my team. They're too decisive—it's nuts. I'm like, be more cautious!"

Groove: "That just proves how reliable you are. You supported through an undefeated Triple Tiara, Triple Crown, Spring and Autumn Senior Triple Crowns, Spring-Autumn Mile domination, and Spring-Autumn Grand Prix sweeps. Who wouldn't notice? And your skills haven't dulled one bit."

Hachiman: "Stop, you're making cringe… Was Dyna around today?"

Groove: "Mother's probably agonizing over picking snacks for Rura right now. I never thought she'd turn into such a doting grandma. Gives a headache…"

Hachiman: "It's fine. It just ans she's thrilled about her first grandkid."

Groove: "…True."

Then Air Groove leans her head on my shoulder. I stroke her hair without hesitation—it's a daily ritual now. I don't rember when it started, but she loves resting her head like this while I pet her. She stays still for a while. It's probably one of her favorite monts.

Groove: "…Hachiman."

Hachiman: "What's up, Groove?"

Groove: "Keep looking after us, okay? Rura and I will support you with everything we've got."

Hachiman: "Got it. Leave it to . For my amazing wife and adorable daughter, I'll work my ass off—without burning out, of course."

Groove: "Heh, good enough." smiles

Looks like the "Empress" everyone knew has softened with age, growing kinder over ti. But having a wife like this? I'm a lucky guy.

So I'll keep pushing for my wife and our future star, Rura. For their bright future, I've gotta step it up!

Afterword

And so, Air Groove Arc ~The Path of the Empress~ concludes after 164 chapters! It's been a long, heartfelt ride. While weaving in various elents extended the story, a pure Air Groove focus might've been shorter, but this arc wraps up here! Next up, I'm thinking of centering Fuji Kiseki. A direct jump to her arc sounds great, but a short side story could be fun too. I'm holding a poll for it—check my activity report for details! Thank you for reading the Air Groove arc!

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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.

It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!

[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ

If you guys wanna check it out.