I Just Wanted a Quiet Life... So Why Am I an Uma Musume Trainer?! Chapter 80 80: Celebration, Jealousy, Expecta

Air Groove's POV

Today felt like it stretched on forever… but what I achieved made it worth it. The Triple Tiara—Sakura Sho, Oaks, and today's Shuka Sho. I charged through every leg of the Tiara route at the front, undefeated.

I stood quietly, basking in the mont.

Hachiman glanced at . "That happy about the Triple Tiara?"

I flinched. "W-Why would you ask that?!"

"Your cheeks are softer than usual," he said.

"Stop staring!" I snapped. "Don't look without permission!"

"It's not embarrassing," he said. "You were poised out there, but it's fine to loosen up now. No divine punishnt for relaxing a bit."

"In front of you?" I huffed. "As if I'd let myself go like that! And in a place like this?!"

"Fair enough," he said with a shrug.

This guy… no tact at all! Is his skill limited to training? Still, it's undeniable—his guidance helped claim the Triple Tiara. A little gratitude is in order.

"Well…" I started, hesitating. "You did well too, I suppose. I got this strong because of you, in part. I'm grateful for that."

Hachiman waved it off. "Just doing my job as a trainer. Nothing more to it."

Can't even take a complint, you fool.

At Trecen Academy, we stepped off the train from Kyoto, finally back in Tokyo.

I glanced at Hachiman. He was silent, and so was I.

As we approached the academy gates, a massive sign greeted us: "Air Groove, Congratulations on Achieving the Triple Tiara!!"

Takanotsu bead. "Welco back, Hikitani Trainer, Air Groove! Huge congratulations on the undefeated Triple Tiara!"

Hachiman blinked. "Uh, thanks… but what's all this?"

Takanotsu giggled. "Explanations later! Co on, to the academy!"

"I'd like an explanation now," Hachiman said.

I turned. "Hayakawa-shi?!"

In the academy's hall, Takanotsu chirped, "We're here!"

Hachiman frowned. "What's with the drawn-out tone? You dragged us here without a reason."

"I agree," I said. "Explain yourself."

Takanotsu smiled. "The reason? Right here!"

She flung open the doors. The hall blazed with light, forcing to squint. Then—

Pop! Pop! Pop-pop-pop-pop!

A chorus erupted: "Congratulations on the undefeated Triple Tiara!!!"

The hall was packed with students and trainers, surrounded by spent handheld crackers and tables laden with food.

I stared. "What… is this?"

Takanotsu grinned. "Surprised? The academy president proposed this when you clinched the undefeated Triple Tiara. Everyone here pitched in to make it happen in a rush."

I was speechless.

Hachiman muttered, "How'd you pull this off…?"

Takanotsu bead. "The chefs, Super Creek, and Hishi Akebono handled the food. Karenchan and Smart Falcon led decorations, and President Symboli Rudolf rallied every student and trainer to make this happen!"

Rudolf stepped forward. "Exactly, Air Groove. Your achievent left a monuntal mark on our history and that of all Uma Musu. So, we prepared this modest celebration for you."

I couldn't speak, my chest tight.

Rudolf smiled. "You're the star tonight. Let's raise a toast."

"Y-Yes!" I stamred, following her to the center. Soone handed a glass.

Rudolf raised hers. "I'll take the honor of leading. We gather to celebrate Air Groove's undefeated Triple Tiara—a historic victory. Students, classes are canceled tomorrow as a special exception. Enjoy tonight to the fullest. Trainers, your daily efforts and care for your Uma Musu are invaluable. Tonight, let loose. To Air Groove's undefeated Triple Tiara—cheers!"

"Cheers!!" the crowd roared.

They did all this… for ?

Rudolf nudged . "Co on, Air Groove. This party's for you. Have fun, or we'll be disappointed."

I nodded. "President… thank you."

I mingled, chatting with students about daily life, races, the Tiara route—everything. It felt… joyful.

I turned to Rudolf. "President."

"Hm?" she said.

"Thank you," I said softly.

She chuckled. "What's that for?"

Hachiman's POV

Kenta's eyes lit up. "Senpai, congratulations! Triple Tiara in your second year—fastest in history, right?!"

"No clue," I said. "Don't care either. Just doing my job training Uma Musu."

Aoi nodded. "But you and I got to take on trainees right after starting, right? Raising Air Groove from scratch to this? That's incredible."

Another peer chid in. "We're only getting our first trainees next year. You're leaving us in the dust."

"Maybe," I said. "But you guys are valuable to ."

"How so?" he asked.

"You still talk to like nothing's changed," I said. "That's rare. So people… well, you know."

Kenta sighed. "Yeah…"

Aoi agreed. "True."

My peer pointed across the hall. "So don't even try to hide it. Look at that table—seniors and peers who barely helped with this party but showed up anyway. Not even congratulating you. Can't they celebrate a colleague's win?"

I shrugged. "Can't be helped. This world's all about results. A nobody like getting this far? Bound to spark envy. I'm not from a famous family or so legendary Uma Musu's kid, so it stings them."

Kenta frowned. "That's just childish."

"Let 'em talk," I said. "They're wasting their own ti."

Aoi laughed. "Fair point!"

These guys are solid. Sure, they're learning from senior trainers, but they don't take cheap shots at . Instead, they hit with questions about training nus, brimming with ambition. That's what drive looks like.

"Hey," I said, "what's next for Bubblegum?"

Kenta perked up. "She's running in the Tennō Shō (Autumn)! A huge classic-grade challenge!"

Aoi whistled. "Wow! If she wins, it's a feat not seen in 59 years. Only one classic-grade Uma Musu has ever won it."

My peer nodded. "Watch out, though. Maya-no Top Gun, Sakura Laurel, Marvelous Sunday, Genuine, Nice Nature—they're all in, plus so from her last race."

Kenta clenched his fist. "I'll nail her prep!"

"That's the spirit!" Aoi cheered.

Tennō Shō, huh? Gotta catch that one.

Another peer approached, voice sharp. "Yo, Hikitani. Snagged the Triple Tiara, huh?"

"Thanks to her," I said.

A senior trainer sneered. "Don't get cocky. You're just riding Air Groove's coattails. That's all."

Another added, "Exactly. It's not your skill. Air Groove was bound to win with her talent. Any of us could've done it."

My peer started, "Hey, that's—" but I cut in.

"You're right," I said. "Air Groove's why I'm a Triple Tiara trainer. Her talent's undeniable. But drawing out an Uma Musu's potential? That's on the trainer. Can you guarantee you'd have done the sa?"

The second senior bristled. "What's that supposed to an?"

"Just curious," I said. "You knew Air Groove had Triple Tiara potential from the start, right? You too."

The first senior puffed up. "Obviously. Her mom's the Empress. That kind of talent's expected."

The second nodded. "Her aura was different. Clear as day."

My peer added, "With runs like hers, it's no surprise."

Idiots. They're practically shouting they're clueless.

"So," I said, "why didn't you scout her? An Uma Musu with Triple Tiara potential doesn't co around often. Trainers would kill for that kind of prospect. For the record, I didn't care about fa and had no clue about her potential at first."

The first senior stamred. "W-Well, that's…"

The second snapped, "Because she went to you! That's why we couldn't!"

"Air Groove's been at Trecen since middle school," I said. "I scouted her in high school. You had plenty of ti to spot her talent. Stop acting like I stole her."

My peer bristled. "They're seniors, man!"

"So what?" I shot back. "I'm not taking their nonsense just because they're older. If they're so scared of losing her, they should've staked a claim."

The first senior growled, "Don't push , kid—"

"Jealous over a junior's results?" I cut in. "Instead of whining, why not focus on making your Uma Musu stronger? You're wasting ti. anwhile, Kenta here's got Bubblegum Fellow, entrusted by Hiratsuka-sensei. If she wins Tennō Shō, he might be a main trainer next season."

"What?!" my peer gasped.

"No way!" the first senior said.

"Bullshit," the second muttered.

"It's true," I said. "Kenta's handling Bubblegum's training. Hiratsuka-sensei's ready to recomnd him as a main trainer based on Tennō Shō's outco, even transferring Bubblegum to him officially."

Kenta's eyes widened. "Huh?!"

Aoi grinned. "That's huge!"

My peer nodded. "Main trainer after two years? And with a transfer? That's rare."

"It ans they believe in you," I said to Kenta. "Show Hiratsuka-sensei what you've got. Oh, and keep it quiet—she told not to spill."

Not much I can do, but… give it your all for the big race, Kenta.

Afterword

The Triple Tiara party's a battlefield of emotions! Air Groove's legacy looms large, but Hachiman steals the spotlight, shutting down jealous seniors with cutting truths. Kenta's Tennō Shō dreams soar, backed by Hiratsuka-sensei's trust, while peers like Aoi rally behind Hachiman's "abnormal" rise. Fuji's arc waits, but Air Groove's triumph and Hachiman's defiance fuel the drama—here's to ambition and rivalry!

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