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

Hachiman's POV

Three weeks into summer camp, and Air Groove and Fuji Kiseki are on fire—no question. But Air Groove's acting strange. Her training's impeccable, blowing past her slump days with razor-sharp precision. Yet, her eyes keep darting to me, then away, way more than usual. If something's up, I wish she'd just say it, but it doesn't feel like that. I've got Fuji quietly digging, but she hasn't checked in.

(Seriously? Don't make students play sleuth…)

I've been turning it over in my head, but I'm drawing blanks. Women? Not my strong suit. After the Yukinoshita mess, things were icy. We sorted that out, and she got all gloomy. Now, post-Takarazuka, it's… what, exactly? Her vibe's off, but her training's unreal. What's going on?

"Phew~…" Fuji said. "Wrapped up, Hachiman Trainer-san."

"Done," Air Groove said.

"Solid work," I said. "Today's menu's over. What's next? Summer festival starts tonight, right?"

"I'm patrolling," Fuji said. "Duty with a side of fun, you know? Gotta make it count."

"So you," I said. "Air Groove?"

"!?" she flinched. "I-I'm patrolling with Fuji. Hopefully no students go overboard."

"Outside Spe and Oguri, you're probably fine," I said.

"Then we'll keep an eye on those two," Fuji said.

Fuji headed back to base, but Air Groove stayed frozen in place.

"Hey, you good?" I said. "Fuji's gone."

"!?" she startled. "W-Well… you going to the festival?"

"Nah," I said. "Not big on outings. Probably tweaking menus in my room or something."

"Got it…" she said, turning away.

Why the letdown? Her face was neutral, but those perky ears sagged a bit. Whatever, I'm heading back.

Hachiman's Room

"Ugh… Drained," I said. "Those girls are relentless. Showing up every day without losing steam—nuts."

"For real~," CB said. "Even if your cooking's insanely good~."

"Hey, CB?" I said.

"Yeah?" she said.

"No offense."

I grabbed her collar and lobbed her into the hallway.

"Hachiman, really!?" CB shouted. "That's harsh! Total oppression!"

"Keep it down," I said. "Why're you sneaking into my room? Nearly gave me a heart attack. Learn some boundaries."

"It's no biggie!" she said. "I just wanna hang with you! A little time's fine, right!?"

Man, that line would've been gold in high school. Now? Kinda flat.

"Besides, you said I could vent," she said. "You never open up, Hachiman. I worry."

"…" I paused.

Click.

"Come in," I said. "No gripes or whining, though."

"…Okay," CB said.

"I'm good," I said. "Rumors? Hardly a thing now. No need to stress."

"I know you're tougher than that," she said. "But at the academy, you can't avoid hearing stuff."

"Hard to tune out, huh?" I said.

"…" She nodded.

"Girls are sharp like that," I said. "Your ears pick up everything—even stuff you don't need. Can't just shrug it off. What'd you hear?"

"Same old drivel," she said. "But I know your skill's legit. I've seen your clubroom, your office. You grind harder than anyone—twice as much in the shadows. Those training notebooks? No one pumps out that much without real hustle."

"…"

"That's why I can't take it," she said. "People trashing you over Air Groove's fame or whatever."

"…I see," I said.

"…" She held my gaze.

All this time, CB's been the one really seeing me. She's here because she likes me, loves training, enjoys my company—all sorts of reasons. But I didn't know she thought this deeply.

"…Picking a third charge is gonna be tough," I said.

"Not me?" CB asked.

"Don't be dumb," I said. "After that, you think I'm heartless? You're first pick."

"…Hehe, score♪" she said.

"Still gotta wait for an offer," I said.

"Till then, I'm training with you," she said. "Cool, right?"

"No point saying no," I said. "Join as much as you want. I know you won't listen anyway."

Afterword

Air Groove's fleeting glances and sagging ears hint at her trust arc's tangled threads, while CB's fervent loyalty secures her shot as Hachiman's third charge. Fuji's quiet sleuthing keeps her Niigata debut on the horizon. The Yahari crossover fuels Hachiman's "Tengan" grit, with Haruno's shadow lurking. Air Groove's next step and CB's chance—electric with tension!

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