Hachiman's POV
Spring, a few years later… It's that time again when new Uma Musume flood into Tresen Academy, eager to show off. This season always bums me out. "Watch my run!" "Put me on your team!" "Teach me 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 some 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 time 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 sometimes. But you guys get it, right? We're performing at the team showcase soon. If you flop, don't blame me."
"Exactly, everyone. If anyone's falling, Trainer's only worried about me."
"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. Sometimes 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 me?"
Click
Hachiman: "I'm home~."
Pat pat pat
"Papa's home~♪" 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 home, 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 some, 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 some reason, she loves cameras 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 me 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 me 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 me a headache…"
Hachiman: "It's fine. It just means 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 remember 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 moments.
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 me. 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 time. 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 elements 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.