"It's been a while since I've seen this place," Air Groove murmured. "I wonder how Mother and everyone are doing?"
With Tracen Academy on winter break, classes were paused, and Air Groove decided to visit home. The summer had been packed with her debut in Hokkaido, training, and races, leaving no time to return. Winter's the least I can do to show my face, she thought.
At her family's estate, she sighed, "Finally here…"
The journey wasn't long, but massive banners celebrated her first win, first stakes, G1 triumph, and Most Outstanding Junior award. I'm grateful, but couldn't they tone it down? she thought, embarrassed. Only one person in this region would do this…
"Mother, I'm home," Air Groove called.
A rapid thud-thud-thud echoed as footsteps charged toward her.
"Welcome back, Air Groove!" a voice squealed. "I've been waiting forever!"
It could only be Dyna Car—her mother, once known as the "Empress" during her racing days, and Air Groove's guiding star.
"Thank you," Air Groove said. "But, Mother, what's with those banners?"
"They're your milestones!" Dyna Car chirped. "How else will everyone know?"
"Think about how I feel," Air Groove protested. "I'm the center of attention every time I come back!"
"That's the point!" Dyna Car grinned. "Uma Musume thrive in the spotlight. You're shining now—don't waste it!"
Unlike me, Mother's all talk and action, Air Groove thought. As head of a notable family, Dyna Car had many connections, her carefree nature drawing people in. I hope she's not causing trouble… though it's probably too late for that.
"Come on, don't just stand there!" Dyna Car urged. "Come in, relax! I'll make tea. How long are you staying? Want to go out? What's for dinner?"
Slow down with the questions… Air Groove sighed.
In the living room, Dyna Car asked, "So, how's academy life? Having fun?"
"It's going smoothly," Air Groove replied.
"Always so formal," Dyna Car teased. "Good to know there's no trouble. I half-expected you to be terrorizing everyone!"
"I don't do that," Air Groove said flatly.
"Let's hope not," Dyna Car chuckled.
"Are you doing alright, Mother?" Air Groove asked.
"Bored without you!" Dyna Car pouted. "Shopping's restricted, and the townsfolk keep their distance!"
"That's because you're the head of this house," Air Groove said.
How did Mother become so carefree? Air Groove wondered. Was she always , even back then?
"But you, winning a G1 so soon!" Dyna Car said. "I thought you'd lose at least once in the Junior Class. Your trainer must be exceptional."
"I… won't deny that," Air Groove said.
"I saw the article about your G1 win," Dyna Car said. "Sure, that strategy got some flak, but I don't think your trainer chose it for no reason."
"He said it was to let me set my own pace," Air Groove explained.
"Is that so?" Dyna Car said softly.
"I was thrown off by the sudden change," Air Groove admitted, "but I managed to find my rhythm."
"Air Groove," Dyna Car said, her tone serious.
"Yes?" Air Groove replied.
"Value your trainer," Dyna Car said.
"What do you mean?" Air Groove asked.
"It's partly what it sounds like, but there's more," Dyna Car said. "I won't explain, but your trainer's likely a great person."
Him, a great person? Air Groove thought skeptically. I trust his skills, but his personality? Still… Mother's word carries weight.
"Understood," Air Groove said.
"Good," Dyna Car said, her cheer returning. "You'll regret losing someone like that later, so I'm saying it now. Enough serious talk—what's for dinner?"
She dodged that, but fine, Air Groove thought. When I'm back at Tracen, I'll reconsider how I treat him.
Meanwhile, at the trainer's office, Hachiman groaned. "Aoi, don't ask. I'm the one who wants answers."
He was in the office, but it wasn't empty. An Uma Musume was already there—actually, several.
"Trainer!" Oguri Cap called. "Sorry, but could you make onigiri? I'm craving my hometown's flavor."
"Hachiman!" CB shouted. "Let's go for a run!"
"Sorry, Trainer-kun," Hayahide said. "I drafted a training menu—could you check it?"
"If you're making onigiri," Brian said, "grill some meat too."
"Trainer-san!" Fine Motion chirped. "New ramen shop intel—wanna go?"
"Trainer," Miura Azusa said, "I request training assistance."
"Trainer-san," Cafe said, "how about some coffee together?"
When did my and Kiryuin's office become an Uma Musume hangout? Hachiman thought, exasperated.
Will I ever understand what Mother meant? Air Groove wondered back home.