There's Something Wrong with You, Logistics Uma Musume

Kagura chuckled, not revealing that she was actually lamenting the misfortune of those Uma Musume who had the misfortune of running into Rudolph Symbol.

"Let's go! Little sister, let's go down and greet Rudolph!"

Ruffling Kagura's head, Maruzensky grabbed her under the armpits and lifted her up, preparing to take her to greet Rudolph Symbol as well. Toujou Hana had also stood up, looking like she was ready to accompany them.

"Head of the Family?"

Kagura, now being held, looked at Speed Symbol, who simply shook her head with a smile, showing no intention of getting up.

"You young people go ahead. Akikawa and I will chat here and won't disturb you. You young ones go down and congratulate her."

Knowing that she and her granddaughter didn't quite click, Speed Symbol didn't plan to spoil the mood. The young people's celebration should be for the young people. As an elder, she would have plenty of opportunities to say what she wanted after the celebration was over.

15. The Winner's Stage

Meanwhile, Rudolph Symbol, who had just come off the track and entered the exit tunnel to go backstage, saw some familiar faces in the tunnel.

"Yo! Maruzensky, Kagura, and Trainer, you're all here!"

"Of course! How could I miss Rudolph's debut race? You ran so—cool! Kagura was so captivated that she couldn't take her eyes off you!"

Maruzensky, holding Kagura in her arms, congratulated Rudolph Symbol in a slightly exaggerated manner.

"Congratulations, Miss Rudolph. You ran very gracefully just now."

Kagura pulled her hand out of Maruzensky's arm and gave Rudolph Symbol a thumbs up.

"Thank you for your support. I will continue to run like this in the future."

As she spoke, Rudolph Symbol stepped forward and reached out her hands, cupping Kagura's soft, fair face and rubbing it. The warm palms made Kagura, who had been feeling a little chilly from the wind blowing on her face, feel warm and cozy.

Although Kagura wasn't particularly averse to being touched, she couldn't quite understand why people around her liked to hug or pinch her for no reason after she became an Uma Musume. Speed Symbol, Rudolph Symbol, and Maruzensky were all like that. Did she feel particularly good to pet?

"Congratulations, Rudolph. A beautiful race."

Compared to her classmates, Toujou Hana, as the Trainer, was much calmer. She simply walked up and gently patted Rudolph Symbol on the shoulder to show her encouragement.

"Sorry, Trainer, I didn't run according to your planned tactics in the later part."

"It's okay. Your observation of the situation was clear, and you made the best choice. Whether it's my decision or your decision, as long as we can win the race, it's the right one."

Kagura, who was watching from above, had actually heard Toujou Hana's voice later on. When Rudolph Symbol made a strong breakthrough in the second half of the race, she seemed a little worried at the time, but Rudolph Symbol's performance quickly reassured her.

"Speaking of which, Rudolph, aren't you going to perform on the winner's stage later? Shouldn't you go prepare?"

Hearing the crowd outside fervently calling Rudolph Symbol's name, Maruzensky reminded her as if she had remembered something.

"That's what I'm about to do. Maruzensky and Trainer, would you like to come backstage and take a look?"

From Rudolph Symbol's conversation with the two, Kagura also learned another thing related to racing—the winner's stage. Only the winner of the race is qualified to go on stage after the race and convey their charm to the audience through song and dance performances.

'Why is there such a victory mechanism that has nothing to do with racing and sounds so oyster-like?? Aren't Uma Musume supposed to be sports anime?!'

Seeing that they seemed to be very happy, Kagura, who couldn't understand at all, could only complain in her heart. She remembered that when her best friend recommended Uma Musume to her, she said it was a very healing sports anime.

'Something is definitely wrong with this world... Oh well, it's not me going up, so as long as Miss Rudolph is happy...'

Looking at the confident Rudolph Symbol, Kagura could only choose to put aside this mechanism that looked strange no matter how she looked at it.

Anyway, she wasn't the one performing, and she wouldn't have the chance to go up in the future. It was okay to be an audience member and enjoy the performance. She didn't mind watching idol-like performances either.

Following Rudolph Symbol to the backstage, this was the first time in Kagura's two lives that she had entered such a place. Maruzensky also sneaked over, but Toujou Hana said she didn't want to disturb the children's celebration, so she stood outside and didn't come in.

"Wow... little sister, you can even do makeup? I feel like you know so many things, you're so amazing..."

Maruzensky, who had taken a tour of the backstage and returned, was surprised to find that Kagura was actually applying makeup for Rudolph Symbol in front of the mirror.

"I know a little bit. I learned a few tricks from Head Maid. Miss Rudolph is so beautiful, so she doesn't need complicated makeup. It's still very simple."

Kagura smiled modestly while carefully applying makeup for Rudolph Symbol.

Uma Musume are all beautiful, so it's very easy to apply makeup. Kagura didn't need to use complicated techniques. In fact, Kagura had never seen an Uma Musume with low looks. Even old Uma Musume like Speed Symbol looked very energetic.

As for why Kagura knew these things, learning a few tricks from the Head Maid was one reason, but more importantly, her anime-loving best friend used to cosplay, and she always helped with the makeup. Over time, she also learned a lot of strange techniques.

Without spending too much time, Kagura quickly finished Rudolph Symbol's makeup. Looking at the time, it was almost time for Rudolph Symbol to go on stage.

"I didn't expect you to be so young, Kagura, but your makeup skills are quite impressive... That Head Maid should be learning from you, right?"

Rudolph Symbol, who knew the level of her own Head Maid, joked with a smile.

"No, no, you're overpraising me. I'm still far from it~ By the way, Miss Rudolph, you ran so hard today, you must be hungry, right? Is there anything you want to eat?"

Remembering the task that Speed Symbol had assigned to her on the way, Kagura asked casually:

"Hmm? Didn't the old woman book a hotel? This kind of thing should be left to the hotel staff to consider, right?"

"Head of the Family said to borrow the kitchen there to cook a meal for you, saying that she must let you try it once. I don't know what Head of the Family is thinking..."

Kagura wasn't very clear why Speed Symbol insisted that she prepare this celebratory feast. Although she had heard Speed Symbol say before that she really liked her cooking, it was beyond her expectations that she would give up the hotel's food for it. Fortunately, the hotel's kitchen really had an area that could be borrowed for cooking, so Kagura wouldn't be without a stove to cook on, as long as she prepared the ingredients.

Throwing a bunch of doubts out of her mind, Kagura decided to first understand what she wanted to know. She took out her small notebook and pen and looked at the other two:

"Does Miss Rudolph have any flavor preferences? Or any particularly favorite cuisines? I only know Chinese and Japanese food for now. I'm not very familiar with Western food. Miss Maruzensky, if you have anything you like to eat, you can also tell me. As long as I know how to make it and can find the ingredients, I can make it tonight."

"That old woman is really making a fuss. As long as you can handle it, Kagura... I don't have any particular preferences. Something light would be good. What about you, Maruzensky?"

"I'm easygoing~ I prefer something a little sweet."

"Okay, got it. Now, go shine on that stage with peace of mind! I'll have a delicious meal waiting for you when you get back, my lady."

Kagura nodded, made a note of it, and then put away her notebook and pen, ready to leave. She planned to watch the so-called winner's stage for a bit from the audience, and then head out to buy ingredients for dinner.

"Little sister, it must be inconvenient to buy ingredients alone, right? How about I come along?"

Hearing that Kagura was planning to buy ingredients later, Maruzensky immediately volunteered. For some reason, Kagura felt that Maruzensky's enthusiasm was a little abnormal.

"Okay, as long as Miss Maruzensky doesn't mind the effort, you're welcome to come with me. I'll find you after the winner's stage ends."

However, Kagura didn't think too much about it and nodded in agreement. After all, she hadn't brought her usual shopping cart with her today, so having someone to help carry the groceries would be very helpful.

Out of curiosity, Kagura went to the audience to watch the so-called "winner's stage." Undeniably, it was a very entertaining performance, at least Rudolph Symbol's performance was. If she were to treat it as an idol concert, she would give it a score of 90.

So, what does this have to do with running?!

Kagura couldn't understand the connection between the two. After thinking about it, she realized that this was, after all, an anime world, and there were some things she didn't need to understand too clearly.

"Question! Does little sister yearn for a stage like that?"

The orange-haired girl, who had somehow appeared next to her, smiled as she looked at her. The cat on her hat meowed in agreement.

"Me? Although I think idols are a very dazzling profession, I don't think I'm suited for it."

Kagura was startled by the sudden appearance of Akikawa Yayoi, but she quickly recovered and shook her head in response.

"Why? Do you dislike it?"

"It's not that I dislike it... I just feel that I'm not the kind of person who can shine like that. For me, just being a maid or something... would be fine, I guess."

"So, you lack confidence?"

"...You could say that."

Although Kagura wasn't opposed to idol activities, she wasn't like her otaku best friend. It would be a bit difficult for someone like her to do it, and she didn't have much confidence in herself. She was just an ordinary, commonplace girl, without the dazzling aura of someone like Rudolph Symbol.

Akikawa Yayoi nodded thoughtfully, her watery blue eyes blinking a few times.

"Curiosity! When Rudolph's race ended, I noticed that little sister's expression wasn't one of joy. What were you regretting, or what were you afraid of?"

How could she...? So, this director has been watching me all this time?

Kagura didn't expect that her little bit of emotion for the other Uma Musume had been noticed by this child. It seemed that Akikawa Yayoi's observational skills far exceeded her appearance. This director couldn't be judged by her childish appearance.

"I just think the other Uma Musume... are quite unlucky. Their efforts and sweat, under that dazzling light, all seem insignificant, so small... There's nothing more despairing than a hardworking genius, is there?"

"Ooh—"

This exclamation came from Akikawa Yayoi. Kagura followed the sound and saw Akikawa Yayoi looking at her with great interest.

"Question! If the Rudolph on the field were replaced with little sister, would you feel sorry?"

"No, it's like a school exam. The number of excellent spots is always limited. If you want to move forward, you naturally have to be prepared to crush the dreams of others. Rather than throwing the match and bestowing victory, I think it's right for someone like Miss Rudolph to use her own strength to make those Uma Musume feel, 'Ah, it can't be helped that we lost to her'..."

After a pause, Kagura remembered a certain sentence she had heard from Eclipse not long ago that seemed quite fitting for this situation. After organizing her thoughts a little, she said:

"...'In my era, all opponents regard defeating me as the highest honor.' That's the mentality that a top-level athlete should have, right?"

If she were on the racetrack, if she really had the strength of Rudolph Symbol, she would definitely crush her opponents without mercy, just like Rudolph Symbol. That was the right attitude towards competition.

Having experienced countless important exams in her previous life, Kagura naturally didn't have that kind of useless sympathy. No matter what kind of exam it was, the number of spots available to pass was limited each year. If she got in, it meant that someone else was squeezed out. There was nothing to sympathize about. It was quite unwise to be sentimental in such a strange place.

Although that's what I said, I feel like if I went up there, I would probably be one of those Uma Musume who get crushed, right? That speed that exceeds human limits...

Kagura thought silently. She didn't think she could outrun a monster like Rudolph Symbol. When that girl crossed the finish line just now, she was so fast that she couldn't even see her. That girl was practically flying on the grass!

Akikawa Yayoi nodded very satisfied, reached out and grabbed Kagura's hands, getting so close that she was almost touching Kagura's face, and looked at her with a face full of anticipation, saying:

"Appreciation! Little sister, I like you very much! Would you consider coming to Tracen Academy? I can let you skip the screening and go straight to the written test, and I can also provide you with special guidance from the director!"

"Eh? That... Director Akikawa... that's not very appropriate..."

"Don't be silly, Akikawa. I still want to taste Kagura's cooking."

The Speed Symbol, who had been hiding behind them for a while, walked up and pushed back the seemingly excited Akikawa Yayoi. She also looked very satisfied. She had originally thought that Kagura, this gentle and kind child, might have some unnecessary sympathy for the Uma Musume behind her, but she had given an unexpected answer, which raised Speed Symbol's evaluation of Kagura even further.

"Ah, Head of the Family, when did you get here?"

"I just came down. As soon as I got out of the elevator, I heard Akikawa trying to poach from my household. That won't do. Kagura has spoiled my palate these past few days. I'm still counting on her to cook for me."

While saying such serious lies, Speed Symbol also grabbed Kagura's shoulders and pulled her over as if declaring her ownership, blocking her with her hand.

"Regret! But, if little sister wants to come to my house in the future, you can come to Tracen Academy to play at any time. Just tell the green big sister at the school gate, and she will take you in for a tour."

"Okay... okay..."

Overwhelmed by Akikawa Yayoi's excessive enthusiasm, Kagura's speech was a little unnatural.

What kind of strange nickname is "green big sister"... That lady will definitely be angry when she hears it!!

Although Kagura was also attracted to that green lady for quite a while when she first saw her at the entrance of Tracen Academy, she really couldn't understand why someone would wear a full green outfit in their daily life, and a bright green at that.

Watching the enthusiastic Akikawa Yayoi hum a cheerful tune as she left and returned to her seat, Kagura finally breathed a sigh of relief. Now that Rudolph Symbol's performance was coming to an end, she had to prepare to go buy ingredients.

16. You're doing great! Really great!

To make it in time for dinner, Kagura didn't linger in the stands for too long. Maruzensky also left the stands with her as promised and headed to the supermarket to gather ingredients.

"Miss Maruzensky, that carrot you picked up isn't very fresh. It's the kind that usually gets marked down in the evenings."

Maruzensky, who has always been fairly casual about life, naturally didn't have Kagura's discerning eye. Right now, she had an incredulous look on her face, her gaze darting back and forth between the carrot in her hand and the one Kagura was holding, trying to find some difference.

Ah, what a genuinely bewildered expression... I probably looked like that the first time I went to the market to pick out vegetables...

Kagura couldn't help but smile at Maruzensky's cluelessness. She seemed to see her former self, except that she was no longer the kitchen newbie who couldn't even tell the difference between scallions and chives.

Since coming to the Symbol family, Kagura's grocery shopping has leaned towards higher quality ingredients. Given sufficient quality, she then looks for a price balance, which is different from her previous shopping habits. After all, the Symbol family isn't short on money, but she still has to consider the cost of living.

Although you can occasionally find good things among the discounted evening ingredients, the odds aren't high, especially for meat and fish. If you want good quality, you usually have to go early. She's already come too late.

"Um... how exactly does the little girl tell if ingredients are fresh?"

"Some you can tell just by looking at the surface, others you have to touch and tap. There's no fixed method. I guess... it's all about feeling?"

"I can't believe my common sense is worse than a little Uma Musume with amnesia..."

Maruzensky stared intently at the carrot for half a minute, finally admitting defeat.

Having already planned the menu, Kagura purposefully moved between the various sections to select ingredients. Although Maruzensky was nominally there to help Kagura, she realized once she arrived that she couldn't be of much assistance. Aside from seasonings and drinks, which she could find, Kagura was basically selecting all the ingredients herself. She was like a mobile shelf, following behind and helping to carry things.

Even though this was Kagura's first time at this supermarket, she seemed very familiar with the process of finding ingredients, and even if she didn't know the layout, she could quickly find what she wanted with the help of the signs, as if she had done this thousands of times. This greatly surprised Maruzensky, who usually bought groceries very casually, and even relied on fast food when she was tired.

For some reason, Maruzensky saw a certain radiance in the small, black-haired Uma Musume in front of her, the kind of radiance she had once seen in her Uma Musume mother.

--- She's younger than me, but she feels like a mother.

Maruzensky looked at the white earring hanging on Kagura's left ear, and an inexplicable impulse arose to put her arm around Kagura's waist and play a prank on this earnest child, but in the end, she suppressed it with her strong self-control.

She had come along so proactively not only because she really wanted to help Kagura and prevent her from getting tired, but also because of her own curiosity. She found that Kagura seemed to have a strange attraction for her, especially when she hugged Kagura, there was an unspeakable sense of relaxation and comfort that made her always want to hug Kagura.