"No, what am I doing...? Sorry, Kagura. I acted like that without your permission."
Rudolph Symbol hurriedly pulled her hand back when she realized she had been rude.
"No, it's fine. I don't really mind. You aren't the first person to do that to me, though I am a little curious. Is it really that pleasant to the touch?"
Seeing that Rudolph Symbol seemed to have pinched her without realizing it for quite some time, Kagura asked with an exasperated smile.
"Well... I can't deny that it does feel very nice... Ah, speaking of which, Kagura, have you ever measured your own body?"
Rudolph Symbol awkwardly changed the subject. She had originally called Kagura over to discuss her school uniform anyway; it was just that an unexpected little interlude had come up.
"No. Why do you ask?"
"Since you're coming to Tracen Academy with me, every student is required to have a school uniform. I happen to have a measuring tape here. If you don't mind, I can measure you now."
"If it's a requirement... Go ahead. Do I need to take my clothes off?"
After spending some time having Rudolph Symbol measure her, Kagura looked at her height and measurements while putting her clothes back on. As expected, they suited the body of a little child like her perfectly.
"Hmm~ Don't be sad, Kagura. You haven't reached your full development yet. You still have a chance to grow."
Seeing how dissatisfied Kagura seemed with her height, Rudolph Symbol smiled and patted her shoulder comfortingly.
"I have a feeling I won't grow much even after I fully develop..."
As she put her clothes back on, Kagura looked at her sadly flat chest and her height, unable to hold back a sigh. She missed the body she had once had, which stood nearly 170 centimeters tall. Now, at just over 140 centimeters, she had to tilt her head back to look at Rudolph Symbol.
"Don't lose heart. Besides, for your body type, Kagura, your figure is excellent. You aren't painfully thin, and you don't look chubby. A little well-balanced softness is best."
Rudolph Symbol smiled gently and reached over to pat Kagura's little head.
That's true. I can even eat more than the average adult without gaining weight. Where in reality could you find a child with such perfectly balanced softness...? Ah, in her words, this is probably the perfect figure that can only exist on a girl from a two-dimensional world.
Kagura thought to herself. In a certain sense, her body suited her height and age perfectly—and in another sense, it was the least fitting of all. Aside from the complete lack of movement in her chest, everything was too ideal. She was reminded of some of the outrageous things her best friend had said in the past. Thinking about it now, her friend hadn't been entirely wrong.
"All done. I've sent your measurements to the supplier and asked them to prepare your uniform as soon as possible. It should be about breakfast time, too. Let's go downstairs and eat first."
18. Raising Her Somehow Turned Into Affection
"Today is a day off, so everyone should relax. You don't need to worry about training or anything for now. Since we happen to have two young people here, come on, I have a task for the two of you."
Just as everyone at the table was about to finish breakfast, Speed Symbol suddenly gave Maruzensky and Rudolph Symbol a task.
The two of them looked at Speed Symbol in confusion. Kagura also curiously glanced at Speed Symbol on her right, eager to watch the fun. Then she saw Speed Symbol raise a hand and gently rub the top of her head.
"This child still doesn't have any everyday clothes she can wear outside. Her wardrobe is full of nothing but work clothes. I can't let her keep running around in a maid outfit, but I don't really know what young people like these days. How about taking her to look around the clothing shops nearby?"
"Head of the Family... Mmph!"
Kagura had just opened her mouth when Speed Symbol stuck a piece of bacon and fried egg into it with a fork, silencing her.
"Don't listen to this child's refusal. Pick out several outfits that look good and fit her, then come back and have me reimburse you."
Speed Symbol gave Kagura no chance to speak. Maruzensky and Rudolph Symbol had no intention of refusing her request, either. Kagura really did lack everyday clothes, and she would soon be enrolling at Tracen Academy. If she went out with friends later wearing that work outfit—or her uniform—it would be somewhat inappropriate.
Thus, the two senior Uma Musume hit it off immediately. Kagura, half pushed and half dragged along, was carried away by the two large Uma Musume. She had never expected that the first time she went clothes shopping in this world, she would be hauled there like this.
A clothing shop could be found not far from the hotel Speed Symbol had booked. At the two large Uma Musume's speed, they reached it in little more than ten minutes. Along the way, the group attracted plenty of attention, mainly because Rudolph Symbol had won her debut race there just the day before. Kagura heard people discussing them everywhere they went.
"Hehe~ We're already here, so don't refuse! Come on, be a good girl and go inside with Big Sis to try on some clothes~"
Sensing Kagura's hesitation, Maruzensky, walking behind her, gently gave her a push and sent her into the clothing shop.
"Welcome~ Ah, could this be...?"
The young salesclerk immediately recognized Rudolph Symbol. Several other clerks looked over when they heard the commotion, and the customers in the shop also turned their gazes toward them.
Kagura instinctively hid behind the nearest Maruzensky. She still wasn't used to being watched by crowds and was bad at dealing with situations like this. Maruzensky seemed accustomed to it and barely reacted, while Rudolph Symbol had already begun greeting the onlookers naturally.
"Ah... Rudolph really is better at handling this sort of thing. Come on, little sister. While Rudolph deals with everyone else, let's go look at some clothes first~"
Seeing Rudolph Symbol draw the crowd's attention, Maruzensky guessed that she would be busy with those enthusiastic fans for quite a while. She took Kagura farther into the shop to look for something suitable.
"I feel like blue-and-white clothes would suit you, little sister. What about you? Do you have a favorite color?"
Maruzensky held up a dress with white as its main color, decorated with plenty of blue and golden-yellow accessories and lace, and compared it against Kagura. By ordinary standards, the outfit was perfect for a child. It had a cute style, but it didn't suit Kagura's tastes very well, because Kagura had never thought of herself as a child.
"I think black with a little white would look better..."
Kagura was quite satisfied with the maid outfit she was wearing. It didn't make her look childish, it looked rather attractive, and she could even wear it directly to formal occasions. It gave people a neat and refreshing impression.
"Don't base everything on maid outfits. Try this one!"
"Mmph, mmph..."
Kagura had always liked buying black coats, trousers, and similar clothes. Her best friend and family had often said that her overall color scheme looked somewhat gloomy. At the very least, Kagura didn't like overly flashy clothes, and the set Maruzensky was holding already made her feel dizzy.
After thinking it over, Kagura decided that since she had come to buy everyday clothes, she might as well try a new style unlike anything she had worn before.
Ah, what Maruzensky is holding is a sailor uniform... As expected of Japan...
Kagura entered the changing room with the clothes. After instinctively looking around to confirm that no one was watching, she carefully undid her maid outfit, took it off, and hung it on the rack beside her. Then she changed into the outfit Maruzensky had given her.
Hmm... Why is there something like this, too?
Only after taking out the clothes did Kagura notice that Maruzensky had also picked out a pair of white tights for her. Kagura herself preferred not to wear things like that, but after looking at the little Uma Musume in the mirror, she felt that trying them once might not be so bad.
After spending a little time arranging her outfit, Kagura slipped her little feet into the slippers provided in the changing room, pushed open the door, and walked out.
"Miss Maruzensky, I feel... Whoa!"
The moment she stepped out, Kagura was startled by Maruzensky lunging toward her. Fortunately, Maruzensky had not actually intended to tackle her and stopped in front of her just in time.
"I told you this outfit would look great on you, little sister!"
"D-do you really think so?"
"I think it looks very good, too, Kagura. When you wore the maid outfit before, you gave off a serious and disciplined impression. Occasionally changing to a more relaxed style is good, too. You said it yourself—if you always act as though you're at work, it's hard to get along with other people, right?"
Rudolph Symbol finally finished dealing with the enthusiastic crowd and came over. Looking at Kagura's outfit, she nodded in satisfaction. Compared to a capable maid, Rudolph Symbol hoped Kagura would dress more like a child her age, appearing a little more pure and adorable.
After all, no matter how mature she seemed, Kagura was still only a child.
"Not bad. How do you feel, Kagura? If you're satisfied, we can take this one first."
"If Miss and Miss Maruzensky both think it's fine... then I don't really have a problem with it."
After looking at herself in the mirror several times, Kagura was quite satisfied with the outfit as well. Uma Musume were generally very attractive, and as long as one didn't deliberately pair their clothes in some bizarre or horribly old-fashioned way, it was difficult for them to look truly bad. Kagura couldn't help sighing inwardly at how important it was to have a good-looking face.
After returning to the changing room and taking off the outfit, Kagura picked out several more black-and-white outfits according to her preferences. They would certainly be enough for everyday wear. Maruzensky and Rudolph Symbol felt a little helpless when they saw Kagura pick out several more outfits in those colors, but since she liked that color scheme, they couldn't very well criticize someone else's taste.
"By the way, little sister, have you never bought undergarments, either? Since we're here today, we might as well help you buy those, too."
"I'm not old enough to need that sort of thing yet..."
"No! How can a girl not take proper care of herself? You absolutely have to wear them. Otherwise, you could hurt your skin!"
With that, Maruzensky pushed Kagura without further discussion toward the children's clothing section nearby.
Rudolph Symbol herself wasn't very good at bringing up this kind of topic, so the responsibility of guiding Kagura through the purchases fell to Maruzensky. Her enthusiasm was so unusually high that Rudolph Symbol couldn't help wondering inwardly why Maruzensky was never this enthusiastic when working in the student council.
Maruzensky picked out a pile of little camisoles and similar items for Kagura. Kagura did feel that her current development meant she had no use for them yet, but after thinking it over, she admitted that Maruzensky had a point. Thus, she stopped refusing and took the clothes to the changing room to see whether they fit.
"Little sister, you've never worn underwear before, have you? Do you want Big Sis to help you?"
"No!!"
Naturally, introverted Kagura decisively refused Maruzensky's help.
The two senior Uma Musume quickly took care of Kagura's new clothes. They bought not only everyday clothes and underwear but also quite a few different kinds of socks. Maruzensky had done most of the work, of course. Rudolph Symbol knew little about this sort of thing and wasn't very good with children, so she could only stand to the side and watch Maruzensky treat Kagura like a dress-up doll, making her change outfits over and over.
Rudolph Symbol didn't think there was anything wrong with it. That adorable child looked good in anything, aside from certain bright colors—such as pink—which looked a little strange on her.
Although Maruzensky usually gave Kagura the impression of an old aunt, her sense of fashion was quite good. The outfits she picked pleased both Kagura and Rudolph Symbol. They suited Kagura's age without looking overly childish.
"So satisfying~"
Maruzensky looked refreshed and completely content as she carried several large bags, humming a little tune while she walked. She seemed to be in an excellent mood.
Kagura, who had been treated like a dress-up doll for nearly two hours, looked somewhat exhausted. She had never liked shopping malls much. If her best friend hadn't constantly dragged her out to buy clothes, she probably would have had little reason to visit a clothing shop, let alone let someone like Maruzensky help her change clothes and put on socks.
"Kagura, once we return to Tokyo, I'll arrange your dormitory at Tracen Academy as soon as possible. It should take only a day or two. Remember to pack your things. You'll be moving to Tracen Academy to live."
Rudolph Symbol also reminded Kagura not to forget to pack her belongings. In truth, Kagura didn't have much to pack. Aside from some documents, her only luggage was the complicated outfit she had been wearing when she crossed over.
It was a Shrine Maiden Outfit that looked extremely inconvenient to put on and take off. Kagura had already been wearing it when she first crossed over, and she had even worn it during a desperate escape. What she couldn't understand was that she had no idea what material the outfit was made from. Despite being so troublesome to put on, it didn't hinder her running at all. She felt she could wear it straight onto the track and run without a problem.
Maybe that's another thing belonging to Miss Eclipse?
By now, whenever Kagura encountered something unscientific, she could basically blame it all on Miss Eclipse.
Kagura had a general understanding of the arrangements for the future. She would enroll at Central Tracen Academy as a Logistics Uma Musume, completing her studies while providing Rudolph Symbol with whatever assistance she could.
Heh, student life after all this time... Why do I feel like I'm the young lady's companion? Actually, I guess I am...
Strictly speaking, this was Kagura's first time attending school in this life. She felt somewhat emotional. After spending so many years out in the world, she had somehow come full circle and returned to school.
For Kagura, campus life was indeed a nostalgic memory. Before crossing over, she had never imagined that she would have the chance to experience a leisurely school life again. This time, however, she wouldn't have the pressure of studying.
When Rudolph Symbol had dragged her to Tracen Academy before, Kagura had also learned a little about the Uma Musume's academic curriculum. Perhaps because Uma Musume generally weren't very good at book learning, Tracen Academy's cultural courses were extremely basic. There was practically nothing difficult, and with Kagura's educational background, she had already mastered all of it.
If I don't need to focus on studying, can I do something else?
Kagura planned out her future in her mind. Before she knew it, she, Rudolph Symbol, and Maruzensky had returned to the hotel with their large and small bags.
"You're back, children... Kagura, did you find any clothes you like?"
"Yes. Miss Maruzensky helped me pick out a lot... I'm truly grateful for your care, Head of the Family. I'm sorry for troubling you with even such a small matter."
"That's no trouble at all. I'm happy to take care of it."
Speed Symbol reached out and patted Kagura's little head. She knew that after they returned to Tokyo, Kagura would be going to Tracen Academy in a day or two. After that, she might have far fewer chances to see Kagura. Tracen Academy itself wasn't closed off, and the Uma Musume had considerable freedom of movement, but it was still some distance away, and traveling back and forth would certainly be inconvenient for Kagura.
What's wrong with me? Am I reluctant to see the child leave?
After noticing her own thoughts, Speed Symbol silently mocked herself inwardly.
When she had sent Rudolph Symbol off to school years ago, Speed Symbol hadn't felt particularly reluctant. Yet Kagura wasn't even her child, and they had known each other for less than two months. Still, she actually felt reluctant when it was time to send Kagura away.
Could it be that I really do want a child like this?
19. I'm Doing Something Greedy... (Not Really)
Because Rudolph Symbol still needed to continue training, and because arrangements had been made for Kagura's enrollment, Speed Symbol and the others didn't stay in Niigata for long. They returned to Tokyo on the third day.
Tracen Academy was still on summer break. According to Rudolph Symbol, most of the students weren't at school, and Kagura's enrollment procedures would take several more days to complete. Thus, for the time being, Kagura continued her usual routine.
"Ah! Kagura, you're finally back!"
After returning to Tokyo, Kagura went to the Shopping District as usual with a basket to buy ingredients. Before she even entered, she saw her friend Nice Nature outside. Nice Nature had been leaning against a wall, apparently either thinking or spacing out, but she quickly noticed Kagura and happily jogged over, hugged her, and bounced twice. She was clearly very excited; her tail was practically spinning like a propeller.
"I'm back~ Nice Nature, you look really happy... Wait, that's not right. Shouldn't you be at school at this hour? Why are you here today?"
Kagura reached out and hugged Nice Nature back. Then she suddenly remembered that she had come in the afternoon. According to Nice Nature's schedule, she should normally still have been in class at this time.
"Of course it's because I'm on vacation! I have a summer vacation, too! And I graduated safely!"
"Huh? Nice Nature, you graduated this year..."
Kagura was a little surprised. This was the first time she had learned that Nice Nature was graduating. In other words, Nice Nature was now enjoying the summer before advancing to the next school.
"By the way, did you advance to a higher school? Where are you going to study next?"
"Hehe~ Even I can hardly believe it. I was accepted by Tracen Academy—Central Tracen Academy, no less! Once summer ends, I'll be able to attend Central Tracen Academy."
As she spoke, Nice Nature pulled out something that looked like an acceptance letter. After giving it a quick glance, Kagura seemed to understand why Nice Nature was in such a good mood. No wonder the Shopping District was decorated with all kinds of little colorful flags. It was clear that the shopkeepers along this street really adored Nice Nature.
"Congratulations! Wasn't your dream to attend Central Tracen Academy?"
Kagura smiled and congratulated Nice Nature. She knew that Nice Nature's greatest dream had been to get into Central Tracen Academy, so this counted as a successful pursuit of her dream.
"It's all thanks to you tutoring me during this time, Kagura. Otherwise, I was worried I wouldn't pass the theoretical courses!"
"Most of that was thanks to your own hard work~ I only helped with something insignificant."
"Honestly! You're always so modest, Kagura..."
Before you continue