There's Something Wrong With You, Logistics Uma Musume

Although the club wasn't in danger of being abolished thanks to her, the fact that no new members had joined for a long time was definitely a problem. Meeting Kagura, who was interested in it, gave Rudolph Symbol a feeling of encountering a kindred spirit.

"Then I'll be bothering you a lot in the future?"

"I couldn't ask for more of this kind of bothering! Come on, let's practice a bit more!"

46. Nice Nature Doesn't Want Third (In Every Sense)

"Hmm? Nice Nature, what are you wandering around here for?"

Maruzensky, who happened to be off today and was planning to go to Tracen Academy's cafeteria to freeload off Kagura, saw Nice Nature wandering back and forth on the road by the athletic field, as if looking for something.

"Ah, Maruzensky-senpai! Have you seen where Kagura went?"

"It's almost noon, isn't she in the cafeteria?"

"Kagura said she's off today, so she didn't go to the cafeteria... I didn't see her in there either."

"I see... then she's probably been called away by Rudolph. By the way, what are you looking for the little one for, Quality-chan?"

Hearing that Kagura was off today, Maruzensky, who suddenly remembered this, felt a little regretful.

"I rarely hear that Kagura has free time, and I wanted to ask her to go out with me..."

Kagura usually seemed to have endless work to do, and when she was free, she would come to tutor her. Also, in order not to disturb Kagura, Nice Nature rarely actively asked Kagura to go anywhere. Today, she rarely heard that Kagura was off, so Nice Nature wanted to take her good friend out for a walk, but she couldn't find Kagura today.

"How about trying to check the Archery Club? Rudolph likes to go shooting arrows when she's free, maybe she dragged Kagura there today."

Maruzensky thought for a moment. Rudolph Symbol also happened to be off today. If Kagura hadn't gone out somewhere on her own, then she had most likely been dragged away by Rudolph Symbol. And her friend usually only had that one hobby. Besides the Archery Club and the dorm, Maruzensky couldn't think of where Rudolph Symbol could be when she was resting.

"Uh... Maruzensky-senpai, could you take me there... I... I'm not familiar with the way..."

Nice Nature, who wasn't familiar with the school yet, didn't know where the various clubs were located, so she could only ask Maruzensky to lead the way.

"Of course, I'm also curious about what the little one is doing when she's free. Just follow me."

"Senpai... um, can I ask you something?"

Walking through the teaching building, while looking for the location of the Archery Club, the small Nice Nature looked up at Maruzensky.

"What's wrong? What's the matter, little Quality?"

"It's just... how can I talk to people as naturally as you do? I always want to ask Kagura to play with me, and there are some things I want to say to Kagura... but I don't know how to start..."

Nice Nature lowered her head, her face red, and asked in a shy, small voice.

"Well... that's a very youthful problem! But there's no trick to this kind of thing, you can only say it depends on individual talent. Maybe you'll be able to do it when you're a little older~ But if it's about Kagura, you actually need to be more proactive. She has a very passive personality. If you're also timid, then neither of you will make a move."

"Be more proactive... is that so?"

"Yeah, for example, if you want to hug her, you can directly act spoiled and ask her if you can have a hug, and she'll agree right away."

That's roughly how Maruzensky felt about Kagura these days. Although she looked young and innocent, she understood everything she needed to know, giving Maruzensky a kind of elusive mystery. But her personality was very good, and she was very tolerant of acquaintances in many situations.

"For example, this time, you want to ask her to go out, right? You should have found her a day earlier, and then asked her if she could go out with you tomorrow. Be more proactive! It's best to act spoiled, she definitely won't refuse you."

"I understand! I... I'll try to be more proactive!"

Nice Nature nodded seriously. She didn't know if she could really be as proactive as Maruzensky said.

She actually had a small wish in her heart. She wanted Kagura to pay more attention to her. She knew that Kagura was a Logistics Uma Musume, and supporting professional Uma Musume was Kagura's duty, so Nice Nature had also been working hard, trying to be like Rudolph Symbol, becoming the one who could be supported.

'If I'm good enough... can I make Kagura my exclusive Logistics Uma Musume? Can Kagura look at me more?'

Nice Nature didn't know where such thoughts came from, but she really hoped to become closer to Kagura, like real friends. Now, she always felt that Kagura was treating her like a parent taking care of a child.

"Youth is so good~"

Seeing Nice Nature walking with a thoughtful look, Maruzensky couldn't help but smile.

The Archery Club wasn't in a particularly remote place. Maruzensky led Nice Nature for five or six minutes, and the two arrived at the entrance of the Archery Club.

The entrance door wasn't closed, and Maruzensky could hear movement inside. It seemed that Rudolph Symbol was mostly here, and the childish voice inside should be Kagura.

Nice Nature and Maruzensky quietly sneaked in and poked their heads inside to look. In front of the target range, Rudolph Symbol was hugging Kagura, helping her adjust her posture for drawing the bow. Kagura's movements still looked very awkward, and she should have only been in contact with it for a short time.

"Rudolph~ playing with the bow here again?"

Maruzensky very naturally walked out to say hello. Nice Nature saw her walk out and quickly followed.

"Oh? Maruzensky? Why are you here? You've never been interested in archery, have you?"

Rudolph Symbol released Kagura, straightened up, and looked at Maruzensky. Kagura also put down the bow, turned around, and waved to Maruzensky and Nice Nature.

"I'm not here to shoot arrows. I ran into little Quality on the way to eat. Little Quality said she wanted to find Kagura, and I guessed you must have abducted that child here. She doesn't know how to get here, so I brought her here."

"Quality? What's wrong? Do you have homework to ask me about?"

Kagura, still wearing protective gear, hung the bow back on her back and looked curiously at the somewhat nervous Nice Nature.

"It's... it's just... that! I... I want to go out with Kagura this afternoon, is that... okay?"

"Hmm? I thought you had some trouble you wanted me to help with since you looked so nervous. Of course, it's okay. Miss, do you have any arrangements this afternoon that require me to accompany you?"

Rarely seeing Nice Nature actively ask her to go out, Kagura naturally didn't plan to refuse her. As a precaution, Kagura decided to ask Rudolph Symbol if there were any arrangements later.

"No, these days are all for rest. It's rare to relax, so you should go out with your friends more. It's rare to see Quality-chan actively ask you to go out and play."

"Indeed... Well then, Miss, I'll be off then, okay? Remember to eat lunch according to the recipe!"

"I'll keep it in mind, go on, go have fun!"

Watching Kagura take off her protective gear, put it away neatly, and then leave with Nice Nature, who was so nervous she was practically stuttering, Rudolph Symbol suddenly felt a bit emotional.

"Those two kids are really interesting, especially Kagura. You think so too, right?"

Maruzensky sidled up and patted Rudolph Symbol.

"Hehe... Isn't it nice? Kagura hasn't stopped for months taking care of me. She deserves to relax a bit. I should find some excuse to give her some pocket money in the future, and let her rest too."

"That's right, she's practically become your mom. Did she just tell you to eat according to the recipe?"

Maruzensky had also seen the recipe Kagura made for Rudolph Symbol. In reality, it wasn't a detailed menu, but a list full of nutritional components. Kagura cooked based on that list every day.

But that wasn't even the most amazing part. What shocked Maruzensky the most was that Kagura clearly made every meal according to the same recipe, but every meal was completely different. You could say she had been cooking for so long without ever repeating a dish, and Rudolph Symbol's figure remained as perfect as she had estimated.

"Yes, after all, I need to control my figure. Being overweight will affect my training, and that wouldn't be good."

"I'm so jealous of you... Could you consider letting me have Kagura? How much money would it take to redeem that child from your house? I'll offer double!"

"Hey, hey! What do you mean 'redeem'? Don't make it sound like the Symbol family is some kind of human trafficker. I don't even want to think about what I'd do without her."

Rudolph Symbol had completely given up on resisting and replied with righteous confidence. She thought it would be nice to spoil Kagura rotten.

"Me too! At least you get to eat it every day! Do you know how I lived those days when I couldn't get any!!"

"That's what you get for being so lazy and not learning how to cook..."

"You can't cook either! Instead of that, why don't we think about what we're going to do for lunch since Kagura isn't here today?"

"There's still the cafeteria, although the taste of Tracen Academy's cafeteria isn't as good as what Kagura makes, it's not bad either. Or do you want me to go into the kitchen and show you what I can do?"

"Please, by all means, don't have such dangerous thoughts! I'm going to the cafeteria right now!"

47. There are fellow countrymen here?

"Uhm... Uhm... Kagura..."

"What's wrong? Quality, have you decided where you want to go for a walk?"

Although she had managed to get Kagura out, Nice Nature hadn't really thought about what to do next. Compared to the extremely nervous Nice Nature, Kagura seemed much calmer. She could even open her social media account and scroll through it.

Kagura could tell that Nice Nature probably hadn't asked a friend out to hang out before, hence her flustered appearance. She almost couldn't bear to tease this adorable child.

"If you haven't decided, would you like to hear my opinion?"

Kagura, unable to watch any longer, finally decided to speak up and help Quality ease her embarrassment.

"Yes!! Ah... Does Kagura have any good suggestions?"

"It's almost noon, let's go grab a bite first, then go to the nearby park. I've seen a lot of students go there for a stroll when they're free, what do you think?"

"I... I have no problem with that! I think it's great!"

The nervous Nice Nature nodded quickly, then let out a long sigh.

"Quality, if you want to hang out in the future, you can make a plan in advance, otherwise you'll be a mess when it's time to leave, okay?"

"I know... Waa..."

Nice Nature's ears drooped in disappointment. Seeing this, Kagura leaned in and gently patted her head, standing on her tiptoes slightly.

"Alright, we're out to have fun, cheer up. Just be prepared next time."

"Ugh ugh... It's turned out like this again..."

Even though Nice Nature had always wanted to act more like an older sister, she felt like she was always a child in front of Kagura for some reason.

Kagura opened her phone and searched for nearby restaurants. After considering Nice Nature's usual preferences and the price range they could both accept, she quickly made a choice.

"Quality, you probably like ramen, right? How about we go eat ramen?"

"Um... Eh? How did you know I like that, Kagura..."

"Hehe~ I've been cooking for you for months, your favorite flavors are practically written all over your stomach!"

Kagura hadn't made ramen for Nice Nature before, but based on Nice Nature's preferences and her own cooking experience, she could roughly guess what she liked to eat.

Nice Nature couldn't help but blush, feeling a little at a loss. She then realized that Kagura seemed to know her as well as family, while she still knew very little about Kagura.

Bringing Nice Nature to the front of the shop, Kagura specially looked for a Jiro-style ramen shop, considering the large appetite of Uma Musume. She remembered her best friend recommending these types of shops, the prices were moderate and the portions were large, making them very suitable for students.

"Speaking of which, I'm a little curious, what does Kagura like to eat?"

After walking into the store, ordering, and sitting down, Nice Nature finally couldn't help but ask Kagura. She felt that she still didn't know her good friend well enough.

"There's a lot. Besides houttuynia and overly bizarre things, I like any other ingredient as long as it's cooked well. If I were to name them one by one, I wouldn't be able to finish until tomorrow."

"I see... By the way, what is houttuynia?"

Although Nice Nature's housework skills were also highly developed, she had never heard of this ingredient before.

"It's an ingredient, with a very peculiar taste, but it doesn't seem to be available here."

"Oh, do customers also know about houttuynia?"

A brown-haired Uma Musume waitress walked over with their two bowls of ramen, having just happened to hear Kagura's words, and seemed a little surprised.

"Ah, thank you. I've heard of it, sort of. Miss, you are…?"

"Sorry, sorry, no offense intended. It's just rare to hear someone mention something from home here, especially a little kid. I'm just a bit curious."

Kagura carefully observed the waitress. She was young, looking only a few years older than Kagura's current body. Although it was hard to tell a Uma Musume's nationality from her face, the waitress's clothing was definitely more Chinese-style—or rather, the stereotypical Chinese clothing that Japanese people imagine. Kagura was sure no one actually dressed like that on a regular basis.

"Miss, are you a Uma Musume from China?"

"Yes, I came here with my senior a while ago and will be staying for a while, so I'm working here. I'll be going back in a bit."

"I see…"

Kagura glanced at the waitress's name tag—Invincible, written in Chinese characters. A very Uma Musume-esque name that didn't sound like a real person's name at all.

"Alright, guests, your noodles are all here. Other customers are calling me, so I'll be going now!"

"Oh, okay…"

Watching the enthusiastic waitress leave, Kagura had originally wanted to ask if she could speak Chinese, but considering how busy it was, she figured it might not be appropriate, so she didn't ask.

"That person is a Chinese Uma Musume… I feel like Chinese Uma Musume are very rare. It's hard to see them usually."

Nice Nature was also seeing a foreign Uma Musume for the first time today. Although she hadn't said anything, she had been curiously watching the waitress named Invincible the whole time.

"Maybe it's because Uma Musume from there don't come here often… Eat quickly, or the ramen will get soggy."

"Mmm!"

Nice Nature, who had quite the discerning palate, naturally knew this, and immediately began to devour her ramen. Kagura also picked up her chopsticks and ate at a leisurely pace, analyzing the possible ingredients and methods, planning to make it for Nice Nature when they returned to Tracen Academy.

"I didn't ask you to eat so fast. You've got it all over your mouth."

While eating, Kagura also took a moment to check on Quality. Seeing her eating so fiercely, Kagura, worried she might choke, reminded her.

Nice Nature, still chewing, looked up, a little dazed. Kagura took out a tissue she carried with her and helped wipe the somewhat careless girl's mouth.