There's Something Wrong with This Logistics Uma Musume

"Speed Symbol's granny often touches me like this too. I don't mind."

As they talked, Kagura and Old Mejiro had already crossed the foyer and entered the banquet hall of the Mejiro mansion.

It was still quite early, and the guests had yet to arrive. The many tables inside were all empty. Kagura glanced around, then spotted several Uma Musume seated at a table near the corner on the right.

"Hi~! Kagura, little sis~! Over here, over here!"

"Miss Invincible? And the one beside her is..."

Kagura saw a brown-haired Uma Musume over there. It was the enthusiastic waitress, Invincible, whom she had met only yesterday. She also knew the pretty sky-blue-haired Uma Musume beside her—Mejiro family's eldest young lady, Mejiro Ardan. Ardan had spotted her too and waved along with Invincible, apparently calling her over.

"Haha, looks like you've already gotten acquainted with one another. Go on over, child. Don't worry about status. Just get along like classmates."

"What about you? Aren't you coming with me?"

"This old lady isn't suited to sitting with you youngsters. Besides, when Old Symbol arrives, I'll have to go greet him... I'll be off for now."

As she spoke, Old Mejiro smiled kindly and gave Kagura a gentle push.

Kagura nodded respectfully to Old Mejiro, then entered the banquet hall. As she drew closer, she noticed that behind the large pile of snacks on Ardan's table, there was also a small white-haired Uma Musume hiding there. The little Uma Musume seemed not to have noticed her and was still burying her head in a pudding, eating it with blissful enjoyment.

"Yo! We meet again, Kagura, little sis! That outfit looks great on you. It suits you perfectly!"

"Hello, Miss Invincible. And Miss Ardan, nice to meet you. I'm Inari Kagura, a maid of the Symbol family. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Kagura returned their greetings, gave a simple introduction, and sat down beside Invincible.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kagura. I've been hearing your name for quite some time, and I can finally meet you today. Just as Takamine said, you're such a cute girl."

After speaking, Mejiro Ardan smiled and extended her hand to shake Kagura's.

Unlike the little Uma Musume who was still busy stuffing her face and the outgoing, overly familiar Invincible, Mejiro Ardan had the air of a refined young lady—elegant and composed. It was impossible to tell that she was the sort of person who would sprint outside under forty-degree heat.

"All right, all right, McQueen, stop focusing only on eating. We have a guest, so say hello."

While introducing herself to Kagura, Ardan didn't forget to pat the little Uma Musume beside her, who had been enthusiastically devouring cake with her head lowered, and remind her that someone had arrived.

"!! Mmmph... (chew) Gulp... (swallow) Hello! I'm Mejiro McQueen!"

After being reminded, the little Uma Musume immediately swallowed what was in her mouth and greeted Kagura.

"Hello, little sister. I'm Inari Kagura."

Although it felt a little strange calling the other girl "little sister" while using this body, Kagura had finally encountered a child smaller than herself after so long. At last, she had a chance to call someone else little sister.

Seeing that the little Uma Musume seemed to love food, Kagura rummaged through the bag she had brought and took out a small box of homemade pastries. Under the little Uma Musume's curious gaze, she placed the wooden box in her small hands.

"I brought some pastries. Consider them a meeting gift."

"Huh!? Thank you, Kagura-neechan!"

The little Uma Musume looked extremely surprised as she sprang up, then hurriedly thanked Kagura.

Ah! Someone finally called me big sister! I'm so touched!!

Hearing that word, Kagura inexplicably felt a sense of accomplishment.

She also divided a portion of her homemade pastries between Ardan and Invincible. The two thanked her and accepted them, though neither hurried to eat. Only the little Uma Musume called McQueen eagerly opened the lid, speared a piece with a fork, and put it in her mouth—

"!!!!"

Mejiro McQueen's eyes instantly widened. She looked at the pastries in the box, then at Kagura.

"Pfft... McQueen, remember your manners. Sorry, Kagura. McQueen is still young and has only recently arrived here, so she may still be lacking a little in etiquette."

Seeing McQueen's eyes go round, Mejiro Ardan couldn't help laughing. She patted the little Uma Musume's head as she spoke.

"She's just a child. The most important thing is that she's happy. Constantly talking about manners is too stifling~ Little sister, is it tasty?"

"It's delicious!! Kagura-neechan, where did you buy it?"

The little Uma Musume looked at Kagura with shining, expectant eyes. It was obvious that she truly loved the pastries.

"Haha, I made them myself. You can't buy them outside."

"Huh!! Then... then... Kagura-neechan, do you have any more?"

"Unfortunately, I didn't make very many. I only brought these."

"Mm..."

Kagura noticed that after hearing her answer, Mejiro McQueen's eating speed visibly slowed. Even her cutting motions became much smaller. It reminded Kagura of how, as a child, she had once finally gotten a fried chicken leg in the cafeteria and couldn't bear to eat it, taking tiny bites one at a time. Even after growing up and no longer needing to worry over a single chicken leg, she had somehow retained that strange habit.

"You can have mine, McQueen. I'm not in a hurry to eat anyway. But you should control yourself a little, or you'll eat yourself into a chubby little foal."

Ardan affectionately rubbed McQueen's little head and gave her own portion of pastries to McQueen.

"Thank you, Ardan-neechan! I'll be careful!"

After receiving another portion of pastries, McQueen's enthusiasm visibly rose. She thanked Ardan in the soft, childish voice unique to children, then lowered her head and resumed eating.

"Ardan-senpai, you can have half of mine. And don't say you aren't in a hurry to eat—I just tried a piece, and I guarantee you'll regret it if you don't taste it!"

Invincible clearly liked the pastries as well, but she still remembered to save Ardan a portion.

Kagura smiled as she watched the Uma Musume taste her cooking. To her, nothing made her happier than having others appreciate her handiwork.

"Then... I'll accept your kind offer."

Ardan picked up a fork, cut off a piece from Invincible's portion, and put it into her mouth. She closed her eyes and carefully savored the flavor. Soon, Kagura saw Ardan's eyes widen too, her expression full of shock.

"It's wonderful... It feels like... meeting someone who understands you too late."

Unable to find a particularly apt description at once, Ardan could only offer that evaluation for the time being.

"Haha, I told you! Senpai would absolutely regret not trying it! Kagura, little sis, is really amazing at cooking, right? By the way, these pastries are from my hometown. Have you studied Chinese cuisine? I feel like even the chefs at the hotels back home couldn't match your skill!"

"I only know a little. I'm just very interested in Chinese cuisine, so I studied it. I'm really glad you like it."

Being praised so highly made Kagura feel thoroughly satisfied, but she remained as modest as ever.

"If you like it here, come visit Huaguo sometime! I can be your tour guide!"

"If I get the chance, I'd really like to go there. I'll be counting on you then, Miss Invincible."

"No problem. Leave it to me!"

52. Love Doesn't Disappear, But...

By the way, I've been curious for a long time. Aren't you a doctor? Why are you so good at cooking?

Kagura had briefly left the banquet hall to get some fresh air. While taking a rare break to scroll through her phone, Eclipse's comment flashed across the screen.

Don't look down on doctors who can cook! Miss Eclipse, you like eating the things I make too, don't you?

—I understand the logic, but isn't this neglecting your actual profession?

That's not it. I just don't want to spend the whole day being tormented at the hospital, stew in frustration, and then come home after work only to let my stomach suffer too.

—Heh, you sure know how to enjoy yourself, little one.

Thank you for the compliment~

Kagura also replied to a message from Rudolph Symbol. From the message, it seemed that Rudolph Symbol and the others were almost at the Mejiro family's residence. However, Rudolph Symbol wasn't the only one coming today. Speed Symbol, who rarely went out, had apparently come along for some reason.

"Kagura-neechan~"

"Hmm? What is it? McQueen, why did you come out too?"

When McQueen ran up to her, Kagura raised a hand and rubbed her head. McQueen didn't pull away, merely narrowing her eyes in enjoyment as her ears twitched.

Although McQueen was a little younger than Kagura, she was already about the same height, which made Kagura somewhat worried about her own future height.

"Can we exchange contact information?"

"Sure. But you little glutton, are you adding me because you want to ask me for food?"

As she operated her phone and added Mejiro McQueen as a friend, Kagura teased her with a smile. McQueen's thoughts were easy enough to read; Kagura barely needed to guess what she was thinking.

Although Kagura had exposed her little scheme, McQueen had still gotten her friend request accepted. The young McQueen bashfully rubbed her cheek, looking utterly delighted.

"If you want to, feel free to come visit me at Tracen Academy. I'm usually in the cafeteria. If you want to eat something I've made, you can come take a look."

"Really?!"

Young McQueen leaned closer and stared at Kagura excitedly, her tail swishing back and forth. Kagura raised a hand and poked the child on the forehead, saying with a laugh:

"Of course. Look at that appetite of yours. Be careful, or Ardan will rap you on the head later. Go sit back down. I'll be there soon."

"Okay~"

McQueen obediently nodded, then immediately slipped back into the banquet hall.

I wonder where this child came from. She probably wasn't originally part of the main Mejiro family. She doesn't look like Mejiro family's young lady at all. She's so cute.

Kagura quite liked this kind of naturally lively child. The quiet and well-behaved young lady of the Mejiro family was nice too, but a spirited, obedient child who knew her boundaries was even more likable.

Kagura picked up her phone and checked the time. She estimated that the members of the Symbol family should be arriving soon, so she prepared to return to the banquet hall and wait for them.

"Hey, you over there, little one."

Just as she entered the corridor, Kagura heard an unfamiliar voice apparently calling out to her. She stopped and looked around. Apart from the Uma Musume across from her who had spoken, there was no one else in the corridor. It seemed the person being called was indeed her.

"...Hello?"

Kagura stopped and looked at the other person. She had familiar chestnut hair and the equally familiar hereditary white streak in front, making her look somewhat similar to Rudolph Symbol. However, the other girl's eyes were red, which ruled out the possibility that Rudolph Symbol had put on some makeup Kagura didn't recognize and sneaked in.

The other person didn't answer immediately. She merely observed Kagura curiously while walking toward her. Kagura instinctively backed away several steps, then bumped into the wall behind her. The other girl pressed forward with her, bracing one hand beside Kagura and blocking her escape.

"Um... Miss, may I ask if there's something you need? If you keep doing this, I'll be very troubled..."

Pinned against the wall, Kagura raised her head and looked at the Uma Musume, who was considerably taller than her. She still didn't know the other girl's identity, but since she could appear in the Mejiro family's mansion, she was probably no ordinary person. Kagura therefore didn't dare act rashly for the moment, afraid of causing trouble.

"You're Inari Kagura?"

"That's me. Um, and you are?"

"Nice to meet you. I'm Sirius Symbol. I've heard Rudolph mention you, Inari Kagura... So you're the talented child she was talking about? Interesting..."

Sirius Symbol?

The name itself was unfamiliar, but Kagura was certainly familiar with the Symbol in her name. Not every Uma Musume could have that surname, and not everyone had that hereditary white streak. In other words, she was also a member of the Symbol family—and apparently someone Kagura rarely saw at home.

Right, Head of the Family did say the family had more than one child. The other child had always lived abroad. Did she return today?

Kagura had to admit that the Symbol family seemed to produce an abundance of cool-looking Uma Musume. Whether it was the dignified Rudolph Symbol or the spirited, boyish Sirius Symbol currently pinning her against the wall, both had the air of a beautiful young man.

"Hello, Miss Sirius. Nice to meet you. I'm Inari Kagura, a maid of the Symbol family—"

"All right, all right, Sirius. Kagura is rather timid and introverted, so don't rush at her like that. You'll scare her."

At last, Speed Symbol's familiar voice came from the other end of the corridor. Rudolph Symbol and Mejiro Takamine appeared with her as well. It seemed the members of the Symbol family had arrived.

"Rudolph, just as you said, this maid really is interesting."

As she spoke, Sirius Symbol sniffed in front of Kagura as though following a scent. Only then did she withdraw her hand, release Kagura, and return to Rudolph Symbol's side.

"I have no interest in lying to you. Watch your behavior next time. Kagura is still young, so don't frighten her."

"It's fine. I don't mind. Good morning, Miss Rudolph, and Head of the Family. Did you just arrive?"

Kagura lifted her skirt and gave Speed Symbol and Rudolph Symbol a slight curtsy. Speed Symbol walked over, affectionately rubbed Kagura's head, then pulled her closer to stand in front of herself.

"Yes, we just got out of the car... It's been a while, and you seem to have lost some weight, Kagura. Have you been working a lot lately?"

"Not really... I haven't noticed much myself."

Her support work had indeed been rather busy lately, but not so busy that Kagura couldn't handle it. Compared to actual work, this was still far easier.

"Of course you have. Look, even your face has gotten thinner. Before, it was soft and pleasantly plump when I pinched it. I'll have the maids at home send you something to help you replenish your strength. Your health is the foundation of everything. No matter how busy you are, you mustn't wear yourself down. Understand?"

"Head of the Family, I'm really fine! You don't need to worry so much!"

For some reason, Kagura felt as though the New Year had arrived and she had returned to her grandmother's house.

"Ah, don't put on a brave face, child. I hope you really are all right... You look beautiful today. Is that the outfit Rudolph and the others picked out for you?"

"No, no, I bought it myself later when I went shopping..."

"Can she make that kind of expression too?"