"Miss Ardan, at least put your clothes on before you talk!!"
Seeing Ardan about to bow to her, Kagura hurriedly turned her face away and reminded her in a slightly louder voice.
Although they were both girls and Kagura herself did not mind, Ardan was a young lady. Staring at someone who was completely naked was still rather improper.
"Phew~ I'm exhausted..."
After finishing her bath and changing into pajamas, Kagura comfortably collapsed onto her bed, sat up, and stretched herself out with a huge yawn.
"Was Kagura working today? I heard President Rudolph Symbol say you were supposed to be on break."
Sitting on her own bed, Ardan gazed at Kagura curiously. Regarding her roommate, Ardan only knew that Kagura had helped her not long ago, and that her housekeeping and running abilities were extraordinarily strong. This cute little Uma Musume intrigued her greatly.
"I am technically on break. I just found some things to do for myself, then ran a couple of laps around the track. It doesn't really count as my official work."
"Eh... Kagura really is disciplined. Even on break, you went to train on your own..."
Ardan felt that Kagura's tremendous abilities were inseparable from her discipline. She admired her, but she was also extremely envious. She wanted to be disciplined too, but her body could not support it.
"It wasn't exactly training... Well, you can think of it that way if you like. Your mother-in-law asked me to take good care of you. I was actually going to ask where you lived, but I never expected you to be my roommate..."
"Hehe~ Life is always full of coincidences and surprises. Since you accepted my mother-in-law's request, how do you plan to keep an eye on me, Kagura?"
Ardan bent forward where she sat, propped her cheeks up with both hands, and smiled at Kagura.
"Just don't do anything reckless. I won't stop you from running either, Miss Ardan, but you have to tell me before you go. Also, don't go out under the blazing sun like you did that day."
Although Ardan was frail, she could still manage a little running during her daily activities. That was what Kagura had learned from Old Mejiro, so she had no intention of restricting Ardan too severely. As long as Ardan did not go out and do anything dangerous or exciting, Kagura could simply pretend she had not seen it.
"Oh? Is that all?"
"If I control you too strictly, Miss Ardan, you'll be unhappy, right? Besides, I'm not your parent. I have no right to restrict your freedom like that."
After saying this, Kagura turned aside and picked up her phone to check the time. She also took the opportunity to send Old Mejiro a text message saying that she had already met Ardan.
"It's already past eleven. Aren't you going to rest, Miss Ardan? Your body isn't suited to staying up late."
Seeing Ardan still sitting there and gazing at her curiously, Kagura asked whether she wanted to rest. If Ardan did not go to sleep, Kagura would have to take out her eye mask.
"Mm, I'll turn off the lights. I usually go to bed very early. I'm just a little excited because I haven't been back to the dormitory in so long."
"All right, then... good night?"
"Good night, Kagura."
The lights in the dormitory went out. Kagura heard Ardan's footsteps, but Ardan did not immediately return to her own bed. Instead, she came over to Kagura's bedside.
"What's wrong? Is there something else you need, Miss Ardan?"
"...Nothing."
"You should go to sleep soon."
Kagura did not turn around to look at Ardan behind her. She felt Ardan lean against her bedside for a little while before returning to her own bed. Only then did Kagura hear her slip beneath the covers.
What a strange young lady...
57. I Don't Understand, but I'm Deeply Shaken
"All right, Nice Nature, stop for a moment. Take a five-minute break."
On the track, Kagura stopped her timer and gradually came to a halt. Looking at Nice Nature, who was still full of energy and enthusiasm beside her, she ordered her to rest.
"Eh!? I... I can keep running! Why are we stopping now?"
"Training isn't about exhausting you completely, Nature. You need to alternate exertion with rest to avoid injuring yourself. An Uma Musume's legs are already fragile, so we can't afford to be careless."
Today, as planned, Kagura dragged Nice Nature out of the dormitory while she had no afternoon classes. Her week-long special training program had officially begun.
Kagura's break happened to last until around the time of next week's qualifying race. Although she was not required to work during this period, she still took the initiative to solve Rudolph Symbol's food problem. She had carved out her special-training time from the periods between meals.
"Whoa... Kagura is so serious when she's training."
"These things can't be taken lightly... Have some water, but don't drink too quickly! You'll choke!"
Nice Nature felt that the training Kagura had arranged for her was almost no different from the training offered by the school's trainers. If there was one difference, it was that Kagura paid close attention to relaxation and scheduled breaks every so often.
The biggest difference, however, was that Kagura ran alongside her throughout the training. Kagura said it was so she could observe Nice Nature's running form up close and see whether there were any problems. Clearly, no trainer at Tracen Academy would accompany their Uma Musume on a run of several thousand meters the way Kagura did.
After running for a while, Nice Nature still felt that she had energy left and was not under much pressure. Kagura, meanwhile, had run for just as long and was only slightly flushed, with her breathing a little heavier than before. She looked completely at ease.
Nice Nature also met Kagura's mysterious roommate, who had been absent for so long. Curious about what Kagura usually did, Mejiro Ardan, who had only recently returned to school, had come along to the track to observe. That was how she met Nice Nature.
"Kagura helps Nature train in her spare time too? She even made the training plan herself?"
After hearing the details of Nice Nature's training, Mejiro Ardan looked as shocked as could be. She had thought that Kagura's being so young yet being called by Old Mejiro "the only true Logistics Uma Musume at Tracen" was already incredibly impressive. She had never expected Kagura to be capable of taking on a trainer's duties as well.
"Yes... The school's qualifying race is next week. Kagura said I had to perform well and find a good trainer. I want to work hard too... That way, at least I can cause Kagura a little less trouble."
As she spoke, Nice Nature gave a bashful smile.
Kagura was still some distance away, organizing the training data she had recorded. Ardan glanced in her direction. At that moment, the tiny figure seemed taller and more dependable than quite a few trainers.
Kagura really is an incredible person...
Ardan felt that there were more and more things about this little Uma Musume that aroused her curiosity. Not only was she good at housework and extremely capable, but she did not fall behind in her theoretical studies either. From a student's perspective, she could already be called perfect.
"Nature~ Have you rested enough? Come back and continue training~"
The break Kagura had given her soon ended. Nice Nature heard Kagura calling to her from the track.
"Okay~ I'm coming! Senior Ardan, I'm going to train now!"
"All right, all right. Good luck."
Ardan waved goodbye to Nice Nature as well. Watching her bounce back onto the track and begin the next round of training with Kagura, Ardan could not help feeling an inexplicable sense of envy.
If only I had someone like Kagura supporting me, letting me step onto the racecourse too... That would be wonderful...
Today's training intensity was still a little high for the young Uma Musume, so Kagura arranged plenty of breaks for Nice Nature along the way. Even so, after spending the entire afternoon training, Nice Nature was still utterly exhausted.
Since enrolling, this was the first time Nice Nature had received formal physical training. Kagura knew that, so she had reduced the workload considerably when arranging today's session. She had also worried that Nice Nature might not be able to endure her first training session. Seeing that Nice Nature had actually made it through the whole thing left her very pleased.
Seeing the two of them apparently heading toward the dining hall, and noticing that it was already mealtime, Mejiro Ardan immediately followed them.
"Kagura, are you going to the dining hall for dinner?"
Ardan had stood to the side and watched everything from beginning to end. The more she watched, the more she felt eager to try. However, considering her physical condition, she did not dare casually ask Kagura to let her train with them.
"Mm. I need to adjust Nature's condition, so of course I have to go with her. We have to make sure her physical condition is at its best by the time next week's qualifying race begins."
"...Hmm? Uh... does that mean you're responsible for controlling her diet too?"
Ardan had originally thought that Kagura making Nice Nature's training plan was outrageous enough. Now it seemed that the things Kagura had to do went far beyond simply making a plan.
"Kagura has always cooked for me, but I heard that during this period she'll be controlling what I eat according to my nutritional intake. I don't really understand any of that stuff..."
Nice Nature did not really understand the nutritional matters Kagura talked about. As a newcomer, she only knew that listening to Kagura was the right thing to do.
"I always cook for you according to a rough meal plan, all right? If I let you eat whatever you wanted and accidentally fed you until you got fat, I wouldn't know how to explain it when your family came looking for you."
"That won't happen! Even if I really did get fat, I'd explain it to Kagura's family!"
Nice Nature immediately patted her chest and made that promise.
Does this mean Kagura is also acting as a chef!? This...
Walking behind the two Uma Musume, Mejiro Ardan felt increasingly as if everything she was hearing was unreal. Kagura already handled the basic duties of both a trainer and a Logistics Uma Musume. The fact that she could write training plans was astonishing enough. Yet she even personally prepared and controlled meals according to a menu.
Even the professional trainer assigned exclusively to the Mejiro family did not handle things as meticulously as Kagura did!
Kagura led Nice Nature into the dining hall. Ardan, who had followed them all the way there, decided to observe Kagura's work process as well.
The moment she entered the dining hall, Kagura's sharp eyes spotted two "students" in the area on the right where the usual freeloaders often sat. One was a chestnut-haired Uma Musume with a white streak in her bangs, and the other had white hair.
If they had really been ordinary students, Kagura would not have paid them any attention. But both Uma Musume were acquaintances. They were wearing school uniforms and masks, looking as though they were pretending to chat.
Head of the Family, why did you bring Old Mejiro here today too!? And where did you two get those student uniforms!?
58. Are You Holding a Trial in the Dining Hall?
"Question! What are you two doing here?"
Akikawa Yayoi had finished a day's work and come to the dining hall to see whether she might be lucky enough to find Kagura still cooking in the kitchen and mooch a meal. The moment she entered, she discovered two extra "students" in the corner on the right where she usually sat, along with Nice Nature and Mejiro Ardan, who had only recently returned.
The number of people gathered there made it almost certain that Kagura was cooking somewhere nearby. But so many people also meant that Kagura would probably be overworked again today—and that Akikawa might not get to mooch a meal after all!
"I was worried about my child, so I came to take a look. I was afraid of disturbing your students, that's all. Don't worry, I'm not here to fight you over the food."
Old Mejiro tapped Akikawa Yayoi on the head and explained the situation helplessly.
"I was worried about my Kagura too, so I came to check on her. I remember that she was supposed to be resting today. Why is she busy again?"
Speed Symbol had given Kagura a week off so she could rest properly. Yet Kagura had gone and busied herself again, leaving Speed Symbol rather baffled.
Akikawa Yayoi had approved Kagura's exemption from theoretical classes. Kagura normally did not need to attend lessons with the other students, so she had relatively more free time. Her original intention had been to give Kagura more time to use as she pleased or spend resting. It seemed, however, that this child was always looking for something to do.
Nice Nature sat nearby, listening as several important figures discussed Kagura's work schedule. She heard about quite a few duties Kagura had never mentioned to her before. With the atmosphere resembling a courtroom assigning blame, Nice Nature had no idea whether she should speak. She was afraid that if she said the wrong thing, she would be packed up and thrown into Tokyo Bay.
"Ardan, you've been with Kagura all day, haven't you? What has she been doing?"
"Uh... Kagura seemed to be preparing for the qualifying race."
After hesitating for a moment, Ardan chose to answer honestly.
"The school's qualifying race? Hasn't Kagura not yet reached her full development? What is she busy with?"
When Speed Symbol heard Ardan say that Kagura was busy preparing for the qualifying race, her first thought was that Kagura wanted to find a trainer, and that she should personally come over to follow up. Then she thought about it carefully and realized that Kagura had not yet reached her full development, so there was no need for her to run in the qualifying race at all.
"It... it's me who's participating in the qualifying race..."
Feeling that the questions would reach her sooner or later, Nice Nature spoke up first. In an instant, Akikawa Yayoi and the two older Uma Musume turned their gazes toward her.
Nice Nature immediately felt an enormous amount of pressure. After thinking it over carefully, she told the older Uma Musume everything Kagura had done that day.
"This is simply absurd..."
Speed Symbol felt deeply helpless after hearing the whole story. This really was something Kagura would do. Moreover, according to Toujou Hana's tracking reports over the past few months, Kagura was very clever and eager to learn, with an exceptionally firm grasp of the knowledge required of a trainer.
Kagura could also test the theories herself at any time by putting them into practice. The practical problems that usually gave novice trainers the biggest headaches simply did not exist for her. If there was a problem, she could test it out on her own body.
"Trainer Toujou said that child was already fully capable of acting as a novice trainer. It seems that was indeed true."
"Why don't we let the little sister return to the Symbol family for a while after the qualifying race? I don't think she can get proper rest if she stays at school."
Akikawa Yayoi understood Kagura's personality too. If she stayed at school, she would never stop. The best solution would probably be to send her directly back to the Symbol family. Although that would mean Akikawa could not mooch meals from her for a while, it should be worth it.
Nice Nature froze slightly when she heard the suggestion. She did want Kagura to get some proper rest, but if Kagura went back to the Symbol family, would that mean she would not be able to see her for a while?
"Ardan, you live with Kagura, don't you? Is there any way you could invite her out to have some fun? Or do you know what Kagura likes? Could you use that to find a chance to take her out and help her relax?"
Old Mejiro could not help frowning as she listened. If her own child kept pushing herself like that, she would definitely bring her home and personally look after her for a while.
"Kagura's hobbies... I don't know. She's very hard to figure out."
Ardan shook her head. She had only arrived here a day ago, and Kagura rarely revealed her interests, so there was naturally no way for Ardan to know.
"Th... then why don't you let me do it? I... I should know what Kagura likes..."
Seeing that everyone seemed to be out of ideas, Nice Nature raised her hand hesitantly.
Nice Nature could not guarantee that she truly knew what Kagura liked. She had only heard Kagura say that eating was one of her greatest hobbies. Kagura liked all kinds of delicious food and especially enjoyed recreating dishes she had tasted herself. Finding tasty snacks was Nice Nature's strong suit—as long as she made sufficient preparations. If she acted on impulse like she had when she went out with Kagura before, she would simply crash on the spot.
"You have a way? All right... It'll probably be easier for her to agree if a friend like you pulls her out, rather than one of us elders."
Speed Symbol nodded. Compared with them as elders, a child like Nice Nature would certainly have a better chance of getting Kagura to come along.
"What's going on? Why are you all crouched here? Are you holding a meeting?"
Kagura pushed a small food cart out of the kitchen. Seeing all the Uma Musume crowded around the table and apparently discussing something, she asked what was going on while taking the plates off the cart.
"No, no, no, nothing! We were just talking about everyday things!!"
Startled by Kagura's sudden appearance, Nice Nature, who was already nervous, became so flustered that she could barely speak.
"Is that so? Then why are you so nervous, Nature?"
"It's because you suddenly came up behind me and scared me!"
"That was enough to scare you? Nature, you're surprisingly timid~"
Before you continue