There's Something Wrong With You, Logistics Uma Musume

Kagura was also somewhat relieved to hear that. Although she hadn't seen how talented the other girl was, nor had she heard any related rumors at the school, if the other party was a student at Tracen Academy and was going to participate in the selection race next year, Nice Nature would definitely have trouble if she ran into her in the selection race next year, which would have a considerable impact on her performance.

"Speaking of which, how did everyone know I was going to participate in the selection race?"

"It was the head maid of the Symbol family who was chatting while buying groceries. She said that Old Symbol was very worried that Kagura would exhaust herself helping you prepare for the selection race. Sigh... Little Quality, you're really lucky to have a friend like Kagura by your side. It's really hard to find a second person who is as good to you as she is, besides your parents. You must cherish this friend."

The neighbors had all seen how good Kagura was to Nice Nature on a daily basis. Inari Kagura was truly an ideal friend, the kind that many people couldn't find even after searching their whole lives.

"Yeah... Kagura... is really an important person."

Nice Nature nodded in agreement. Although Kagura always said that what she did was nothing, she knew better than anyone how important the things Kagura usually did were.

Watching Kagura chatting and laughing with that large group of children, and hearing "Kagura-neechan" coming from over there from time to time, Kagura patiently and gently responded to the children like a kindergarten teacher. Nice Nature realized that the feeling she had before wasn't an illusion. Kagura was indeed more suited to be called "older sister" than she was.

"Oh, right, Uncle Morichika, do you know of any good snacks on this street? Can you recommend some to me?"

"Oh, oh! Little Quality, are you hungry?"

"No, it's not that I want to eat them, it's that I want to get some for Kagura. You... you guys just heard me say that, Kagura has been training me so that I can pass the selection race smoothly. I also want to repay Kagura for something. She likes to eat, especially delicious things... Right, I... I'll pay, Uncle, just give Kagura the food!"

"Okay! Don't worry, we don't plan on taking Quality and Kagura's money. You've helped everyone so much, it's really inappropriate to talk about money! Leave it to me! I'll collect the recommended snacks on this street right away!"

The owner of the meat shop roared as boldly as a general before going into battle, then turned around and dashed out.

Nice Nature also squeezed forward, squeezing through a large group of children to get to Kagura's side. Seeing Nice Nature squeeze in, Kagura also greeted the children around her and told them to go play first, before she had time to look at Nice Nature.

"Kagura, are you having fun?"

"Mhm... of course I'm having fun. Speaking of which, Quality, weren't you chatting with everyone in the Shopping District? How did it go?"

"Everyone is discussing coming to the school to cheer me on. Seeing how much everyone is looking forward to it, I don't want to always end up in third place like before... really."

"Of course, Quality has already proven her strength, and you're no longer in third place, are you?"

As she spoke, Kagura raised her hand and touched Nice Nature's head. Nice Nature giggled foolishly.

"It's all thanks to Kagura... Kagura has been giving me special training during this time, so I can have such results."

"It's not that amazing... I was able to improve you so quickly because you originally had that potential. I just happened to guide it out. Even without me, other Trainers would definitely have such a way. Quality, you can also become an excellent Uma Musume, just like your name."

"Really, Kagura is always so humble. You're not allowed to say that anymore!"

Nice Nature made a pouty face, then leaned over and took the initiative to hug Kagura, letting her lean against her chest. Kagura, who was suddenly hugged, first made a flustered sound, but then quickly reacted and hugged Nice Nature back.

"Even if anyone could do it, only Kagura is willing to look at ordinary me... To me, Kagura is unique and the most important person!"

"Quality..."

Just as Kagura was about to say something, her stomach suddenly made a rather loud protest. She then remembered that she hadn't eaten anything to replenish her energy after such strenuous exertion today.

"Hehe, Kagura must be hungry, right? Come on, let Kagura see the delicious snacks that only the Shopping District master knows about!"

"Hehe... then I'll have to trouble the master, then~"

60. Meeting the parents? (not)

By the time Kagura and Nice Nature left the Shopping District, it was already dark.

Kagura was still carrying a few bags of snacks. She had originally wanted Nice Nature to eat them, but considering that she had a race tomorrow, she couldn't let her become overweight today. She couldn't eat them all right now, so she planned to take them back and see if she could find someone to feed them to.

"Everyone in the Shopping District is so enthusiastic... I'm so full!"

Nice Nature stretched and yawned. She had originally wanted to eat her fill today, but Kagura had stopped her in time from having the idea of ​​becoming overweight the next day. It wouldn't be too late to eat after winning the selection race tomorrow.

"Quality is such a lucky child to have so many people supporting you."

"Well... I always thought I was pretty ordinary... It seems I do have something special about me."

"So, have a little confidence in yourself."

As she spoke, Kagura leaned forward from behind, grabbed Nice Nature's shoulders, and patted them twice. She had to raise her hand slightly to make this movement now. Nice Nature's body development had really been unusually fast during this time, making Kagura once again marvel at the unscientific nature of Uma Musume bodies.

"Kagura, you've also worked hard during this time, getting up early and working late every day."

Nice Nature walked in front, grabbed Kagura's hand that was patting her, bent over and pulled her forward to let Kagura lean on her back, then immediately let go of her hand and grabbed her thigh before Kagura could react, and then carried her on her back.

"Whoa!! What are you doing all of a sudden!?"

Kagura was petite and very light, so Nice Nature carried her on her back without any effort.

"I just wanted to see what it feels like to carry you on my back. You're really light... Kagura has been training me during this time, so she should be considered my Trainer, right?"

Nice Nature grabbed Kagura's arm and let her wrap her arms around her neck from behind, and put her face on her arm and rubbed it. Kagura could feel her warm breath hitting her arm.

"Don't mention it, I'm just a Logistics Uma Musume, far from a real Trainer."

After adapting to Nice Nature's rhythm, Kagura didn't rush to get down anymore, and just gently hugged Nice Nature and leaned on her back.

"Anyway, you're training me, right? Hehe... Can I act a little spoiled towards Kagura, who is training me, like those Uma Musume I saw in the park that day?"

"Don't you usually do this kind of thing..."

Kagura smiled helplessly, raised one of the arms that was hugging Nice Nature, and touched Nice Nature's head.

"Not like this! It's just... if I can get first place tomorrow, can I have a little... reward?"

"Mhm? Reward? What do you want?"

"It's... it's just... I want to hear Kagura call me Quality-neechan, can I?"

'You're really easy to please…'

Inari Kagura couldn't help but chuckle. She had thought Nice Nature would ask her for a meal or something, but she didn't expect her request to be so simple. With an adult's flexible approach, it was nothing difficult at all.

"Okay~"

"Yay!"

Nice Nature, carrying Kagura on her back, happily raised her hand and cheered. Kagura didn't know what the girl was thinking; she seemed to place particular importance on this ordinary nickname.

Kagura let Nice Nature carry her for a while. Although Nice Nature said she wanted to carry her for fun, Kagura was worried that she would overexert herself, considering she had already exercised a lot today, so she quickly got down after five or six minutes.

The Shopping District wasn't far from Tracen Academy. With an Uma Musume's pace, the two had already returned to the school gate in those five or six minutes. However, the school gate was a little lively tonight. There shouldn't have been anyone around at this hour, but today there were two uncles and aunts chatting with Hayakawa Tazuna.

'Is Hayakawa-san chatting with acquaintances? Maybe I shouldn't disturb her.'

The red-haired passerby Uma Musume looked a little familiar, and Kagura couldn't help but take another look.

Kagura rarely saw Hayakawa Tazuna chatting with anyone, and she didn't know much about her social network, so she planned to ignore the situation. But Nice Nature stopped in her tracks with a shocked expression, as if she had seen something incredible, staring intently at Hayakawa Tazuna. Kagura pulled her, but she didn't react.

"Oh, Nice Nature-san, and Kagura-san, you're back. What a coincidence, we were just mentioning you."

Hayakawa Tazuna quickly noticed the two little Uma Musume standing not far away and greeted them with a smile.

"Us? Who are these two?"

"Dad… and Mom!? W-W-Why are you here!?"

Nice Nature exclaimed in disbelief.

Kagura, who was still wondering if those two were Hayakawa Tazuna's acquaintances, was stunned.

"Hello, Uncle and Aunt!"

Knowing that these two were Nice Nature's parents, Kagura immediately offered her greetings.

"Oh, what a cute child! So, this is Kagura-san, whom you often mention, right?"

Seeing Nice Nature nod, the tall, red-haired Uma Musume bent down, extended her hand, and shook hands with Kagura:

"Thank you, thank you! Quality came from our hometown, and I was worried she wouldn't adapt to the environment at Central Tracen. It's so great that you're always there to take care of her!"

"Auntie, there's no need to be so formal… We're friends, so it's only natural to look after each other."

"Oh dear, I'm really sorry. Quality is older than you, yet you're always taking care of her. I heard that you're helping her train for the upcoming selection race, too, right? You're really going to so much trouble!"

As she spoke, Nice Nature's mother took a heavy bag from the man beside her, checked it, and then picked it up to hand it to Kagura.

"These are some of our hometown's specialties, just a small token of our appreciation. I hope you'll accept it, Kagura-san."

"No, no! The help I'm giving is just small stuff that doesn't take much effort! I…"

Kagura quickly waved her hands, trying to refuse, and then saw Nice Nature standing beside her father, hands on hips, pouting at her with a "You're not allowed to refuse!" expression.

The tall, red-haired Uma Musume also noticed Kagura looking behind her, guessed that her daughter must be giving Kagura a signal, and took the opportunity to stuff the things into Kagura's hands. Having no way to refuse, Kagura had no choice but to thank the two parents first.

'That child…'

Seeing Kagura being so cautious and mindful of etiquette, Nice Nature's mother nodded in satisfaction. Her gaze drifted slightly toward Kagura's head, and when she saw the white earring Kagura was wearing on her left ear, she nodded a little more emphatically.

"Speaking of which, Quality, why are you still out so late? Did you take Kagura-san out?"

"Y-Yes! When I first came, I received a lot of help from everyone in that Shopping District, so I wanted to go back and thank them. Kagura is very familiar with everyone in the Shopping District, so I asked her to go with me…"

"Kagura-san also grew up in the Shopping District?"

"Not really, I just often help out there. Everyone in the Shopping District takes good care of me, and they treat me like a daughter. When I went back yesterday, everyone was so enthusiastic, haha~ I was a little startled."

"Oh…"

Nice Nature's parents both nodded, looking even happier.

Seeing that her mother seemed to want to ask something else, Nice Nature, sensing something was amiss, quickly tugged on her mother's clothes, signaling her to come closer.

"Mom, don't ask about Kagura's family."

"Hmm? How did you know what I was thinking? Why not?"

Nice Nature briefly explained Kagura's situation in a sentence, and her mother immediately realized it was inappropriate and quickly dismissed the idea.

'Is there something you need to whisper about in front of me?'

Kagura naturally noticed Nice Nature's actions. She felt that after the two finished whispering, Nice Nature's mother looked at her with a bit more tenderness in her eyes.

'I wonder if Quality said anything strange…'

Although she was a little curious about what Nice Nature had said, it didn't seem like she had said anything bad, so Kagura didn't plan to ask.

"By the way, Auntie and Uncle, what are you doing at Tracen today?"

"Of course, we heard that my wonderful daughter is participating in the race, so we came to cheer her on!"

As he spoke, the man next to Nice Nature raised his hand and gave a thumbs up with great enthusiasm. This sunny and energetic uncle's gesture had a mysterious comedic effect, like Might Guy.

"Everyone from our street came, but we arrived late today, so they're all resting at a nearby hotel. We wanted to come and see Quality first, so we came."

"Huh? Everyone from my hometown is here!?"

Nice Nature's eyes widened in shock, and she asked again in disbelief.

"That's right! Everyone misses you and said they wanted to come and cheer you on!"

"Oh..."

Although Nice Nature's face hadn't quite registered the nervous expression yet, Inari Kagura could already feel the huge waves stirring in her heart. The way she was frozen made Kagura want to laugh.

"The two of you, Nice Nature has a race tomorrow, and it's getting late. Please let her and Kagura get back to rest as soon as possible. You can chat after the qualifying race starts tomorrow."

Seeing that it was getting late, Hayakawa Tazuna, though not wanting to interrupt a family reunion, had to remind the two parents that curfew was approaching.

"Oh, oh, we were too excited to see Nice Nature and almost forgot. Then we'll be going! Little Su and Kagura, you should hurry back and get some rest~ Good luck tomorrow!"

"Okay~"

Inari Kagura waved goodbye to the two parents on behalf of Nice Nature, who was still in shock and hadn't recovered. After they had walked a distance, Inari Kagura lowered her hand and looked at Nice Nature.

"W-w-what should I do, Kagura!! Everyone from the Shopping District back home actually came!!"

"Ahaha..."

It seemed that after going back tonight, she would have to take some time to relieve this silly girl's stress.

61. She shouted about bonds and the future and rushed forward!

The school qualifying race is one of Tracen Academy's most important traditional events. Through the qualifying race, Tracen can select talented children within the school first, and also allow Trainers to teach these talented children earlier.

It can be said that if you want to find a good Trainer, the school qualifying race is undoubtedly a very good way. Inari Kagura also attaches great importance to this, so she took the initiative to assist Nice Nature in the qualifying race training.

On the day the qualifying race begins, Tracen will also be open to the public. People from outside the school can enter the campus with a simple registration, so the campus has become a lot more lively today—of course, Inari Kagura feels that the main factor for the increased liveliness is the two groups from the Shopping District, one group is the cheering squad from the Tokyo Shopping District, and the other group is the cheering squad from Nice Nature's hometown Shopping District. The voices of these two groups are particularly obvious in the crowd, and they seem to be chatting quite congenially.

Nice Nature registered for the 2000-meter school qualifying race, which is in the morning. The weather this morning is also not bad, a cloudy day without sun but relatively dry, and the condition of the track is also very good.