Moreover, to Kagura's surprise, this trainer had investigated Nice Nature beforehand. He not only explained the future he had promised Nice Nature, but also provided solid reasons for it. Since he had been watching the two of them train, Kagura was somewhat surprised that she had never noticed someone standing nearby observing her during training.
"...Precisely because I understand that, I don't dare promise Nice Nature some grand future like a Triple Crown the way other trainers do. Everything on the track is uncertain, and making empty promises isn't my style.
"But I can guarantee that Nice Nature will be able to happily complete her future career, run to her heart's content on the track, and then return safely to her everyday life."
The handsome young trainer finished explaining his promise to Nice Nature. He did not rush to continue, merely smiling at Nice Nature and Kagura—or rather, his gaze lingered on Kagura most of the time.
Did he realize that I'm actually the one making the decisions? Well, that's only natural. After all, he watched me train Nature... It's perfectly normal for him to think Nature listens to me.
Feeling Nice Nature quietly poking her again and again, Kagura knew that Nice Nature approved of this trainer quite a bit. Kagura also thought he seemed decent, so she stepped out from behind Nice Nature for the first time.
"Trainer, you really are different from the people who just came here. So far, you're the only one who's used your eyes to ask for the opinion of someone as 'uninvolved' as me."
"Kagura, you're too modest. You're the most crucial person here. Nice Nature's victory today couldn't have happened without your excellent guidance. It's a shame that you already have a place to belong. Otherwise, I would very much like you to join my team. After all, 'Tracen's finest Logistics Uma Musume'... I've been coveting you for quite some time."
"Hah... That's interesting. I didn't even know there was such a title."
Kagura nodded, then raised her hand and lightly poked Nice Nature in the back.
"One last question, Trainer. My superior once asked another trainer this question. I hope you won't mind if I use it to conclude things as well."
"Go ahead, Kagura."
"If Nature mastered an extremely dangerous running style that would make her invincible against any opponent, but carried a very high risk of injuring her body, would you let Nature continue running, or stop her and find her a new, safer running style?"
Speed Symbol had once asked Toujou Hana this question, and Toujou Hana had given an answer that satisfied both Speed Symbol and Kagura. Now, Kagura felt that the question was equally suitable for asking this young trainer before her.
"Protecting one's students is a trainer's unquestionable responsibility. Though I would rather have everything, if I had to choose between a championship and my student's personal safety, I would still choose my student."
"Mm-hmm... Good. This really is the last question, Trainer. What's your name?"
As she spoke, Kagura raised her hand and poked Nice Nature in the back again. Nice Nature had remained silent since Kagura began speaking. At this point, her signal was complete, and Nice Nature understood that Kagura approved of this trainer.
"My name is Baba Hideki. My colleagues call me Nanban, and you two can call me that as well. Ah... Don't you find it strange that this nickname has absolutely no connection to my name?"
As he spoke, Trainer Nanban smiled awkwardly and scratched his hair.
Huh? Trainer Nanban is actually so handsome? And his personality seems pretty good too... No wonder Toujou recommended him.
Hearing that he was an acquaintance, Kagura felt even more at ease.
Perhaps realizing that Kagura had approved of him, the trainer suddenly relaxed, his whole body going limp. Kagura felt that his demeanor had suddenly become even gentler than before, like a docile lamb.
"By the way, Nature, take this."
Kagura took out the training notebook she had carried with her all this time and handed it to Nice Nature. It contained detailed records of Nice Nature's physical condition, the tracks, distances, and running styles she was suited for, as well as how to regulate her diet and maintain nutritional balance.
It had also been Kagura's reference during the period she trained Nice Nature. Nice Nature opened the little notebook and looked through it. The notes were detailed and substantial, and the handwriting on the pages was elegant and refined. It was clear that the person who had written them had put a great deal of care into it.
"These are some suggestions I have for you. They should help with your daily training. If you think they'll be useful to Trainer Nanban, and you trust him, you can let him look through them. Though I suppose they won't be all that useful to a trainer."
"Wow... Thank you, Kagura!"
Nice Nature naturally understood how important the things Kagura had given her were. She happily took Kagura's hand and thanked her.
With everything here settled, Kagura rose onto her toes and waved toward the door. Immediately, as if they had received some kind of signal, a rumbling and pounding of footsteps like a herd of beasts rushing past came in from outside while Trainer Nanban was still wondering whom Kagura was waving to. The other trainers immediately moved aside from the doorway when they heard the commotion.
"Okay, you and your friends can have the rest of the time, Nature. They've been waiting outside for ages. Trainer, and Nature, get ready to introduce yourselves properly~"
"Ka... Kagura, are you sure the group coming in is a normal group of friends and family?"
Trainer Nanban could already feel an invisible pressure bearing down on him, and cold sweat nearly poured from his body. Judging by the commotion outside, anyone unaware of the situation would think some underworld organization had come to attack.
"It's fine. There are just a few more people than usual, and they're just a little more enthusiastic than usual~ I'm sure you and Nature can handle them."
"W... Why don't you stay and help share the firepower, Kagura?"
Nice Nature had also sensed that something was wrong. Thinking about it carefully, she had just won the qualifying race and then found her trainer. Those two events together were already enough for the Shopping District's two groups of people to turn the place upside down.
"I'm just a passing Logistics Uma Musume. You two are today's main characters. What use would I be if I stayed?"
"Don't go, Kagura!" "Don't run, Kagura! At least if you're here, they'll have one more person to talk to!"
It looked like her plans to rest would have to be postponed again.
63. Everything Went According to Plan!
Thank you to my best friend! And thank you to everyone who supports me! Today really is the happiest day of my life!
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Mejiro Ardan was scrolling through her phone in the dormitory. She had just seen Nice Nature post a private Umastagram update commemorating her victory in the qualifying race. It included a group photo of her, her trainer, and Kagura, as well as another photo of her with a large crowd. So far, only Kagura, the one friend who could see her private updates, had liked it.
After replying to Nice Nature with her congratulations and liking the post, she heard the dormitory door open. Kagura stumbled in from outside, looking utterly exhausted.
"Kagura! Are you all right?"
Ardan hurriedly jumped off the bed and ran over to support Kagura, who looked as if she might fall asleep at any moment. Kagura listlessly raised a hand and patted Ardan's shoulder, then shook her head.
"I'm perfectly fine... Just a little tired."
"You look completely worn out. Go get some rest."
"Mm... I'll go... take a bath first..."
"Sh... Should I get anything for you?"
Ardan watched Kagura sway unsteadily into the bathroom, worried that she might accidentally fall. But even though she was this exhausted, Kagura had no intention of asking anyone else for help.
Watching Kagura take her pajamas and slowly shuffle into the bathroom, Ardan was worried, but she felt that their relationship had not yet reached the point where she could casually follow Kagura into the bathroom. She also did not know whether Kagura would mind, so she chose to sit by the bed and wait.
Since it was already late, no one was moving around outside the dormitory. Normally, Ardan should have been able to hear only the sounds coming from the bathroom, but after sitting there for a long while, she heard nothing at all.
"Kagura couldn't have fallen asleep in the bath, could she...?"
Staying in the bath like that could harm her. After thinking it over, Ardan could no longer worry about whether it was rude. She stood up, walked to the bathroom door, raised her hand, and gently knocked.
There was no response.
It seemed Kagura really had fallen asleep inside. Remembering that Kagura had once saved her, Ardan did not want the girl to soak for too long and end up hurting herself. This was no time for hesitation, so she used her own key ring to unlock the bathroom door.
"Kagura?"
There was still no response. Ardan saw Kagura sitting against the edge of the bathtub with her head tilted and her eyes closed, completely unmoved by the noise. She seemed to be sleeping deeply. After all the events of the day, combined with the poor rest she had gotten this week while supporting Nice Nature, she must have been utterly exhausted.
Ardan carefully walked to the bathtub and looked at Kagura, who had fallen asleep while soaking in the water, wondering what she should do.
Should I wake Kagura? But she's so tired...
Ardan had witnessed Kagura's efforts throughout the week. Along with her admiration, she felt incredibly envious of Nice Nature. To meet a friend like this, Nice Nature must have saved the world in her previous life.
If she wanted to get Kagura out without waking her, the only option was to carry her out. That would surely get her clothes wet. Ardan had already showered, but after thinking for a moment, she stopped the hand that was reaching toward Kagura's snow-white shoulder exposed above the water.
Ardan stepped back a few paces. Just as she was about to take off her pajamas and underwear and get in to carry Kagura out herself, she grabbed the hem of her clothes—and Kagura suddenly opened her eyes.
"How did this silly child fall asleep here... Oh, Miss Ardan, why are you here?"
Kagura seemed to have just woken up and was not fully conscious yet. Her speech was full of long pauses. Ardan did not know whether it was her imagination or the bathroom's strange lighting, but Kagura's eyes seemed slightly red.
"You've been in here for a long time without making a sound, so I was afraid you'd stay in the water too long and catch a cold. I didn't want to wake you, so I thought I would carry you out..."
"Ah... Sorry, sorry. Today really was a little too busy, and I accidentally fell asleep in here. I'm sorry for making you worry, Miss Ardan~ Thank you for remembering to come check on me!"
"It's... It's fine! Now that you're awake, Kagura, I... I'll go out first!"
Seeing that Kagura was about to stand up from the tub, Ardan waved her hands frantically, then turned red and fled, shutting the door behind her.
Kagura stood up from the bathtub and stretched, loosening her stiff body. She opened her dark-red eyes and looked toward the bathroom door that had just closed.
"Hehe~ What a shy, adorable child. She wanted to help someone but was afraid of being rude. How cute."
'Kagura' smiled, stepped out of the bathtub, dried herself, and changed into her pajamas. After drying her hair and looking at herself in the mirror, she finally left the bathroom, appearing "groggy."
"Kagura, you haven't had much rest lately. Now that Nature's matter is settled, you can finally get some rest, right?"
Ardan was curled up on her own bed, hugging her knees. When she saw Kagura finally come out, still looking exhausted, she could not help asking worriedly.
"Yeah... Yaaawn... I'm so sleepy..."
'Kagura' yawned and staggered along, looking utterly exhausted and not entirely conscious. Afraid the little Uma Musume might collapse, Ardan climbed out of bed and supported her. She crouched down, carefully slipped one arm around Kagura's waist and another beneath her legs, then lifted her horizontally and carried her back to bed.
To keep Kagura from catching cold, Ardan arranged her in a comfortable sleeping position, pulled over the blanket, and covered her with it. Then she knelt on Kagura's bed and stared at her sleeping figure.
The day she had first returned to the dormitory, Ardan had already noticed a very soothing aura surrounding Kagura. It had made her curious. Now that Kagura looked so completely defenseless, Ardan hesitated over whether she should move closer and investigate.
Just touching her a little...
Ardan swallowed and cautiously reached out, gently touching Kagura's soft cheek.
"What is this...?"
She discovered that Kagura's sleeping expression was not peaceful at all. Her brows were tightly furrowed, and her entire body was curled up as if she were dreaming of something unpleasant.
"It's so hot... So scorching..."
A faint murmur slipped from Kagura's lips. Ardan's hearing was quite good, so she naturally heard what Kagura was muttering in her sleep.
Hot? Scorching? Could Kagura be dreaming about that day...?
Ardan had heard about Kagura from her grandmother. Kagura had escaped from a shrine that had caught fire, then collapsed from exhaustion at the gate of the Symbol family, eventually becoming a maid of the Symbol family.
"Can anyone... save me...?"
Should I help Kagura? Roommates are supposed to help each other, right?
Kagura looked to be in great pain. Ardan had originally intended only to lightly touch her cheek, but she felt that she could not simply leave her alone. Following the impulse in her heart, she leaned down slightly, placed a hand on Kagura's head, and gently stroked it.
"Don't be afraid... I'm here. Don't be afraid anymore..."
"Mmh..."
Ardan maintained that position and carefully comforted her for a while before Kagura's expression relaxed and she began breathing steadily.
Seeing Kagura finally calm down, Ardan was just about to withdraw when she discovered that Kagura had grabbed her hand tightly, like a child who had found something to rely on after losing all sense of security in danger.
So even the usually mature Kagura has a side like this...
Ardan tugged lightly, but her hand did not budge. She realized that getting it free without waking Kagura would be impossible.
What should I do...?
After thinking for a moment, a thought immediately surfaced in Ardan's mind. It felt somewhat rude, but it also carried a strange impulse.
"I'm only helping Kagura... She helped me so much before, too..."
After a brief hesitation, Ardan convinced herself. Keeping her arm still, she shifted forward and turned off the bedside light. Then she carefully climbed onto the bed, cautiously stepped over Kagura's body, slipped beneath her blanket, and hugged her from behind.
That gentle, comforting, mysterious aura immediately enveloped Ardan. Already feeling somewhat sleepy, Ardan's eyelids began fighting to stay open.
"Good night... Kagura..."
Darkness quickly swallowed Ardan's consciousness. Before long, she too began breathing peacefully.
Because of that, she did not see the 'Kagura' in her arms suddenly open her dark-red eyes after Ardan fell asleep.
"Hehe... It seems she's a kind and dependable child."
64. The Logistics Uma Musume's Vacation
Because she was utterly exhausted, Kagura slept exceptionally well.
Kagura possessed a strange ability: no matter how late she went to bed or how early she fell asleep, she would always open her eyes at exactly six-thirty the next morning. Even when she was exhausted to the point of death, she would wake up for a moment before collapsing back into sleep.
"Mm..."
Kagura woke from her dreams. The rare high-quality sleep left her feeling exceptionally satisfied. She had just been about to move and stretch when she suddenly felt something soft and warm against her back.
Still not fully awake, Kagura instinctively thought it was Eclipse. But after thinking about it, she realized she was wearing pajamas and could not possibly feel Eclipse's body so clearly through them. Puzzled, she opened her eyes and looked ahead. Ardan was not in her own bed; only the blanket had been thrown open.
"Why... is Miss Ardan in my bed?"
Kagura jolted fully awake. She immediately searched for fragments of last night's memories. She vaguely remembered returning to the dormitory, opening the door, taking her clothes to the bathroom—and then nothing.
Did I fall asleep while bathing? So Miss Ardan came in and carried me out? But why is Miss Ardan in my bed?
Unable to figure out what had happened in between, Kagura decided not to dwell on it. She could more or less guess that, given how groggy she had been last night, Ardan had come to help her with something. Perhaps Kagura had done something that kept Ardan from leaving, so she had stayed.
Well, it seems I caused Miss Ardan some trouble. I need to be more careful from now on.
Kagura carefully slipped out of Ardan's arms and checked the time. After thinking about whether she had anything scheduled today, she confirmed that her entire schedule was empty—not even classes required her attendance. Only then did she decide to head to the cafeteria and start working.
"Morning, Kagura. You were so tired yesterday. Are you really all right getting up this early today?"
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