Your Logistics Uma Musume Has Problems

"Child, focus. You'll fall if you get distracted while running."

"Ah, yes, okay!"

Noticing Kagura spacing out behind her, Speed Symbol reminded her, then picked up the pace a little.

Kagura stopped daydreaming and focused on keeping up with Speed Symbol. She was finally sure it wasn't her imagination; Speed Symbol was definitely accelerating. As Speed Symbol's speed increased, she felt a growing urge, an impulse urging her—

—to rush forward! To pass her!

She recognized the thought, but she didn't understand why she felt such an urge. She'd never been particularly competitive, and this was just a morning run. Why did she feel this impulse to compete with Speed Symbol?

"Hehe… Kagura, if you want to run faster, speed up a little and pass me. It's okay."

"No, weren't we supposed to run together? If I run off on my own, there's no point in me keeping you company, is there?"

"Nonsense, I'll keep following you. Watching young people run makes this old lady happy… Besides, you really want to go ahead, don't you?"

As she ran, Speed Symbol turned her head and smiled at Inari Kagura beside her.

As a fellow Uma Musume, Speed Symbol could tell that Inari Kagura was trying hard to suppress her competitive spirit. She was already faster than her, but she was deliberately fluctuating her speed, clearly holding back.

It was an instinct every Uma Musume possessed, regardless of age. Even an old Uma Musume like Speed Symbol still felt that urge, but she no longer had the youthful body to compete.

"I heard you ran really fast in town, and the trainers you passed were shocked. You almost got a speeding ticket. You haven't run that fast since, have you?"

"Ahaha… I just got carried away at the time…"

"You always exercise in the courtyard in the afternoons. Now that you have such a wide-open space, don't you want to let loose?"

Speed Symbol asked Kagura with a smile as they ran.

Since gaining such a strong physique, Inari Kagura had been itching to test her physical abilities. However, she didn't usually have the opportunity, so she could only bounce around in the courtyard a little, but that was far from reaching her body's limits.

Like leveling up your character significantly in a game and wanting to find a powerful monster to see how much you've improved, Kagura wanted to know just how strong her body had become.

"Now that you're on this track, don't hold back. Relax and release everything you've been suppressing. The finish line is over there. Run towards it with all your might."

Running, Speed Symbol gently patted Kagura on the shoulder, pointing out a sign beside the track in the distance.

"Then… excuse me, Head of the Symbol family."

"Go."

With permission, Inari Kagura no longer held back. She pushed off the ground with all her might, and the petite Uma Musume flashed away silently like a phantom. In an instant, Inari Kagura's figure was three lengths ahead of Speed Symbol.

"What amazing explosive power. To have such terrifying acceleration before even reaching her prime?"

Despite her age, Speed Symbol was a formidable Uma Musume who had won many G1 championships. Even after retiring, she never slacked off in her training, so she still had the basic speed of a professional athlete. For a young filly who hadn't reached her prime to shake her off so easily and continue accelerating, it was clear that Inari Kagura had a lot of talent.

She had chosen a 1600-meter course that was well-suited for young Uma Musume. Kagura had started to explode with speed after being reminded at around the 200-meter mark, widening the gap between them with the speed of a runaway Uma Musume.

My body feels so light… I've never felt like this before…

As if freed from some kind of restraint, Inari Kagura's steps were still light even in her maid outfit. The scenery around her was flying backward, just like when she used to drive her car. She clearly realized how much better her body was than her previous weak one.

The feeling of releasing herself made Inari Kagura feel inexplicably relaxed and joyful, a feeling that made her unconsciously immerse herself in it. Moreover, she could clearly confirm that this wasn't even her limit.

As she crossed the bend and stepped onto the long straight before the finish line, Inari Kagura cried out and instinctively increased her speed again, sprinting towards the finish line at her maximum speed. Speed Symbol, who was far behind and had just passed the bend, and the suit-clad men beside the track could barely see a shadow flash across the track.

"Rudolph was right. Those are truly enviable legs…"

As a professional athlete who had won many championships, Speed Symbol felt the competitive desire that had been extinguished for decades rising again. She instinctively increased her speed, but her aging body could no longer support her to continue increasing to a higher speed. She could only watch the small black shadow cross the finish line from afar, sighing with envy.

After Kagura crossed the finish line, Speed Symbol caught up from behind. She found that Inari Kagura didn't show any signs of fatigue even after such a terrifying burst of speed. Her cheeks were just flushed, and her breathing was a little heavier.

"Very good stamina and explosive power, child. You truly have an enviable body. How was it? Did running like that make you feel a lot better?"

"Yes… I feel so much better after running like that."

It was the truth. After such a vigorous outburst, much of the worry and confusion that Kagura had accumulated over the past month had dissipated. She felt that the feeling of not having to think about anything while running was a rare experience for a corporate slave like her who was immersed in work every day.

"That's good. It must be your first time running so fast. Let's go get a massage together later. The Head Maid's massage skills are excellent."

"Eh? That… I don't think you need to trouble yourself, I don't feel anything anyway."

"An Uma Musume's legs are precious and fragile treasures. If you don't relax them properly, you'll develop hidden injuries. Over time, if it gets serious, you might not be able to walk anymore."

Speed Symbol's expression was particularly serious, and it seemed that she had no intention of allowing Kagura to refuse.

"...Then thank you, Head of the Symbol family."

Although she didn't want to trouble her senior, Kagura couldn't refuse since the Head of the Symbol family had requested it.

"Yes, go back and notify the Head Maid to prepare. I'll be over in a moment."

After letting Kagura leave first, Speed Symbol looked around and slowly walked towards the suit-clad men who had been standing by the track.

"Head of the Symbol family."

Seeing Speed Symbol approach, the suit-clad men immediately bowed to her.

"Yes, how did you feel about that run just now… that child?"

"It was a magnificent runaway. Her adaptability to the grass is extremely high… and her stamina and strength are equally excellent. She didn't plan her stamina at all. She maintained a high speed throughout the entire 1600 meters, and she was still able to unleash such a terrifying final burst on the final straight… Considering her current age before reaching her prime, it's unbelievable. It's no exaggeration to say that she's already capable of competing with some of the top professional Uma Musume."

"It seems my granddaughter's judgment is quite accurate… I must have lost speed before reaching the final straight, right? How far did that child shake me off?"

"Approximately… 12 lengths."

"Big gap… Sigh, I'm getting old…"

Taking the detailed report from the men in suits, Speed Symbol sighed softly. Although she was well aware that she was getting old, even with that mental preparation, seeing herself, running at full strength, being left in the dust by an Uma Musume who hadn't even reached her prime, as a professional who had won many G1 championships and was known as the "Glory of the Symbol family," Speed Symbol's feelings were still a bit complex.

However, the purpose of today's test of Inari Kagura's talent had been achieved. Speed Symbol knew that she had really struck gold. She had only wanted to help a poor, homeless child, but she didn't expect to discover a talent no less than that of her own granddaughter.

-- Come to think of it, this child is only 11 this year. Just the right age gap between her and Luna, so there's no need to worry about them clashing. When she's old enough, should I just let her debut under the Symbol family name and see how it goes?

Looking in the direction Kagura had left, Speed Symbol thought to herself.

"Um… Senior… could you be a little… gentler…?"

"No, if you don't feel anything, it won't work."

"Aah…"

Inari Kagura buried her face in the pillow, trying her best not to make any embarrassing sounds.

It wasn't like she had never had a massage before, but it was clear that an Uma Musume's massage and a human's massage were two different things. Her small body was now particularly sensitive for some reason, and both her pain and other sensations were amplified. She felt dizzy, as if her whole body was about to fall apart.

'Speed Symbol didn't seem to react at all… Is this also an effect of being a child's body!?'

Inari Kagura watched Speed Symbol, who had already finished her massage, sitting comfortably in a nearby lounge chair, scrolling through her phone. She could only lament silently in her heart. The two ears on top of her head flipped back and forth or stood up sharply depending on the Head Maid's movements, showing that their owner was experiencing both pain and pleasure.

After the exercise today, Speed Symbol said that whenever she wanted to exercise in the future, she could use the training grounds at any time, and she didn't have to stay cooped up in the garden doing high knees in place.

This made Kagura very happy—although she would have preferred a phone with internet access. She really wanted to understand what this world was like now. Anyway, she had no way to return to her original world, so she might as well learn about and adapt to this place as soon as possible.

Inari Kagura was very satisfied with her current life. The workload was moderate and not heavy, and the maids and Speed Symbol treated her very well. Although Speed Symbol sometimes made her sit on her lap and then vigorously rua her, which was a little troubling, she could understand. After all, it was normal for an old person to want to pet a child.

"Ugh!!"

Before Kagura's thoughts could drift far, the Head Maid's movements on her leg suddenly increased, and her ears perked up sharply again.

It seemed that now was not the time to let her thoughts wander. She should focus on enjoying the Head Maid's massage.

Fortunately, the whole process wasn't long. Although she felt weak and limp all over after the massage, Kagura still refused the Head Maid's offer to help her bathe. For some reason, she felt like the Head Maid seemed a little disappointed.

Supporting herself against the wall, Kagura laboriously made her way to the bathroom. She took off her clothes outside and put them away, and then staggered into the bathroom, completely drained of energy.

-- Well done, Kagura. You've created a good opportunity for yourself.

Just as she lowered her body into the water, Kagura saw this line of text appear on the surface of the water, and then quickly disappear with the ripples.

"What's wrong? What opportunity?"

-- You ran very well today. I wanted to remind you a couple of times, but you didn't seem to see it. I didn't expect you to run so well on your own.

"Although I'm happy to be praised… what does this have to do with the opportunity Miss Eclipse is talking about?"

-- You silly child probably didn't notice how fervent Speed Symbol's eyes were when she looked at you. Your amazing performance gave her another reason to keep you.

"I don't understand… I just ran with the head of the family, right?"

-- Uma Musume's perspectives are different from you humans. It's hard to explain this kind of thing with words. You just need to know that your life will be much better in the future. You'll understand after a while~

Eclipse even added a musical note at the end of the line, indicating that she seemed to be in a very good mood. It was a pity that she couldn't see what her expression was like now.

Still not understanding, Kagura gave up trying to figure it out. After washing up, she put on her clothes and came out of the bathroom. Before she could take two steps, she saw the Head Maid hurrying towards her.

"Kagura, the head of the family said that she will be going out in a few days and needs you to accompany her to take care of her."

"Eh? Me? Why?"

"The head of the family said that you have been performing very well recently, and your work ability is very strong. She wants to take you out to take care of her."

Although Speed Symbol said that she wanted Kagura to accompany her to take care of her, the Head Maid, who had observed that run today, could see Speed Symbol's little thoughts. She also knew that Kagura usually looked quiet and didn't talk much, but she was quite stubborn about some things. Therefore, she still chose a way that would make Kagura feel more at ease accepting the request.

"I see… Okay, I understand."

Since it was Speed Symbol's request, Kagura didn't refuse any further. She believed that Speed Symbol must have her reasons for making that decision.

It's like having another little sister.

The next day, Kagura went out to buy groceries as usual. Before she even entered the shopping street, she saw her friend—Nice Nature—standing on the side of the road at the entrance of the shopping street, with a school bag on her back.

"Morning~ Kagura, are you here to buy groceries again today?"

"Yeah, I'll be buying groceries from now on. Why are you standing here, Quality?"

"I'm about to go to school. Speaking of which, Kagura, you come here so early every day, do you not go to school?"

Speaking of school, Nice Nature remembered that she had seen Kagura come to buy things every time at six in the morning for the past month. Calculating the time, even if she returned to the Symbol family, made breakfast, and took her things to leave, she would most likely be late for the nearest school.

"You know, Quality… I'm an unregistered resident, so even if I wanted to go to school, there's no way."

Although Kagura didn't care much about going to school, with her education level, even if she didn't go to school, she would have already mastered the knowledge in those books. When she was free, she could even tutor Nice Nature, who was still in school.

"That makes sense… No, wait! You haven't gone to school at all, but you're studying so much better than me!?"

Nice Nature looked incredulous. Kagura's occasional tutoring over the past month had given her the illusion that Kagura was a top student, but when she thought about it carefully, she had learned from the Head Maid of the Symbol family this month that Kagura was a helpless orphan, and her identity was still a mystery, so no school would dare to accept her.

"I just learned it on my own based on feeling. No one taught me anything, and I don't understand the principles of many things. Quality is so smart, study hard at school, and you'll definitely be better than me in the future."

While humbly speaking without changing her expression, Kagura was just about to reach out and pat Nice Nature on the shoulder to encourage her, but just as her hand was raised, Nice Nature, who was a head taller than her, suddenly took a step forward and then reached out and hugged her tightly.

"I know what my level is... Thank you, Kagura, for always taking care of me. Once I get into Tracen Academy and can participate in races, I'll definitely find a way to get you into the school too!"

"Well... it's good that Nice Nature has the thought, but you need to take care of your own studies first before considering such trivial matters."

"Don't say that! Kagura's affairs are not trivial matters!"

A little dissatisfied with Kagura's statement, Nice Nature puffed out her cheeks, making a very cute angry expression to protest.

Looking at Nice Nature's chubby, adorable face, Kagura felt a little warm inside. It really felt good to be cared for, even if the other person was a child younger than her (in a mental sense).

However, seeing Nice Nature so confident, Kagura was also a little curious about whether that Tracen Academy was really that amazing. It wasn't the first time she had heard the name of this academy.

She heard that it was where the strongest horse girls in the country gathered. Putting aside how horse girls were ranked by strength, would the people inside really help someone like her with no official status? Kagura didn't believe it. She felt that she was already lucky to have met someone as kind as Speed Symbol.

"Oh, right, Quality, I might be gone for a day or two in a few days."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"The head of the Symbol family is going out, and they want me to accompany and take care of them. I don't know how long I'll be gone, so I might not be able to come here to tutor you for a while."

Kagura could see that after hearing this news, Nice Nature's motivation visibly decreased, and the ears on her head drooped.

"Ah... it's okay. If it's work, then focus on it. I'll definitely be able to solve those difficult problems myself without Kagura!"

Although Nice Nature tried hard to make herself look reliable, Kagura could feel that the strength of her hug had increased. After all, she was still a child, and her little reluctance couldn't be hidden at all.

"Silly girl... alright, alright, hurry up and go to school. If Quality keeps clinging to me like this for a few more minutes, you'll be late."

Letting Nice Nature hug her like this for a long while, Kagura gently pushed the still tightly hugging Nice Nature, which made her reluctantly let go.

"Ugh... okay! When you come back, remember to make me radish cakes!"

"Okay~ okay~ If you want to eat them, I can make them for you every day when I get back. Hurry up and go to school!"

The time for school was tight, and Nice Nature didn't linger any longer. After saying goodbye to Kagura, she ran away quickly. Watching Nice Nature disappear from her sight, Kagura continued to walk into the shopping street.

"Yo! Little Kagura, good morning! Are you here to buy groceries again today!"