There's Something Wrong With You, Logistics Uma Musume - Chapter 40

Kagura didn't quite understand what Eclipse was saying, but at least she understood that Uma Musume's nature was to love running, and Eclipse was no exception.

'Compared to other Uma Musume, do I seem less enthusiastic? Do I look like an oddball?'

--Silly girl, why worry about that? People have all sorts of personalities, and some Uma Musume don't like to run. No one will think you're weird because of that.

After Eclipse's words disappeared from the phone screen, Kagura felt her head being gently patted. She felt like Eclipse really enjoyed this head-patting process.

"Oh! Kagura, you're up early! I was going to come and get you, but I couldn't find you in your room."

Just as Kagura had started her warm-up exercises, Sirius Symbol also arrived at the Symbol family's training grounds.

"You're already warming up? Wait for me! I'll join you!"

"It's okay, I just started too. Is it okay for you to run without eating anything, Miss? You don't have any problems with low blood sugar or anything?"

"Don't worry, I'm perfectly fine! I've been looking forward to this all night, and I was so excited when I woke up this morning. I didn't expect you to be up so early too, great!"

Watching Sirius Symbol doing her warm-up exercises with big, sweeping movements next to her, Kagura scratched her head. They both came from the Symbol family, but Rudolph Symbol and Sirius Symbol felt like complete opposites.

'Is it because she spent so long abroad?'

68. Sirius Symbol is following you.jpg

At the starting line, Kagura could feel that Sirius Symbol had even more fighting spirit and a more intense desire to win than Rudolph Symbol. But having run with Rudolph Symbol so many times, Kagura was already used to this pressure, so she didn't feel anything particularly out of the ordinary.

"Recently, when I occasionally contacted Rudolph, I always heard her praising a wonderful supporter she had recently acquired. After watching your race with that little Mejiro family girl, I understood why she thinks so highly of you."

"Eh... is that how Miss Rudolph evaluates me?"

"That's right! She seemed so proud, almost showing off! It made me itch to see you, and there happened to be a banquet at the Mejiro family, so I took the opportunity to come back to the country to see you."

Sirius Symbol stretched as she responded to Kagura beside her.

Originally, Kagura wanted to move the starting gate from the grass, but Sirius Symbol said she hated entering the gate, so they ultimately decided not to use the gate for the start.

"Speaking of which, which of the two young ladies is older?"

"She's a bit older than me. If you're going to call me something, just call me Sirius. Don't add those weird honorifics. I'm not someone who cares about that kind of thing."

"I can't just call you that, I understand. Second Miss, is it okay if I call you that from now on?"

"Ha! Call me whatever you want! Warm up properly, and don't disappoint me!"

Sirius Symbol's enthusiastic and unrestrained voice was completely different from Rudolph Symbol's usual gentle tone. Her enthusiasm reminded Kagura of the few northern students she had met at school before. That kind of enthusiastic, unrestrained, and unconventional feeling was very similar.

"Morning, Kagura, and Sirius. I heard you two are going to have a race?"

Just as the two were preparing, Speed Symbol, who had gotten up at some unknown time, also appeared on the training grounds. Kagura saw several maids following carefully behind, wanting to watch.

Kagura looked at Sirius Symbol in shock. At this early hour, no Trainer would naturally be present at the training grounds. Sirius Symbol said she wanted to find a referee, and as a result, she had called Speed Symbol over. Kagura didn't know how she had managed to get the old woman up.

"I don't want to miss any of my children's races, so naturally, I came."

Speed Symbol's reason was as simple as ever. Of course, the children she spoke of also included Kagura. Although Kagura wasn't a member of the Symbol family, she had long since regarded Kagura as one of her own.

"Are you two warmed up?"

"Of course! I can't wait!"

Sirius Symbol looked full of fighting spirit, and Kagura, who had already finished warming up, calmly replied.

"Okay... Sirius, are you sure you don't want to use the starting gate?"

"No need! It's just a start anyway. What does it matter where you start? Why do you have to start in that ridiculously narrow place?"

"Alright..."

Speed Symbol shook her head helplessly. She also knew about Sirius Symbol's old problem. She still didn't want to enter the gate to start, which had given the Trainer who helped her train abroad a headache. She didn't know what she would do when she debuted in the future. She even hoped that she could try running races abroad, but what could she do if she couldn't even enter the gate?

'Why are there always so many problem children in my family? I don't have that bad of a temper, do I?'

Since Inari Kagura had joined the family, Speed Symbol had asked herself this question more than once. She was so envious of how all the young ladies in the old Mejiro family were gentle and quiet, while her family was full of hot-tempered old sisters. Rudolph Symbol and Sirius were both headaches, and the only one with a good temper, Kagura, wasn't even her own blood.

"Weather: sunny, 2000 meters, track condition: good, clockwise course..."

Speed Symbol, acting as the referee, walked to the side of the track as the two prepared to start, and began to announce the race track information.

More and more maids gathered around to watch. Speed Symbol's announcement had attracted many curious maids, after all, one of the participants was the maids' beloved Inari Kagura, and the other was the Second Miss, Sirius Symbol. This race would definitely be entertaining, to say the least.

Kagura lowered her body slightly into a starting position. She couldn't determine what tactics Sirius Symbol wanted to use, nor did she know the other's habits, so the choice she had to make was very simple – run away, that's all. At this distance of 2000 meters, if Sirius Symbol had the ability to catch up to her great escape, then she wouldn't have a chance to win running a chase or holding back.

"Ready—Go!"

As Speed Symbol's command fell, Sirius Symbol immediately shot out like an arrow. Kagura was still a half-beat slow as usual, but compared to before, Kagura's slow start had improved a lot. Speed Symbol could see that Kagura was working hard to get rid of this problem.

Kagura had faced off against experts many times at this distance of 2000 meters. Although she had never won against Maruzensky and Rudolph Symbol in so many races, always losing by a length or two, she was also clearer on how to run faster.

--You can't run with human common sense. Humans will always subconsciously conserve their strength, but racing isn't about conserving anything. You have to gradually discard your human athletic common sense, and your speed will improve further.

These were the words Eclipse had told Kagura during training, and Kagura had always kept them in mind. She couldn't change it all at once, but as she practiced more, her speed was indeed slowly increasing.

'This child's speed is even faster than before... and she hasn't even reached her prime yet. Tsk tsk, what a monstrous genius.'

Speed Symbol could naturally see the increase in Kagura's speed. Kagura didn't take long to regain her leading position, while Sirius Symbol followed her usual training method, choosing to observe from behind to conserve her strength, while also paying attention to controlling her speed to avoid being left too far behind.

But she soon realized that doing so wouldn't be very practical in this race, because Kagura's speed was a little too extraordinary. If she ran at a speed that conserved her stamina, she would be left far behind before long. She understood why that Mejiro family girl, known for her stamina, would eventually be dragged to exhaustion by Kagura.

"Interesting... this maid... is really interesting!"

Sirius Symbol immediately decided to accelerate, even though her past experience told her that 2000 meters was already a somewhat dangerous distance for her. If she recklessly sped up at this point, she might face the danger of stalling on the final straight. But Kagura had no such concerns at all, because her stamina was truly enough for her to run 2000 meters in such a brutal way!

"Wow... Little Kagura is running so fast! Wearing a maid outfit doesn't seem to affect her running at all... I kind of want to go run too!"

"Don't even think about it. You're so clumsy, I'm afraid you'll fall."

The Head Maid chuckled and tapped the chattering maid next to her. Watching Kagura sprint on the field, she did feel a momentary urge to run, but quickly suppressed it. She couldn't help but feel a bit emotional; the changes in Kagura over the past few months had been so significant, giving her an unreal feeling.

Kagura, sprinting ahead, didn't plan to worry about so much. She noticed the distance between her and Sirius Symbol was shrinking, but she didn't plan to accelerate and sprint just yet.

Now halfway through the race, she had just come out of the second turn. Although her stamina was already sufficient to increase her speed and sprint all the way to the finish line from this distance, she still chose to play it safe and didn't rush to speed up.

"How interesting! Inari Kagura..."

Sirius Symbol's desire to compete had been completely ignited. She wasn't very concerned about stamina management anymore. She was still gradually accelerating to close the distance, her heart filled with only one voice constantly repeating—

—Catch up! Surpass her!

The distance between Sirius Symbol and Inari Kagura had been reduced to two lengths. Kagura seemed to be within reach. Sirius Symbol stared at Kagura's running back, her interest in this little Uma Musume growing stronger.

Speed Symbol, already at the finish line, watched the distance between the two getting shorter and shorter, about to enter the final turn and step onto the final straight. While giving Sirius Symbol a thumbs-up in her heart, she was also looking forward to whether Kagura would give her more surprises.

"Young Mistress... Excuse me!"

While running, Sirius Symbol suddenly heard Kagura in front of her say something softly. Before she could react, Kagura suddenly lowered her body and greatly increased her speed again. Sirius Symbol then realized that the final straight was just past the next turn. It seemed Kagura had chosen to start her final sprint here.

To catch up with Kagura, Sirius Symbol decisively released her remaining stamina, accelerating with all her might to catch up to Kagura's rear. Kagura's speed was only slightly faster than hers, the gap between the two was very, very small, but Kagura was still the one leading.

'The burst of speed is higher than before, Kagura's stamina is still so terrifying... If she had sprinted earlier, would Sirius have been left even further behind?'

With very little distance left, Speed Symbol could already determine the end of the race. Sirius Symbol was unable to further close the distance with Kagura, even though she was only two lengths behind Kagura.

"Finish line! Kagura leads with a slight advantage!!"

The moment Kagura crossed the finish line, Speed Symbol announced the end of the race. Although the leading advantage wasn't much, Kagura had indeed won against Sirius Symbol, who Speed Symbol thought was very talented.

"Haa... haa... Kagura! You are indeed very interesting!"

Sirius Symbol stepped forward and patted Kagura's shoulder, showing no sense of loss from losing, looking refreshed and invigorated.

"Thank you for the match, Young Mistress. You are also very strong; I could feel your heat chasing behind me."

"Haha! Losing is losing, there's nothing to explain. No wonder Rudolph is so interested in you! You truly have the power to be praised!"

"Sirius, and Kagura, you two can chat later. You were sprinting so hard just now, you both need to come back and get a massage!"

Speed Symbol's voice interrupted the two's conversation. Sirius Symbol looked at Speed Symbol, then turned back to Kagura, smiling and raising her hand into a fist, extending it to Kagura:

"I'm very happy to have run alongside you, Kagura. It's been a long time since I've run so exhilaratingly!"

"Me too, I'm very happy to have run alongside you, Young Mistress."

Kagura also understood and raised her fist, gently bumping it against Sirius Symbol's fist.

69. The Door to a New World

Sirius Symbol's whereabouts were still elusive. After completing a parallel run with Kagura in the morning and getting a massage, she went out alone again as usual, and no one knew where she went. The maids at home didn't know her whereabouts either.

So Kagura spent the whole day wandering aimlessly around the Symbol family's house. Speed Symbol, who always opposed children being lazy, was happily silent this time, only occasionally sneaking to a corner she thought Kagura couldn't see and looking at Kagura resting from afar, before going back to her own work, which amazed the maids at home.

As for Kagura, Speed Symbol's clumsy spying was naturally discovered by her long ago. She didn't plan to expose it, since it wasn't a bad thing anyway. She was more concerned about the arrangements for Rudolph Symbol's next race that she received today.

As she expected, Toujou Hana, who always prioritized her student's health, chose an open race in the latter half of this month, and was now seeking Kagura's final opinion. If Kagura confirmed her agreement, Rudolph Symbol's schedule would be confirmed, and then Toujou Hana would publish the schedule.

——If it were me, I would take both the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes and the Hopeful Stakes afterward. That's what a strong person reigning over an era should do!

'Eclipse, racing isn't a joke... Two G1 races in a row after debuting this year, and so close together, even if you're as talented as Ojou-sama, it's a big burden!'

——Hmph... Maybe she can't, but my requirements for you are at least to that extent. You must remember that.

'Eh!? How can that be! Even Ojou-sama can't do it, I... I can't do it either, right!!'

——I never speak carelessly, silly child. I only guarantee this to you because you have this potential. If you don't feel confident, then don't relax your training. Your talent is unmatched, and as long as you are willing to put in the time and effort, it will definitely respond.

Kagura felt Eclipse pat her head. It seemed she had considerable confidence in her.

So far, Kagura hasn't shown any signs of wanting to go professional yet, and she doesn't plan to debut so quickly. Although Eclipse has given her the task of winning the race, Eclipse herself isn't in a hurry to push her onto the track, so Kagura hasn't considered this matter for the time being. She feels that things should take their natural course.

After Rudolph Symbol's race schedule was published, many Uma Musume who had already heard of Rudolph Symbol's terrifying strength chose to avoid her. Because the mainstream opinion on the internet was that Rudolph Symbol would participate in the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes to compete for the crown, these Uma Musume who participated in the open race didn't want to encounter Rudolph Symbol in the first place. Now that Rudolph Symbol had followed them, they would naturally choose to avoid this hopeless race.

[To be honest, in a sense, I hate Rudolph Symbol, because the Uma Musume in the same generation as her are destined to reap nothing.]

In addition to the Uma Musume's complaints, Kagura also saw comments like this on the anonymous Tracen Academy forum that Toujou Hana sent her today. Most of the people who truly understand how terrifying Rudolph Symbol is are still concentrated in the trainers and Tracen Academy. The evaluations given by these insiders are quite high.

[The strongest Uma Musume, with the central government's best Logistics Uma Musume supporting her, and even the trainer is one of the best in Tracen, it's just despairing to look at!]

"The best..."

Kagura also understood where the title Nanban Trainer called her back then came from. This forum is at least 80% to blame.

Continuing to delve into this magical forum, Kagura also found a section that required a student account to log in. Kagura registered an account with her student ID and entered it.

'Looks pretty normal...'

After entering, Kagura roughly flipped through the posts. Unlike the superficial section in front, the posts here were clearly posted by students. They didn't seem to have any outrageous content, and seemed to be a serious mutual aid forum.

[Urgent! What to do when your Trainer never understands your hints? Any seniors willing to give advice?]

"?"

—?

Inari Kagura and Eclipse simultaneously had question marks pop up over their heads. She had thought this was a legitimate mutual aid forum.

Because there's also an anonymous function here, these kinds of suspicious posts are usually sent anonymously. Kagura has no way of knowing who posted this, but looking below, there are actually other Uma Musume seriously offering advice on how to seduce their blockhead Trainer.

Your Trainers are doing it for your own good!! Don't be thinking about this kind of thing during races!!

Kagura mentally retorted, lines forming on her forehead. To think that the Trainers are working overtime every day for these little queens, and they're thinking about how to push them down…

—Isn't that great, though!

Great my foot!

Closing that post, Kagura scrolled down and found another post from a few days ago that she was very concerned about.

[Help! Does anyone in the Logistics Department have Inari Kagura's contact information?]

This post was also posted anonymously, but the title made Kagura couldn't help but click on it.

[The midterms are coming up, and I haven't been listening in class. I'm so worried about failing! I want to ask Kagura to help me tutor. Logistics Department students, save me! If I fail this time, I'll have three subjects failing at once! I don't want to have to retake every subject!]

...I can't guarantee you'll pass.

The detailed content of the post exuded an aura of despair, showing that the poster really wanted to find her to help them with a class.

[I suggest you start studying hard from now on. Inari Kagura is a top student who can skip classes, and she also has work to do. It's hard to see her in class usually, and she doesn't talk much, let alone find her. She doesn't seem very approachable.]

[Kagura isn't that unapproachable, is she? Last time I asked her for help with the exam, she gave me a complete set of notes! I spent half a day reading them, and I easily got over 80 on the midterm!]

[Can the person above make a copy of the notes for me! Please! I'll do anything!]