You've Got a Problem with This Logistics Uma Musume, Chapter 41

Count me in! The student upstairs can do anything!

Tomorrow at noon, by the tree hollow in the courtyard, I'll give you my notes.

Kagura felt a little awkward. She really did rarely attend classes. The last time she had gone, a classmate had asked her for help with her studies. Since Kagura had been rushing to make a training plan for Nice Nature at the time, she had simply given her a copy of her notes. She had an electronic copy saved anyway, so she could just look at it on her phone or print another copy whenever she needed it.

So that was why there were so many people in the courtyard that day, dividing up my notes.

Thinking back, when she had passed through the courtyard and seen a huge crowd gathered around the tree hollow, she had assumed some team had been completely wiped out in a competition. She never expected it to be a group of unfortunate students sharing their hopes of passing.

Kagura typed something into her phone, thought about it, and deleted it. Several days had already passed, and the problem seemed to have been resolved. There was no need for her to get involved again.

Scrolling down, Kagura saw another post.

What's the name of that cute student who's often in the student kitchen in the cafeteria? Does anyone know who she is?

Post details:

I've seen her every time I've gone to the cafeteria lately. The food she makes smells amazing! I want to try it, but she doesn't usually cook for people at random, right?

Hello, fellow student. That's Inari Kagura, a new student in the logistics department. She usually supports the student council president and is the most outstanding student in Tracen Academy's logistics department.

The reply below sounded strangely official. This was an old post, and it was also the earliest post Kagura had found about herself. It seemed that her title had originated here. However, Kagura rarely used the forum, and the replies were anonymous, so she had no way of guessing who had posted them.

So Tracen has a forum like this too. I really have learned something new...

Having discovered a new world, Kagura silently marked the forum as something she needed to pay closer attention to, lest something major happen at school and she remain completely out of the loop.

--You're pretty famous at your school, huh? You barely attend classes, but rumors about you being a genius have spread pretty far.

I think it's because I've barely attended any classes, and there aren't many people in the logistics department in the first place...

Kagura did want to attend class and take a look around, but she really was busy most of the time. When she wasn't busy, she usually didn't have any classes, which was why she could never find the time to go.

Besides, there was no use thinking about such unimportant matters now. What worried Kagura was how many troublesome things she would have to deal with after returning to school tomorrow. She had been away for several days and had no idea how Nice Nature and the others had been doing.

As long as nothing major happened...

70. Open Day

The next day was Saturday. Although Speed Symbol wanted to give Kagura two more days off and have her return the following week, Kagura insisted on going back to school for classes.

The first thing Kagura did after returning was naturally head straight to Tracen's cafeteria. The student kitchen had practically become her second office. Although it was technically shared by the entire school, Kagura had yet to see anyone come and compete with her for it.

"Ugh..."

Kagura opened the refrigerator and stared at its emptiness, scratching her head in confusion. She vaguely remembered putting two jars of pickled radishes, cabbage, and the like inside. Now, all that remained were two empty jars.

Kagura didn't need to think hard to guess where the things she had stored had gone. This wasn't entirely unexpected, but it wasn't what concerned her most right now.

"Uncle! Is Tracen holding some kind of event today? Why does it feel like there are so many people at school?"

Kagura had already found it strange when Hayakawa Tazuna hadn't stopped her at the school gate. Then she had noticed a lot of extra passersby on campus. It looked like Tracen must have been holding some kind of event today.

"Oh! Kagura, you're back! These two days are Tracen's open days. Other people are allowed in to look around, so there are quite a few visitors!"

"I see..."

Come to think of it, it was perfectly normal for a school to hold an open day. It was also obvious that the cafeteria was under considerably more pressure today.

No one else had been notified that Kagura had returned yet. She planned to clean up the kitchen first before considering what to do next.

"Ah! Found it!"

While Kagura was busy tidying the student kitchen, she heard a familiar, childlike voice from outside, as shrill as a little demon's. She raised her head and looked outside. A cream-haired Uma Musume was sprinting toward her, accompanied by an adult man and woman.

"Teacher Kagura!! You really are here!"

"Huh!? Machikane, what are you doing here?"

"I waited for so long! I finally got to come in on open day! Wow! Teacher, you're still wearing a maid outfit today! So cute! Let's take a picture together~!"

Machikane ran into the kitchen and threw herself at Kagura. The force of the impact nearly knocked Kagura flat on her back.

That girl has such powerful legs... She'd probably make a good short-distance runner.

Kagura steadied the enthusiastic Uma Musume and, at the same time, privately gave Machikane an assessment whose reliability even she wasn't sure of.

Machikane hugged Kagura and rubbed her cheek against Kagura's face. Then she let go and waved to her parents, who had followed her from a distance.

"Dad~ Mom~ Could you take a picture of me with Teacher Kagura?"

"Sure thing!"

To make it easier to take a picture with her fan, Kagura stepped out of the kitchen. She took a photo with Machikane at the kitchen entrance, while Machikane excitedly clung to her as if she wanted to meld into her.

"I'm really sorry. You're Kagura, right? Machikane kept insisting on coming to see you. She didn't trouble you, did she?"

Machikane's mother apologized sheepishly. Her daughter's willful personality wouldn't be changing anytime soon, and she could only hope Kagura wouldn't take it too seriously.

"I think it's fine. It's obvious that Machikane has parents who love her very much. She really is a fortunate child."

Kagura smiled and patted Machikane's little head. Machikane was already excitedly typing a post on her phone with her head lowered.

"Machikane said that you work at the school all the time. Since today is open day, didn't your parents come to see you?"

"My parents... are rather busy. They didn't have time to come see me at school."

Kagura had no intention of telling Machikane's parents that she was an orphan. That would surely ruin the atmosphere, so she casually made up an excuse and brushed the matter aside.

Machikane finished her post as well, put away her phone, and bounced in front of Kagura, looking at her expectantly.

"Teacher Kagura, you said before that if I managed to come here, you'd make me something to eat. Does that offer still stand?"

"Hehe... Of course it does. Machikane, is there anything you or your parents can't eat?"

Seeing that the two parents were about to refuse, Kagura immediately raised a hand to tell them not to worry. She had happened to bring a large package of Coconut Osmanthus Cake made the day before when she left the Symbol family, and it was still in the kitchen refrigerator.

Besides the osmanthus cake, Kagura had also tried making Almond Tofu according to the recipe in her memory. She had originally planned to have Gold Ship taste it and then make some for McQueen if she got the chance. Since a taste tester had shown up on her doorstep today, however, she decided to let Machikane try it instead.

Machikane and her parents waited by the student kitchen window for a while. Soon, they saw Kagura push out a small cart bearing several small plates of exquisitely made pastries, each dainty, crystal-clear, and glistening.

Kagura invited Machikane and her parents to sit at the usual table where Akikawa Yayoi and the others ate when they came to mooch food. She also served the dishes.

"Here~ Machikane, this one's yours! And these two are for your parents~"

Knowing that Machikane liked sweets, Kagura had given her a larger portion of Almond Tofu. Machikane curiously poked the never-before-seen dessert with her spoon. She hadn't seen this dish in any of Kagura's videos either.

"Teacher Kagura, is this something new you made? I don't think I've ever seen it before."

"That's right. I only recently started trying to make it. It's called Almond Tofu. I think you'll like it."

"Tofu?"

Machikane had seen tofu before, but the dish Kagura had brought her looked rather different from the tofu she remembered. Curiously, she picked up her spoon, scooped up a bite, and put it in her mouth.

"!"

Machikane's eyes widened in disbelief. The rich milky fragrance mingled with the flavor of sweet almonds, bursting across her tongue with a soft, springy texture. It was cool and refreshing, and in the sweltering summer heat, it instantly made her feel much cooler.

The two parents also wore surprised expressions after tasting it. They looked at Kagura, then at the pastries on their plates, their faces filled with disbelief.

"It's delicious...!! This... this tofu... is completely different from any tofu I've ever eaten!! It's amazing!"

"Because this isn't the kind of tofu you know. Although this dish is called tofu, it doesn't contain any tofu at all. It's made entirely from milk and almond powder. With just a little sugar for decoration, it becomes an extraordinary delicacy."

Almond Tofu was also one of Kagura's favorite desserts. She had long since memorized how to make it. She simply hadn't had time to recreate it before, and only during these few days of rest had she found the opportunity to pick up the skill again.

"I'm taking a picture so I can remember it! A delicacy like this needs to be promoted!"

"Haha~ I'm glad Machikane likes it. What do you two think?"

Seeing Machikane practically burying her face in the plate and inhaling the food, Kagura laughed and patted her back, reminding her not to eat too quickly. Then she turned to ask her parents for their opinions.

"Student Kagura's cooking is truly excellent. The osmanthus cake is delicious too, but after eating the Almond Tofu first, it's difficult to taste the flavor of the osmanthus cake."

"Yes, that was something I failed to consider. I'll do my best to avoid that next time."

"No, no, your cooking is already incredible. I heard you work at Tracen as a Logistics Uma Musume, is that right?"

Machikane's mother asked Kagura.

Kagura nodded and looked at the couple sitting opposite her, waiting for them to continue.

"It's just... Machikane has always wanted to get into Tracen. If she manages to get in after a few years, could we ask you to look after her?"

"If I'm not too busy with work then, I don't see why not."

Kagura had initially wanted to agree, but she wasn't sure what kind of work she would have in the future, so she didn't make any absolute promises.

If I'm free by then, looking after Machikane shouldn't be a problem, right?

71. The Freewheeling Uma Musume

"Oh! That's..."

When Kagura returned to the kitchen from Machikane's side and began preparing lunch, she noticed new commotion at the cafeteria entrance. It was quite loud, too. Kagura and Machikane's family, who were nearby, all turned their heads to see what sort of big shot had arrived.

"That's..."

A tall, black-haired Uma Musume walked in from outside as though accompanied by a gust of wind. Her white-and-green outfit was simple and trim, giving her a light, graceful air. Perhaps noticing that so many people inside were watching her, she casually adjusted the little hat on her head and gave the onlookers a dashing, handsome wave.

The cafeteria erupted into a tumult. The noise was so loud that Kagura couldn't hear anything for a moment. After listening for a while, she finally made out what everyone was shouting about. They were all calling the same name—Mr. C.B.

Mr. C.B.? I remember that's...

Kagura had heard of this Uma Musume. After all, she was a senior only slightly older than Rudolph Symbol and could potentially become a rival in the future. Kagura had researched her in her spare time. As far as she knew, Mr. C.B. had already completed the legendary Triple Crown this year and was currently one of the most popular Uma Musume at Tracen.

Online discussions about Rudolph Symbol almost always mentioned Mr. C.B. as well. Their fans could often be seen arguing fiercely online over who was stronger. However, since the two had yet to compete officially, and Mr. C.B. already had the legendary achievement of winning the Triple Crown, naturally more people supported her.

"All right, all right, I can feel everyone's enthusiasm~! But at this rate, I won't be able to move! I still have someone to find inside!"

Surrounded so tightly by her enthusiastic fans that she could barely move, Mr. C.B. had no choice but to raise her voice. Fortunately, most of them were students and fairly sensible children, so they soon made a path for her.

"Thank you for all your support! Thank you! Oh, right, I haven't been back to school in ages, so I don't really remember the cafeteria layout. Does anyone know where the student kitchen is?"

"Over there!"

Almost the instant Mr. C.B. finished speaking, Kagura, who had been watching from a distance, felt the attention of the entire cafeteria turn toward her.

"Oh, there it is! Thanks, everyone!"

Clearly, Mr. C.B. had come to the cafeteria to find her. Even with Kagura's mental fortitude, she couldn't help feeling nervous. The person standing before her was a genuine Triple Crown champion, a living legend at Tracen.

The entire cafeteria suddenly fell silent. The only sound was Mr. C.B.'s approaching footsteps. She stopped at the student kitchen window and leaned down slightly to look at Kagura.

"You're Kagura, right? I'm Mr. C.B. Nice to meet you. Your young lady had a lot going on today and was run off her feet, so she couldn't come over for lunch. She asked me to bring her meal for her."

"Oh... Oh! I'll get it right away!"

Seeing how many people there were today, Kagura had already guessed that Rudolph Symbol probably wouldn't be able to get away and had planned to deliver her meal. She hadn't expected Rudolph Symbol to be able to ask Mr. C.B. to do it for her. Their relationship seemed better than Kagura had assumed.

Kagura took out the packed lunch and handed it to Mr. C.B. She also brought out a plate of osmanthus cake.

"Senior Mr. C.B., would you like something to eat?"

"Oh? You made some for me too? Thank you very much! I won't stand on ceremony, then!"

Mr. C.B. picked up a piece of pastry with a toothpick and popped it into her mouth. She quickly nodded with a satisfied expression, then speared another piece.

"Your young lady has been telling me for ages that your cooking is excellent. Now that I've tried it, I can see the reputation is well deserved!"

"You flatter me, Senior Mr. C.B. I'm just glad it suits your taste."

"Hehe... I heard you can also make radish cake. That's actually what I'd rather try."

Mr. C.B. seemed to know Kagura quite well. At least, she knew exactly what Kagura could make. Rudolph Symbol must have talked about her often.

"Do you prefer radish cake, Senior Mr. C.B.?"

"I haven't tried yours, but I like radishes. I like all kinds of things made with radishes, so I'd like to give it a try."

"I see. Unfortunately, there won't be a chance today. I didn't bring the ingredients. If you have time to come by in the future, I can make some for you to try."

"Oh-ho~ Is that so? Then I'll definitely come by and have a look in the next few days. But I'll say this in advance—I'll be troubling you, junior~"

Mr. C.B. happily made a circle with her fingers. Then, as if she had suddenly remembered something, she bent down and leaned close to Kagura, lowering her voice.

"By the way, I heard from that girl Rudolph that you run long-distance races?"