You Have a Problematic Logistics Uma Musume

As soon as Kagura entered the Shopping District, several shopkeepers who had risen early greeted her warmly from both sides of the street. Thanks to Nice Nature, Kagura had built good relationships with the shopkeepers here in just one month. It was obvious that Nice Nature was very well loved on this street.

"Nature's been looking much more cheerful lately. I heard her grades have improved a lot, too. It's all thanks to how much effort you've put into looking after her."

While Kagura was checking out after picking out some meat, the shopkeeper enthusiastically chatted with her as he chopped the meat according to her requests, and even stuffed more meat into her bag than usual.

Although Inari Kagura was one or two years younger than Nice Nature, all the shopkeepers on this street could tell that the younger Inari Kagura was clearly more mature. Whenever they spent time together, it was always Inari Kagura taking care of Nice Nature.

"Not at all. Friends should help each other. There's no need to thank me like this."

"Nature's a little introverted and not very confident, and she doesn't have many friends. She needs a girl around her age like you to help her. It's just a token of my appreciation, so take it. Don't be shy."

The shopkeeper's generosity left Kagura unable to refuse any further. After thanking the enthusiastic uncle, she placed both the meat she had bought and the extra portions he had given her into the basket on her back.

It wasn't just one shopkeeper. Whenever Kagura bought something from another store, the other shopkeepers insisted on giving her something as well. Kagura got to see just how loved Nice Nature was on this street. After buying all the ingredients she had originally planned to purchase, Kagura counted them and found that she had received quite a lot more than expected.

That's quite a lot of extra ingredients... We must be consuming much more in a day.

The Symbol family's ingredients were bought and used up on the same day, never left overnight. Freshness was their priority. There was no way Speed Symbol and the servants could finish all these extra ingredients, so, with the principle of not wasting food in mind, Kagura stared at the surplus and thought for a moment. Then, an idea surfaced in her mind.

I shouldn't have to leave with Head of the Family tomorrow morning just yet. I could make Nature breakfast while I'm at it. Then I'll use whatever's left to make some snacks. I can bring the shopkeepers some as thanks when I come to buy groceries tomorrow... Yes! That's it!

After planning what she would do the next day, counting everything, and confirming that she had not forgotten or missed anything, Kagura finally left the Shopping District.

Several shopkeepers watched Kagura leave. They had just been about to return to their stores and sit around while waiting for customers when a chestnut-haired Uma Musume, rarely seen on this street, suddenly ran past the shop entrances.

However, that Uma Musume had disguised herself somewhat. She wore sunglasses and a mask, so the shopkeepers could not see her face. They could only see the white streak in her bangs and the Tracen Academy uniform she wore.

There was nothing strange about a few Uma Musume occasionally passing through the street. The shopkeepers, who felt that she looked somewhat familiar, watched curiously for a while, but the Uma Musume quickly vanished. Since they could not make anything of it, the shopkeepers returned to their seats.

As a result, they failed to notice that the Uma Musume had quietly followed Kagura, who had left only moments earlier.

Huang Shi Ren's Traditional Skill

Inari Kagura felt extremely uncomfortable.

All the way there, she could feel a gaze on her back. In fact, she was already confident enough to remove the words "could feel." She had long since discovered that an Uma Musume with an incredibly clumsy disguise and atrocious tracking skills was following her. Since she had not been affected by the peculiar vision unique to Uma Musume—meaning the bizarre eyesight that allowed someone to become invisible merely by holding up two branches—she naturally spotted the other party immediately.

Kagura could not think of any reason why she would be followed. What could this penniless little girl possibly have that would attract someone else?

Why does this person look so familiar?

Feeling that the Uma Musume looked somewhat familiar, Kagura stopped at a red light. Pretending to observe the traffic, she looked from side to side and identified her using the corner of her eye.

Isn't that Head of the Family's granddaughter?!

Kagura was startled when she recognized her. She had only met Rudolph Symbol once yesterday, but she had great confidence in her memory. That height and uniform, along with that hairstyle and the streak on her forehead—other than Rudolph Symbol, it was probably impossible for anyone else to look like that. Unless Rudolph Symbol had a twin sister.

Perhaps because it was rush hour, the red light lasted unusually long. The Uma Musume following Kagura also walked up beside her and stared straight at the traffic light. She looked as though she was watching the signal, but from the corner of her eye, Kagura could see her occasionally turning slightly to glance at her.

"...We meet again. Good morning, young lady."

Seeing how awkward the other girl was acting, Kagura could not bear to watch any longer and greeted her. However, she did not immediately say that she had realized she was being followed the entire way.

"...There are so many people nearby, and you've only seen me once. How did you recognize me?"

After a moment of silence, Rudolph Symbol turned to look at her and asked quietly.

"There are a lot of people, but nobody wears a mask and sunglasses on the street. It's so conspicuous that it obviously looks suspicious..."

"I see. It seems it would be better not to disguise myself."

As she spoke, Rudolph Symbol removed her mask and sunglasses and smiled at Kagura. Kagura was somewhat surprised. Yesterday, she had thought Rudolph Symbol was the taciturn type.

"So, young lady, what did you want with me?"

"I haven't been home in a long time, and there's a newcomer in the family. Naturally, I was curious. Let me introduce myself again. I'm Rudolph Symbol. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Inari Kagura. You can just call me Kagura. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Kagura extended her small hand and shook Rudolph Symbol's hand, formally introducing herself as well.

While they were talking, the traffic light finally turned green. Kagura was about to move forward, and she had just been preparing to say goodbye to Rudolph Symbol when Rudolph Symbol instead patted her shoulder and motioned for her to cross the road.

"What is it? Aren't you going back? The light's already green."

"That's true, but we're not going the same way, are we? The school is in that direction. If I remember correctly, you'll be late soon, won't you?"

Kagura, who often encountered Tracen students here, had more or less figured out the school's schedule, though she did not know what they studied there.

"No, I'm going home today. Come with me."

"...All right."

Kagura still had no idea what Rudolph Symbol wanted with her, but she could not say anything else now. She could only nod and cross the street with Rudolph Symbol.

"Kagura, you have the day off today. You don't need to work."

"Huh?"

After returning to the Symbol family home and setting down the groceries in the kitchen, Kagura heard another senior maid come running over to tell her some astonishing news.

"Why did I suddenly get a day off?"

"This..."

Before the maid could finish, Kagura saw Rudolph Symbol approach the kitchen at some point, looking as though she had come to inspect the place.

Ah, I think I understand now.

The maid saw that Kagura seemed to have understood and stopped speaking. After all, it would not be very appropriate to say it in front of Rudolph Symbol.

"Young lady, what are your orders?"

"Come with me?"

"I still have work today..."

"It's fine. The old lady agreed. She's letting you come with me today."

It seemed Rudolph Symbol had returned home specifically to take her out. Kagura apparently had no room to refuse. She was not too worried that the young lady would do anything to her; she was merely puzzled about why Rudolph Symbol wanted to take her out.

A short while later, Kagura changed her shoes and socks and arrived at the front gate of the courtyard. Rudolph Symbol was already waiting there.

Since she had no other clothes to change into for the time being, Kagura could only pick the cleanest-looking outfit from the dozen or so maid uniforms in the wardrobe and put it on.

"You're pretty quick. So, are you ready to run somewhere?"

"Huh? Run... where?"

"You'll be late in half an hour. To school, of course. Come on, keep up."

"What??"

Kagura stared at Rudolph Symbol in bewilderment. The girl did not look like someone who cared much about being late, so why had she suddenly decided to run?

When Rudolph Symbol charged off, Kagura had no time to ask anything. She hurriedly broke into a run after her.

Fortunately, the roads had urban speed limits, so Rudolph Symbol did not accelerate to a speed Kagura could not catch. After slightly steadying her breathing, Kagura kept pace beside Rudolph Symbol.

"Young lady, are you taking me to school?"

"Mm. You pass that intersection every day when you buy groceries. Don't you want to go inside and see what the school is like?"

"Er..."

It would have been a lie to say she was not curious. Kagura had wondered more than once what the legendary Tracen Academy was like. It was just that she had never been interested enough to detour there specifically to take a look, so she had never gone in.

Since she had the chance to look around today, she was naturally willing. She simply did not understand why Rudolph Symbol had gone out of her way to return and bring her along. Kagura did not remember ever telling Rudolph Symbol about her curiosity.

Whatever. I'll go and see what happens.

The Academy was not very far from the Symbol family home. By the time Kagura and Rudolph Symbol ran to the entrance of the enormous campus, it was only 7:50, leaving them some time before tardiness.

"Good morning, Miss Rudolph. Oh my, it's rare to see you going to school with someone. Who is this?"

The green-haired woman at the gate smiled and greeted Rudolph Symbol before shifting her gaze to Kagura and examining her curiously.

"Since it's the open campus period, I brought the little maid from home to have a look around."

"The maid from the Symbol family... I see. So this is her. All right, come in. Classes will be starting soon, and the chairwoman will be making her rounds. Don't get caught being late."

The green-haired lady seemed to have heard of her, but since this was their first meeting, Kagura did not feel comfortable asking directly. She merely bowed slightly to the woman and silently followed Rudolph Symbol through the school gates.

"It's huge..."

Kagura occasionally passed this astonishingly large Academy while buying groceries, and it was already breathtaking from the outside. Even so, actually walking inside left her deeply shaken.

Perhaps because classes were about to begin, there were not many Uma Musume visible around the Academy. Rudolph Symbol told her that once some time had passed and classes ended, the campus would become lively.

"Central Tracen Academy is where the top Uma Musume from across the country gather. Its training facilities and all its supporting facilities are first-rate nationwide. The Academy handles the logistics so that the Uma Musume can run without any worries."

As they walked, Rudolph Symbol explained the school to Kagura like a tour guide, occasionally taking out her phone to show her photographs.

Kagura felt that she had still underestimated how much this world valued Uma Musume, as well as Tracen's financial resources and facilities. Not only were the dormitories beautifully decorated and as nice as a new home, but the cafeteria that looked incredibly delicious was even an all-you-can-eat buffet for free!

This high school's facilities are countless times better than my lousy university's! Does a paradise like this really exist in the world?!

Kagura had heard that Tracen's tuition was rather expensive. However, some Uma Musume seemed to have said that if they possessed enough talent, the Academy chairwoman would provide assistance, such as waiving tuition or offering living allowances. Kagura knew that she did not need to think too deeply about matters from a fictional world, but she still could not help wondering where Tracen's income came from.

"To create a world where every Uma Musume can run happily—that is the ideal of the Symbol family, and also Tracen's ideal."

Seeing that Kagura seemed puzzled and curious, Rudolph Symbol added an explanation.

"Oh..."

Although the ideal sounded so grand that it was difficult to achieve, and was not the kind of fantasy Kagura herself would believe in, she still felt genuine respect for those who possessed such an ambitious ideal and were willing to act on it.

Visiting this wondrous school had certainly opened the eyes of the curious Kagura. She simply did not understand why the young lady of her household had still not gone to the classroom even though classes had already started. Instead, she seemed to be walking farther and farther away.

After following Rudolph Symbol through the empty campus for a while, Kagura gradually began to hear voices again. She could vaguely see what appeared to be a stadium not far ahead, and it sounded as though other Uma Musume were there.

"Morning, Rudolph. You're quite a bit later than usual today."

As they approached the absurdly large stadium, Kagura saw a black-haired woman walking over. She wore a neat, refreshing gray work outfit and had a long braid, giving off the air of an elite white-collar professional. She appeared to be an acquaintance of Rudolph Symbol.

"Morning, Trainer. I brought a curious Uma Musume to see Tracen today. We haven't missed the start of training, have we?"

"There's still some time before it starts. You can warm up first and get ready. Your debut race is just around the corner. Your condition should be fine, right?"

"I'm in excellent condition. No problem."

"Sigh, you've been staying up terribly late lately. I hope you really are fine... By the way, who's this girl you brought? It's rare to see you traveling with another Uma Musume."

The woman's gaze shifted to Inari Kagura. Kagura, who had been curiously watching how the other Uma Musume conducted their classes, noticed that the topic had turned to her and redirected her attention toward the woman.

"The maid from my household. I brought her to see Tracen."

"Inari Kagura. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Following Rudolph Symbol's introduction, Inari Kagura also nodded slightly to the woman called Trainer.

"A maid from the Symbol family... I'm Rudolph's trainer, Toujou Hana. Well, as you can see, this is what Tracen is normally like. Other than classes and dismissal, most Uma Musume spend most of their time training here."

Seeing that the trainer kept looking her over, Inari Kagura felt that the woman seemed to know her too. However, she had no memory of ever meeting her, so she still greeted her cautiously:

"Um... Miss Toujou, may I call you that?"

"No need to be so formal. Is there something you want to ask?"

"Is a trainer a position similar to a teacher?"

Kagura knew nothing about the schools in this world. She only knew the little bit of superficial information Rudolph Symbol had just told her, so she decided to ask this woman, who seemed approachable and knowledgeable.

Apparently hearing such a question for the first time, the trainer named Toujou Hana froze for a moment and instinctively looked toward Rudolph Symbol. In a direction Kagura could not see, Rudolph Symbol gave Toujou Hana a helpless smile.

"How should I put it...? Compared with a teacher, a trainer is responsible for a much wider range of things. If the team doesn't have a Logistics Uma Musume, then besides daily exercise, we also have to handle dietary planning and race arrangements. If someone gets injured, we have to consider their recovery plan afterward, and..."

Although she had not answered such a basic question in a long time, Toujou Hana quickly gave a detailed explanation.

"Wow..."

Kagura immediately realized that this was a nanny-like profession that had to play both father and mother. It involved far more worrying than even her own profession as a doctor—formerly, at least. It was practically the role of a parent without a blood relationship.

Taking care of everything so meticulously, while being responsible for several people at once? Wouldn't she really work herself to death?

Having already died once from overwork, Kagura thought this inwardly, and respect crept into her gaze as she looked at Toujou Hana.

"Then what does a Logistics Uma Musume do?"

"They're somewhat like assistant teachers. They can help trainers shoulder part of the workload and are also closer to the Uma Musume. However, Logistics Uma Musume are rare. Perhaps most Uma Musume would rather run on the racetrack."

Toujou Hana had more or less realized that Inari Kagura was seriously lacking in basic knowledge about Uma Musume. That explained why Rudolph Symbol had specifically brought her to see Tracen. Of course, she also knew that her assigned Uma Musume would not bring just anyone here. A visit like this could have been entrusted to another student, yet Rudolph Symbol had personally brought Inari Kagura—even taking her to the training grounds. There was probably another reason for it.