There's Something Wrong With You, Logistics Uma Musume

Just stepped into the shopping street, and Kagura was greeted with warm welcomes from the early-rising shopkeepers on both sides. Thanks to Nice Nature, Kagura had built a good rapport with the shopkeepers in just a month. It was clear that Nice Nature was well-loved in this neighborhood.

"Quality has seemed much more cheerful lately, and I hear her grades have improved a lot too. It's all thanks to you taking such good care of her."

While picking out some meat at the checkout, the shopkeeper enthusiastically chatted with her while cutting the meat as Kagura requested, and even slipped in more meat than usual.

Although Inari Kagura was a year or two younger than Nice Nature, the shopkeepers on this street could see that the younger Inari Kagura was clearly more mature, and Inari Kagura was always the one taking care of Nice Nature.

"Not at all, friends helping each other is only natural, no need to thank me like that."

"Quality is a bit introverted and lacks confidence, and doesn't have many friends. It's good to have someone your age helping her out. It's just a small token, please accept it, don't be polite."

Unable to refuse the kindness, Kagura reluctantly accepted and thanked the enthusiastic uncle before putting her purchased meat and the extra portions into the basket on her back.

It wasn't just one shopkeeper; when Kagura went to other shops to buy things, the other shopkeepers insisted on giving her something as well. Kagura got a taste of how much Nice Nature was loved on this street. After buying all the ingredients she had originally planned to buy, Kagura found that she had a lot more than she had planned for.

'That's a lot of extra ingredients… the daily consumption will definitely increase.'

The Symbol family's ingredients were all bought and used on the same day, never overnight, emphasizing freshness. Speed Symbol and the servants definitely couldn't finish all the extra ingredients. Based on the principle of not wasting food, Kagura looked at the extra ingredients and thought for a moment, an idea popping into her head.

'It shouldn't be time to leave with the Head of the Family tomorrow morning yet. I might as well make breakfast for Quality, and then use the rest to make some snacks. I'll bring some snacks as a return gift to the shopkeepers when I come to buy groceries tomorrow… Yeah! That's it!'

Planning what to do tomorrow, Kagura checked to make sure she hadn't missed or forgotten to buy anything before leaving the shopping street.

Several shopkeepers watched Kagura leave. Just as they were about to go back to their shops to sit and pass the time waiting for customers, they suddenly saw a chestnut-haired Uma Musume, not usually seen on this street, run past the shop entrance.

However, the Uma Musume was somewhat disguised, wearing sunglasses and a mask. The shopkeepers couldn't see her face clearly, only the white highlights on her forehead and the Tracen Academy uniform she was wearing.

It wasn't surprising to occasionally see a few Uma Musume passing by on the street. The shopkeepers, feeling that she looked somewhat familiar, watched curiously for a while, but the Uma Musume disappeared quickly. Not figuring out who it was, the shopkeepers went back to their seats.

Therefore, they didn't notice that the Uma Musume had quietly followed Kagura, who had just left not long ago.

7. Huang Shi Ren's Traditional Skill

Inari Kagura felt very uncomfortable.

She could feel a gaze on her back the whole way—she could confidently drop the word "feel" now. She had long discovered that an Uma Musume with extremely clumsy disguise and terrible tracking skills was following her. Not yet affected by the Uma Musume's unique weird vision (referring to the strange vision that allows them to hide with two tree branches), she naturally noticed the other party immediately.

Kagura couldn't think of any reason why she would be followed. What could she, a poor and penniless child, have that would attract anyone?

'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 road conditions and looking left and right, using the corner of her eye to identify her.

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

Recognizing the other party, Kagura couldn't help but be a little surprised. She had only met Rudolph Symbol once yesterday, and she was very confident in her memory. That height and uniform, and that hairstyle and the highlights on her forehead, it was unlikely to be any other Uma Musume besides Rudolph Symbol, unless Rudolph Symbol had a twin sister.

Perhaps it was because it was rush hour, but this red light was particularly long. The Uma Musume following her also walked up to her side, looking straight at the traffic light, seeming to be watching the signal, but Kagura could see out of the corner of her eye that she would occasionally turn her head slightly to look at her.

"...We meet again, good morning, Miss."

Seeing the other party's awkwardness, Kagura couldn't stand it anymore and took the initiative to greet her, but she didn't immediately reveal that she had already discovered that the other party had been following her for a while.

"...There are so many people around, and you've only met me once, how did you recognize me?"

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

"There are indeed many people, but no one would wear a mask and sunglasses on the street, it's so conspicuous and suspicious at first glance..."

"I see, it seems it's better not to disguise myself."

Saying that, Rudolph Symbol took off her mask and sunglasses and smiled at Kagura, surprising Kagura, who had thought Rudolph Symbol was the silent type yesterday.

"So, Miss, what brings you here?"

"I haven't been home in a long time, and new people have come to the house, so naturally I'm curious. Let me reintroduce myself, I'm Rudolph Symbol, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Inari Kagura, just call me Kagura, it's nice to meet you."

Kagura reached out her small hand and shook Rudolph Symbol's hand, formally introducing herself.

During the conversation, seeing that the traffic light finally turned green, Kagura prepared to move forward. Just as she was about to say goodbye to Rudolph Symbol next to her, Rudolph Symbol patted her shoulder first, signaling her to cross the road.

"What, aren't you going back? It's green light, you know?"

"That's right, but we're not going the same way, are we? The school is that way, and if I remember correctly, you'll be late soon, right?"

Kagura, who often encountered Tracen students here, had a rough idea of the school's schedule, but she didn't know what they studied there.

"No, I'm going home today, let's go together."

"...Okay."

Although she still didn't understand what Rudolph Symbol was trying to do by following her, Kagura couldn't say anything else now, so she nodded and led Rudolph Symbol across the road.

"Kagura, take a day off today, no need to work."

"Huh?"

Returning to the Symbol family and just putting the groceries down in the kitchen, Kagura heard another maid senior run over and tell her some unbelievable news.

"Why do I suddenly have a day off?"

"That..."

The maid hadn't finished speaking when Inari Kagura saw Rudolph Symbol somehow sneak into the kitchen area, looking like she was there for a visit.

'Ah, I think I understand.'

Kagura suddenly realized. The maid, seeing that Kagura seemed to understand, didn't continue speaking, as it wasn't appropriate to say such things in front of Rudolph Symbol.

"My lady, do you have any instructions for me?"

"Come with me for a bit?"

"I have work to do today..."

"It's alright, the Head of the Family has agreed. You'll be accompanying me today."

It seemed that Rudolph Symbol had come home specifically to take her out. Kagura felt she had no room to refuse. She wasn't too worried about what the young lady might do to her, but she was curious about what Rudolph Symbol wanted to take her out for.

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

Since she didn't have any other clothes to change into for the time being, Kagura could only choose the cleanest-looking one from the dozen or so maid outfits in her wardrobe.

"You're quite fast. Well then, are you ready for a run?"

"Huh? Run... where?"

"We're going to be late in half an hour. Of course, we're running to school. Come on, keep up."

"Huh??"

Kagura looked at Rudolph Symbol, completely bewildered. She didn't think the child seemed to care much about being late, so why was she suddenly saying they had to run?

Seeing Rudolph Symbol dash off like that, Kagura didn't bother asking anything and quickly took off after her.

Thankfully, there was a speed limit on the city streets, so Rudolph Symbol didn't increase her speed to the point where Kagura couldn't keep up. After slightly regulating her breathing, Kagura steadily kept pace with Rudolph Symbol.

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

"Yes. You pass by that intersection every day when you buy groceries, don't you want to go inside and see what that school is like?"

"Uh..."

It would be a lie to say she wasn't curious. Kagura had wondered more than once what the legendary Tracen Academy was like, but it wasn't something she felt she absolutely had to see, so she had never gone out of her way to visit.

Now that she had the opportunity to take a look, she was naturally happy to go, but she didn't understand why Rudolph Symbol had specifically come back to take her. She didn't remember ever telling Rudolph Symbol about her thoughts.

'Oh well, let's just go and see what happens.'

The academy wasn't too far from the Symbol family's residence. When Kagura and Rudolph Symbol ran to the entrance of this massive academy, it was just 7:50, still a bit of time before they were late.

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

A green-haired woman with a refreshing smile greeted Rudolph Symbol at the gate, then her gaze shifted to Kagura beside her, curiously sizing her up.

"It's the open house these past few days, so I'm bringing the little maid from home to take a look."

"The maid from home... I see, so it's her. Alright, please come in. Classes will start soon, and the chairwoman will be out patrolling. Don't get caught if you're late."

It seemed that the green-haired lady had heard of her. However, since this was their first meeting, Kagura didn't want to ask her directly. She simply bowed slightly to the lady and quietly followed Rudolph Symbol into the school gate.

"It's huge..."

Although she occasionally passed by this academy when buying groceries, and it looked impressively large from the outside, Kagura was still extremely shocked when she actually walked inside.

It seemed that because it was close to class time, there weren't many Uma Musume to be seen in the academy. According to Rudolph Symbol, the academy would become lively after classes ended and everyone had some free time.

"Central Tracen is a gathering place for the nation's top Uma Musume. The training facilities and other related facilities here are the best in the country. The academy will take care of the logistics, allowing the Uma Musume to run without any worries."

Rudolph Symbol, acting like a tour guide, explained the relevant matters of the school to Kagura, occasionally pulling out some photos on her phone to show her.

Kagura felt that she had underestimated the world's emphasis on Uma Musume, and also underestimated Tracen's financial resources and configurations. Not only were the dormitories nicely decorated and looked like new homes, but the cafeteria, which looked delicious, was actually free and self-service!

'This high school's configuration is so much better than my university's crappy configuration! Does such a paradise really exist in the world!'

Kagura had heard that Tracen's tuition was relatively high, but some Uma Musume seemed to have said that if you had the ability, the academy's chairwoman would provide some assistance, such as waiving tuition fees or providing living subsidies. Although Kagura knew she didn't need to think too deeply about things in the two-dimensional world, she couldn't help but wonder what Tracen's source of income was.

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

Seeing that Kagura seemed to have some difficulty understanding and was curious, Rudolph Symbol added an explanation.

"Oh..."

Although this ideal sounded somewhat difficult to achieve and wasn't the kind of fantasy that Kagura would believe in, she still expressed her heartfelt respect for those who had and were willing to take action to practice such a lofty ideal.

Being able to visit this wonderful school did broaden the horizons of the curious Kagura. She just didn't know why her young lady hadn't gone to the teaching building even though it was past class time, and instead seemed to be walking further and further away.

After following Rudolph Symbol through the deserted campus for a while, Kagura gradually heard sounds again. She could vaguely see what seemed to be a stadium not far ahead, and it sounded like there were other Uma Musume there.

"Morning, Rudolph, you're showing up later than usual today."

Just as they approached the ridiculously large stadium, Kagura saw a black-haired woman with a refreshing and capable gray work outfit and long braids, exuding the aura of an elite white-collar worker, walking over. She seemed to be an acquaintance of Rudolph Symbol.

"Morning, Trainer. I'm bringing a curious Uma Musume to visit Tracen today. I shouldn't have missed the start of training, right?"

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

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

"Sigh, you've been staying up late a lot recently. I hope you really are okay... By the way, who is this child you brought? It's rare to see you bringing other Uma Musume with you."

The woman's gaze turned to Inari Kagura beside her. Kagura, who was curiously observing how other Uma Musume took classes, heard the topic turn to her and turned her attention to the woman.

"The family's maid, I'm bringing her to tour Tracen Academy."

"Inari Kagura, it's a pleasure to meet you."

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

"The Symbol family's maid... I'm Toujou Hana, Rudolph's Trainer. Well, as you can see, this is Tracen's usual state. Besides classes and after school, many Uma Musume spend most of their time training here."

Seeing this Trainer sizing her up, Inari Kagura felt like this person might know her, but she didn't recall ever meeting her. So, she cautiously greeted her:

"Um... Miss Toujou, is it alright to call you that?"

"No need to be so formal. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Is a Trainer similar to a teacher?"

Having absolutely no understanding of this world's schools, Kagura only knew the superficial knowledge that Rudolph Symbol had just given her. So, she decided to ask this person, who seemed approachable and knowledgeable.

Seemingly hearing this kind of question for the first time, the Trainer named Toujou Hana paused, subconsciously looking at the Rudolph Symbol beside her. Rudolph gave Toujou a helpless smile in a direction Kagura couldn't see.

"How should I put it... compared to a teacher, a Trainer is responsible for a much wider range of things. If there isn't a Logistics Uma Musume in the team, then besides daily training, there's also diet planning and race scheduling to do. If injuries occur, we also need to consider subsequent recovery plans, and..."

Although it had been a long time since she had answered such common-sense questions, Toujou Hana quickly gave a detailed explanation.

"Wow..."

Just hearing it, she knew this was a nanny job that was both a father and a mother. Kagura couldn't help but exclaim like a working person. This was even more worrisome than her job as a doctor (formerly), and it could be said to be like a parent without blood ties.

Such meticulous care, and having to be responsible for multiple people at once?? Won't they really die from overwork?

Having already died once from overwork, Kagura thought in her heart, and couldn't help but look at Toujou Hana with respect.

"What does a Logistics Uma Musume do then?"

"They're somewhat like teaching assistants, able to share some of the Trainer's work, and are also closer to the Uma Musume. However, Logistics Uma Musume are rare. Perhaps most Uma Musume would rather run on the track."

Toujou Hana could tell that Inari Kagura lacked a lot of common sense about Uma Musume. No wonder Rudolph Symbol would specifically bring her to Tracen to see it. Of course, she also knew that her assigned Uma Musume wouldn't bring just anyone here. This kind of tour could be given by other students. Rudolph personally bringing Inari Kagura, and even bringing her to the training grounds, probably had other reasons.