You Have a Problematic Logistics Uma Musume

Does the chairwoman know the details?

No! The contract is in Old Symbol and Kagura's hands. It's not like I could get hold of it, and no one else has ever revealed anything about it either, so I have no way of knowing!

All right. Thank you, Chairwoman, for being willing to tell me so much.

After thanking Akikawa Yayoi, Tokai Nature ended the conversation. She switched off the screen, lay back on the large bed, and stared blankly at the ceiling.

Bang!

The room door suddenly flew open. Before Tokai Nature could react, a small shadow darted inside. Before she could move, a powerful impact knocked her back onto the bed.

"Mom! What are you doing?"

"Oh my... Teio... I know your legs are strong, but if you keep jumping onto Mom's stomach like that, her body won't be able to take it."

Tokai Nature pulled Tokai Teio, who had jumped onto her and sat on her stomach, upright and placed her on the bed. She sat up as well, then helplessly smiled and rubbed her daughter's head.

"Ahaha... I lost control of my strength for a moment. Sorry!"

"What is it? You've been so happy ever since you came back this morning. Was running with Kagura-neechan really that much fun?"

Tokai Nature stroked Teio's head. The little one had been excited ever since she returned that morning, as if someone had injected her with stimulants.

"Yeah! Mom, when will I get another chance to see Kagura-neechan?"

"Didn't you add her on Umastagram? If you want to see her, why don't you ask her yourself?"

This was the first time Tokai Nature had seen her daughter take the initiative to say she wanted to meet someone—especially someone she had only met twice and had just gotten to know today: Inari Kagura.

"Do you want to run with her?"

"Yeah! Running with Kagura-neechan is so much fun! I can completely let myself go. It feels amazing!"

"Really? From what you told me this morning, that doesn't seem to be the only reason."

"Ehehe... Kagura-neechan is just such a good person... She's gentle and friendly, and she even promised to bring me something tasty the next time we met!"

As she spoke, the usually lively Tokai Teio became a little bashful. Seeing her daughter's embarrassed expression, Tokai Nature couldn't help wanting to laugh. Then she glanced at the hair ornament on Teio's right ear and remembered that Kagura had worn hers on her left ear that morning.

Teio really does have a good impression of Kagura.

Tokai Nature knew that a child so young did not understand much, but Kagura truly was exceptionally gifted. She also had an excellent upbringing and a good personality. If Teio could build a good relationship with her, that would be a good thing. If Teio successfully got into Tracen Academy in the future, having someone familiar there would give them someone to look after each other.

Tokai Nature returned the phone to Tokai Teio after clearing the chat history she had just created and let her play by herself. Then she picked up her own phone and set an alarm for six the next morning.

I haven't gotten up that early in a long time—not since retiring...

The next day, Tokai Nature went to the park a little early. They had arranged to meet at seven, but she slipped over at 6:40. To her surprise, Kagura was already waiting there with a small bag. There were few people in the park so early in the morning, making Kagura, standing there alone, especially conspicuous. However, Kagura was not wearing her maid outfit today. She had changed into casual clothes, so Tokai Nature almost failed to recognize her.

"Ah, Miss Nature. Good morning."

Before Tokai Nature could approach from behind, Kagura had already noticed her and turned around to greet her. This girl's awareness of her surroundings was almost frighteningly good.

"Morning, Kagura."

"Are you here with Teio? Come to think of it, where is Teio?"

Inari Kagura looked around Tokai Nature but did not see Tokai Teio, who had supposedly asked her to come. She could not help feeling puzzled.

"She didn't come, Kagura. I was the one who asked you out."

"Hm? Were you chatting with me through Teio's account? No wonder it felt unlike Teio."

Kagura did not look surprised. It seemed she had already expected this. Tokai Nature had the strange feeling that she was talking with someone her own age.

"Then... Miss Nature, was there something you wanted to see me about?"

"Yesterday... Kagura, you held back, didn't you?"

"...Ah, you noticed? Teio doesn't know, does she?"

Kagura had never intended to hide it, so she admitted it readily. She was merely worried that Teio might feel discouraged if she found out.

"No, she didn't notice, and I didn't tell her. But why did you hold back?"

"I was afraid Teio would get hurt and upset..."

Eclipse and Kagura had agreed to hold back a little when racing children because of what had happened with Mejiro McQueen. Otherwise, if something went wrong when the child was unprepared, Kagura would not be able to coax her back into a good mood.

"I see... Kagura really is as gentle as Teio said."

It was a simple and sincere reason, perfectly matching the first impression Tokai Nature and her daughter had of Kagura. She truly was a very gentle child.

"Well, you're making me embarrassed with all that praise... Anyway, Miss Nature, you asked me out so early. You didn't just want to ask about my holding back, did you?"

"Yes. There's one more thing. If you feel it isn't appropriate, you can refuse."

"Oh? What sort of matter needs that disclaimer first? Is it something difficult?"

Kagura looked at Tokai Nature curiously. She said nothing more and quietly waited for her to continue.

Tokai Nature was silent for a moment before extending a hand toward Kagura.

"Kagura, don't hold anything back. Run a race with me at your full strength!"

"Huh?"

Tokai Nature lost without the slightest suspense.

In official competitions, being left far behind was rare. Tokai Nature had never been left that far behind on her own competitive path. Yet this time, facing this little Uma Musume who had not even completed her development, she felt a dangerous sense of despair.

This time, Kagura used a running style that was the complete opposite of before—an all-out lead. Only then did Tokai Nature understand that Kagura had not merely held back her speed yesterday. She had even deliberately used a running style she might not have been familiar with. Judging from her performance today, Kagura's strongest style was actually leading from the front. Her suppression as a frontrunner was terrifying. Her normal speed was extremely high, enough to force all the groups of Uma Musume behind her to accelerate in pursuit. Her stamina was also excellent; at least two thousand meters seemed completely effortless for her. Her opponents could not hope that she would slow down on the final straight and then catch up. The only way to close the gap was during the middle of the race.

During the final sprint, Tokai Nature gave it everything she had and accelerated with all her might. She did not slow down, and neither did Kagura. Yet even running at full speed, she only barely reduced the distance by one or two lengths. That small reduction was meaningless. Tokai Nature knew that one or two lengths could change nothing in a race. There was no scoreboard nearby, so she could only estimate how far she had been left behind through experience. Her own visual estimate was roughly seven to nine lengths.

"Kagura... you're incredible."

"Miss Nature, you haven't run in a long time, have you? I can tell your movements aren't very practiced anymore."

"Yes... I retired a long time ago, after all. My child is already this big."

Tokai Nature smiled wryly. She had achieved her purpose today. She did not know whether Inari Kagura had held back again, but the strength she had probed out of Kagura was already frightening enough. It was not just an inexperienced child like Tokai Teio—even a G1 Uma Musume would have to tread carefully against Kagura. If Kagura had gone all out when running with Tokai Teio yesterday, the gap would have been at least fifteen lengths. That was enough of a difference to keep an Uma Musume out of competition for a month.

Grrr—

Just as Tokai Nature was about to say something else, her stomach suddenly issued a loud protest.

Tokai Nature's face flushed. Only then did she remember that she had gotten up too early, rushed over to keep the appointment, and forgotten breakfast. After that intense contest with Kagura, her stomach had finally given up.

"Miss Nature, since the appointment was so early, I guessed Teio probably hadn't eaten breakfast, so I made some and brought it for her. I really didn't expect you to come instead... If you don't mind, would you like to try some? Don't worry, I made it myself. There aren't any unhealthy additives."

As she spoke, Kagura lifted the little basket from the bench beside her and waved it at Tokai Nature.

It was nothing particularly complicated. Kagura had successfully made the pumpkin cakes she liked yesterday morning, so she had brought some for Tokai Teio to try. Considering how early Teio had arranged to meet her, she had probably not eaten breakfast, so Kagura had also brought a small bowl of raw fish porridge.

The fragrant smell of fish drifting from the basket made Tokai Nature swallow involuntarily. Kagura only smiled and waited for her answer.

"All right... Then thank you, Kagura."

In the end, Tokai Nature could not resist the savory aroma. She nodded and accepted the basket Kagura handed her.

After tasting a few bites, Tokai Nature's eyes widened in disbelief. She could hardly believe an eleven-year-old child could have such cooking skills. Whether it was the fresh raw fish porridge or the sweet, steaming pumpkin cakes, neither was anything high-end from a hotel. At most, they could be called home cooking. But home cooking could also reveal a cook's skill very clearly. Tokai Nature's impression of Kagura rose considerably once again.

Kagura is gentle and friendly, a good cook, and so thoughtful... She's truly a mature and steady child.

"Kagura, are these called pumpkin cakes? Can I take a few home? Teio likes sweet things, so I think she'll like these."

"Of course. I made them for Teio anyway. I thought children would like something fragrant and sweet, so I made them and brought them along. The container is disposable too, so you can take it home if you'd like."

"Thank you!"

A picture that should have been included several chapters ago

87. Maruzensky took a sip and thought it was great

"Good morning, Young Lady."

As usual, Kagura brought the breakfast she had made to Rudolph Symbol's office. Rudolph Symbol was always rushing to the office to work, so Kagura generally brought breakfast to her like this.

However, early that morning, Kagura noticed quite a few unfamiliar Uma Musume in the office, making the place unusually lively. She had never seen so many people in Rudolph Symbol's office before, so she looked at them curiously. They all seemed to be new students.

"What are you doing?"

"Kagura, you're here. Sorry to trouble you with bringing my food again. The student council's workload has been increasing, and those few officers are always impossible to find, so I've decided to recruit some new people."

"I see."

Kagura nodded. So these children were here to apply to join the student council. She had been puzzled for a long time about why she could only ever see Rudolph Symbol permanently stationed in the student council office. It seemed Rudolph Symbol had finally remembered that she needed to recruit people. Kagura had once volunteered to join the student council and help Rudolph Symbol with some of her daily duties, but Rudolph Symbol had sternly refused. Her reason was that Kagura was already busy enough and should not join the student council just to find more work for herself. She needed time to rest.

"By the way, Kagura, could you go call Maruzensky over? It's very busy here today, and I need her help. But as you can see, I haven't seen her even at this hour, and I can't reach her by phone either. I'm really not efficient enough on my own."

"All right. Give me Maruzensky-senpai's address, and I'll go look for her."

"Mm. Check your phone. I've already sent you the location."

And so, Kagura received her task for the morning: go bring Maruzensky back to help, whether she was sleeping in or slacking off.

Maruzensky's home was not far from Tracen Academy. Although Kagura got lost for a little while on the way, her Uma Musume speed still got her to Maruzensky's door within ten minutes. She even had time to detour to a supermarket, since if Maruzensky still had not made a sound at this hour, there was a good chance she had not eaten breakfast. So Kagura bought some ingredients as well.

Come to think of it, Maruzensky-senpai seems to be doing quite well financially. She can afford to buy a house outside, and she even has a car...

Thinking about it carefully, the Uma Musume attending Tracen Academy all seemed to be quite wealthy. They were students, yet they could already buy cars and houses themselves. Compared with her previous life, when she had worked hard for years without reaching even half—or even a quarter—of that goal, seeing the car downstairs from Maruzensky's home made Kagura feel rather emotional.

After exiting the elevator, Kagura walked to the end of the corridor and checked the house number Rudolph Symbol had given her. Only after confirming it was correct did she raise her hand and knock.

After a brief silence, Kagura heard Maruzensky's approaching footsteps from inside, along with her slightly lazy voice.

"Who is it...?"

As Maruzensky's voice faded, the door opened. Maruzensky, dressed in pajamas with her clothes disheveled, eyes bleary with sleep, and hair sticking out in every direction, saw Kagura standing at the door with a smile on her face.

Maruzensky froze.

"Good morning, Maruzensky-senpai."

"L-Little girl!"

Before Kagura could finish speaking, Maruzensky excitedly pulled her into her arms. Her messy pajamas had not been properly fastened to begin with, and after being jostled around, they provided no covering at all. Kagura's face pressed directly against the girl's soft, fair chest, and the fresh fragrance of body wash immediately left her struggling to breathe.

Kagura hurriedly struggled free. After twisting around a few times, she escaped Maruzensky's embrace and returned to the floor. Then she looked past Maruzensky into the room.

Wow... I always thought rooms this messy only appeared in those legendary housekeeping-company videos...

The apocalyptic scene inside, as though a natural disaster had swept through, left Kagura awestruck. She had thought rooms like this could only be seen in videos. She had never expected to witness one in person.

Noticing Kagura's eyes repeatedly drifting into the room, Maruzensky realized something was wrong. She blushed bright red in embarrassment.

"Ah... Little girl, stay right here and don't move! I'll be back in a moment!"

With that, Maruzensky slammed the door shut.

Kagura then heard an earth-shaking clatter from inside as things were turned upside down, mixed with Maruzensky's complaints. She could not imagine what kind of disaster-level scene was unfolding in there.

Five minutes later, Maruzensky opened the door again, having changed into a neat red outfit. This time, she formally welcomed Kagura inside.

"Come, come, little girl. Sit over here. I'll make you some tea!"

"Mm..."

Kagura sat down with nothing to do and looked around. The cabinet holding the television was stuffed to the brim, as though she could hear its doors crying out in agony. Looking around some more, she saw that the refrigerator door had been pushed slightly open by the sheer amount of food inside, with several rather wilted vegetable leaves poking out. The traces left on the dishes and utensils seemed to tell the story of a war that had taken place the previous night.

What a mess!!!!

Kagura's eyebrows twitched nonstop. Her mysophobia seemed on the verge of flaring up, and she was barely able to control her impulse to stand.

Maruzensky was still rummaging through the cabinet for tea, with only half her body visible and her tail swishing excitedly. Kagura helplessly covered her forehead. She really could not take it anymore.

"Maruzensky-senpai! Sit down!"

Half an hour later, Maruzensky stared at her almost completely renewed, sparkling interior and let out an incredulous shriek.