Kagura, who had left a little earlier, soon returned to the Symboli household. She hadn't miscalculated her timing after all—she made it back, put away the mountain of things she had just received, and still caught the chance to help with preparing lunch.
But today, it wasn't just Symboli Speed at home. After Kagura returned, she learned from the other maids that a guest had also come to visit. Which meant she had to prepare a little more food than usual.
"Speed-sama said her good friend is visiting… but I don't know who it is."
The maids who were assisting Kagura in the kitchen seemed curious, and Kagura was curious as well—which of Speed-sama's friends had come? If only the head maid wasn't missing right now, Kagura could have asked and gotten the answer about who exactly this "friend" was.
But for Kagura, it wasn't something she needed to know. All she had to do was focus on finishing lunch and then bring it over to Speed-sama.
Her efficiency, though, still baffled the other maids. For a child, she was too capable, her movements smooth and practiced. Some of the newer hires stared wide-eyed, dazzled, and got the illusion that Kagura was actually their senior.
It didn't take long before Kagura had everything finished. As usual, she loaded the food onto the serving cart and pushed it toward the living room.
"…Children should just be happy, carefree. Don't drag them into our affairs so soon."
"I understand… sigh…"
As she knocked and received permission to enter, Kagura pushed open the door—just in time to hear two elderly voices conversing inside. One, of course, was Speed-sama. The other was unfamiliar. Their topic… Kagura didn't quite catch it.
"Speed-sama, lunch is ready."
"Kagura, don't rush off. Come here, eat with us."
"Eh… isn't that… a little improper?"
Kagura froze mid-motion, still holding the cutlery she was laying out, confused. She had been planning to leave quickly, not to disturb Speed-sama's time with her friend. But instead, Speed-sama was asking her to stay.
Though nervous, Kagura obeyed and sat down beside Speed-sama.
It gave her a chance to properly observe Speed-sama's guest. Another elder Uma Musume, brimming with vitality much like Speed-sama herself. But her hair—completely white. Pure white. In all the time Kagura had been in this world, this was the first time she had seen hair so completely, pristinely white.
"…So she is that child, isn't she?"
Kagura noticed the elder Uma watching her, studying her.
"Old Mejiro, don't keep staring like that. This child is shy—careful not to scare her."
Saying this, Speed-sama placed a gentle hand on Kagura's head and ruffled it.
I'm not quite as shy as you think, Speed-sama…
Kagura was tense, yes, but not because that gaze was frightening. She knew it was only curiosity. What truly made her stiffen wasn't the look—it was the way Speed-sama had just addressed her guest.
—Old Mejiro.
Unless there was some other Mejiro, this had to be the Mejiro family that trainer mentioned earlier that morning. Judging by how friendly she seemed with Speed-sama, this "Old Mejiro" could only be…
I should have known… Speed-sama's good friend would be none other than the Mejiro head herself!
That was the real reason for Kagura's nerves. She found herself staring back without realizing it. After a long moment, Old Mejiro's expression softened into a kind smile.
"Forgive me, little one. Old Symboli mentioned you to me, so I was curious and looked a bit longer. I didn't frighten you, did I?"
"It's fine… really…"
If "like sitting on pins and needles" needed an illustration, Kagura thought her current state could be photographed and pasted directly into the dictionary. Thankfully, Speed-sama's timely intervention smoothed the atmosphere, and the living room returned to a casual, easy flow of conversation.
Once the mood felt safe again, Kagura finally dared to start eating. Fortunately, here in Nihon, everyone had their own portioned plate. If it had been the kind of shared-dish style where she had to reach into the center, Kagura wouldn't even know where to begin.
Thankfully, Old Mejiro didn't raise any troubling topics. She only asked about Kagura's current life, giving Kagura the chance to chime in here and there.
"Your cooking is excellent… Kagura-chan. Once, when I visited my granddaughter in the neighboring country, she treated me to a meal like this. It brings back fond memories."
"Thank you for the praise. Your granddaughter lives in Huaguo?"
"Yes… though that child has always been frail. Recently her health has worsened, so I had no choice but to bring her back here."
As she spoke, the white-haired elder let out a sigh, her ears drooping slightly.
"Ardan's condition has worsened again? How is she now?"
At once, Speed-sama leaned forward, anxious.
"Not at the point of threatening her life. But… for that child to run again… sigh, I fear it is hopeless. Even the doctors are powerless."
"The world is cruel indeed…"
Kagura didn't say much, but she listened carefully. Her heart ached for that girl—Ardan. Dreaming of racing, of bringing glory to her family, yet burdened with a body as fragile as glass.
Not wanting to linger on such heavy topics, Old Mejiro soon shifted the conversation elsewhere. It was clear the two heads of house truly were old friends, and Speed-sama genuinely cared about her friend's granddaughter.
Most of the rest was light, everyday chatter. Kagura noticed that Old Mejiro glanced at her now and then, but never once mentioned adoption. It seemed she had given up the idea.
Even so, to avoid anything cropping up if she lingered too long, Kagura quickly cleared the table afterward and excused herself with the serving cart.
Night fell. The Mejiro head departed without ever raising the matter of adoption, leaving Kagura with a sigh of relief. Still, she couldn't help but wonder what Speed-sama thought of it all.
If Speed-sama didn't know about it, that would be best. But Kagura suspected she did. Since this had been a Mejiro decision, surely Old Mejiro would have mentioned it during her visit. And yet, Speed-sama gave nothing away—no hint, no comment. Perhaps she had persuaded her friend to give up.
It seems Speed-sama has no intention of bringing it up… sigh. If that trainer comes again, I'll just have to refuse him directly.
For now, the Mejiro matter was set aside.
But today was still significant in another way. Kagura had finally gained an official identity in this world. She now had her own phone, her own bank account, even her first month's salary deposited inside.
That night, after Old Mejiro had left, Kagura went to Speed-sama's room just to give her thanks. Speed-sama only laughed it off lightly, telling her not to dwell on such things—that living freely and happily was the greatest return she could give. She also confirmed their travel plans for the day after tomorrow: destination, Niigata. They would be gone one or two days, and Kagura was to accompany her.
"Why Niigata, I wonder…"
Later, curled up under the blankets after a bath, Kagura muttered to herself while fiddling with her new phone.
Her knowledge of Nihon geography was shaky at best, but thanks to the phone she could tell Niigata wasn't close. They'd need the shinkansen to get there.
—Don't panic. Just go. Maybe you'll see something interesting.
The words flickered onto the screen, then vanished. Eclipse's handiwork, unmistakably. From her tone, she seemed optimistic… though Kagura had no idea why.
Of course, Kagura's very first instinct with her new phone was to wander the internet. This world's net wasn't so different from the one she remembered—except the people seemed far less aggressive. At least in her initial browsing, she hadn't seen the sort of vicious comments she used to expect.
Curious, Kagura even searched the term "Eclipse." But all she found were entries about the natural phenomenon—nothing more.
—Stop searching. I've been forgotten for hundreds of years. Anyone who still remembers me… you could count on one hand. But listen, for your own good, don't go telling people you're connected to me. If someone truly does still remember, it might cause you… a little trouble.
Eclipse didn't explain further. Kagura chose not to press. She trusted Eclipse wouldn't harm her.
"I see… what kind of person were you before, Eclipse-san?"
—In my era, defeating me was considered the highest honor. Sadly, until the end, no such opponent ever appeared. To me, that is a regret.
"That… sounds really impressive, even if I don't quite get it."
Eclipse wrote nothing more. Instead, Kagura felt a chill curl around her waist, then brush gently against her head.
A ghost's embrace. Not the first time—every night before bed, Eclipse would wind around her like this. Strange, yes, but also gentle. A little cold, but tender.
—Sleep early. Don't keep staring at your phone. You have work tomorrow morning.
The words appeared only after Eclipse's embrace had settled.
"Alright, alright… why do you sound like such a nagging old housekeeper…"
—I am not young anymore! Of course it's reasonable for me to say so!
The reply carried a kind of righteous indignation. Kagura could only smile helplessly. Truth be told, she didn't even feel the urge to stay online much longer. In this child's body, she simply couldn't endure late nights. Even now, at only ten-thirty, sleepiness was already dragging her down.
"…Goodnight, Eclipse-san."