Kagura felt as if she had inadvertently become like one of the cafeteria aunties.
Once she and Maruzensky returned with their groceries, Kagura naturally dove straight into the kitchen to start cooking. With nothing else to do, Maruzensky simply sat down by the cafeteria, near the kitchen side, waiting patiently for the meal.
If it were just Maruzensky, that would've been fine. But when Kagura came back to the stove carrying several claypots, she glanced outside through the kitchen window and suddenly saw another Uma Musume seated not far from Maruzensky. This new arrival wore sunglasses, had on a standard Tracen student uniform, and strangely didn't look like a young student at all—rather, she resembled some middle-aged mother out for leisure shopping.
The reason Kagura identified her as a "middle-aged mother" was because she recognized her immediately. Even though this person wore sunglasses and a mask, her hair, mixed with strands of white, along with that distinctive streak of ancestral white at the forehead, completely gave her away. But what Kagura couldn't understand was why this person would appear here at such a time.
How did Speed-sama even sneak in here!? And why do you have a student uniform, Speed-sama!?
While Maruzensky hadn't noticed, Kagura absolutely recognized her. Clearly, sitting there in disguise was Symboli Speed, dressed as a Tracen student. Of course, maybe she wasn't actually in disguise—perhaps she really had attended Tracen when she was younger.
Seeing that Speed-sama seemed unwilling to reveal herself yet, Kagura also didn't rush out to expose her. Instead, she returned to her busy kitchen work.
Kagura had to admit—compared to her previous human body, even as a child, an Uma Musume's strength was extraordinarily convenient, especially when doing strenuous kitchen tasks like chopping ribs and slicing meat. Now, she effortlessly cut through the ribs, carrying heavy claypots back and forth without feeling fatigued.
She began soaking rice first, then placed sliced pork belly into the pan, frying it slowly to release its fat. While waiting, Kagura quickly chopped the ribs into bite-sized pieces and washed some fresh vegetables. She even marked one of the pots specially because she remembered that Speed-sama's taste was slightly different from the others—she would have to make some minor adjustments later.
Time flew as she prepared ingredients. By the time the clock on the wall reached half-past eleven, Kagura had just finished greasing the pots with pork fat, placing soaked rice into the claypots, and preparing two pots immediately for the waiting Maruzensky and Symboli Speed. But just then, she spotted a small figure in orange and white appear suddenly at the cafeteria entrance.
Chairman, don't you usually avoid eating at the cafeteria?!
Even without looking closely, Kagura knew the only one with that color scheme in the entire academy was Akikawa Yayoi. But from what she'd heard from the kitchen staff, to avoid disturbing students, the Chairman rarely appeared at the cafeteria during peak mealtimes.
"Surprise! Kagura-chan's cooking in the cafeteria again today!"
Akikawa Yayoi, having spotted Kagura busying herself in the kitchen from afar, bounced over cheerfully to the window, poking her head in curiously to see what Kagura was making.
"Could you save a portion for me too?!"
Even though she didn't yet know exactly what Kagura was preparing, Akikawa Yayoi immediately trusted her cooking skills.
"O-of course. Akikawa-sama, please have a seat over there first. It'll take a bit more time."
Kagura hastily pointed towards where Maruzensky was seated, quickly setting another claypot on the stove, adding rice, water, and closing the lid.
"Um… Kagura-chan, do you need some help?"
Watching Kagura bustling about, sweat dripping from her forehead, several cafeteria staff who'd finished their serving duties and were currently free cautiously approached to offer assistance.
"Just…bring me a few more claypots, please!"
Knowing the other staff probably couldn't handle the particular dishes she was preparing—especially controlling the heat and timing—Kagura didn't dare request more complex help. Just someone to carry over the cookware was enough.
As she placed rice into the new pots and adjusted the flames, she didn't neglect the earlier pots that were already reaching perfect heat. When the first two claypots began emitting faint smoke, Kagura quickly lifted the lids using cloths, drizzled fragrant sesame oil carefully along the edges, and neatly placed the pork ribs, fermented black beans, and vegetables atop the rice, closing the lids again to steam.
"Is this… the legendary kitchen sage…?"
Watching Kagura single-handedly prepping ingredients, mixing sauces, and expertly monitoring multiple pots, then glancing at the Chairman and Maruzensky patiently waiting outside, even the seasoned cafeteria uncles and aunties couldn't help but deeply respect this small Uma Musume's culinary mastery.
Thankfully I bought plenty of ingredients today. Otherwise, there wouldn't be enough for everyone…
Juggling between four or five stoves, Kagura felt immense relief she'd bought extra ingredients earlier. With several unexpected diners suddenly showing up, her original portions might not have been enough.
At precisely 11:45, Kagura estimated the first two claypots should be done. With the other pots still needing time, she put on oven mitts, carefully lifted the two claypots onto a tray, and carried them outside.
"Maruzensky-san~ Your portion is ready!"
"Ohhh! Smells incredible!"
Even before Kagura finished opening the lid, the tantalizing aroma immediately had Maruzensky swallowing hungrily.
Kagura poured the prepared sauce generously over the steaming hot rice and ingredients, placing Maruzensky's pot directly in front of her.
"Enjoy! If you find crispy rice at the bottom, don't be surprised—that crunchy layer is the soul of this dish!"
"Question! Kagura-chan, is there one for me too?"
Sitting right beside Maruzensky, Akikawa Yayoi could hardly control herself after smelling that incredible aroma. But seeing only two portions brought out so far, she wondered curiously whom the other pot was intended for.
"Chairman's portion is still cooking. This one, however…"
Smiling knowingly, Kagura carried the tray to Symboli Speed, carefully setting down the claypot and drizzling it generously with sauce:
"…Is for Speed-san~ Please enjoy, and be careful—it's very hot."
"Ahh…no wonder Rudolf praised your observational skills. Seems I didn't fool you at all."
Knowing her disguise had long since been seen through, Symboli Speed gave up the act, removing her sunglasses and mask eagerly and rubbing her hands in anticipation.
"Well, you did stand out quite a bit~ Honestly, seeing Speed-sama dressed like a student at first really shocked me. But with this outfit, you truly look youthful and energetic!"
"Haha, you sweet child… Actually, I just worried about you living alone at Tracen, so I came to see how you were adjusting… but it looks like you're doing quite well."
Speed's main purpose for coming today had indeed been checking on Kagura. Enjoying a free meal was merely a delightful bonus. She'd been craving Kagura's cooking for days, and today she'd finally gotten her wish.
"I'm doing okay…hehe, and I really must thank you again, Speed-sama, for giving me this opportunity. I'll definitely repay your kindness!"
"Ahh… as I've always said, living happily is repayment enough."
Seeing Akikawa Yayoi's dumbfounded, ghost-seeing expression from afar, Speed couldn't help but grin mischievously.
To ensure the other dishes didn't burn, Kagura refrained from chatting too long with Speed and quickly returned to the kitchen. She vaguely heard Akikawa Yayoi loudly scolding Speed for secretly sneaking in without informing her.
Maruzensky, meanwhile, seemed to have a terrific appetite today. Despite the piping-hot temperature, she hungrily wolfed down her meal as though someone might steal it at any moment.
"Kagura-chan~ You really are here!"
Barely back in the kitchen, Kagura spotted a familiar pair of small, red ears popping up by the window. Before she could even wonder which new challenger had arrived, Nice Nature's small face appeared cheerfully through the window.
"Oh, Nature-san… What's up?"
"It's lunchtime, so I thought I shouldn't always trouble you and decided to eat here instead. I didn't expect to find you cooking again today!"
Indeed, it was lunchtime, so Nature's appearance wasn't strange—but after already preparing dishes for so many people, Kagura was nearly drenched in sweat. She was deeply grateful she'd wisely started extra portions earlier.
"I've already made your portion too. Go sit with the Chairman's table…"
"Waa—Thanks Kagura~!"
Watching Nature dash happily to Akikawa Yayoi's table, Kagura had barely caught her breath when she spotted yet another familiar chestnut-haired Uma Musume walking into the cafeteria entrance—none other than Symboli Rudolf herself. Feeling overwhelmed by today's increasingly strenuous workload, Kagura's head spun slightly in disbelief.
Aren't you guys usually never here at lunchtime!?