That night, only after dragging Symboli Rudolf out of the office and back to the dorm did Kagura finally return to her own room, take a bath, and prepare to rest.
[Kagura, I just discussed with Rudolf. Her next race has already been set—three months from now, at the Ichō Tokubetsu. During this period, you'll need to watch over her closely. Don't let her stay up too late.]
While drying her hair, Kagura saw Tojo-sensei's message. It informed her of Rudolf's upcoming race schedule. From tomorrow they'd officially begin preparing for it, and Kagura was formally assigned her own task: as a Support Uma, she would need to make sure Rudolf's diet remained balanced and her physical condition properly managed.
——Not bad. Looks like they really trust you—giving such a critical job to you of all people.
Eclipse's words appeared in the mirror, then quickly faded.
"That's exactly why I feel so much pressure…"
Cooking for an athlete wasn't like casually deciding on dishes each day. Kagura had to start building meal plans now. Thankfully, she had studied some nutrition science before—though it was only theory. Actually applying it to real life was another matter entirely.
——It's fine. You're young—there's a first time for everything. Try it. What you don't know, you'll learn.
"Eclipse-san, you really sound like an old mom… When I went for my first hospital internship, my mom said the exact same thing."
——But I am an old veteran! What's wrong with encouraging young people?
Eclipse, as always, was perfectly confident. Kagura could practically see her puffing out her chest, hands on her hips.
——By the way, take off your clothes. Right now. Put on the miko outfit.
"…Eclipse-san, it's bedtime. In the middle of summer."
——Exactly. I want you to sleep in it. You'll be using it often from now on—you need to get used to the feel.
Kagura had no idea what she was up to, but chose to obey. She fished the troublesome miko outfit out of her closet, changed, and went back to the mirror to see if Eclipse had further instructions.
——Lights out. Sleep!
This time the words didn't vanish. Which meant it was her next order.
Puzzled, Kagura tilted her head. Still, she obeyed, turned off the light, lay down in the miko garb, and pulled the blanket over herself.
As every night, the moment she settled into sleep, a cold air slipped under the covers with her, wrapping around her waist. She knew it was Eclipse. But unlike usual—when it was just a weightless chill—tonight she felt it distinctly: fingers trailing across her stomach and waist, as if Eclipse was hugging her from behind.
"…Eclipse-san, that tickles…"
At her words, the touch shifted, no longer scratching.
Two months ago Kagura, terrified of ghosts, would've fainted. But after two months of this daily tossing-about, she had built up resistance.
Closing her eyes, she let go, and soon sank into darkness.
A faintly cold wind brushed her face. Kagura shivered.
Thinking she'd kicked her blanket off, she opened her eyes to pull it back—
"…"
—and found herself staring straight into a pair of dark red eyes. Instantly, she jolted awake.
"Mi—Eclipse-san!?"
"It's me~"
The black-haired Uma girl smiled down at her. Kagura realized she was lying on the other's lap.
This was the second time Kagura had met Eclipse like this. But tonight, unlike the mature onee-san she had seen before, Eclipse appeared as just a girl a little older than herself.
Having gone through this once already, Kagura knew: this was her dream. The only way Eclipse could manifest her true body before her. And even this, she couldn't do often—most of the time she could only leave scribbled words for Kagura after she woke.
Now Kagura understood why Eclipse had insisted she wear the miko outfit to bed. Both times they'd met face-to-face, she'd been in this outfit. Clearly, it held some special function.
"Tonight I came mainly to get you used to this sensation. Also, there are things I should guide you on. Better to ask everything at once—since I can't meet you like this often. If you have questions about Umamusume, ask me now. I can even use my body to demonstrate."
So she really had pulled her into a special lesson. Kagura happened to have plenty of questions. Writing back and forth was so inefficient—this was far better.
After a moment's thought, she asked:
"Um… I'll probably be massaging ojou-sama's legs often. Are there taboos? Anything to watch out for?"
"That? Not much. Just don't dig your nails in. If you're asking how to make it comfortable, that varies. Each Uma has different spots that feel good. Best way is to try a few times. Still, there are common points almost everyone likes. If you're unsure, start there and feel it out."
Lifting the skirt of her own miko robes, Eclipse revealed her thigh. She pointed out several places, even had Kagura touch and press them herself. Kagura nodded, memorizing each spot.
"Next…"
…
Eclipse's mini-class was indeed far more efficient than Kagura's fumbling trial-and-error. With her own body as demonstration, Eclipse answered countless questions.
Before long, Kagura had asked everything she had been storing up—covering basic matters of Uma physiology and racing. Anything extra she could ask later.
"Your questions are surprisingly few. I thought it'd take at least half an hour to get through them."
Eclipse rubbed her hands together, as if she had more in mind.
"Well, I tried a lot on myself. Solved many things that way… So, Eclipse-san, is there something else I should pay attention to?"
"Of course. But not about your Support work. Since your technical questions are done, it's time for the next step."
"Hm?"
She pointed downward. Kagura followed her finger. All she saw was… a racetrack.
"Doesn't look familiar?"
"Uh… sorry, Eclipse-san. I don't get it."
"My, my… Kagura, this won't do. How can you not recognize the racecourse of the Uma you're supporting? That's information you should've gathered long before the event."
Prompted, Kagura suddenly remembered. No wonder it looked familiar—this was the track where Symboli Rudolf had made her debut.
"Never mind. As long as you understand this is part of your job. Don't forget it again. Now—here, on this track, using your best running style, recreate Rudolf's debut 1000-meter race."
"Eh?!"
"No shock! Get in the gate!"
Half-dragged, still reeling, Kagura found herself shoved into the stall Rudolf once stood in.
"Eclipse-san… this is training, right!?"
"Of course. Why else would I drag you into a dream tonight—just to chat about muscle aches?"
"Then… why are you entering the gate too!?"
She turned—and saw Eclipse calmly step into the neighboring stall. Kagura broke into a sweat even inside her dream.
"Track condition: poor. Weather…"
She glanced at the pitch-black night sky.
"…weather cloudy. Turf. 1000 meters. Counter-clockwise."
"Um, Eclipse-san—"
"Kagura, remember: nothing teaches you a course better than running it yourself. Before every race, you must do this—if possible, walk the actual track. If not, find a similar one and run it. Whether for you or for the Uma you support, this is vital."
She crouched, taking a sprinter's stance.
Kagura tightened her focus on the gates. She knew her bad habit—slow starts. And it was clear: Eclipse wanted a real race. If she botched this, who knew what would happen.
Click!!
The stalls burst open. Eclipse shot out flawlessly. Kagura, though sharper than before, still started a breath late—and in that instant she was already a length behind.
No… I have to catch up…
It was only 1000 meters. She wouldn't reach her stamina limit. She threw everything into acceleration.
But Eclipse wasn't someone she could catch with brute force. No matter how hard she pushed, the gap didn't shrink. It grew—faster than she could believe.
Eclipse-san… she's scarier than ojou-sama!! Far scarier!!
The distance stretched mercilessly. Kagura's heart cried out.
Even running beside Rudolf had never crushed her like this. She wrung out every last drop of strength. Worse, this was her first time on such rough turf. She lost precious seconds adjusting her stride—and by then, the thousand meters were already slipping away.
By the time she found her rhythm, Eclipse was far, far gone.
So… a thousand meters can be this brutal…
It wasn't even a warm-up distance. Yet to Kagura, it was torture. Not in her body—but in spirit. No matter what, she could not close the gap. Eclipse, gleaming like a flickering shadow, gave no hint of mercy.
"Impossible… to catch up…"
She understood already—the chasm between them could never be crossed. But still, she refused to quit. Even if hopeless, she would see the race through.
Just as Eclipse had said: even in defeat, she could taste what it meant to run this track. That too mattered for her Support role.
Seconds after Eclipse crossed the line, Kagura stumbled over it.
"Sixteen lengths. Not bad. You held on till the end. Your willpower passes."
Eclipse nodded, satisfied.
"Eclipse-san… you were so fast! You really didn't hold back at all!"
"Of course~ I gave it my all. On the track, you can't expect opponents to be kind. You never thought that way yourself, right?"
She smiled as she asked.
What she didn't say: this was her full strength, but only her normal strength. Until Kagura reached a higher level, she had no intention of unleashing more.
I think I understand now… what Eclipse-san meant before…
Eclipse first, the rest nowhere.
When Eclipse ran, who could rival her?
Now Kagura understood why the ancients had praised her so. And why she had said she never once found a true opponent. She was simply too strong. Beyond what others could ever reach.
"Well… sixteen lengths isn't so bad. Keep working. Maybe when you grow up, you'll be able to catch me."
"Me…? I really could?"
"Good grief! Silly child, why not have a little confidence?"
She leaned over, pinched Kagura's cheeks, and kneaded them. Of course, in a dream Kagura felt no pain—only that surreal sense of being aware yet free.
"Alright, that's enough guidance for tonight. Whatever you learned, whatever you felt—summarize it tomorrow after you wake. Don't stay here too long. Rest properly, or your ojou-sama won't get breakfast."
She released Kagura's cheeks and snapped her fingers. Darkness closed in, the track dissolving into void.
"Good night, child. Sweet dreams."