"Ojou-sama, I think it'll save a bit of stamina if you run like this on the uphill stretch..."
As Kagura spoke, she slightly adjusted her posture and ran up the incline of the track.
With less than two weeks remaining before Symboli Rudolf's scheduled race, Kagura had intensified her preparations. Besides managing Rudolf's daily life, she was now actively trying to provide insights on Rudolf's running style as well.
This decision came after careful discussion between Kagura and Tojo Hana. Tojo-sensei felt that Kagura, being an Uma Musume herself, naturally had better insight into running techniques compared to humans, so she allowed Kagura to offer some guidance.
In mid-September, Kagura had a second dream-meeting with Eclipse. Using Eclipse's powers, Kagura was able to experience the track of Tokyo Racecourse firsthand, sparring a few laps with Eclipse herself. Afterwards, she had extensively tested her findings on Tracen's in-school replica course.
As Kagura refined and modified her strategy, Eclipse generously contributed her own experience to help improve it. Although Kagura still had some lingering uncertainty, Eclipse confidently reassured her that this running method would help Rudolf traverse the Tokyo Racecourse slopes with much greater ease.
"…Hmm. Rudolf, you've seen Kagura's uphill running style clearly now. Do you want to give it a try?"
Tojo Hana, Rudolf, and Maruzensky were standing by the track, carefully observing. Tojo-sensei thought Kagura's uphill technique looked good, but its true effectiveness depended on Rudolf's own feedback.
"I think it's worth trying. Kagura, come over and explain the details to me."
Symboli Rudolf was genuinely intrigued by Kagura's running technique. It indeed appeared quite efficient, and she felt curious about how Kagura had managed it. She had heard that Kagura visited the Tokyo Racecourse to inspect the area earlier.
However, as far as Rudolf knew, the racecourse wouldn't allow Kagura to physically run there during maintenance. Yet this technique couldn't possibly be figured out without spending some significant running time on the actual track. Kagura's method perfectly matched each rise and dip of the Tokyo course, clearly a strategy specifically tailored to the venue. Rudolf herself didn't have such detailed insight, let alone Kagura, who hadn't even officially run on that track yet.
Kagura jogged back along the track toward Rudolf, who had returned to the track herself.
"Speaking of which, Kagura, how exactly did you discover this running style? The racecourse management shouldn't allow anyone onto the track during maintenance, right?"
"I figured it out using the replica course at school."
Of course, Kagura wasn't about to mention Eclipse's involvement. Although Eclipse had contributed significantly, Kagura had carefully documented everything she'd learned in a notebook to ensure nothing slipped her memory.
Rudolf nodded slightly without probing further, catching up to Kagura to start training with the new running style.
…
"Sensei~ What's on your mind? You look puzzled," Maruzensky asked curiously, noticing Tojo-sensei's confused expression as she alternated between carefully observing Rudolf and studying her tablet.
"Kagura's running method… it's surprisingly comprehensive. And this morning, she handed me this."
Tojo Hana raised her tablet and opened a detailed document titled [Tokyo Racecourse Strategy Guide (Ver.1)], filled with numerous annotated images. Maruzensky glanced over it quickly. The contents of the document perfectly matched the title, detailing targeted strategies covering every aspect of the course: slopes, straights, and corners. Each section thoughtfully included clear, color images corresponding exactly to parts of the racecourse. It was obvious the author had put considerable effort into writing this guide.
"Ohh… Kagura-chan's guide is extremely thorough. Sensei, could you send me a copy too?"
"I intended to. Kagura already agreed. But you just asked why I seem puzzled?"
"Yes, the measures outlined here seem comprehensive. It even mentions what to do if you fall behind, how to strategically claim the course, and points ideal for precise breakthroughs… Sensei, is there some problem with it?"
"No, the guide itself is excellent—actually, it's incredibly valuable. Honestly speaking, if I printed this out and sold it around campus, it would fetch a high price. But think carefully: the author is Kagura, a child who hasn't even officially stepped onto the racetrack yet. She merely walked around outside the track once. Could she really grasp the fine details of track competition and breakthrough tactics this thoroughly?"
At Tojo-sensei's explanation, Maruzensky immediately grasped her meaning. With the Tokyo Racecourse currently under maintenance, Kagura had no possibility of conducting practical exercises there. Moreover, practical details about positioning and overtaking couldn't simply be gleaned by watching videos; actual running against other Uma Musume was essential. Yet, Maruzensky couldn't recall ever seeing Kagura practicing with anyone.
"Whoever wrote this guide is an experienced veteran racer. It might not be Kagura alone. But does she even know someone that skilled?"
"Could it be Speed-sama?"
"I asked earlier this morning. Speed-sama wasn't aware of this. Besides, Speed-sama herself hasn't set foot on the Tokyo Racecourse in decades. She couldn't possibly know it so well. Kagura spends nearly all her time around school grounds, rarely going out. The only one frequently around her is Nice Nature-san, but lately, whenever I've seen Kagura training, she's always been alone, figuring things out on her own."
It wasn't as if this was a bad thing; Tojo-sensei was simply curious about this unknown Uma Musume who'd assisted Kagura. Whoever wrote the guide clearly possessed seasoned, detailed insight. Yet, within Tracen Academy, at least among Kagura's visible social connections, no such individual seemed to exist.
If possible, Tojo-sensei would have liked to speak to this mysterious Uma Musume's trainer about potentially borrowing her for friendly matches or training pointers. Her students badly needed practical experience, and with the current generation gap at Tracen, there simply weren't suitable partners available.
"Then why don't you just ask Kagura?"
"Kagura insists she wrote it herself, meaning she doesn't plan to reveal that person's identity. As you know, Kagura is modest and sincere; she would never casually take credit for someone else's work. The only reason left is that the other party specifically requested Kagura keep their identity hidden."
"...Asking Kagura-chan to conceal her identity, huh?"
Seeing Maruzensky nod in understanding, Tojo-sensei knew she had grasped the situation and thus didn't press the topic further.
"I really wonder… just who is this mysterious helper Kagura knows?"
…
"Oh, right, Ojou-sama, Tojo-sensei and I have investigated your opponents for the upcoming race."
"Oh? How is it? Any tough opponents?"
After completing her training set, Rudolf accepted the towel Kagura handed over, drinking some water while asking.
"If our judgment is correct, there aren't any threats among them. Ojou-sama, you can just run however you feel comfortable."
Kagura and Tojo-sensei had carefully reviewed past race videos of Rudolf's scheduled opponents. To ensure their conclusions were authoritative, Kagura even invited Eclipse to watch the videos alongside her, offering her opinion as reference.
Based on the state Rudolf had demonstrated in her earlier runs with Kagura, Eclipse quickly concluded that these opponents posed no threat—even to Kagura herself, let alone Rudolf.
Tojo-sensei's judgment aligned closely with Eclipse's. She too found no opponents particularly threatening. Therefore, the joint tactical decision was to let Rudolf simply trust her own racing intuition.
"Really… You both trust me that much, huh? There are no certainties in racing. What if something unexpected happens?"
Rudolf was very confident in her strength, but she also knew the track could be full of surprises. Overconfidence could easily backfire.
"That's precisely when you must rely on your racing instincts, Ojou-sama~ I trust you can handle it. But if you feel nervous and need a hug like that night again, I certainly wouldn't mind."
"Haha… Maybe I'll really trouble you for that hug the night before the race. Actually, lately you've already been working hard cooking, cleaning, and running errands for me… even though you're still so young..."
"It's no trouble at all, and don't worry about me. As your Support Uma, my job is precisely to care for you and keep you in peak condition."
In the past, Rudolf believed having a trainer alone was sufficient support. But after Kagura became her Support Uma, she began to realize having more people around to support her wasn't a bad thing after all.
Although Rudolf's original intent had been simply to introduce Kagura to Tracen ahead of time, she gradually found that goal had changed. Initially, she wanted to take better care of Kagura, yet now…
Perhaps with Kagura around, it's alright to relax a bit more...
As the race loomed nearer, Rudolf increasingly lacked the energy to multitask. Kagura had expertly balanced her work and rest. Now, Rudolf finally understood why Speed-sama had spoken so highly of Kagura.
"…Ojou-sama? Are you listening?"
Kagura's voice gently brought Rudolf back from her thoughts.
"Ah, sorry, I got distracted. What was it?"
"Today's training is done. We still have more than a week left. I'm sure someone as talented as you can master this new running style in no time."