Nice Nature had the most comfortable night's sleep in her entire life.
However, the same couldn't be said for Kagura, who shared the bed with her. Just as she was about to drift off, Nature, still sound asleep, suddenly wrapped herself tightly around Kagura, instantly jolting her awake again. When morning finally arrived, Kagura found herself sleeping sideways, with Nature hanging onto her back like a clingy koala.
Is Nature practicing chokeholds in her dreams or something? Good grief…
"Nature… Wake up…"
Kagura was completely immobilized in this awkward position, left with no choice but to call out softly to Nature, thankful she had switched into pajamas before bed rather than her shrine maiden attire.
"So soft... mm…huh…?"
Sleepy-eyed, Nature stirred slightly at Kagura's voice. Kagura thought she was finally waking up, but instead Nature pushed forward. Kagura had been lying on her side, but with Nature's sudden movement, she found herself pinned firmly beneath her friend.
What the heck…weren't you about to get up!?
Kagura desperately tried to push Nature away, but it was futile—perhaps dreaming of delicious food, Nature's strength easily surpassed Kagura's small frame. No matter how Kagura struggled, Nature had the clear advantage in both size and strength.
As though discovering some particularly tasty treat, Nature leaned closer, nuzzling into Kagura's neck, and absentmindedly opened her mouth, licking softly before biting down directly onto Kagura's tender neck.
"Ow—! Nature, don't bite me like I'm your breakfast!"
Tears welled up instantly in Kagura's eyes from the sharp pain. The sudden yelp jolted Nature fully awake:
"Radish cake… Eh…ehhh!?"
Blinking awake, Nature stared down in confusion at the tearful Kagura beneath her. Her mind momentarily short-circuited.
…
"I'm really, really sorry!!"
Nice Nature lay completely prostrate on the floor in a full-on dogeza, apologizing frantically while Kagura sat on the bed, changing into her clothes.
"Sigh…Nature, your sleeping habits are too extreme. Next time we share a bed, I'm tying you up first. Otherwise, I'm genuinely scared you'll start gnawing on me again when you get hungry."
"I—I didn't think this would happen either… It's never happened before…"
Buttoning her shirt and pulling on her socks, Kagura finally hopped down from the bed and slipped into her shoes. Seeing Nature still face-down on the floor, she sighed, walked over, and gently pulled the ashamed Uma Musume back onto her feet.
"Alright, alright, stop groveling. I don't really mind. Still, you should work on fixing your sleeping habits. What if you start sleepwalking and bite your roommate next time?"
"But I've never bitten my roommate before! This is the first time I've realized I have this problem…"
Nature was thoroughly confused. She had lived with her roommate for quite some time now, and the girl even praised her for sleeping quietly and having good manners. Why had something like this suddenly happened now?
"Speaking of which, Kagura, aren't you still on break today? Why are you dressed up and carrying a small bag? Your clothes look unusually formal, too… Are you going somewhere important?"
Noticing Kagura was preparing to head out, Nature curiously tilted her head and asked.
"Wudi-san—the waitress we met yesterday—sent me an invitation this morning. Apparently, her senpai wants to invite me somewhere."
"The waitress-san's senpai? Can I come along?"
"They specifically invited only me… I'm sorry, Nature, I can't bring you with me."
"Huh? You just met her yesterday, and now she's asking you to go meet someone alone? Kagura, be careful! What if they have bad intentions?! Let me come with you after all!"
Feeling uneasy, Nature became insistent, worried that the other party might be suspicious.
"…No, you don't need to worry about that. I know her senpai, as well as her senpai's family. It's actually her senpai inviting me over as a guest at their home. You've probably heard of her; that senpai is the Mejiro family's Ojou-sama."
Early this morning, Kagura received Wudi's message formally inviting her to a banquet hosted by the Mejiro family, explaining that it was a gesture of gratitude for Kagura's earlier assistance to Mejiro Ardan.
"The Mejiro family? You mean that famous family?"
"Yes. They've invited me several times already. It'd be rude of me to keep turning them down. I might be away all day today, so please remember to eat properly, okay?"
Saying this, Kagura tiptoed and gently patted Nature's head, urging her to remember her meals and training schedule. Nature, originally wanting to say something more, ended up holding her tongue.
After escorting Nature back to her room, Kagura left the dormitory building. Fuji Kiseki-san, who was still downstairs, asked about the commotion from earlier. Kagura just casually blamed it on a sudden cockroach appearance, assuring her it was nothing serious.
Exiting the dormitory, Kagura adjusted her hat, noting the clouds still lingering overhead. After quickly confirming she had an umbrella packed, she pulled out her phone, ready to contact Wudi. At that moment, a message popped up—she had received a deposit notification on her bank card, a rather sizable amount at that.
What's this? Today isn't payday…
Curious, Kagura tapped the notification details. The transfer description read: "Support Uma Musume Race Prize Distribution."
Oh right, this must be the prize distribution mentioned in my contract… Support Uma Musume receive 5%, I remember…but does 5% amount to this much? Are races at this level really worth that much money?
At this moment, another message arrived, this time from Rudolf Ojou-sama:
[Kagura, you must've just received some money. According to the rules, both trainers and Support Uma Musume receive a portion of the prize winnings. The trainer's portion has already been distributed. This part belongs to you.]
——Oh, very nice! See, I told you races pay well!
Eclipse's cheerful comment flashed briefly across her phone screen.
Quickly sending a thank-you reply to Rudolf Ojou-sama, Kagura felt her previously tense mood ease considerably.
Adjusting her hat once more, Kagura informed Tazuna-san at the school gate of her plans to go out. As the gate opened, she noticed someone rather unexpected standing outside, waiting.
"Mejiro Ramonu-san?"
The tall, elegant, black-haired Uma Musume—Mejiro Ramonu—had clearly been waiting for some time. Seeing Kagura emerge, she approached and greeted her calmly:
"Good morning, Kagura-san. I'm delighted you accepted our invitation."
"Good morning, Mejiro Ramonu-san. It was just a small act on my part. Being invited by the Mejiro family is truly an honor."
Kagura gracefully curtsied with a practiced maid-like elegance. Ramonu raised an eyebrow slightly, but quickly returned to her usual composed expression.
"You're being modest. If everyone possessed your kindness, Kagura-san, the world would be a far better place… Well, enough of that. Come along now."
"Of course."
Nodding politely, Kagura followed Mejiro Ramonu and stepped into the luxurious private car waiting by the gate. She couldn't quite shake a peculiar feeling—that fleeting look Ramonu gave her earlier…had there been a hint of…approval?
Why do I suddenly feel… uneasy about accepting the Mejiro family's invitation...?