——Speaking of which, I've wondered for a while now. Aren't you supposed to be a doctor? How come your cooking skills are so good?
As Kagura slipped away from the banquet hall to catch a breath and casually check her phone, Eclipse-san's amused comment flashed across her screen.
Don't underestimate a doctor who can cook! Eclipse-san, don't you also love eating the things I make?
——I get your point, but isn't that a bit off your job description?
Not at all. It's just that after suffering an entire day in the hospital, I refuse to let my stomach suffer too when I get home.
——Heh, little brat, you sure know how to pamper yourself.
Thanks for the compliment~
Kagura took the chance to reply to Rudolf Ojou-sama's message as well. According to her, the Symboli group was almost at the Mejiro mansion. Surprisingly, it wasn't just Rudolf; Speed-sama, who rarely stepped out, had also decided to come along for some reason.
"Kagura-nee-san~"
"Hmm? What's wrong? McQueen, why did you come out here?"
Seeing McQueen scurry toward her, Kagura reached out and gently rubbed her head. McQueen didn't avoid it, happily squinting her eyes, her ears twitching lightly.
Though McQueen was younger than Kagura, she was already almost the same height, leaving Kagura slightly worried about her future stature.
"Could we exchange contact info?"
"No problem. But tell me, little glutton, do you just want my contact to ask me for snacks later?"
While adding Mejiro McQueen's Umastagram contact, Kagura playfully teased the little Uma Musume. McQueen's intentions were easy to read; Kagura didn't even need to guess.
McQueen shyly touched her cheek, clearly happy she got Kagura's contact, even though her intention had been discovered.
"If you want to try more, feel free to visit me at Tracen anytime. I'm usually in the cafeteria, so drop by if you'd like."
"Really?!"
McQueen excitedly leaned closer, tail wagging energetically. Kagura poked her forehead lightly, smiling warmly:
"Of course. But look at how eager you are—be careful or Ardan-san will scold you later. Hurry and head back. I'll join you soon."
"Okay~"
Obediently nodding, McQueen scurried back into the banquet hall.
This kid, I wonder where she came from originally. She probably wasn't from the main Mejiro family. She doesn't act like a typical Mejiro Ojou-sama at all. She's so cute.
Kagura really liked such genuine, unpolished kids. Though the quiet elegance of the Mejiro Ojou-samas had its own charm, energetic yet well-mannered children were more endearing.
She glanced at her phone, estimating the Symboli family members were probably arriving, and prepared to return to the banquet hall.
"Hey, kid over there."
As Kagura entered the hallway, an unfamiliar voice called out. She paused, looking around. Apart from the Uma Musume who spoke, there was no one else. Clearly, she was the one being addressed.
"...Hello?"
Kagura stopped, observing the stranger—chestnut hair, familiar hereditary white streak on her bangs, strikingly similar to Rudolf Ojou-sama. Only the stranger's red eyes ruled out the possibility of Rudolf in disguise.
The other girl didn't answer immediately. Instead, she curiously studied Kagura, slowly approaching. Kagura instinctively stepped back, bumping into the wall behind her. The stranger smoothly closed in, placing one hand beside Kagura, effectively trapping her.
"Um…Miss, is something the matter? This position is quite troubling..."
Pinned against the wall, Kagura lifted her head to stare at the much taller Uma Musume. Kagura didn't yet know who this person was, but since she was here at the Mejiro residence, she was likely someone significant. Kagura remained cautious, afraid to provoke unnecessary trouble.
"You're Inari Kagura?"
"Yes, that's me. Um, who might you be?"
"Our first meeting—I'm Symboli Sirius. Rudolf mentioned you before, Inari Kagura. So, this is the exceptionally talented child she spoke of? Interesting..."
Symboli Sirius...?
Though the name was unfamiliar, the surname "Symboli" definitely wasn't. Not just anyone could bear that name, nor that signature white streak. That meant the stranger was also from the Symboli family, probably one who didn't show up often.
Right, Speed-sama once mentioned there's more than one child in the Symboli household… but the other has always lived overseas. Did she return today?
Kagura had to admit—the Symboli family seemed adept at producing these handsome, striking Uma Musume. From the dignified Rudolf Ojou-sama to the charismatic, youthful Symboli Sirius now cornering her, they both radiated a handsome aura like charming young princes.
"Nice to meet you, Sirius Ojou-sama. I'm Inari Kagura, a maid from the Symboli family—"
"Alright, alright. Sirius, Kagura is rather timid and introverted. Don't rush at her suddenly like that. You might scare her."
Finally, Speed-sama's familiar voice drifted from the other end of the hallway, along with Rudolf Ojou-sama and Mejiro Ramonu's voices. Clearly, the Symboli group had arrived.
"Rudolf, just as you said, this maid really is quite interesting."
Sirius said, sniffing Kagura lightly as if catching a scent, before finally backing off and joining Rudolf.
"I have no interest in lying to you. Watch your behavior next time. Kagura's still young—don't scare her like that."
"I don't mind at all. Good morning, Rudolf Ojou-sama, Speed-sama. Did you just arrive?"
Kagura curtsied politely to Speed-sama and Rudolf Ojou-sama. Speed-sama stepped forward affectionately, gently stroking Kagura's head before softly pulling her closer.
"Yes, just stepped out of the car. It's been a while—you seem thinner, Kagura. Has the workload been heavy lately?"
"It's manageable... I haven't really noticed."
Though Kagura had been busy supporting trainers lately, it wasn't anything she couldn't handle—definitely lighter compared to real hospital work.
"No, you've definitely lost weight. Your cheeks used to feel soft and squishy. I'll have the maids send something nutritious later. Your body's the foundation of everything—no matter how busy you get, don't neglect your health, understood?"
"I'm really fine, Speed-sama. Please don't worry so much!"
For some reason, Kagura suddenly felt as if she was visiting her grandmother for New Year's.
"Sigh, child, don't be stubborn. I sincerely hope you're truly alright… You're dressed beautifully today. Is it an outfit Rudolf and the others picked out?"
"No, no, I bought it myself on a later shopping trip..."
…
"She can make a face like that?"
Rudolf watched Speed-sama gently chatting with Kagura about everything from daily life to school activities. They seemed to talk effortlessly, which gave Rudolf an oddly unsettling feeling. She sensed something foreign about Speed-sama; in her memory, Speed-sama was always stern and intimidating. Rudolf had never seen this warm, motherly side before.
"Indeed. Speed-sama rarely makes such gentle expressions. Kagura-san must have really earned her favor."
Mejiro Ramonu softly agreed, as Speed-sama was fully absorbed interacting with Kagura, seemingly oblivious to anyone else around.
"If it wasn't for what happened when you were younger, I bet the old lady would've been much gentler with you."
Symboli Sirius chuckled, patting Rudolf's shoulder lightly. Sirius understood well why Speed-sama had been strict with Rudolf—the latter's explosive temper in her childhood had caused countless troubles, making Speed-sama understandably cautious.
"Ah...well..."
Embarrassed, Rudolf rubbed the back of her head awkwardly, momentarily speechless. She indeed caused plenty of trouble when her temper was still fiery. It was always Speed-sama who cleaned up her messes. Rudolf couldn't blame Speed-sama's harsh lectures back then. Without them, she probably wouldn't have matured into the person she was today.
"It isn't very appropriate to stand chatting here. Speed-sama, let's head into the banquet hall first. If you have more to ask, you can do so once we're seated."
Chatting in the corridor didn't seem ideal, so Kagura politely suggested moving to the banquet hall first.
"Alright, alright. Whatever you say, child. Youngsters, let's sit down first."