After the Symboli group took their seats, Old Mejiro led the rest of the Mejiro family into the banquet hall, occupying the other half of the table alongside Mejiro Ardan and the others.
Kagura also received a piece of news from the two family heads—after lunch, Old Mejiro hoped Kagura would run a match against Mejiro McQueen, who had just arrived in Tokyo a couple of days prior. The race would take place on the Mejiro family's own track.
"A race? Me and McQueen?"
"I'm racing against Kagura-nee-san?"
Unlike the confused Kagura, McQueen immediately shed her image of a snack-loving child at the mention of running, her expression now brimming with fighting spirit.
Seriously, what exactly is up with Uma Musume…? Why does even a kid like McQueen suddenly get so pumped up at the idea of racing!?
This question had baffled Kagura for a long time. Even during normal training runs, she clearly remembered how Rudolf Ojou-sama and Maruzensky-san always turned intense the moment running was involved—even Nature, usually carefree, became serious when racing was mentioned.
"Oh? Are we getting to see a race today?"
Mejiro Ardan's curiosity was piqued by the news, and upon hearing the competitors would be McQueen and Kagura, her curiosity deepened visibly. Nearby, Wudi and the members of the Symboli household also eagerly perked up, ready for the entertainment.
As the Mejiro family's Ojou-sama, Ardan naturally knew why McQueen had suddenly appeared in Tokyo's Mejiro main estate. After Kagura had refused their adoption plan, Old Mejiro had indeed given up the idea of having Kagura replace Ardan on the racetrack. Accepting the temporary halt in their family's domination of the Tenno Sho races, Old Mejiro instead sought a talented child from among the branch family members—Mejiro McQueen. Ardan guessed today's race was Old Mejiro's way of testing McQueen and Kagura's respective potentials.
Of course, Kagura knew none of this. Although she didn't understand where the Uma Musume's competitive fire came from, she had no reason to oppose Old Mejiro's plan—especially since Speed-sama also seemed eager for her to accept. Thus, Kagura agreed with a nod.
Since both families were familiar with each other, conversations flowed naturally once seated. Despite the unsettling gaze of Symboli Sirius and Mejiro Ramonu continuously fixed upon her, lunch otherwise proceeded normally.
...
"Kagura-nee-san, are you a Support Uma?"
After lunch, as they walked toward the Mejiro track, McQueen brought up something she had overheard earlier.
"That's right, I support Rudolf Ojou-sama. Why?"
"I heard Support Uma aren't usually good at running—is that true?"
"You could say that. It's mostly true; the other Support Uma I've seen at the academy aren't particularly fast."
Kagura didn't deny it. The other Support Uma she'd encountered indeed weren't known for their running skills. In fact, given Uma Musume's natural love for racing, anyone fast enough would already be competing rather than working as Support Uma.
"Then… is it really fair for Family Head-sama to ask me to race you, Kagura-nee-san?"
McQueen looked worried, clearly uncomfortable with the perceived unfairness.
"Oh? Little McQueen, that confident in your speed? Pretty bold, aren't you?"
"I…I'm pretty fast! None of the kids back home could beat me! Kagura-nee-san, you're only a year older, right?"
"That's true~ Maybe your Family Head-sama just wants you to experience a real race?"
Kagura didn't know McQueen's true skill level, nor could she fully grasp Old Mejiro's intentions. Her plan was simple—just run and avoid embarrassing Speed-sama.
The two reached the track and began warming up. As they stretched, Old Symboli and Old Mejiro brought the younger family members to the side of the course.
"Kagura, McQueen, don't hold back—give it your all," Old Mejiro gently reminded. McQueen, still stretching, suddenly shivered slightly, sensing a vague ominous feeling.
Mejiro's trainer stood on the infield, carefully watching the two Uma Musume complete their warm-ups and get into their starting positions, then announced the conditions:
"Weather clear, track condition poor, turf, 2000 meters, counterclockwise..."
"2000 meters? McQueen's still so young—does she have enough stamina?"
Kagura immediately raised her hand, voicing her concern. She didn't want a friendly match causing McQueen any physical harm.
For young Uma Musume with some stamina talent, 1600m was manageable—but Kagura rarely heard of children racing a full 2000 meters. Was McQueen exceptionally good at endurance?
"It's alright, Kagura. McQueen has excellent stamina—it's not a problem for her," Old Mejiro assured.
Given Mejiro family's historical domination of the Tenno Sho—which required tremendous endurance—Old Mejiro knew this was precisely McQueen's forte. Hence, she chose a distance both suited to McQueen and appropriate for young Uma Musume.
Accepting Old Mejiro's words, Kagura didn't ask further. She leaned forward slightly, preparing herself mentally like an archer drawing a bowstring, her focus fixed intensely forward, waiting for the starting signal.
BANG!
With both competitors ready, Mejiro's trainer fired the starting pistol. Kagura inevitably lagged a bit at the start, though it was far better than before.
"Late start again... Kagura still hasn't fixed this bad habit," Rudolf Ojou-sama sighed, familiar with Kagura's abilities. She wasn't worried about Kagura losing; rather, she was more concerned about Kagura overcoming her slow starts—and how to comfort McQueen afterward.
Despite the slow launch, Kagura's incredible speed immediately closed the gap, quickly overtaking McQueen. Observing McQueen closely, Kagura noted she preferred a front-runner's pace.
"Is it wise for Kagura-san to close the gap so quickly after a poor start? Isn't that a big drain on stamina? Or is this some strategy I haven't seen before?" Mejiro Ardan questioned aloud.
"I'm not sure. If it were me, I wouldn't rush it. Plenty of chances on the corners. If she's genuinely faster, no need to hurry," Wudi replied thoughtfully. She noticed something unsettling: Kagura's speed was abnormally high for her age. A strange intuition warned her—if McQueen didn't accelerate immediately, she'd lose her chance entirely.
Knowing her own stamina well, Kagura comfortably pushed her pace. McQueen, still preserving energy with her front-run strategy, soon fell a full horse-length behind.
"That speed... Is that child really planning a daitō strategy?" Old Mejiro asked quietly, stunned.
"I told you before—this kid loves nothing more than running daitō," Speed-sama replied casually.
"But at this pace, does she have enough stamina…? Wait, I heard she already ran this distance at school..."
Even though Old Mejiro saw the uncanny resemblance between Kagura and a legendary racer from long ago, she reminded herself—it was just a resemblance, nothing more.
Kagura surged ahead relentlessly, further widening the gap. McQueen, realizing the danger, hurriedly increased her pace, but despair quickly set in.
So fast! Why... is Kagura-nee-san's speed this terrifying? Doesn't she get tired?!
Inexperienced in complex race conditions, McQueen felt utterly helpless, watching Kagura steadily pull away. She pushed herself harder, breath frantic, rhythm broken.
"This Support Uma...she's exhilarating. Her steps are decisive, professional. Born purely for victory," Symboli Sirius said excitedly.
"Hey, Rudolf, do you train regularly with that maid?"
"Yeah, why? Want to join? I thought you didn't like training with me," Rudolf teased.
"Tch. Can I borrow your maid for two days? Fine, I'll come train at Tracen then."
Rudolf refused immediately, afraid she'd never get Kagura back. Sirius conceded, agreeing to visit Tracen instead.
On track, McQueen's breathing grew labored, losing even more ground as Kagura effortlessly unleashed a devastating final sprint. Realizing all hope was lost, tears blurred her vision.
"Ramonu, tell the chefs to prepare honey and cakes. Hurry."
Old Mejiro foresaw the outcome and moved swiftly to console her child. Ramonu instantly understood and departed quickly.
At the finish, Mejiro's trainer watched Kagura streak past with disbelief, pained by McQueen's tearful expression behind her.
Nearly seventeen lengths… Terrifying…
"Kagura-nee-san...too strong...!"
"You did well just finishing."
Returning quickly to McQueen, Kagura gently wiped her sweat and tears, comforting the distraught Uma Musume.
"Kagura-nee-san... you're too unfair..."
"I'm sorry, but races are always like this. No one holds back."
"Uuu…"
"Though I couldn't hold back during the race, I can at least make you some treats now to apologize."
"Eh…?"
McQueen's tear-filled eyes lifted hopefully.
"Mind lending me your kitchen? I'll make whatever you want right now."