——Aren't you basically working two jobs at once now?
The next day, after returning to Tracen, Kagura woke up from her afternoon nap and checked her phone. She noticed a considerable amount of money had just arrived in her bank account, accompanied by the note: We'll be counting on you to take care of our child.
"...It really does feel like I'm receiving two salaries now...but why do I feel more and more like a full-time nanny?"
Kagura sighed softly. She vaguely remembered her official position was Support Uma for Rudolf Ojou-sama, but why did it feel like she was getting busier every day?
Although today Kagura was still on the holiday Rudolf had given her, she didn't plan on idling around. After preparing today's meals for Rudolf, she sought out Trainer Tojo Hana to ask when the next school selection race would take place. The reply she got was: next week.
So soon...? Should I skip this one and give Nature a bit more time to prepare?
Naturally, Kagura's concern was for Nice Nature. Kagura herself hadn't undergone honkaku yet, but Nature had already started her maturation process. It probably wouldn't take long before Nature fully matured and began official training. Therefore, it would be ideal for her to find a suitable trainer ahead of time.
Thanks to the advice she'd regularly sought from Trainer Tojo—and occasionally sneaking into trainer seminars disguised as a normal attendee—Kagura had accumulated a fair amount of knowledge. Helping Nature this time around could be considered her first attempt at directing someone else's training. Kagura knew she wasn't as professional as a full-fledged trainer, but she could at least help Nature shine brightly and attract a suitable trainer, after which Kagura wouldn't need to handle such amateur coaching anymore.
"Kagura, are you planning on participating in the upcoming school selection race?"
In the afternoon, Trainer Tojo walked past the training ground and was somewhat surprised to see Kagura running on the track. It wasn't forbidden for Uma Musume who hadn't completed honkaku to join the selection races, but it was certainly uncommon.
"No, I'm not joining. I'm just inspecting the track conditions to figure out the best way to run it."
"Oh? You seemed to be doing something similar before Rudolf's race as well. Are you writing up strategies for someone again?"
Trainer Tojo recalled seeing Kagura running alone like this before, back when she was preparing Rudolf's strategies. If there weren't a specific need, Trainer Tojo rarely saw Kagura train alone.
"Yes, one of my friends has completed maturation, and she's planning to enter the selection race to attract a good trainer... Speaking of which, Tojo-san, would you recommend anyone? Someone gentle who can handle a shy, somewhat insecure Uma Musume?"
"Hmm… I actually do have a colleague who fits that description—Trainer Minamizaka. But whether or not he clicks with your friend is another matter entirely."
"I'll ensure she performs her absolute best, so trainers won't find any reason to refuse her."
Kagura understood that she couldn't force trainers to choose Nature. Her only option was to help Nature showcase herself perfectly, allowing her to be the one choosing her future trainer, rather than waiting passively.
"Really now… Kagura, your knowledge about training has become quite impressive. Don't tell me you're actually considering becoming a trainer yourself?"
Trainer Tojo had started to notice how trainer-like Kagura had become, and the thought gave her pause. If Kagura was genuinely interested, perhaps she should ask Akikawa Yayoi to provide proper guidance.
"No, I don't have plans like that right now. Perhaps someday, but not now."
Kagura truly had no intention of becoming a trainer anytime soon. There were still promises to fulfill with Eclipse-san—races she herself wanted to run. Until she had accomplished those goals, she wouldn't seriously consider it.
Watching Kagura repeatedly running up and down the slopes, Trainer Tojo suddenly recalled something. Previously, she and Director Akikawa Yayoi both assumed Kagura's precise strategy guides had come from consulting some mysterious expert. Now that Kagura was preparing a new strategy, did that mean they finally had the chance to see this hidden expert?
Realizing this, Trainer Tojo immediately took out her phone and messaged Director Akikawa. Akikawa Yayoi had long been curious about this mystery as well. Conveniently, all the Uma Musume under Tojo's supervision were resting today, and she had no training sessions scheduled—perhaps now was the time to uncover some clues.
[Akikawa Yayoi]: Question! Trainer Tojo! Is Kagura-chan with anyone right now?
[Tojo Hana]:No, she's exploring the track alone.
[Akikawa Yayoi]: Patience! Why not move a bit further away, or even better, don't watch her for now. The afternoon's half over; Kagura-chan likely won't finish examining the entire course today. Then she'll need to cook dinner for Rudolf. You know she doesn't like leaving tasks half-finished—she'll probably come back tonight. Maybe then she'll seek out the hidden expert!
Director Akikawa's suggestion sounded strategic. Trainer Tojo wasn't sure how accurate it was, but given how detailed Kagura's strategies usually were, it seemed unlikely she could complete everything in one afternoon. If Kagura didn't want to delay until tomorrow, there was indeed a chance she'd return this evening.
…
Night fell, nearly two hours had passed since dinner time.
Now it was after eight o'clock. Very few Uma Musume remained active on Tracen's training grounds. Far away in the spectator stands overlooking the track sat two shadowy figures, one tall and one short.
"Director, are you sure Kagura will actually come tonight?"
These two figures were, naturally, Trainer Tojo and Director Akikawa Yayoi, who had come earlier to stake out the location. To ensure their observation plan succeeded, Trainer Tojo had even coordinated with Rudolf and Maruzensky-san to monitor Kagura's whereabouts from multiple angles.
"Confident! Kagura-chan always finishes what she starts—if she didn't finish earlier, she'll likely return!"
That impression had been established after months of observing Kagura closely. She executed tasks decisively and methodically. If Kagura left midway, it meant she'd planned a pause in advance; otherwise, she'd surely return to finish the job, even if it meant working late.
Indeed, the two had been patiently waiting since Kagura left the track earlier to cook dinner for Rudolf. According to Rudolf's message, Kagura had left the student council about ten minutes ago. Meanwhile, according to Maruzensky-san, who was strolling near the central courtyard, Kagura hadn't detoured to visit anyone else and instead headed straight towards the track.
To avoid directly exposing their presence, Trainer Tojo and Director Akikawa shrank back slightly, hiding as best as they could so Kagura wouldn't notice them immediately.
Soon, Kagura's figure appeared near the training ground. Both Trainer Tojo and Director Akikawa closely watched the direction Kagura had come from, curious to see who might accompany her.
"Alone?"
No one else appeared beside Kagura. She was still alone when she stepped onto the track again—though strangely, she had changed into a miko outfit clearly not meant for running.
Returning to the track, Kagura made no sounds. Quietly, she ran back and forth, occasionally stopping to jot something down in her notebook.
If there was anything abnormal, it was Kagura's speed and efficiency at correcting earlier mistakes. Trainer Tojo had seen her make small missteps earlier that afternoon, yet now Kagura easily cleared those same sections without issue.
It would be impossible, even with the guidance of an expert, to instantly correct running issues without testing them on track first. Kagura had been busy with work all day, clearly with no time to consult any hidden expert.
Though it seemed utterly unbelievable, the current situation left them with only one conclusion:
"Question! Could it be that Kagura-chan is actually…a genius at this as well?!"