"All right, Nature, pause for a moment—five-minute break!"
On the running track, Kagura stopped slowly, clicking her stopwatch. Looking at Nice Nature, who was still full of spirit beside her, Kagura gave the order to rest.
"Eh?! I...I can keep going! Why stop now?"
"It's not about running you until you collapse, Nature. Training needs balance; otherwise, you'll hurt yourself. Uma Musume legs are fragile to begin with—you can't afford carelessness."
Today, as Kagura had planned, she dragged Nature out of the dorm in the afternoon when they both had no classes, officially starting their special week-long training.
Kagura's vacation happened to last exactly until next week's selection race. Although no one required her to work during this period, Kagura still proactively solved Rudolf Ojou-sama's daily meal arrangements. She'd carved out special training sessions for Nature from her own breaks between these tasks.
"Uwaa… Kagura-chan's so strict during training…"
"Of course, this isn't something to take lightly... Drink some water, but slowly! Don't choke on it!"
Nature felt Kagura's training arrangements were barely different from the trainers' at school. If there was a difference, it was that Kagura paid meticulous attention to rest intervals, often inserting short breaks.
However, the biggest difference was Kagura herself running alongside Nature for the entire session. Kagura said it was to closely observe Nature's running style for issues. Clearly, no other trainers at Tracen ran thousands of meters alongside their Uma Musume like Kagura did.
After running for a while, Nature felt her own stamina was still manageable. Yet Kagura, who'd run just as long, had only a slight blush on her face and slightly heavier breathing. She still appeared completely at ease.
Today, Nature had also met Kagura's mysterious roommate who had finally shown herself. Curious about Kagura's daily life, Mejiro Ardan, who had just returned to school, accompanied Kagura to watch their training session—thus, naturally meeting Nice Nature.
"Kagura-san even helps train Nature-san regularly? And even makes the training plans herself??"
Upon hearing about Nature's training details, Mejiro Ardan's expression was pure astonishment. She'd already thought it incredible that Kagura, despite her young age, had been called by Old Mejiro "the only true Support Uma in Tracen." But never did she imagine Kagura could simultaneously perform the duties of a trainer.
"Yes... The internal selection race at Tracen is next week. Kagura told me to do my best and find a good trainer. I also want to try my hardest... so that at least I'll cause Kagura less trouble in the future."
Nature said this shyly, with a timid smile.
Looking at Kagura busily sorting through recorded training data nearby, Ardan felt that this small figure appeared far more capable and reliable than many professional trainers.
Kagura-san…really is an incredible person.
Ardan found this little Uma Musume increasingly intriguing. Not only was Kagura skilled at housework, exceptionally strong, and talented in practical tasks, but she was also flawless in theoretical knowledge. As a student, Kagura was practically perfect.
"Nature have you rested enough? Time to get back to training"
The brief break Kagura provided was soon over, and Nature heard her voice calling from the track.
"Coming~! Ardan-senpai, I'll head back to training now!"
"Okay, good luck!"
Ardan waved goodbye as Nature bounced energetically back to the track, resuming her training alongside Kagura. A sudden wave of envy filled Ardan.
If only I had someone like Kagura-san to support me too, letting me also stand on the race track…
…
Today's training intensity was relatively high for a young Uma Musume, so Kagura had arranged frequent breaks for Nature. Even so, after an entire afternoon of training, Nature was completely exhausted.
This was Nature's first real physical training session since enrolling, and Kagura had anticipated this. She'd already reduced the training volume significantly, worrying whether Nature would hold up under her first rigorous session. Seeing Nature successfully endure the entire afternoon made Kagura genuinely happy.
Watching the two preparing to move towards the cafeteria and noting the time, Ardan quickly followed behind.
"Kagura-san, are you two heading to the cafeteria now?"
Ardan had watched the entire session from the sidelines. The more she observed, the more restless she'd become—though considering her frail condition, she didn't dare casually ask Kagura for training too.
"Yes. Since I have to help Nature properly manage her physical condition, naturally I'll accompany her to meals. I need to ensure she's in top shape for next week's selection race."
"...Hm? Eh…does this mean Kagura-san is also in charge of nutritional control?"
Ardan had already thought it absurd that Kagura created Nature's training plan. Now it seemed Kagura's duties went far beyond merely making a plan.
"Kagura always cooks meals for me anyway. But I heard during this special training period she'll strictly control my nutrition intake or something. Honestly, I don't understand any of that stuff…"
As a newcomer, Nature didn't really grasp all the nutrition talk. She just knew she should trust Kagura's judgment.
"I already cooked according to general meal plans even normally. If I let you eat whatever you wanted and ended up making you fat, how could I explain it to your parents?"
"That wouldn't happen! Even if it did, I'd totally explain for you, Kagura-chan!"
Nature immediately puffed her chest out proudly, promising earnestly.
Does this mean Kagura-san normally even acts as a chef too? That's...
Trailing after the two young Uma Musume, Ardan felt increasingly detached from reality. It was already unbelievable that Kagura simultaneously handled duties normally belonging to trainers and Support Uma, such as drafting detailed training plans. But to learn she also personally managed meal plans—something even Mejiro family's exclusive trainers didn't do as thoroughly—was almost absurd.
Kagura led Nature into the cafeteria, and Ardan decided to follow along, curious to watch Kagura's workflow.
But as soon as Kagura stepped through the cafeteria doors, she immediately spotted two suspicious "students" sitting at the right corner table, a favorite spot of certain freeloading gluttons. One had chestnut-colored hair with a familiar white streak at the front; the other had silver-white hair.
If they had been ordinary students, Kagura wouldn't have given them a second glance. But both were clearly familiar faces. Wearing school uniforms and masks, they appeared to be pretending to chat normally…
Speed-sama, why on earth did you bring Old Mejiro along today?! And where did you two even find student uniforms?!