Fortunately, Trainer Narumiya Akimitsu and Bizen Nishiki didn't intend anything troublesome. Even though this overly straightforward girl exposed Kagura's identity on the spot, the whole encounter ultimately just turned into the three of them measuring the course together.
"Kagura-san, you're here to scout the course for Rudolf-san too, right? Why didn't Rudolf-san come?"
"Tojo-san assigned Ojousama some extra training. They didn't have time to go out, so they sent me instead."
All throughout, the energetic Bizen Nishiki clung to Kagura, chatting endlessly. For the first time, Kagura truly understood what Eclipse-san meant earlier—this child's vibe was the complete opposite of Rudolf's. Rudolf felt like a calm, mature high schooler; Bizen Nishiki felt like a middle schooler on a field trip.
The last time they met was at the Tracen cafeteria, when Bizen Nishiki had asked Kagura if she'd support her as a Support Uma. Kagura had refused, of course. But Nishiki didn't seem bothered at all—now she was talking and laughing with Kagura as if nothing had ever happened. Kagura didn't know why, but she felt Nishiki had an inexplicably high affection level toward her. They'd only met twice, yet Nishiki was talking to her with the warmth of an old friend of years.
Trainer Narumiya remained quiet the whole time, only glancing at Kagura occasionally—this, Eclipse pointed out to her. Kagura herself couldn't figure out what the trainer was thinking.
"By the way, Kagura-san, I noticed you kept writing things down earlier. How do you usually process the data you collect?"
"Ah—Nishiki, don't ask that kind of question… Sorry, Kagura-san. She tends to speak without thinking and might ask things she shouldn't. Please don't mind her—she's just a straightforward kid and means no harm."
Only when Nishiki accidentally stepped into sensitive territory did Trainer Narumiya finally intervene, lightly knocking her on the head. Realizing her mistake, Nishiki quickly apologized.
"It's fine, really. I think Nishiki-san is quite cute in this way. And what I'm doing isn't anything too technical—it's just a simple list of key points to watch out for during the race. I'm sure Trainer Narumiya does a far better job than I do."
"You flatter me. Kagura-san, as last year's Best Support Uma, surely has her own data-gathering and analysis methods. I might even need to learn from you."
Narumiya's response was polite, but his mind was already working. During the Silver Ginkgo Special last year, Rudolf suddenly used a completely different running style—clearly optimized specifically for the terrain of Tokyo Racecourse. To him, there was no question: Tojo alone could not have devised such a precisely tailored strategy.
Some data simply couldn't be gathered by humans.
It had to be the work of Kagura, the Support Uma.
And that strategy's brilliance showed exactly how strong Kagura's abilities were. Narumiya was convinced that this — Kagura's uncompromising professional skill — was the true foundation of her value as the best Support Uma.
"Well… I've collected everything I need. If you two plan to stay longer, I'll head out first."
Walking alongside them, Kagura finished her final note, snapped a picture for backup, then put away her notebook and pen.
Her plan was simple: gather data, then later find a similar terrain to practice on herself. Once she had a free night this week, she'd ask Eclipse for guidance on situational tactics.
"Alright. We'll walk around a little longer. If you've got things to do, don't wait for us."
Kagura nodded and headed back the way she'd entered. The whole scouting trip had taken nearly four hours—by now, the sky was already darkening.
Once Kagura disappeared, Trainer Narumiya finally relaxed his gaze. Looking at Bizen Nishiki—who was still tiptoeing and waving enthusiastically at Kagura—he sighed with a complicated expression.
"Nishiki, you seem to like Kagura-san quite a bit?"
"Of course! Kagura-san is super nice! And her notes helped me pass multiple exams too! Honestly, almost everyone at school has received her help at some point!"
"I know. You've told me before. I'm just curious—do you want Kagura-san to be your Support Uma?"
Nishiki paused at the question, then nodded without hesitation.
"Yes! Absolutely! If Kagura-san became my Support Uma, I'd probably laugh myself awake from dreaming about it! But she's Rudolf-san's Support Uma, and obviously I can't force her to support me instead."
Narumiya looked at her expression—full of longing and envy. It wasn't hard to guess what she was feeling.
If only I'd discovered Kagura-san before anyone else… Why does it feel like she didn't exist in school records before the last half of last year? A Support Uma that capable should've been famous. Was she a freshman last year? But back then, didn't they say the top freshman was Nice Nature…?
...
"Ah… It's so late already…"
At this hour, she definitely wouldn't make it back in time for dinner. Kagura debated whether to grab something to eat nearby, but she couldn't decide what she wanted. She asked Eclipse if there was anything she'd like to eat, suggesting she could "eat it on her behalf."
——Just head back toward the school first. Worst case, eat some snacks when you get in. If something delays you on the way and you miss curfew, you'll have to explain it all to the dorm head again.
"…You're right."
Kagura checked the train schedule. The ride back was short, but not short enough to dawdle.
Fortunately, nothing unexpected happened on the trip. When she reached Ritto Dorm, she had less than a minute left before curfew.
"Ah—Kagura-san, you went out for work today, right? Every time I see you come back so late, I can't help thinking maybe I'm too relaxed with my duties."
Fuji Kiseki let Kagura in and, seeing her still panting from her sprint from the station, quickly pulled a chair over for her.
"Dorm leader-san is busy every day too. You're not relaxed at all."
"Compared to you, I still fall far short… Kagura-san, you've been so busy lately—does that mean Rudolf-kaichō signed up for the Yayoi Sho?"
While speaking, Fuji Kiseki gently patted Kagura's head. She was one of the few people Kagura allowed to do that freely—her technique was simply too good. Kagura didn't know why, but her touch was incredibly soothing.
Fully enjoying the gentle head pats, Kagura leaned back in the chair, eyes half-closed, letting out a soft sound of comfort. Her ears wiggled happily.
"Hehe~ That's right. There's not much time left before the Yayoi Sho. I have to prepare properly…"
"Ahh, how nice… If only I'd had a Support Uma like you back then."
Fuji Kiseki sighed with a hint of envy.
Then she looked up and suddenly noticed two heads poking out from the staircase—Ardan-ojousama and Nice Nature—watching them curiously.
"Ardan-san, Nature-san, what are you two doing sneaking around the staircase instead of sleeping?"
Hearing her voice, Kagura jolted upright in shock, almost falling off the chair.
"N-no! We were just curious since Kagura wasn't back yet…!"
"Hehe… alright, alright. Kagura-san, you should also head to bed."
Fuji Kiseki had noticed Kagura's little jolt of surprise—and with her two friends already coming down, she gave Kagura a pat on the shoulder, urging her to get going.
"Kagura! Can I pat your head too?"
"No! Nature-san and Ardan-ojousama, your head-patting skills are terrible! You'll rub me bald!"
"Just once?"
"No!"
Hearing the chaos upstairs, Fuji Kiseki smiled softly as she reset the door lock.
"Youth really is wonderful~"