After the destination for summer training camp was decided, Kagura returned to her calm, everyday routine.
Since Rudolf didn't have any races scheduled during this period, Kagura ended up with a lot more free time. That let her carve out more hours for training. With her debut race coming in July, she didn't plan on slacking off during this lull, so her workload actually went up a bit—though she still kept it within the range where a single good sleep would have her fully recovered.
Before she knew it, departure day arrived. Kagura followed Trainer Tojo's group—at the moment it was only Maruzensky and Rudolf. After packing their luggage, they set off together for the training camp site. It was a bit outside central Tokyo, but not what you'd call far. On the ride, Kagura got her head petted and rubbed back and forth by Maruzensky and Rudolf in turns, to the point she completely lost track of time. All she knew was they left in the morning with Trainer Tojo driving, and they arrived around noon.
"Wow…"
Stepping down at their destination and seeing the tall, gorgeous inn in front of her, Kagura couldn't help letting out a small gasp.
Just from the place's frontage, you could tell Trainer Tojo's team budget was more than healthy—at the very least, this wasn't cheap lodging. And they were staying for that long… Sure, Kagura didn't manage costs, but she couldn't help doing the math anyway. With so many people, besides room fees there'd be a ton of other expenses too. Just thinking about it made her dizzy.
Umamusume really have it good…
Every time Kagura remembered she wasn't the one who had to face those astronomical numbers, she felt a wave of relief.
Dragging her suitcase, Kagura followed Rudolf and Maruzensky into the inn. Up ahead, Trainer Tojo checked them in at the front desk, and the receptionist even asked Rudolf for an autograph.
"Here—your rooms. They've all been assigned. Single rooms for everyone."
Trainer Tojo handed out the keycards, each with a room number attached. Maruzensky accepted hers with an eager look, checked her number, then bent down and sidled up to Kagura to peek at hers.
"Hey! Why are you creeping over with that weird grin all of a sudden, senpai? You're scaring me!"
Kagura reflexively covered her keycard, puffing out her cheeks as she glared at Maruzensky.
"Hehe I just want to see where Kagura-chan's staying. Come on, be good—let your onee-san a look"
"Jeez… fine, here."
With a sigh, Kagura held out her keycard for Maruzensky to see. Maruzensky studied the number closely, then looked disappointed when she realized there were two rooms between them.
Rudolf, seeing Maruzensky fussing around, came over out of curiosity too. She found her own room was right next to Maruzensky's, with one room separating her from Kagura.
"Ah. Looks like Kagura's neighbor is Trainer Tojo."
"Mm… I'll be in your care, Tojo-san."
"No, it's me. If anything unexpected comes up, I'll be counting on your help as well, Kagura."
Trainer Tojo patted Kagura lightly on the head. Honestly, she already acknowledged that Kagura had the ability of a trainer. Kagura was only missing the license at this point—she could do everything a trainer could, and some things trainers couldn't. It took a lot off Trainer Tojo's plate and made her life much easier.
Once everyone had their room numbers sorted out, Kagura hauled her suitcase off to check in. She paused at her door for a moment, watching her teammates file into their own rooms. After confirming Trainer Tojo was in the room to her right, Kagura lifted her keycard and was about to open her door.
"Oh my, Kagura~ Is your team doing summer training camp here too?"
The moment Kagura cracked the door open, the room on her left—the one she'd assumed was empty—suddenly opened. Bizen Nishiki stepped out.
"Huh? Bizen Nishiki? You… Ah—then that room by the stairs… that's Narumiya Akimitsu's, isn't it?"
Kagura glanced toward the room at the far end of the hall by the stairwell. Unless something was off, Narumiya Akimitsu should be there—there was no way they'd bring Bizen Nishiki out for special training alone.
"Yup~ We just got here too. I only just put my luggage down. I came out and ran into you right away. So that means you're staying next to me, Kagura?"
Kagura wasn't sure if she was imagining it, but the moment Bizen Nishiki saw her, her energy visibly spiked—her sleek tail even started swishing happily.
"Mm~ Yeah. Looking forward to working with you~"
After saying that, Kagura grabbed her suitcase handle, ready to go in and put her things away.
"Ah, Kagura—do you want me to help you with your luggage?"
"Thanks, but it's just a small suitcase. I don't have as much random stuff as the ojou-sama types do. You were heading downstairs, right? Go on, you're busy—don't worry about me~"
"Oh… okay~"
Watching Kagura wheel her suitcase into the room and close the door, Bizen Nishiki lingered in front of it for a bit before finally turning and heading down the stairs.
Kagura took out a few everyday essentials, checked to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything, then flopped onto the clearly-too-large bed in her room. She rolled around comfortably a couple times, stared at the ceiling for a while, then decided lazing around wasn't great either—so she sprang back up and headed out.
"Huh? Kagura? You're here too?"
The moment Kagura opened her door, she saw Nice Nature holding a suitcase and getting ready to open her own door. Trainer Minamizaka had already pushed his door open and stepped inside. From the looks of it, Nice Nature's room was directly across from Kagura's, and Trainer Minamizaka's room was across from Bizen Nishiki's.
"Our team's doing camp here too. Are you guys here for special training as well, Nature?"
"Yeah! I can't believe I'm running into you here too, Kagura. Hehe~"
Nice Nature felt a surge of happiness. She never expected summer training camp would put her in the same place as Kagura—and she was even staying so close. She couldn't help sending a grateful look toward Trainer Minamizaka, who had already gone in but poked half his body back out after hearing Kagura. He just smiled at her, then retreated back into the room.
"By the way, Nature… that's a lot of luggage. Want me to help you sort it?"
Seeing how Nice Nature's suitcase was almost bigger than she was, Kagura scratched her head. Worried she might not be able to handle it, she offered.
"No! I can do it myself! I'm not a kid anymore!"
Nice Nature shook her head decisively and puffed out her chest, striking a dependable pose—as if that would make her look more adult. It made Kagura want to laugh.
"Okay~ Then I'll take a walk around nearby. You go do your thing~"
"Okay!"
Watching Nice Nature drag the suitcase back into her room, Kagura smiled helplessly. She could guess Nice Nature was just trying to look reliable—more like a big sister. In reality, dealing with that luggage was probably going to be a bit of a challenge. But since she wanted so badly to prove she could be independent, Kagura wasn't about to poke a hole in it. Protecting her pride mattered too.
Kagura walked to the window directly opposite the stairwell at the end of the corridor and looked outside. Down below, another car pulled up in front of the inn. A moment later, she saw a familiar blue-haired Umamusume step out—followed by a familiar black-haired Umamusume and a familiar trainer.
That's… Ardan-ojousama? And Mejiro Ramonu? So the Mejiro Family picked this place for camp too?