Kagura didn't know if it was because Umamusume were naturally suited for swimming, but the moment her friends dove in, there was no hesitation at all. Rudolf, Maruzensky, and Mejiro Ramonu—those who ran faster on land—hit the shoreline first, and once they were in the water their pace was clearly faster, too.
Wow… everyone's swimming so fast.
Kagura, meanwhile, had crossed ahead of them with Trainer Tojo by speedboat. The distance wasn't far; even though they reached the opposite shore early, Kagura could still clearly make out her friends' figures moving through the sea.
"Hehe. Kagura, everyone's really fired up," Tojo said.
She could tell at a glance: the racers were in excellent form. Their movements were crisp and decisive—full of visible drive. And there was no mystery where that motivation came from. After talking with the other trainers, Tojo also knew exactly which prize everyone wanted most.
She glanced at Kagura beside her. Kagura had her phone out, taking photos of the girls in the water. Even though she hadn't been allowed to compete, she still wanted to be useful, so she'd volunteered to record moments from the race.
"Not having to drive is such a good thing~ What's up?"
"Nothing…"
This kid… it's not just her cooking. Even her personality draws people in. So many people are willing to push themselves for her.
Kagura's popularity couldn't be explained by cooking alone. After spending more than half a year with her, Tojo understood why the people around Kagura liked her. She was young, but steady and mature; gentle and kind; and she gave everyone around her the same sincere care.
Even Tojo herself—a trainer—had been looked after by Kagura more times than she could count. Sometimes it almost felt like Kagura was the one supporting her, not the other way around…
Anyway. If she were younger, she'd have wanted a friend like that, too.
"Oi—! You're all swimming so fast! Hang in there—almost at shore!"
As Kagura cheered for the girls in the sea, Tojo heard someone call her from behind. She turned to see Trainer Narumiya, who'd been guarding the start point here, walk over at some point without her noticing.
"Trainer Tojo," Narumiya said. "I have a favor to ask."
"Go ahead."
"I'm here for Nishiki. She told me Kagura is someone crucial to her—the one who reached out and pulled her up when she was falling, the one who comforted her. In Nishiki's racing career, there will inevitably be times she feels low. When that happens… would it be possible to borrow Kagura for a bit?"
"That…" Tojo said. "I don't mind. It's really up to Kagura. As long as you get her agreement, I don't intend to interfere."
Kagura wasn't doing anything wrong—if anything, she was helping others. Tojo had no desire to step on her personal choices, and she was happy to see Kagura taking the initiative to support her classmates.
"I understand. Thank you, Trainer Tojo."
...
The Umamusume cleared the first stage—the swim—smoothly.
The first to reach shore, exactly as Kagura had expected, was Rudolf.
"Congratulations, Rudolf-ojousama. You're the first one here."
"For me, that was only natural," Rudolf said. "Wait for me, Kagura. Like always, I'll take first place."
Rudolf came out of the water, raised a hand, and patted Kagura's head—then, without even thinking, rubbed her cheeks as well. After that, she strode toward the row of bicycles waiting on the sand, ready to begin the next stage.
Not long after Rudolf set off, Maruzensky and Mejiro Ramonu reached the beach.
"Good work~ Maruzensky-san, and Ramonu-ojousama. The bikes are over there. Rudolf-ojousama already left, so don't fall behind~"
"Of course! This is your Onee-chan's home turf!" Maruzensky declared. "I'll pass Rudolf in no time!"
Maruzensky came over and wrapped Kagura in a hug, pressing her cheek against Kagura's and rubbing—then took a couple of small, blissful sniffs like she was savoring something. Only after that did she leave with a shining smile to get her bicycle.
What…? Is everyone really that bold? And Kagura doesn't seem to mind at all…
Mejiro Ramonu stared, momentarily stunned. But she also knew she was already behind, and time wasn't on her side. She greeted Kagura quickly and hurried off—quietly filing away what she'd just seen.
Kagura waited on the shoreline a little longer before Nice Nature and Bizen Nishiki finally approached. Kagura had been worried about their stamina, but neither of them were gasping for air when they climbed out, which eased her nerves.
"Nature-san, Nishiki-san—are you two okay?"
"I'm fine… huff…" Bizen Nishiki said. "We need to pick up the pace, Nature-san."
Bizen Nishiki had wanted to hug Kagura the moment she got out, but she knew they couldn't waste time. They were already far behind Rudolf; if they dawdled now, catching up would be even more hopeless.
"Yeah… Kagura, I'm going!" Nice Nature said.
She didn't linger either—just a quick greeting as she came ashore, then she rushed to her bike and took off.
After watching them leave, Kagura waited a few more minutes—until a blue figure finally appeared on the coastline, late and careful.
"Haa… okay… my stamina's holding…"
For Ardan, this was her first bout of intense, full-body exertion in a long time. Kagura's care and conditioning over the past weeks had made the difference; otherwise, Ardan wasn't sure she could've even swum here at all.
Ardan was the one Kagura was watching most closely. Everyone else could simply catch their breath if they got tired—but if Ardan damaged her vitality, it wouldn't be something she could fix with a few deep breaths.
So the instant Ardan stepped onto the beach, Kagura hurried over.
"Ardan-ojousama—are you all right? Can your body still handle it?"
"I'm fine," Ardan said, breathing evenly. "I slowed down. With my current condition, finishing won't be a problem."
Before the race, Ardan had already wrestled with the question. With this body, she couldn't possibly contend with prodigies like Rudolf. For her, completing the course was victory. In a match she was destined to lose, was there really any point in fighting for position?
Kagura had said the same thing to her beforehand—quietly, plainly.
"Even if you don't race, Ardan-ojousama… you can still eat what I cook."
But Ardan had refused almost immediately.
No. This isn't about winning or losing. If my body learns to retreat this time… then the next time I face a challenge like this, I won't be able to move forward.
Those words had stayed with Kagura. They were the reason she'd ultimately agreed to let Ardan compete—and now, seeing her here, Ardan looked better than Kagura had feared.
"Okay… but don't push yourself, Ardan-ojousama."
"I won't…"
Kagura took in Ardan's stubborn resolve and knew persuasion wouldn't work. She turned her head and glanced along the beach—then noticed two scooters parked beside Trainer Narumiya.
"Trainer Narumiya, could I borrow one of those scooters?"
"No problem. One of them was meant for Trainer Minamizaka, but she brought her own transport, so I kept it here. You can take it if you need it. But, Kagura—can you drive?"
"I learned from the head maid. I've ridden hers to buy groceries before. I can ride it."
"I see."
Trainer Narumiya nodded and pulled one scooter over, handing it to Kagura.
Ardan looked at Kagura, puzzled, not understanding what she was planning.
"Tainer Tojo—please follow the others ahead," Kagura said. "I'll stay at the very back and accompany Ardan-ojousama the whole way. Is that okay?"
"…All right. That's fine."
Tojo hesitated. She didn't want to burden Kagura with extra work, but Kagura's proposal made sense—and Tojo trusted her competence. She believed Kagura could keep an eye on Ardan.
"If anything happens to Ardan, Kagura, contact me immediately."
"Understood!"