After a brief chat at the finish line, the race was officially over, and the Umamusume gradually dispersed, heading back to their hotel rooms for some rest.
"Ahhh! I was so close! There goes my three days' worth of meals!"
Watching Rudolf smugly lift Kagura onto her arm like a prized trophy, chatting with her while occasionally teasing her, Maruzensky felt like a player watching someone else hit the jackpot right in front of her.
She suddenly remembered Tazuna-san's oft-repeated words, "Letting victory slip away right before the finish line…" She never really understood the feeling behind those words until this very moment.
But looking on the bright side, at least it was Rudolf who got the prize. Getting it simply meant a return to her usual daily routine anyway. It was far better than letting it fall into the hands of the Mejiro Family. Rudolf treated Kagura quite well, and didn't harbor any strange ideas like the Mejiros.
"It looks like I came out ahead this time, Maruzen."
"You eat Kagura's cooking every single day anyway, why even bother with something like that? How about giving it to me?"
Maruzensky stepped forward, playfully rubbing Kagura, who was perched on Rudolf's arm, making one last desperate attempt.
"That's different. Even if it's not very practical, this has sentimental value."
She glanced fondly at the handwritten voucher Kagura had given her, the neat and graceful characters charmingly reminiscent of Kagura herself. Perhaps it truly embodied the sentiment, "to see one's writing is to see the person."
Though Rudolf had been cared for by Kagura countless times, this was the first formal gift she'd received from her. Even if it wasn't particularly useful, Rudolf decided she'd find a nice case for it and keep it safe.
"Ahh, I miss the kiddo's cooking so badly! The hotel's food is pretty good, sure, but nothing beats her meals!"
"Ahaha~ I'd love to cook for you all too, but Tojo-san insisted I rest properly and not fuss about unnecessary tasks for now."
Kagura suspected this instruction was probably from Speed-sama, delivered through Trainer Tojo. Still, some rest wasn't bad at all. The nearly two-month training camp felt like she was reliving her school days and having another summer vacation.
...
"I knew we wouldn't win, but still… losing sucks…"
Elsewhere, Nice Nature and Bizen Nishiki returned to the hotel together. Even though they'd been mentally prepared for defeat—after all, just two runners couldn't form an effective blockade—even overtaking Rudolf wouldn't have done much good without support.
"Well, we did our best! And honestly, our reward isn't half bad!"
Bizen Nishiki smiled gently, patting Nice Nature's shoulder to cheer her up.
As consolation prizes, they each received a small stack of meal coupons to a popular restaurant near Tracen. The vouchers were decent enough, but there was no doubt both of them would've preferred a meal cooked personally by Kagura. Unfortunately, circumstances made that impossible, so they could only quietly accept the outcome.
"By the way, Nishiki-senpai, aren't you gonna change and take a shower? You ran pretty hard earlier—your clothes are soaked!"
Nice Nature had been chatting with Bizen Nishiki at the small table in her room, and just as she stood up to start changing, she realized Nishiki was still there.
"Hm~ good idea! I'll go back and shower now. Sorry for disturbing you, Nature-san!"
Bizen Nishiki stood up, waved goodbye cheerfully, and walked toward the door.
Just as she grasped the handle to open it, there was a soft knock. Curious, Nishiki smoothly opened the door.
"Oh… Kagura-chan?"
Seeing Inari Kagura standing there, Bizen Nishiki froze for a moment. After all, this was Nature's room—she herself had just dropped by—meaning Kagura must've specifically come looking for Nice Nature.
"Huh? Nishiki-senpai, why are you in Nature's room?"
Kagura tilted her head curiously. Trainer Minamizaka had asked her to come over and give Nice Nature a massage to help her relax, but what was Nishiki doing here?
"I came by to comfort Nature-san a bit. We just finished chatting, and I was about to head back for a shower. What about you, Kagura-chan?"
"Oh, it's nothing much. Trainer Minamizaka asked me to give Nature a massage to loosen up her muscles. I thought it'd be perfect timing—afterward, she could enjoy a relaxing afternoon nap."
"Eh…?"
Bizen Nishiki paused, eyes wide with surprise. She glanced questioningly back at Nice Nature, who was equally bewildered and shook her head, clearly unaware of the arrangement.
"It was Trainer Minamizaka's request, so Nature probably didn't know."
Noting their puzzled expressions, Kagura explained briefly. It seemed Trainer Minamizaka hadn't had the chance to inform Nice Nature beforehand.
"Ah, I see…"
Bizen Nishiki nodded slowly, finally grasping the situation. She shot Nice Nature an envious look.
Kagura, standing in the doorway, didn't think much of it. She was just here to fulfill her assigned task. But since Nishiki happened to be here…
"By the way, Nishiki-senpai, since you're already here, want me to give you a massage afterward too? I wouldn't mind at all."
"Yes!"
Nishiki froze completely, but her body reacted faster than her brain—she immediately nodded and agreed.
Wait… What did I just say?!
Recovering from her shock, Nishiki realized her mouth had bypassed her brain entirely. Still, after reconsidering carefully, she would've given the same response anyway.
"Well then, Nishiki-senpai, please wait inside. Nature, your clothes are probably soaked from the race, right? Take them off and lie down on the bed first."
"O-oh… got it!"
---
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