"Mm…"
Bizen Nishiki didn't quite remember how she'd drifted back to her room. She had no recollection of pushing the door open, of walking inside, of making her way into the bathroom.
Only when she sank into the bathtub and the slightly scalding water slowly rose around her body did her thoughts begin to clear, the heat pulling her back from that hazy, floating comfort she'd been lost in moments ago.
"Kagura… is incredible…"
She couldn't recall the exact details anymore, but the feeling—that deep, effortless ease—was etched into her mind. It had been the most comfortable massage of her life. The technique, the pressure, even that inexplicable aura of calm warmth that surrounded Kagura—every element had landed perfectly within her comfort zone. She had only truly understood that today, by experiencing it herself.
Even now, just thinking back on it made her legs go weak again. The sensation was addictive. Hard to let go.
"So Rudolf and the others get this kind of support from Kagura all the time? That's… really nice."
Nishiki hugged herself and slid a little deeper into the bathwater, genuine envy welling up in her chest. If Kagura ever asked her again whether she wanted a massage, she wouldn't hesitate for even a second.
Ever since her defeat at the Satsuki Sho, a question had lingered in her mind.
If Kagura were my Support Umamusume… what would things look like?
"If Kagura were my Support Umamusume… that would be wonderful…"
She lifted a pale arm to rest across her forehead and leaned back against the tub wall, closing her eyes.
Ding-ding~♪
The soft notification sound cut through the quiet.
Nishiki reached for the phone resting on the edge of the tub, unlocked it, and pulled down the notifications.
It was from Narumiya Akimitsu.
[Trainer]:Nishiki, are you resting right now, or doing something else?
[Bizen Nishiki]:Nothing much. I'm taking a bath. I'll lie down and rest after I'm done.
[Trainer]:Hmm? Based on when you got back, shouldn't you have finished by now? Did something happen in between?
[Bizen Nishiki]:I went to comfort Nature, and I ran into Kagura, who came to massage her. She asked if I wanted to try too, so I… tried it?
After sending that, Nishiki stared at the screen.
No reply.
For a long while, nothing came through. She almost wondered if the other side had frozen.
Finally, a new message appeared.
[Trainer]:Did you thank her properly? Kagura-san is practically your savior. She never agreed to do any of this for us. If she helps you, it's purely because she's kind.
[Bizen Nishiki]:Of course! Kagura means so much to me—I would never be disrespectful to her!
[Trainer]:Good. Oh, by the way, I heard from the hotel staff that there'll be a summer festival nearby in the middle of the month. It's not far. Why not ask your friends to go together? Here's the event link—take a look.
[Trainer]:[Web link]
"Summer festival?"
Nishiki blinked.
The term sounded faintly familiar, yet strangely distant—like something that only existed in other people's conversations.
She had never attended one. Growing up, she hadn't been allowed much free time. Only after coming to Tracen and meeting her trainer had she gained even a little personal freedom. Even then, she rarely arranged outings herself; lacking the experience, she usually just spent her downtime lying somewhere in the sun.
Still, at the mention of inviting friends, a certain figure immediately surfaced in her mind.
"Kagura… Right! I can ask Kagura to go with me!"
[Bizen Nishiki]:Thank you, Trainer!
After replying, and deciding she'd soaked long enough, Nishiki stood up, dried herself off, and reached absentmindedly toward the usual spot where she hung her clothes—
Only to grab empty air.
"Ah… I forgot to bring clothes in…"
...
[Trainer]:So, Nature? Kagura-san went to massage you just now, right? How do you feel? Still comfortable?
On the other side, Nice Nature had just finished her shower and was lying sprawled on the bed like a wooden plank when her phone chimed. She picked it up and saw the message from Trainer Minamizaka.
[Nature]:I heard you were the one who asked Kagura to come… Um, thank you, Trainer. I'm really grateful! I feel amazing right now. I've never felt this refreshed before!
[Trainer]:No need to be so formal—it's for your own good. Oh, there's something else. I heard from the hotel lobby staff that there'll be a summer festival nearby in the middle of the month. Want to ask your friends and go have some fun?
[Trainer]:[Web link]
"Summer festival?"
Nature instinctively tried to sit bolt upright to read, but her limp, boneless body immediately protested. She had to scoot backward and prop herself up against the headboard and pillows instead.
For someone who grew up in the countryside, the term was intimately familiar. She had even helped out at local festivals more than once.
As for who she wanted to invite, she barely needed to think. The name had already surfaced in her mind.
"Let's ask Kagura!"
[Nature]:Thank you, Trainer! You always bring this kind of info right away—I'm really grateful!
[Trainer]:Life isn't just training. You've been working hard lately. It's important to relax sometimes. Go enjoy yourself~
...
"Rudolf, I just heard from the staff outside that there's going to be a festival nearby in a few days. Want to go take a look together?"
Rudolf was enjoying a leisurely afternoon in her room when Maruzensky, who was staying next door, slipped in.
Rudolf's ears twitched as she sat up with interest. Maruzensky handed over her phone so she could see the details.
"How interesting… Sure. Since we're going, why not invite Kagura and Trainer Tojo too? Let's have the whole team go together."
Since Maruzensky was already on board, Rudolf decided they might as well make it a proper group outing.
"Great idea! Let's go find the kiddo and the trainer in a bit!"
...
"Ardan, how are you feeling after this morning's race? Nothing bothering you?"
In Ardan's room, her trainer and Mejiro Ramonu had come to check on her condition.
"I'm fine. Thanks to Kagura's care these past weeks, my body isn't as fragile as it used to be."
"That's good to hear. Ardan-ojousama completed the race successfully. This performance proved your ability. Next year… perhaps you'll be ready for your debut race."
"Yes… By the way, Trainer, when I came back earlier, I saw Trainer Narumiya and Trainer Minamizaka chatting with some of the staff. They seemed to be discussing something. Would you like to check in? There might be some follow-up plans."
Ardan nodded. On her way back, she'd overheard the hotel staff speaking with Narumiya and Minamizaka, though she hadn't caught the details while hurrying to shower. Given that the previous event had also started from a trainer discussion, she felt it best to remind him to stay in the loop.
"Hmm? Really? All right, I'll go ask."
---
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