"What's going on this afternoon? Why does everyone keep coming to ask me the same question?"
Kagura had originally planned a quiet afternoon organizing her race schedule after camp ended. Instead, her room was bombarded by knocks. Rudolf and Maruzensky came first, inviting her to a summer festival as a team outing. Then came Nice Nature, followed closely by Bizen Nishiki, and finally Ardan toward evening—all proposing the exact same thing.
"Eh? Everyone else already invited you?"
Hearing she'd fallen behind, Ardan felt a pang of regret. If only she'd gotten the info sooner, she could've been first to ask Kagura out.
"Yeah. Anyway, since everyone wants to go, why don't we all just go together? It'll be fun."
Kagura thought back to what Rudolf had said earlier. With so many wanting to join, it made sense to simply go as a group.
"Ah…that sounds fine. If everyone else wants to, let's all go."
Ardan had intended to spend time alone with Kagura. Now realizing she'd lost her advantage, she reluctantly went along with Kagura's idea. It wasn't as though she could selfishly demand Kagura accompany only her and leave everyone else behind—that just wasn't something Kagura would do.
...
"It's…pretty lively here, huh…in all sorts of ways…"
A few days later, Nice Nature stared blankly at the crowd of familiar faces around her. She'd hoped for some private time with Kagura, yet here she was, surrounded by the entire squad.
Nice Nature exchanged awkward looks with Ardan and the others. Aside from Rudolf, each had individually invited Kagura, and by a bizarre twist of fate, everyone showed up together—transforming the intended small outing into another massive summer-camp group event.
Narumiya and Minamizaka originally thought this could be good for bonding, so they let things unfold naturally. Wanting to give the girls some space, the trainers had formed their own separate group trailing behind.
"This isn't bad at all! Everyone's always busy training or competing. It's rare we all get together like this!"
Apart from Kagura, Bizen Nishiki was the only Umamusume genuinely thrilled about the situation. She'd only intended to invite a friend, but going out with everyone had its own charm—even if she secretly regretted losing her chance to be alone with Kagura.
"Hehe~ Nishiki-senpai certainly looks like she's enjoying herself."
Holding Rudolf's hand, Kagura smiled fondly at Nishiki, who was skipping ahead like a child eagerly taking in every sight. Watching Nishiki's wide-eyed excitement, Kagura recalled Narumiya's words: Nishiki had never attended festivals before. Raised on strict routines of homework and training, she'd only started having her own interests after arriving at Tracen. Festivals, though, remained completely unfamiliar territory.
"It's my first time somewhere this lively… I might've gotten a bit too excited, hehe..."
"That's a good thing. Better than this bunch here who've been crowding me nonstop like I'll disappear the moment they look away."
Kagura rolled her eyes playfully at Nature, who clung protectively beside her, and Ardan and Maruzensky, who hovered anxiously behind. Though she understood their concern about losing her in the crowd, being surrounded so tightly was a bit suffocating. After all, she was a working adult (at least mentally). Being treated like a fragile child felt strangely embarrassing.
"We're just worried you'll get separated. Look how packed it is—you're so small, someone might grab you or something…"
Nice Nature still vividly remembered that strange trainer she and Kagura encountered shortly after they first met—the one who'd boldly asked Kagura if he could touch her legs. Even though Trainer Okino later proved harmless, just an earnest leg enthusiast, Nature's first impression remained bitterly etched into her memory.
Of course, concern wasn't her only motive. Nature had desperately wanted to take Kagura's hand herself, strolling around like Rudolf. But she simply couldn't mimic Rudolf's effortless confidence.
Trailing behind, Ardan quietly observed. Like Nature, she'd hoped to lead Kagura around personally. Unfortunately, Rudolf's movements were just too natural, leaving no room for others to intervene. Maruzensky had it even worse—she'd long wanted to hoist Kagura onto her shoulders, but Rudolf's possessive presence made that impossible. Both Maruzensky and Ardan began harboring rare thoughts of frustration toward Rudolf.
Watching Ardan and the others hesitantly extend and retract their hands, Mejiro Ramonu sighed softly from behind.
This group really stands no chance against Rudolf… Seems the Symboli Family really does have a special place in Kagura's heart.
Remembering how slowly the Mejiro Family had gotten wind of the festival compared to others, Ramonu began to understand why Mejiro Iris had slammed her hand on the table in frustration days ago. But she couldn't entirely blame Ardan—the Mejiro Family's overprotective isolation had significantly hindered Ardan's social development.
...
"Wow, Kagura-sam's insanely popular, huh? We came out to have fun, but everyone's just orbiting her."
The trainers followed at a relaxed distance, scouting for fun activities while subtly ensuring none of their Umamusume wandered off or got into trouble.
Ahead of them, the Umamusume—Rudolf, Maruzensky, and everyone else—had clustered tightly around Kagura, with only Nishiki cheerfully bouncing around in front.
"Kagura-san's the youngest here, plus her personality's so likable—of course these older girls all want to dote on her."
Minamizaka chuckled, amused by the sight of Nature and others enthusiastically pointing out candied apples and festival games to a bewildered Kagura. Seeing Kagura look like her mental CPU had overloaded from sensory input was amusing in itself.
"Speaking of which, everyone came in casual clothes, huh? Are they like my Nishiki and didn't bring a yukata? Couldn't we have rented some from the hotel?"
"No, Nature mentioned it'd be packed today. She worried yukata might restrict movement or invite unwanted attention, so they all decided on casual clothes."
Though Minamizaka had no idea how Nature had developed her anxiety about "weirdos," it seemed today's casual outfits were largely Nature's influence.
"By the way, Tojo-san, Kagura-san's officially debuted now, right? Have you planned her upcoming races?"
Narumiya casually steered the conversation toward Kagura.
"Kagura arranges her own schedule. She maintains the latest version herself. My role is just to confirm her entries and veto dangerous plans. But why ask me something private like this?"
"Ah… Nothing really. Just curious. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
Narumiya quickly backed off. Though he hadn't learned Kagura's schedule, his impression of her had changed again. Rumors on forums had seemed exaggerated, but now he realized Kagura's independence and abilities were likely true.
Schedules were closely guarded among trainers—usually revealed only shortly before a race to protect their Umamusume and avoid media harassment. Narumiya himself had struggled greatly with Nishiki's leaked schedule before Kagura stepped in. He'd even personally visited Tojo's office later to thank her.
Even Tojo herself didn't fully know Kagura's schedule, which frequently changed. She'd heard Kagura mention aiming for a graded race in early October after camp. Likely the Tokyo Racecourse GIII. Conveniently, that timing matched Rudolf's comeback race. Thankfully, Kagura never caused problems, so Tojo felt comfortable enough.
Still, despite Kagura's skill, Tojo worried—wondering if Kagura might be an early-blooming talent destined to fade quickly, her extraordinary abilities extracting an unseen cost from her body.
If something were wrong, Kagura herself would notice immediately, wouldn't she…?
Haa… At this rate, I'm more of an accessory than a trainer…
...
"Kagura, try these grilled egg skewers! They've got fish balls too!"
"Kagura-chan~ There's candied apples over here. Want one?"
"Kiddo! A white-haired Uma's doing backflips over there!"
Back with Kagura, she felt like she was shopping with that hopelessly indecisive friend again—only now multiplied by several. Being tugged in multiple directions at once was exhausting.
Wait…I'm an Umamusume now… Is this what they call "horsing around"?
Amused by her terrible joke, Kagura smiled quietly. Thankfully, Ardan didn't notice her subtle expression.
"Two candied apples, please—one for me and my kouhai~"
"Right away!"
Ardan's voice drew Kagura back. Something sweet and cool pressed gently against her lips, accompanied by Ardan's gentle smile.
"Try it. Ever had a candied apple before?"
"No… Mm, sweet and tangy…"
Nibbling like a small hamster, Kagura felt warmth as Ardan tenderly patted her head. Though Ardan regretfully resisted pinching Kagura's cheeks (proper manners!), this moment felt just right.
For Kagura, despite the chaos, she was genuinely happy. Beyond just her friends, she'd even spotted familiar faces like Gold Ship performing flips to earn tips—with Trainer Okino awkwardly covering his face nearby. Life was tough for Team Spica, it seemed.
Finally, Rudolf gathered everyone to watch fireworks together. As brilliant colors exploded behind them, smiles blossomed, fingers raised in cheerful victory signs, and a perfect group photo captured the moment:
"Cheese—!"
---
T/N: so cuteeeeeeee anyway volume 1 is over MUIAHUHAUHAUUAH THATS RIGHT THIS SHIT HAS VOLUMES!!!! what will volume 2 bring i wonder...?
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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