To make it back in time for dinner, Kagura didn't linger in the audience seats for too long. Maruzensky also left the audience with her as promised and headed to the supermarket to gather ingredients.
"Miss Maruzen, that carrot you're holding isn't very fresh. It's probably the kind that gets sold at a discount in the evening."
Maruzensky, who had always been quite casual about daily life, naturally didn't have Kagura's discerning eye. For example, right now, she had an incredulous expression, her gaze darting between the carrot in her hand and the one Kagura held, trying to find some difference.
'Ah, what a genuinely confused expression… I must have looked like that the first time I went to the market to pick vegetables…'
Kagura couldn't help but want to laugh watching Maruzensky's bewildered look. She felt as if she was seeing her past self, except now, she was no longer the kitchen novice who couldn't even tell the difference between green onions and chives.
Since coming to the Symboli Family, Kagura had tended to buy higher quality ingredients. She would look for a balance in price after ensuring sufficient quality. This differed from her previous shopping habits, as the Symboli Family wasn't short on money, while she had always had to consider living costs.
Although she could occasionally find good things among the evening's discounted ingredients, the probability was ultimately not high, especially for meat and fish. To get good quality, one usually had to go early, and she had already arrived too late.
"Um… how exactly does the Little Horse Girls distinguish fresh ingredients?"
"Some you can tell by looking at the surface, others you have to touch and tap. There's no fixed method, it's probably… all by feeling?"
"It's over, am I really less knowledgeable about basic life skills than an amnesiac Little Horse Girls…"
Maruzensky stared intently at the carrot for half a minute, finally having no choice but to concede defeat.
Kagura, who had already planned the menu, purposefully moved through various sections, selecting items. Although Maruzensky was ostensibly there to help Kagura, once they arrived, she realized she couldn't be of much assistance. Aside from finding seasonings and drinks, Kagura was selecting most of the ingredients herself, while Maruzensky followed behind like a mobile shelf, helping to carry things.
Even though this was Kagura's first time in this supermarket, Kagura seemed very skilled at knowing where to find what ingredients. Even unfamiliar with the layout, she could quickly locate what she wanted using the signs, as if she had done this thousands of times. This greatly surprised Maruzensky, who usually shopped very casually and even relied on fast food when tired.
For some reason, Maruzensky saw a certain Kohki in the small, Orange-hair Uma Musume in front of her—a Kohki she had once seen in her Uma Musume mother.
—Even though she's younger than me, she has a motherly feeling.
Maruzensky looked at the white earring hanging from Kagura's left ear and felt an unbidden urge to wrap her arms around Kagura's waist and play a prank on this earnest child. However, she ultimately suppressed it with strong self-control.
She had come along so willingly not only because she genuinely wanted to help Kagura and prevent her from getting tired, but also out of her own curiosity. She found that Kagura seemed to have a strange attraction to her, especially when hugging Kagura, there was an indescribable sense of relaxation and comfort that made her constantly want to hug Kagura.
"Little Sister is truly amazing… I heard that you're also very good at housework when you're at the Symboli Family, is that right?"
"I'm just doing my part; it's nothing worth mentioning."
"That's wonderful~ I'm so envious of whoever gets to marry Little Sister in the future… When Kagura grows up, she'll definitely be a very virtuous wife! Big Sister guarantees it!"
"Miss Maruzen, is it really appropriate to say such things to a child who is only eleven years old… Well, I'll take it as a compliment~"
Seeing Maruzensky's envious expression, Kagura could only smile helplessly. She hadn't even thought that far ahead herself. Her biggest goal right now was to live independently and then repay Speed Symbol for her help. As for anything after that, she would leave it for her future self to ponder.
Although Maruzensky hadn't been much help this time, besides acting as a human shopping cart to carry things for her, it was still a pleasant thing to have someone accompany her and chat occasionally while working.
'Maruzensky is actually quite a good person…'
Ignoring her occasional habit of chest-bumping her, Kagura felt that Maruzensky was a very kind and friendly senior. She just didn't know how old this senior was. Although she looked like a high school student, she exuded the warmth of an enthusiastic aunt next door.
"What's wrong? Miss Maruzen, why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
While waiting in line for the cashier, Kagura noticed Maruzensky seemed to be constantly looking at her face. Kagura, who had been distracted and thinking about various random things, snapped back to reality and asked.
"Nothing… Little Sister, have you bought enough ingredients?"
Maruzensky, remembering Kagura's extreme sensitivity to being watched and followed, quickly shook her head.
"Almost. It's a bit heavy. I don't know how I'd get all this back to the Hotel without a small cart. Miss Maruzen, it's a huge help that you came ~ Thank you very much!"
Uma Musume eat much more than humans, which meant Kagura had to carry a large amount of groceries back. Kagura was quite glad Maruzensky was willing to come along; otherwise, she would have had to figure out how to transport all these items.
"You're welcome ~ I'm glad I could help. Besides, I only helped carry some things; you did everything else, Little Sister."
"Hehehe… Then I'll leave these big bags to Miss Maruzen ~ Be careful not to break the bags."
… "Cheers ~"
That night, in a private room booked by Speed Symbol, Rudolph Symbol, who had finished her performance, gathered here with a few others from Tracen to celebrate her debut victory today.
Of course, Uma Musume cannot drink alcohol, so Kagura had prepared only fruit juice and carrot juice bought from the supermarket.
The dishes on the table were naturally prepared by Kagura herself, and the ingredients were also brought by her and Maruzensky from the supermarket. She had simply borrowed an unoccupied kitchen at the Hotel. Although Uma Musume have larger appetites, fortunately, the Uma Musume present all had relatively normal appetites, so Kagura didn't end up collapsing from exhaustion in the kitchen.
Maruzensky, who had watched out of curiosity, could not forget Kagura's one-against-five efficiency in the kitchen. Whether it was processing ingredients or cooking steps, Kagura handled everything with great skill, as if she had done it countless times, leaving the Hotel chefs nearby in awe.
"Delicious! It's the taste that haunts my dreams! I never thought Little Sister, you could cook Chinese food!"
After everyone started eating, Akikawa Yayoi, after a few bites, couldn't help but exclaim in pleasant surprise.
"Yes, it is. My skills are not refined; I hope you'll be lenient."
"Nonsense! It tastes exactly like the delicious food made by the Hotel chef when I traveled to China previously! If Little Sister's skills are 'unrefined,' then there would be no great chefs left in the world!"
Akikawa Yayoi firmly denied Kagura's modesty. It seemed Akikawa Yayoi really liked her cooking, giving it extremely high praise, which made Kagura feel a bit embarrassed. Seeing that everyone else also looked very satisfied, Kagura finally breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried that her cooking might not suit their taste.
—Other things can be put aside, but cooking is for one's own stomach, so it must never be taken lightly!
This was Kagura's principle as a foodie. So, before her transmigration, in addition to her daily work, she diligently learned many other dishes. She never expected them to be showcased one day.
Speed Symbol also felt more at ease about Kagura's future arrangements. While Kagura was busy cooking, Rudolph Symbol, with whom she usually couldn't connect, uncharacteristically initiated a conversation with her—after understanding Kagura's current situation, she wanted to help Kagura by bringing her to Tracen Academy.
Kagura's current age was certainly not enough to stand on the Racecourse, but it would be good for her to get accustomed to academy life in advance. After observing her for a while, Speed Symbol found that Kagura had likely received human education before; her knowledge of Uma Musume common sense was pitifully scarce, almost nonexistent. Going to Central Tracen should greatly increase her understanding of Uma Musume.
Of course, Speed Symbol hadn't forgotten Kagura's personality, which was unwilling to easily accept favors. She had already thought of a reason. After discussing it with Rudolph Symbol today, the grandmother and granddaughter, for the first time in a while, reached a consensus: as long as Kagura agreed, she would send Kagura to be Rudolph Symbol's Support Musume, to take care of Rudolph Symbol—this was the official explanation, but would Rudolph Symbol, who grew up with an elite education and possessed extremely strong self-care abilities, truly need someone to look after her? The answer was obvious.
—At least for now, Rudolph Symbol still thought so.
"Kagura, are you interested in a change of work environment?"
Mid-meal, after exchanging glances with Speed Symbol nearby to confirm the signal and that Speed Symbol was also ready, Rudolph Symbol finally spoke.
"Huh?"
Kagura, who had been engrossed in biting a spare rib, looked up, put down her chopsticks, and looked questioningly at Rudolph Symbol, who had spoken.
"My work at school is very busy, and I often can't take care of myself. You're also a maid at home, right? Are you interested in becoming my Support Musume, responsible for my daily life outside of work and races?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Akikawa Yayoi, who had been somewhat regretful and turning her grief into appetite, immediately perked up, stopped eating, looked up, and blinked her bright eyes at Rudolph Symbol, her face full of anticipation.
Maruzensky, on the other hand, rolled her eyes at Rudolph Symbol. How could she not know how much her friend loved talent? She usually went to great lengths to find good prospects, even traveling hundreds of kilometers to remote rural areas to recruit people.
—Your abacus beads are practically bouncing off my face! The crystallization of the Symboli Family's elite education, the dignified Student Council President of Central Tracen, can't take care of herself? What a joke, I think you're just coveting her legs!
However, thinking that if Kagura also came to Central Tracen, she would have many more opportunities to pet Little Horse Girls. With this in mind, Maruzensky still hoped Kagura would agree, but ultimately, it would depend on Kagura's personal wishes.
As for Tojo Hana, her expression was relatively less obvious, but she also had her own plans. Although she wouldn't put such a young child through intense training, having Kagura at the academy would make it easier for her to monitor Kagura's condition and provide some basic guidance. After all, it was rare to find such a promising talent, and she naturally hoped Kagura's talent could shine, even if Kagura ultimately didn't choose her as her Trainer.
"You mean, Young Lady needs me to go to the academy to take care of you? Is that alright? Is the Family Head alright with this?"
Kagura looked at Speed Symbol. She didn't mind changing her work environment. It wasn't unheard of for a young lady to bring a maid to school, and there was nothing wrong with helping an elder take care of her granddaughter. She was just worried about Speed Symbol's opinion.
"It's fine… there are other maids at home. Little Kagura, it's good to take care of Rudolph. She's too busy; she needs care more than I, an old woman, do. Besides, the Symboli Family isn't far from Tracen. You can come back anytime if you want to visit."
Speed Symbol, who had already planned everything, naturally cooperated with her granddaughter's act. She was actually a bit reluctant to let Kagura leave, but this was for Kagura's future. After all, she would eventually become independent, and Tracen just happened to have the resources. With Rudolph Symbol's influence, achieving this would be very easy.
"Since the Family Head has no objections, then, I will follow your wishes, Young Lady. I will arrive at Tracen promptly every day."
Kagura herself didn't particularly care; her main concern was Speed Symbol needing care. Since Speed Symbol had no objections, she would no longer refuse Rudolph Symbol's proposal.
"You don't need to travel far. Since Kagura is enrolling as a Support Musume, the academy can treat you as a student. There are still empty rooms at Tracen, so arranging a dormitory for you is possible."
"Won't it be a lot of trouble? It's not the start of the school year, is it?"
She remembered that changing dormitories in high school and college was very inconvenient, and it was still July. Kagura was a bit worried if this would cause any unnecessary trouble.
"Don't worry. As the Student Council President… *cough*, anyway, the summer training camp will be over soon, and everyone will be returning to school. You don't need to worry about this."
Rudolph Symbol suddenly remembered something mid-sentence and hesitated, then looked at Akikawa Yayoi, who was still looking at Kagura with sparkling eyes and a face full of anticipation, seemingly completely oblivious to what she was saying. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.
"Alright… If there's any trouble, please be sure to tell me, and I will cooperate fully."
Kagura nodded. After confirming there were no other matters, she buried her head and continued to slurp the spare ribs in her bowl.
Because of this, she completely missed Akikawa Yayoi subtly giving Rudolph Symbol a thumbs-up, and Maruzensky's ears wiggling non-stop from happiness.