"So… you mean to tell me you hit more than ten red lights in a row on the way back, and that's why you're late… right."
After listening to Kagura's explanation for why she returned nearly half an hour later than usual, the head maid finally let out a sigh of relief.
Kagura herself hadn't expected it—on her way back with groceries for lunch, she somehow managed to encounter red lights at nearly every crossing. She had to wait through the full timer at each one. Only after passing the Tracen Academy intersection did she finally meet with a string of greens. By then, she was beginning to wonder if something unlucky had attached itself to her.
"Mm, I'm really sorry—it delayed making lunch!"
"No… it's fine. What matters is that you came back safe."
The head maid sighed again, then lifted her hand to ruffle Kagura's small head. The soft touch was dangerously addictive.
Letting a child run errands outside was always unsettling—whether for the head maid or for Symboli Speed. And Kagura had no cellphone. If she had been any slower, the maids might have had to mobilize everyone to go search for her.
She peeked into Kagura's bags—just like usual, the groceries were fresh and high-quality. And according to the receipt, Kagura had spent less than the others usually did.
"…By the way, Kagura, how exactly do you know how to pick out such good ingredients?"
Of course, you could learn that sort of thing just by spending time around the shopping street, but Kagura had only been here for less than two months. Could such a small child really be gathering and using that kind of information already?
What puzzled the head maid most was that Kagura not only found cost-effective goods—her eye for quality was professional. The ingredients she brought back were always excellent, yet cheaper than what the other maids bought. Never once had the head maid seen Kagura bring home something subpar. In this alone, she far outstripped the rest of the staff.
And not just selecting ingredients—Inari Kagura's cooking had shocked both the maids and Symboli Speed. At first, Speed had wanted to let the child relax, to spare her from cooking every meal. But between Kagura's enthusiasm and her overwhelming skill, Speed had no choice but to give in. She handed all authority over shopping and cooking to Kagura.
"…I just happen to look closely when I go, and remember. I guess… it's all just instinct? No special method."
Kagura tilted her head, uncertain.
For someone who had been a foodie in her previous life, rising early to buy the freshest produce, judging quality by eye—it was second nature, etched into her DNA. She didn't find it strange at all.
"…I see."
The head maid thought the child was far too mature. She had recovered from the confusion of amnesia far too quickly. Unnaturally quickly. But given Kagura's current circumstances, she had no choice but to grow independent. Recovering early was surely a good thing.
After moving the ingredients into the kitchen, Kagura reached for the stove. But the head maid stopped her.
"Kagura, the Speed-sama is looking for you. I'll cook today."
"…Speed-sama? Alright, I'll go at once."
Leaving her work unsettled made Kagura nervous. But since it was Symboli Speed's order, she had to obey.
She hurried to Speed's room, knocked, and entered after permission.
"Speed-sama, you called for me?"
Symboli Speed was reclining on a lounge chair facing the wide window, newspaper in hand, a steaming cup of tea on the side table. The very picture of a retired elder at ease.
"Mm. Kagura… do you have time after lunch today?"
"Yes. I've already finished today's tasks. I don't have plans this afternoon."
Daily cleaning was light, since the estate was always maintained. Even counting miscellaneous chores, it didn't take long. Without a phone to browse the net, Kagura usually spent free time exercising, using the strong body she now had. It would be a waste not to.
"Good. Then after we eat, come with me… Heh. Kagura, come a little closer. Don't be so stiff."
"Yes. Excuse me, Speed-sama."
She didn't explain what she planned. Kagura felt curious, but she trusted Symboli Speed. Since she wasn't ready to say, there was no need to ask. She obediently stepped forward and sat properly before her.
This wasn't the first time. Whenever Speed had free time, she would call Kagura over, pull her close, hug her, stroke her hair, sometimes rub her ears. At first Kagura had been nervous, but now she was used to it.
"…Strange. It's as if you have a kind of magic. Being near you, all my worries fade, and I feel at peace."
Speed slipped her arms around Kagura's small frame, settling her onto her lap, gently patting her head as she spoke.
It was true. Kagura herself had not realized it, but Symboli Speed had sensed it: Kagura carried a peculiar aura, something soothing and calming. Coupled with her gentle temperament, people easily sank into her presence.
At first, Speed only wanted to help a homeless child. But Kagura turned out to be a domestic prodigy, a skilled cook, meticulous in all she did. Now… Speed wasn't sure she could bear to let her go.
"As long as you're satisfied, Speed-sama."
Kagura sat quietly on her lap. She understood—an old woman, her granddaughter often away, wanting to dote on a child wasn't unusual.
"Kagura, I've noticed you sometimes jog around the courtyard in your spare time. What are you doing?"
"…Just stretching my body. Nothing else to do, after all."
Without a phone, her energy went to testing her new body. An Uma Musume's physique was leagues beyond her frail human one. She always felt like she had energy to burn.
"…The courtyard is too cramped, isn't it? Would you like to go somewhere you can really let loose?"
"Eh? There's such a place nearby?"
"After lunch, follow me. You'll see."
Seeing her nod, Speed smiled and rubbed her head again.
…
…
After the meal, Symboli Speed changed into light sportswear and led Kagura toward a part of the estate she hadn't visited before. From afar, she'd seen it—a field, a long track. But since it wasn't her responsibility, she hadn't paid much attention.
As soon as she stepped onto the track, Kagura felt her heart stir. The open expanse thrilled her. Even her tail twitched wildly under her maid skirt, thumping audibly.
"Speed-sama… what is this for?"
"Why don't you accompany this old woman for some exercise?"
"I'm fine with it, but… are you sure?"
Kagura wasn't afraid of running. After all her grocery trips, she knew her stamina. She just worried it was too much for an elder.
"Heh… I was once the pride of the Symboli line. My body is still strong enough for this. Come, follow me. Don't fall behind."
"…Yes, Master."
Since she said so, Kagura obeyed, jogging behind her.
The track was soft grass, far more comfortable than pavement. Less traction, but easier on the feet.
But… was it her imagination? Speed's pace seemed to be quickening. Kagura had to speed up to keep close.
…Are those men by the track?
She glimpsed several men in black suits watching. Observing. Her.
What are they doing?
It made her uneasy, but she guessed they must be here at Speed's request. Surely she wasn't planning to sell her off, right?
…Surely not?
She liked it here. The work was easy. The head maid and Speed were kind. If she had to leave, she didn't know how she'd adapt again. Maybe no one would even hire her.
"Child, focus. If you're distracted, you'll trip."
"Ah—yes, Master!"
Speed noticed her distraction, warned her—and sped up again.
Kagura snapped back to focus, following closely. Now she was sure—Speed was accelerating. And as she did, Kagura felt it rising within her too:
Pass her. Overtake her.
Why? She wasn't competitive. This was just exercise. So why did she feel a primal urge to challenge her?
"Heh… Kagura, if you want, you can speed up. Overtake me."
"…But wasn't I supposed to be keeping you company? If I just run off ahead, that defeats the point."
"No. I'll still follow. Watching the young run makes me happy. And besides—you do want to run ahead, don't you?"
Running beside her, Speed smiled.
She could see it. Kagura was deliberately holding back, her speed fluctuating. An Uma's instinct—to chase, to compete—was irresistible. Even she, in her old body, still felt it.
"…I've heard you ran so fast in the streets you shocked passing trainers. You even nearly got arrested for speeding. Since then, you haven't run like that, have you?"
"Ahaha… I just got carried away."
"And you still exercise in the courtyard every afternoon. Now, with such space… don't you want to let it out?"
Kagura hesitated. She really did. Having this body, she wanted to know her limits. The courtyard wasn't enough.
"On this track, don't hold back. Relax. Release it all. See that marker? That's your goal. Run to it with everything you have."
Speed tapped her shoulder, pointing at the sign.
"…Then, excuse me, Speed-sama."
"Go."
With her blessing, Kagura stopped suppressing herself. She exploded forward, a blur vanishing past Speed in moments, already three lengths ahead.
"…Such power. Haven't gone through maturity, yet this kind of acceleration?"
Even old, Speed was still a former G1 champion. Her base speed was far from gone. Yet the child had left her in the dust, still accelerating.
The course was a youth-friendly 1600 meters. At just 200 meters, Kagura had surged, sprinting like a runaway Uma.
So light… I've never felt this before…
It was like breaking chains. Even in a maid outfit, her stride was airy. The world blurred past like a car on the highway. Never had she realized just how weak her old body was in comparison.
The sensation freed her. Joy welled. She knew—this still wasn't her limit.
As she rounded the bend into the final straight, Kagura cried out, instincts igniting. She pushed to maximum speed, barreling toward the finish. From far behind, Speed and the suited men could only see a fleeting shadow.
"…Rudolf was right. Those are legs to envy…"
The fire of competition she hadn't felt in decades burned again in Speed's chest. She tried to push faster—but her body was no longer young. She could only watch the little black shadow cross the line, sighing in admiration.
By the time she caught up, Kagura had already finished. Yet even after such a terrifying sprint, she wasn't exhausted. Just flushed, breathing harder.
"…Excellent stamina, excellent burst. Child, you have a body to be envied. How does it feel? After running like that?"
"…Mm. It feels… so light."
It was true. Her anxieties, her confusion of the past month—half gone. Running, thinking of nothing, was a rare gift for a former office drone.
"Good. This must be your first time at that speed. Next, come with me for a massage. The head maid's hands are skilled."
"Eh? No need, really, I feel fine—"
"An Uma's legs are precious. And fragile. Without proper care, hidden injuries will build. In time… you may not even walk."
Her tone was grave. Kagura could only nod.
"…Then thank you, Speed-sama."
"Good. Go ahead and tell the head maid to prepare. I'll come shortly."
Kagura left. Speed turned to the men in suits.
"Speed-sama."
They bowed as she approached.
"…That child. What did you think?"
"…A splendid runaway. Superb affinity for turf. Stamina and strength equally strong. No pacing whatsoever—yet even at high speed through 1600 meters, she unleashed such a terrifying finishing kick. For one not yet formalized, it's incredible. Not exaggerating to say—she already matches frontline pros."
"…My granddaughter's eye wasn't wrong. I must have stalled before the final straight. How far did she leave me?"
"…Nearly twelve lengths."
"…By a wide margin, huh. Haa… I'm old."
Taking their report, Speed sighed. She knew her age. But even so—seeing herself beaten by an unformalized child by such a huge gap stirred complicated feelings.
Still, the test had proven it. Inari Kagura was a talent. A jewel she had picked up by accident.
Ten years old. Younger than Rudolf, no risk of overlap. When she's of age… perhaps let her debut under the Symboli name?
She watched the direction Kagura had gone, deep in thought.
…
…
"…Um… could you… please be a little gentler…"
"No. If you don't feel it, it's not effective."
"…Aahh…"
Face buried in the pillow, Kagura tried not to make embarrassing sounds.
She'd had massages before, but Uma Musume massages were another world. Her small body was absurdly sensitive—pain and pleasure alike magnified. Her head spun, her limbs limp.
But Speed wasn't like this! Is this… a kid's body thing!?
She glanced at Symboli Speed, already finished, lounging contentedly with her phone. Meanwhile, Kagura's ears flicked and twitched with every press, betraying her state.
Afterward, Speed said she could use the track anytime, not just the garden. That pleased Kagura—though honestly, what she wanted most was a phone. To learn this world properly, since she had no way back.
Her life now was satisfying. The work was moderate. The maids and Speed were kind. Though Speed's habit of plopping her on her lap and rubbing her silly was… a bit troublesome. Still, understandable for an elder.
"…Nggh!!"
Her thoughts derailed as the head maid's fingers pressed deeper. Her ears shot straight up. Better focus on surviving.
Thankfully, it didn't last long. Left boneless, she refused the maid's offer to help her bathe—though judging from the maid's disappointed look, she wondered if she'd missed something.
Leaning against walls, she staggered to the bath. Clothes off, she sank weakly into hot water.
——Well done, Kagura. You've made yourself a fine opportunity.
Words surfaced across the water, rippling away.
"…What opportunity?"
——You ran wonderfully today. I wanted to nudge you, but you didn't need it.
"…I'm happy to be praised… but what does that have to do with this opportunity, Miss Eclipse?"
——Silly child. Didn't you see the fire in Speed's eyes? Your performance gave her another reason to keep you close.
"…I don't get it. We just… went for a jog, didn't we?"
——An Uma's eyes differ from humans'. Hard to explain. Just know—life will be easier for you now. In time, you'll understand～♪
A musical note danced at the end of Eclipse's words. She seemed in high spirits, though Kagura could not see her face.
Baffled, Kagura let it go. After bathing and dressing, she stepped out—only to see the head maid rushing toward her.
"Kagura, Speed-sama says she'll be leaving in a few days. She wants you to accompany her."
"Eh? Me? Why?"
"She says your performance has been excellent. Strong abilities. She wants you to take care of her on the trip."
Of course, the head maid had also seen the morning's run. She could guess Speed's true intention. But knowing Kagura's stubborn streak about accepting help, she phrased it in a way the girl could accept.
"…I see. Alright then. Understood."
Since it was Speed-sama's order, Kagura did not refuse. She trusted Symboli Speed had her reasons.