Just what was that little Uma Musume trying to do by getting close to me? She followed me all the way but left without doing anything…
Kagura lay on her bed in Symboli Estate, fresh from the bath, contemplating the mysterious encounter she'd had in the park today. She still couldn't figure out why the girl had followed her, then abruptly left after coming close without doing anything.
Clearly, that Uma Musume was a living person, and the ghost behind her was equally real, identical in appearance—just like herself and Eclipse-san. Could that spirit also be a guardian?
——That girl wanted to reach out and hug you. I think the spirit behind her was curious about you, trying to feel you through her. Though she meant no harm, I couldn't let the spirit recklessly touch you, so I scared her off a bit.
Eclipse-san's explanation quickly flashed across Kagura's phone screen, answering why the girl had suddenly frozen in her tracks.
No wonder… Next time we meet her and her ghost friend, Eclipse-san, please don't scare her away immediately. I'd like to talk to her.
——If that's what you want, I have no objections. As long as she doesn't threaten your safety, I'll pretend I saw nothing.
Eclipse-san had always supported Kagura's decisions, rarely intervening unless Kagura's safety was at stake.
——By the way, your young mistress's next race should be soon, right? Following the trainer's and your advice, either November or December. Do you have any plans?
Just the usual…checking track conditions, gathering opponents' information—my daily routine. Wait, Eclipse-san, could you help me with some on-site training this month?
Just as Kagura was about to ask Eclipse-san to possess her briefly for practice runs, she suddenly remembered that ability shared cooldown with her spirit possession skill. The last use had been during her archery practice, so the cooldown should be nearly finished by now.
——Of course not. Who do you think rescued you from the bathtub the night you fell asleep, silly child? Did you really think that shy young lady carried you out herself? If you push yourself like that again, I won't be able to fish you out of the water.
I—I'm sorry…
Reminded by Eclipse-san, Kagura recalled that night and felt embarrassed. She'd clearly done something foolish, though she hadn't planned to exhaust herself to that extent.
Knock knock knock—
The sudden knocking at the door startled Kagura, who'd been absorbed in her conversation with Eclipse-san. At this hour, normally no one would visit her. If someone came looking, it'd either be the Head Maid or Speed-sama. Kagura quickly jumped off her bed and rushed to open the door.
"Coming, coming… Huh?"
Standing outside was neither the Head Maid nor Speed-sama, but Symboli Sirius, whom Kagura had only recently met again after her return.
"Oh? So this is where you live, Inari Kagura-san?"
Symboli Sirius's previously indifferent expression suddenly shifted to one of interest. Kagura sensed she had suddenly grown excited.
"Good evening, Sirius Ojou-sama. May I ask if there's anything I can help you with at this late hour?"
"Nothing special. I just saw the light turned on in this room that's usually empty and got curious about who lives here."
Kagura glanced across the hallway, noticing the door opposite her room was still open. Apparently, Symboli Sirius occupied that previously vacant room.
So Sirius-sama has returned too... That's why the room across from mine was always empty before.
"Right, do you have free time tomorrow? I went to Tracen hoping to find you earlier, but you were busy training your friend. Oh, congratulations by the way—you and your friend's performance in the Selection Race was quite beautiful."
"Thank you very much for your praise, Ojou-sama. I'm free tomorrow, but what would you need me for?"
Seeing Sirius's suddenly fierce and competitive expression, Kagura suddenly felt a premonition of trouble.
"Run a lap with me tomorrow, Inari Kagura!"
"Eh? Σ(@д@lll)"
…
The next morning, Kagura awoke as usual at precisely 6:30 AM and wandered around the estate courtyard. With no chores to occupy herself, she truly found herself aimlessly wandering today.
Symboli Sirius didn't seem to share her habit of rising early. When Kagura woke up, she saw only a few scattered maids going about their morning tasks. She offered her help to them, but each maid cheerfully refused, scooping Kagura into their arms for a thorough cuddling session instead.
Aaaahhh! Why must everyone cuddle me every time they see me?! Curse it! Just wait until I grow up—
Just from leaving the main house to the courtyard, Kagura had already been cuddled thoroughly by all the maids she encountered along the way. She suddenly felt trapped—"Oh no, I'm surrounded by maid onee-sans!"—but after their cuddle sessions, each maid walked away smiling brightly, their work efficiency noticeably improved compared to when Kagura had previously stayed at the estate.
——Ha, with your height capping at a mighty 158 cm in the future, how exactly do you plan on cuddling them back? Any random maid here is taller than you.
Ugh, Eclipse-san, why couldn't you have been taller…
——Oh, blame me now, huh? It's not like I can control this. Do you think I enjoy being short?
Kagura could practically see Eclipse-san rolling her eyes through the screen.
Since she had nothing else to do—breakfast and chores were all strictly off-limits—Kagura glanced around and decided she might as well warm up and jog a bit on the estate's track in preparation for today's inevitable run.
Eclipse-san, tell me honestly—is running really enjoyable?
——For me, it's quite enjoyable, but also a bit regrettable. I never truly experienced the happiness Sirius-sama described. It's like being a hunter with no prey—there's no thrill.
I don't get it...
Kagura couldn't quite grasp Eclipse-san's metaphor, but at least she understood that an Uma Musume's nature was to love running, and even Eclipse-san was no exception.
Compared to other Uma Musume, am I unusually passive about running? Will others think I'm weird?
——Silly girl, why worry about something like that? Everyone's personality is different. There are Uma Musume who don't particularly love running too. Nobody will think you're strange.
Eclipse-san's text vanished, and Kagura suddenly felt her head being gently patted. She suspected Eclipse-san greatly enjoyed this sort of affectionate teasing.
"Oh! Kagura, you're up early! I was just about to wake you, but you weren't in your room."
Just as Kagura began stretching to warm up, Symboli Sirius arrived at the estate's track.
"You started warming up already? Wait just a sec, let me join you!"
"It's fine—I just started myself. Ojou-sama, you didn't eat anything beforehand, will that be okay? You don't have low blood sugar issues or anything?"
"Relax, I'm in perfect health! I've been looking forward to this all night; I was so excited this morning, and now I see you're already awake—it's perfect!"
Watching Symboli Sirius energetically perform broad, exaggerated warm-up stretches beside her, Kagura scratched her head, puzzled. They both hailed from Symboli Estate, yet Rudolf Ojou-sama and Sirius Ojou-sama were polar opposites in personality.
Maybe it's because she lived abroad too long?