The next morning, Kagura woke up as usual at around half past six.
"Uh…"
Opening her eyes, Kagura found Ardan's face almost pressed against hers. She instinctively moved to gently push Ardan away, only to discover her arms were completely pinned. Ardan was hugging her tightly. Kagura tried moving her lower half to slip away, but Ardan's legs had also wrapped firmly around her waist. She could hardly turn her body.
"Ah… this might be a little troublesome…"
Kagura's small movements only caused Ardan to squeeze tighter. After managing to turn slightly, Kagura felt Ardan's soft body pressing snugly against her back. She had to admit, despite Ardan being just fourteen or fifteen years old, she already possessed a figure that Kagura deeply envied—fuller and softer than anyone her age had a right to be.
Though Ardan's softness was comfortable, Kagura knew it wasn't feasible to let her cling indefinitely. She wanted to get up and stretch her legs. Kagura attempted another gentle squirm, and luckily, Ardan wasn't as deeply asleep as Nice Nature—this slight movement was enough to wake her.
"Ah… Kagura-san…?"
"Morning, Ardan-ojousama. Could you loosen your grip a bit?"
"Huh? …Ah!! I-I-I didn't mean to! I'm so sorry!!"
At Kagura's quiet prompting, Ardan jolted awake instantly, quickly releasing Kagura and retreating to the far corner of the bed in embarrassment.
Finally free, Kagura got out of bed, changed into her casual clothes, and was about to go outside for her usual morning stroll. However, she suddenly remembered what Ardan had said last night about disciplining the little ones today. Stopping at the stairs, Kagura turned back, and sure enough, she found Ardan—already dressed—waiting at Kagura's room. And it wasn't just Ardan; Ramonu, who usually roamed the corridors early in the morning, had somehow been summoned as well.
Ah, you little ones, your onee-san really can't save you this time…!
Initially, Kagura thought she might still be able to plead mercy for the girls if it was just Ardan, but Ardan had seriously called Ramonu, just as she said she would last night. Now, it was only a matter of time before Iris-sama also heard of it. The situation had completely spiraled beyond her control.
Around 7:30 am, accompanied by bursts of startled cries from the little ones, Kagura—uneasily scrolling on her phone at the staircase—saw McQueen nervously slipping out of her room. Close behind was Ardan, dragging the panicking Palmer and Ryan, followed by Ramonu firmly carrying Bright and Dober. Kagura faintly overheard Ramonu grumbling about why Bright always clung so tightly to Dober. It was only now Kagura realized that Bright, who seemed the youngest, was actually Dober's older sister.
Spotting Kagura hiding at the stairs peeking curiously, Mejiro McQueen quickened her pace and hurried over:
"Kagura-oneesan… about last night, I'm sorry. I couldn't stop my sisters, and I even joined them…"
"I really don't mind it, you know. But McQueen, this time I really can't help you girls anymore."
Seeing McQueen apologetically coming over to explain, Kagura—who hadn't really minded at all—could only gently pat her head to comfort her. Given today's circumstances, Kagura had absolutely no way of intervening.
"No, Kagura-oneesan, you have nothing to apologize for. We all know we caused you trouble…"
"Well, good luck anyway~"
Kagura smiled, lightly pinching McQueen's soft cheek and nudging her gently towards Iris-sama's room. Better not keep Iris-sama waiting and risk making things worse. Kagura herself quietly followed behind to observe.
Early morning, amidst the lamentations of the little Uma Musume dragged by their two older sisters into Iris-sama's room, Kagura initially wanted to peek inside too. However, Ardan firmly blocked her way at the door:
"Kagura-san, you are forbidden from interfering in this matter. Please don't come in."
...
Silently offering a brief prayer of sympathy for the girls getting scolded, Kagura saw that Ardan, Ramonu, and Iris-sama were all busy dealing with them this morning. That meant no one would be available to stop her from slipping into the kitchen. Thinking she might as well make some snacks that the little ones liked—to comfort them after their scolding—and prepare breakfast for Iris-sama and the others at the same time, she headed straight there.
"Eh? Um… Inari Kagura-san… Iris-sama said…"
The maids in the kitchen, seeing Kagura enter, awkwardly attempted to stop her but didn't quite dare speak up clearly. Kagura waved her hand dismissively, signaling them not to worry; she would handle any consequences with Iris-sama herself. Reluctantly, they stepped aside.
The Mejiro kitchen was always fully stocked, and thanks to Ardan's fondness for Chinese cuisine, there was an abundant supply of ingredients. Kagura particularly liked this—unlike at the Symboli household, she didn't need to run out for ingredients whenever she wanted to cook.
"Kagura? What are you doing in the kitchen?"
Just as Kagura was halfway through preparing snacks, Iris-sama unexpectedly poked her head into the kitchen doorway, looking slightly bewildered.
"Huh? Iris-sama? You're done scolding them already?"
Kagura, who had assumed Iris-sama would be busy for much longer, blinked in surprise upon seeing her suddenly appear. But since she was already halfway through cooking, she certainly couldn't stop now.
"Actually, it's not that I finished… I got kicked out by Ardan. She and Ramonu are currently handling the lecture."
Iris-sama scratched her head sheepishly, choosing to tell the truth—though she deliberately omitted that she had been banished for pleading mercy on behalf of the little ones.
Ahh… kicked out, huh? Meaning Iris-sama was defending the girls, right? She and I were thinking the exact same thing—I thought she would scold them harshly too, but I guess not.
Even though Iris-sama hadn't stated it explicitly, Kagura immediately understood the true reason she had been expelled. She couldn't suppress an amused smile.
"By the way, child, didn't I say cooking should be left to the maids? You're our guest, and we're the hosts—there's no reason to trouble our guest with cooking."
Though she knew it was too late to stop Kagura now, Iris-sama sighed. Now she truly understood why Speed-sama had to deliberately take time out to ensure Kagura rested—one moment's inattention and Kagura would slip right back into the kitchen to busy herself again.
"I was just thinking that after the little ones are done being lectured, it'd be nice to make something delicious to cheer them up. Would Iris-sama like a taste?"
Kagura smiled, lifting a small plate of freshly prepared taro and radish cakes, placing it on the counter, and handing Iris-sama a small fork.
Iris-sama didn't refuse. Ever since Speed-sama had brought her along for a meal at Tracen's cafeteria, she'd constantly remembered Kagura's cooking, unable to set aside her pride to follow Speed-sama's example of posing as a student to sneak in again.
"Oh… Child, this is… a Cantonese dim sum dish?"
Taking a bite of the radish cake, Iris-sama's eyes widened slightly. Its taste matched exactly the authentic flavor she'd experienced years ago while visiting Ardan in Huaguo. Soft, savory, and fragrant, it was a flavor she'd searched for fruitlessly in Tokyo's Chinese restaurants. Yet now, astonishingly, she was tasting this authentic flavor again from an eleven-year-old child's hands, rivaling a hotel chef's expertise.
"Hm? Iris-sama is familiar with Chinese cuisine?"
"A little… because Ardan loves it. But this taste… truly, I haven't found its equal in Tokyo in years. Child, your cooking skills are remarkable. Did your family maid teach you?"
Though tempted by the steaming baskets of translucent shrimp dumplings and juicy phoenix claws sitting beside her, Iris-sama maintained her composure and etiquette. She couldn't very well devour food shamelessly in front of a guest.
"Nope, I learned it all myself—I love Chinese cuisine too, so I practiced making it. I'm really glad you like it!"
"Such skill… self-taught? How terrifyingly talented. Akikawa was right: if you can't call yourself a chef, there are very few people in the world who could."
Iris-sama praised her earnestly. Realizing Speed-sama could enjoy Kagura's cooking daily, she felt increasingly envious of her old friend.
From Ardan, Iris-sama knew exactly how Kagura had spent yesterday. Besides the small expense on ramen and photos, Kagura had barely spent any money at all. Yesterday's expenses were almost entirely for Ardan's necessities—high-quality yet inexpensive, proving Kagura's keen shopping experience.
To Iris-sama, Kagura truly embodied the ideal daughter: gentle, respectful, frugal, skilled in housework, intelligent, and impeccably mannered. Even setting aside her racing talent, these qualities alone made Kagura deserving of deep affection.
The person who marries this child in the future will truly be blessed—gentle, virtuous, sensible, frugal… Ah, if only Ardan and McQueen can seize the opportunity…
"Iris-sama? Is something on my face?"
Seeing Iris-sama lost in thought, Kagura waved a small hand in front of her eyes.
Iris-sama regained her senses, softly patting Kagura's head with affection.
"No, nothing. By the way… those two baskets of dim sum…"
Remembering the delicious dishes, Iris-sama couldn't resist asking again.
"If Iris-sama likes them, please eat freely~ I made plenty!"
"Hehe… don't tell the little ones I'm secretly snacking."
"Don't worry, my lips are sealed~"