Early next morning, before dawn, Kagura got up at five to change into her shrine maiden outfit, preparing to head out early for hatsumōde.
To Kagura's surprise, when she arrived at the gate of the Mejiro estate with her luggage, Ardan was already squatting there, waiting. She wondered whether Ardan had stayed awake all night or had just woken up equally early.
"Wow… Kagura-san, this outfit suits you so beautifully! It's lovely!"
This was Ardan's first time seeing Kagura wearing her miko attire. She'd spotted it earlier in Kagura's dorm room and had thought it would certainly look nice, but actually seeing Kagura in it was a completely different feeling. Her heart fluttered momentarily—but realizing Kagura hadn't yet matured, Ardan quickly pushed away her strange thoughts with self-reproach.
Today, the Mejiro family also had plans to visit a shrine, so Ardan was dressed in a kimono herself. Originally, Ardan said she wanted to go with Kagura, but oddly enough, the destinations chosen by the Symboli and Mejiro families were completely different. Kagura couldn't quite understand it. There was a perfectly suitable shrine midway between the two households—precisely the one Mejiro had picked—yet Speed-sama insisted on choosing somewhere farther away.
"Thanks for the compliment. Your kimono is very pretty too, Ardan-ojousama."
Kagura smiled as she returned the praise. In truth, in her eyes, Uma Musume had such naturally good looks that almost anything suited them perfectly—especially someone like Ardan, who was lovely both in face and figure. There seemed no style she couldn't carry off.
After chatting idly with Ardan for a few minutes at the gate, Kagura saw a black luxury sedan turn into the usually quiet street of the Mejiro residence. At this early hour, such a car could only belong to one person.
"Ardan-ojousama, Speed-sama has sent someone to pick me up."
"I see. Take care, Kagura-san! See you when school resumes!"
Ardan waved goodbye reluctantly. She wanted to embrace Kagura again like last night, but worried that she might again do something rude. In the end, she suppressed that desire.
The sedan pulled up outside the estate. Kagura's familiar acquaintance—Symboli's family head, Speed-sama—stepped out slowly from the car.
"Good morning, Kagura. And Ardan, too."
""Good morning, Speed-sama.""
Kagura respectfully bowed to Speed-sama, and Ardan politely greeted her as well.
Speed-sama nodded slightly, approached Kagura, and lightly pinched her cheeks.
"You dressed beautifully today. Shrine maiden attire really suits you perfectly."
"Thank you for your praise, Speed-sama. Ardan-ojousama, I'll be going now. When eating at home, remember to control yourself—don't snack recklessly, okay?"
"I-I understand…"
Ardan smiled wryly and nodded. Kagura's mother-like nagging, oddly enough, filled her with happiness. With parents usually too busy for her, Ardan was amazed to find herself feeling motherly care from a girl younger than herself.
"Ardan, take care of yourself. Don't push yourself too hard. Your grandmother nearly had a heart attack from worry last time. Here, take this—Happy New Year, child."
Speed-sama handed Ardan a red omamori (protective charm).
"Ah…thank you, Speed-sama…"
"I wish you good health and safety this coming year. No more hospital stays."
"Mm…"
Ardan nodded, watching quietly as Speed-sama gently took Kagura's hand, guiding her into the waiting car.
I really wish I could go with Kagura-san…
...
...
Inside the car, Kagura found Rudolf waiting as well. She too had changed into a kimono—one with a slightly masculine flair, perfectly suiting her cool image.
"It's been a few days, Kagura. Did you have fun staying at the Mejiro estate?"
Without hesitation, Rudolf lifted Kagura onto her lap, squeezing her cheeks lightly. Kagura's face felt slightly softer and fuller than before.
"It was great! The young ladies at the Mejiro house dragged me around every day. It was quite fun. Oh, and Dober-san even drew me a picture!"
As she spoke, Kagura took from her luggage the drawing Dober had gifted her the previous night, mildly surprising Rudolf.
"You little rascal. I heard from Iris that even at her place you never stopped working. Honestly, it's supposed to be your holiday—why must you keep giving yourself chores?"
Speed-sama, sitting in the back seat as well, gave Kagura's head an affectionate ruffle. Seeing Kagura unharmed and in high spirits, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief, privately thankful that nothing unexpected had happened.
After all, recalling the fierce trainer recruitment battles from years back—though Speed-sama trusted her old friend Iris on a normal day—when it came to something truly valuable, the Mejiro matriarch's methods could become remarkably ruthless.
"…Speaking of, Symboli Sirius-san didn't come today?"
Kagura glanced around the car curiously. Driving was Symboli's head maid, no one sat in the passenger seat, and the back had only the three of them. So she wondered aloud.
"She planned on coming originally, but her flight got delayed and hasn't landed yet. So it's just us today. Ah! Rudolf, be careful—don't squeeze her too hard, or you'll hurt Kagura."
Seeing Rudolf energetically cuddling Kagura, Speed-sama reminded her gently.
"I know, I know…"
Finally getting to cuddle Kagura after a few days apart, Rudolf couldn't resist leaning her head on Kagura's shoulder, playfully nuzzling and causing Kagura to burst into a fit of ticklish laughter.
Perhaps because Kagura regularly helped Rudolf relax, Rudolf had become entirely comfortable with these kinds of intimate gestures—completely different from her initial hesitation, when every little touch required asking permission.
Watching her granddaughter and Kagura chatting and laughing warmly, Speed-sama's thoughts drifted momentarily. She suddenly recalled that Kagura's earring was worn on her left ear.
Rudolf seems really fond of Kagura… and from what I hear, Kagura was also surrounded by all those children at the Mejiro estate, wasn't she? This child is truly popular… With such a lovely personality, remarkable talent, and adorable looks, even if she'd been at Tracen Academy back in my day, she'd have definitely been loved by many…
Speed-sama quietly considered as she watched Rudolf interact comfortably with Kagura.
It'd be good if Rudolf could step just a bit closer to her… All those Mejiro children are obviously interested too. Compared to them, Rudolf might be a bit too reserved…
Inari Kagura's talent was undeniably exceptional. Any descendants inheriting her bloodline would certainly be outstanding. Speed-sama fully understood that Iris's meticulous efforts probably also had this calculation behind them.
But soon enough, Speed-sama decided against actively pushing Rudolf in any particular direction. She thought it might be better to let Rudolf proceed naturally.
Well…things like this are best left to take their own course. If I meddle too much, I might accidentally cause trouble instead…