By the time Rudolf finally finished dealing with the swarm of reporters, wrapped up the Winner's Concert, and climbed into the car heading back to school, it was already nearly eight or nine at night.
"Kagura, take the next few days off. Don't even think about cooking or anything. You've been busy nonstop for a month; you need to relax."
On the ride back, Trainer Tojo, Rudolf, and Kagura sat side-by-side on a long bench. Trainer Tojo was still busy tapping away on her tablet. Rudolf chatted quietly with Kagura, whose head was nodding up and down like a fishing rod in a sleepy fisherman's hand, obviously exhausted after a full month of poor sleep.
"Mmm... Got it… I'll follow your arrangements, Ojou-sama…"
Kagura blearily opened her eyes to mumble a reply before starting to doze off again.
"Honestly, Kagura…"
"Rudolf, how did it feel when you ran today? Did you find anything off about the strategy Kagura proposed?"
Tojo, still busy swiping at her tablet, casually asked Rudolf about today's run, since the strategy had been Kagura's recommendation. She needed immediate feedback for training data records.
"No problems at all. It felt effortless, and her suggestions for handling the slopes were perfect. Honestly, the running method felt like Kagura had personally run that course dozens, maybe even hundreds of times herself. But she wouldn't have permission to actually practice on the track, right? Even if she had the director's approval, it'd be impossible."
"As long as there aren't problems… This is why I keep saying her strategy guides are practically magical. Kagura insists she made them entirely herself, and indeed I've never seen anyone helping her. But can you honestly believe this is something she could come up with alone?"
Tojo noticed Kagura nodding off beside them, and to avoid waking her and because it wasn't a suitable topic for Kagura to overhear anyway, Tojo lowered her voice significantly.
"Why worry about it so much? Whether someone helped Kagura or not, we both know she has nothing but good intentions towards us."
"You're right… By the way, today's victory completely reversed your online reputation. How does it feel?"
"Trainer, you suddenly sound like a reporter... Well, it just proves a fact. It doesn't feel special; I simply did what I was supposed to do."
Rudolf's self-confidence came partly from her strength, and partly from her dependable supporters. She knew that her trainer and Support Uma would clear away all her worries, leaving her free to perform at her best.
As Rudolf was talking, she suddenly felt something soft gently lean onto her arm. She glanced aside to see that Kagura, who had been nodding off intermittently, had completely fallen asleep, quietly resting her head against Rudolf's arm.
"…Kagura's asleep," Rudolf whispered softly, alerting Trainer Tojo. Thankfully, the bus was mostly empty this late at night, or Rudolf would've worried the noise around them might wake Kagura. The girl desperately needed rest after a whole month's nonstop work.
Tojo nodded lightly and continued swiping through her tablet. Rudolf adjusted her posture slightly, gently wrapping her arm around Kagura's waist, pulling her closer and letting her rest more comfortably against her. She then unbuttoned her own oversized coat and wrapped Kagura inside as well, shielding her from the chilly air.
Looking down at Kagura's peacefully sleeping face and feeling the soft warmth of her breathing gently brushing against her arm, Rudolf momentarily lost herself. Truthfully, Kagura was an incredibly pretty and adorable girl. She radiated an extraordinary warmth, her gentle and caring nature effortlessly causing anyone near her to sink into the comfort of her presence.
"Given the time, Kagura probably can't return to her dorm tonight. What's your plan? Take her back to the Symboli household?" Trainer Tojo glanced at the time on her tablet and quietly asked Rudolf.
"No need. I'll let Kagura rest in my dorm tonight, no point troubling her to head back home."
"Your dorm? Isn't it a single room?"
"It's fine. Kagura's tiny—it shouldn't be an issue."
...
When the car finally stopped at Tracen, Rudolf carefully shifted Kagura's position, gently pulling her forward slightly with one arm, then slid the other arm under her legs, lifting Kagura smoothly into her embrace.
It was very late by the time Rudolf and Trainer Tojo arrived at the academy. Tojo went to Ritto Dorm to inform Fuji Kiseki that Kagura wouldn't be returning tonight, while Rudolf carried the sleeping Kagura back to her dorm.
Thanks to Kagura regularly tidying up her room, Rudolf's dorm wasn't especially messy. She carefully opened the door, entered carrying Kagura, and gently placed the small maid onto the bed, making sure she didn't wake. Only then did Rudolf quietly close the door behind her.
"Mmm..."
Rudolf gently adjusted Kagura's position, removing her shoes and socks. Just as she was preparing to push Kagura further onto the bed, Kagura suddenly let out a faint, uncomfortable murmur and opened her eyes slightly.
"Um… Where am I…?"
"Sorry, Kagura, did I accidentally wake you?"
"Are we back at the dorm…? Ojou-sama, why are you in my dorm…?"
Even awake, Kagura looked extremely groggy, her eyelids heavily drooping, her voice faint and weak.
"This is my dorm, Kagura. We came back very late today, so you'll have to stay here with me tonight."
"Oh…" Kagura nodded drowsily. Her mind was obviously foggy, entirely driven by instinct. Like a sleepy kitten, she stretched briefly, closing her eyes again immediately after replying—clearly comfortable enough around Rudolf to relax completely.
No matter how mature she acts, she's still just twelve, after all…
Seeing Kagura's soft, defenseless form, Rudolf thought this was how Kagura should naturally be. Normally, she seemed far too mature and capable, often making Rudolf forget the girl was only twelve.
Rudolf carefully tucked the little maid into bed, pulling the covers snugly around her. Then she stood up, undressed, and quickly went for a shower. Originally, Rudolf considered helping Kagura wash up too, seeing how utterly exhausted she was, but Kagura might mind being seen unclothed, and besides, Rudolf didn't have any spare clothes that would fit Kagura. Reluctantly, she abandoned the idea.
After finishing her usual quick five-minute rinse, Rudolf emerged in her pajamas. Checking Kagura sleeping on the bed, she realized the girl was even smaller than she'd imagined. She could probably fit another Kagura on her bed easily.
"Sorry you have to squeeze a bit, Kagura…"
Turning off the lights, Rudolf slipped beneath the blankets. The warmth from Kagura's small body immediately enveloped her, offering pleasant comfort after exposure to the chilly air. Instinctively, Rudolf reached out and rested her hand on Kagura's stomach.
This feeling…
As soon as she lay down, Rudolf again felt that familiar calming warmth, gently enveloping her and easing her tiredness. Drowsiness quickly overtook her.
She instinctively tightened her embrace, pulling Kagura's petite body completely against hers. Kagura had an exceptionally comforting scent—Rudolf felt an overwhelming urge to pet her or perhaps bury her face against her for a deep breath—but since Kagura was already fast asleep, Rudolf restrained herself, unwilling to disturb her.
Holding Kagura gently, Rudolf's consciousness soon slipped away, quietly falling into peaceful darkness.
---
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