"You… Kagura-san, you're challenging… me?"
Hearing Kagura's proposal, Bizen Nishiki froze completely. She'd expected Kagura to suggest some impossible plan and had already prepared a polite refusal, but she never imagined Kagura's idea would be even more explosive than anything she could have guessed.
"Yes, I'm Rudolf's Support Uma. If we have a race, and I win, your family surely won't force you into running the Derby anymore."
"Eh…?"
Nishiki blinked in confusion. She understood Kagura's reasoning—it actually made some sense. If she raced against Kagura and lost, it would indeed prove she wasn't fit to compete in the Derby. After all, if she couldn't even defeat Rudolf's Support Uma, how could she possibly face Rudolf herself?
But the real issue here was—how could Kagura beat her?
"Kagura-san, I just want to ask… you're a Support Uma. How do you plan on defeating me? Are you suggesting I cooperate in putting on a fake race? My… my mother was a professional athlete; she'll immediately spot if I'm not trying my best…"
Narumiya Akimitsu had previously considered a fake-race strategy as well, but it was simply too complicated. Anyone with suitable status wasn't strong enough, and anyone strong enough lacked the necessary identity. Eventually, he'd given up on the idea.
Busy with her own races recently, Nishiki hadn't paid attention to campus rumors and knew nothing about Kagura's shocking, hundred-meter-margin victory at the School Selection Race. She was aware of Rudolf's extraordinary strength but had never dreamed she might lose to Rudolf's Support Uma.
"If you agree, I'll discuss with Trainer Narumiya. We'll try to arrange the race within the next couple of days. Just trust me, Nishiki-san. All you need to do is run your absolute best—I won't disappoint you."
"…"
For some reason, although Nishiki's rational mind screamed the plan was impossible, her instincts whispered that Kagura was trustworthy.
But when she thought about it carefully, she had nothing left to fear anyway. The worst-case scenario was racing in the Derby and suffering a humiliating defeat. If Kagura's attempt had even a slim chance of changing things, Nishiki was more than willing to try. After a moment's thought, Nishiki nodded, agreeing to let Kagura discuss the details with Trainer Narumiya.
With Nishiki's approval, Kagura immediately messaged Trainer Narumiya:
[Inari Kagura]:I've already talked with Bizen Nishiki-san. Trainer Narumiya, can you arrange to have Nishiki-san's parents come to school sometime in the next few days and set up a friendly race between me and Nishiki-san?
[Narumiya Akimitsu]:Invite her parents? A friendly race? Kagura-san, do you mean… you want to defeat Nishiki-san in front of her parents?
Having considered this exact plan before, Narumiya immediately understood Kagura's intentions. His first instinct was that it was absurd to entrust this to a Support Uma, but then he remembered the school forums buzzing about Kagura's overwhelming victory in the recent selection race—winning by at least a hundred meters, according to witnesses. It was one of Tracen's hottest topics lately.
Though Narumiya wasn't sure about the competition level that day, winning by a hundred meters against peers—or even older opponents—spoke volumes about Kagura's strength. Already out of options, he decided to trust Kagura.
[Inari Kagura]:It's not 100% guaranteed, but it's worth a try.
[Narumiya Akimitsu]:Alright. Thank you so much, Kagura-san! Nishiki's health is at stake here. You've gone above and beyond—if there's anything we can do for you afterward, please just ask!
[Inari Kagura]:No rush. We'll discuss that after we succeed.
[Narumiya Akimitsu]:By the way… are you and Nishiki-san still in the equipment room at the old school building?
[Inari Kagura]:Yes. We should leave now, actually. Let's meet up in the central courtyard afterward.
Under Nishiki's watchful gaze, Kagura finished the exchange, pocketed her phone, and turned to Nishiki with a gentle smile:
"Nishiki-san, let's head out. Staying in this dark place isn't good."
"Alright~!"
In a visibly better mood, Nishiki nodded energetically as usual. Kagura reached the equipment room door and tugged the handle—only to find it didn't budge an inch.
"?" "?"
Question marks practically hovered above their heads. They tried pulling the door a few more times in disbelief, but it remained stubbornly shut, like it had been welded in place.
"Ah—I remember now! The door to the equipment room in the old building is defective and can't be opened from inside. That's why I left it slightly ajar earlier…"
Nishiki's voice quickly grew softer, embarrassment creeping in as she recalled kicking the door shut during her earlier outburst. Since this was Tracen, the facilities were naturally reinforced for Uma Musume use; she really couldn't do anything about this door now.
"So, until someone else comes along, we're stuck in here?"
A few dark lines appeared above Kagura's head. She had found the slightly open door suspicious earlier but never imagined it was because it was broken.
"Ah… Ahahaha… seems that way… Sorry! My impulsiveness wasted your time again, Kagura-san!"
Nishiki laughed awkwardly, immediately bowing in apology.
"Haah…"
Kagura sighed, attempting to flick on the lights—only to find that switch broken too, plunging them into complete darkness.
"Looks like… we'll have to wait here until Trainer Narumiya arrives."
After messaging Narumiya and Trainer Tojo for help, Kagura sat back down beside Nishiki. Although she had nothing urgent to do anyway, she really disliked being trapped in pitch-black places like this.
Thus, the two Uma Musume helplessly returned to sit beneath the vaulting boxes again.
Why didn't I realize how cramped this place was before…?
After sitting down, Kagura discovered just how tiny their hiding spot really was—she and Nishiki were practically pressed together, unable to move comfortably.
Feeling guilty about delaying Kagura, Nishiki tried her hardest to shrink away to give Kagura more space, but the cramped quarters made avoiding physical contact impossible.
Furthermore, the old equipment room was terribly chilly, especially now that night had fallen. Nishiki's clothes were thin, her bare shoulders exposed. Soon she found herself shivering uncontrollably.
Aaah! I didn't realize how cold this place gets!
Rubbing her exposed skin vigorously, Nishiki was startled when she felt something warm touch her shoulders. A jacket was gently draped over her body. Looking up in surprise, she saw Kagura smiling warmly in the faint glow of her phone screen.
"You're shaking from the cold. Definitely wore too little, huh? I have another jacket—my size probably won't fit you properly, but at least it'll help until we're out."
"Ah… Thank you, Kagura-san… but what about you?"
"I dressed warmly today, so a little chill won't bother me."
Kagura casually sat back down next to Nishiki, lightly leaning her shoulder against Nishiki's.
So warm…
For some reason, Nishiki felt an unprecedented sense of peace and relaxation. Her exhaustion from continuous races surged up immediately once her emotions settled. Surrounded by darkness and warmth, she soon began yawning.
"Hm?"
While scrolling through her phone, Kagura suddenly felt something gently rest against her. Turning her head slightly, she saw Nishiki had finally succumbed to fatigue and fallen asleep, head softly resting on Kagura's shoulder.
This child… she really must've been pushed to her limits lately.
Smiling softly, Kagura carefully minimized her movements, trying not to disturb Nishiki's rest.
Perhaps seeking more warmth, Nishiki unconsciously wrapped herself around Kagura even tighter. To prevent Nishiki from catching cold—and to keep her breath from constantly tickling Kagura's sensitive ears—Kagura gently adjusted positions, letting Nishiki hold her more comfortably.
After about ten minutes, the equipment room door swung open from outside. Trainer Narumiya and Trainer Tojo stood panting in the doorway, Rudolf anxiously trailing behind.
"Kagura, are you alr—"
"Shh… Nishiki-san fell asleep."
Kagura motioned Rudolf to calm down. Narumiya quietly lifted Nishiki onto his back, exchanging Kagura's jacket with his own to keep Nishiki warm.
"Kagura-san, I really don't know how to thank you…"
"No worries. We can talk after our plan succeeds. Getting Nishiki-san safely out of this mess is the top priority. Now hurry and let her rest."
"I'll keep you updated!"
After Narumiya carried Nishiki away, Rudolf anxiously approached Kagura, visibly relieved once she confirmed Kagura wasn't hurt.
"I nearly fainted when Narumiya-san told me. Comforting an unstable Uma Musume alone is far too risky. I'm so glad you're safe."
"No need to worry, Rudolf-ojousama. I knew what I was doing."
"Next time, please tell me before doing something like this. Promise?"
Rudolf sighed softly, grasping Kagura's shoulders. Meeting those clear blue eyes, she lost the rest of her prepared words.
"Alright~"
---
T/N: EHUEHUHEUHEUHEUHUEHUEHUEHUEHUHEUEHUHEUHEUHEUHEU(HEUIHAUIWDHUIASHFIOASHFASIOHFASIOFHASILFHASILF
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