"Oh, Maruzensky, you're actually here. The New Year is coming soon, and once everyone returns from vacation, we'll have the New Year's party. I checked the school warehouse, and we're running a bit low on supplies, so let's go buy whatever we'll need."
Symboli Rudolf, having just returned from the school warehouse, opened the door to the Student Council office, surprised to find Maruzensky—who rarely showed her face—slumped at a desk inside. Seeing this rare opportunity, Rudolf wasted no time roping her in.
Maruzensky, who'd originally come to school hoping to find Kagura for some pets and a meal, was lying listlessly on the table, spirits dampened after not finding her. It wasn't until Rudolf barged in that she suddenly remembered this monster never took days off!
"Ah, actually…I have to get home to do some New Year cleaning today—"
"Don't worry. I'll have my maid go clean your house once we're done. There's a lot to buy today, and you're the only living soul left in this enormous Student Council! I can't do this without you!"
Rudolf's ruthless iron grip dragged Maruzensky back just as she was about to flee. After futilely struggling a bit, Maruzensky accepted her fate with resignation.
"Yada———!"
Dragged away by Rudolf, Maruzensky let out a prolonged groan.
"Stop fussing! I'll have Kagura cook for you afterward!"
"Rudolf-sama, what do you need from me? Ready to move out anytime!"
...
"Why on earth did Symboli Speed's granddaughter have to choose today of all days to come shopping?!"
Iris-sama felt like her CPU was overheating, her head throbbing faintly. Just planning the itinerary for Ardan had already drained most of her processing power, and now Rudolf had popped into the picture. Although another friend joining wasn't a disaster, Iris-sama had wanted Ardan and Kagura's relationship to develop without interference. Adding anyone else might spoil the effect.
"Calm down, Grandmother. If memory serves, Rudolf's reason for shopping could only be because the school's warehouse supplies are low. I assume she's buying decorations like balloons and ribbons for the upcoming New Year's party. Though her route overlaps slightly with Ardan's, they might not necessarily meet. We just need to have Ardan adjust her pacing."
Mejiro Ramonu studied the mall's map carefully, combining it with her prior knowledge from school, and calmly shared her analysis.
...
[Big Sister]:Ardan, according to your current route, stop at the photo booth after the third kitchenware store and take some pictures with Kagura-san.
What's this all about now?
Several question marks popped above Ardan's head upon receiving this new suggestion. Since Ramonu figured Ardan's simple mind wouldn't grasp why Iris-sama wanted her to avoid Rudolf, she hadn't even mentioned Rudolf's presence at the mall.
She doesn't even know much about cooking—why would she bring me to shop for kitchenware, anyway…? Ardan-ojousama's choice is truly… unconventional.
Flipping through kitchenware in the store, Kagura wondered silently. Though she had indeed been planning to replace some kitchenware recently, buying kitchen tools while hanging out with a friend felt oddly abstract. And with Ardan constantly checking her phone, Kagura felt reminded of her unfortunate best friend, who often stood outside fiddling with her phone while Kagura shopped.
When hanging out with friends, even if you're expressing gratitude, just catering blindly isn't right. It's the mutual interaction that matters.
Ardan was clearly growing nervous again. Kagura felt she should find a way to bring this child back to normal. While pretending to examine a pot, Kagura recalled Ardan's usual interests. Ardan occasionally visited art exhibits and performances—things obviously difficult to arrange spontaneously in a shopping mall. That left only the Chinese specialty store and tea-drinking, something Kagura had gotten used to thanks to Ardan; their dorm room constantly had the fragrance of tea lingering about.
Come to think of it, Ardan-ojousama's medicinal herbs need restocking too. I've also become quite interested in that Chinese specialty store, but today Ardan seems determined not to let me pay… Hmm, let's check the prices first.
Having decided to take Ardan to a place she'd genuinely enjoy, Kagura pulled out her phone and discreetly spoke inwardly to Eclipse.
Eclipse-san, I've shopped for groceries here before. I remember there's a Chinese specialty store in this mall. Could you help me find its location? Preferably something nearby.
——Sure, one moment.
The phone screen began operating on its own as if someone were controlling it. Seeing Eclipse busy at work, Kagura slipped the phone back into her pocket, giving Eclipse time to find the place, and continued browsing the kitchenware store, pretending to be interested.
Eclipse was incredibly efficient, quickly locating the store within half a minute.
"Ardan-ojousama~"
Confirming the location, Kagura put down the items she was holding, stepped out of the store, and called softly to Ardan. Ardan, who'd been anxiously checking her phone, immediately perked up, ears and tail alert, quickly putting down her phone to face Kagura. Kagura didn't seem to have found any kitchenware she liked, as she carried nothing in her hands.
"Ah, Kagura-san…didn't find anything you wanted here? Then, let's try the next shop…"
"I haven't found any kitchenware I liked yet, but let's not rush to the next one. Kitchenware isn't urgent anyway. Actually, Ardan-ojousama, I remembered your medicinal herbs need replenishing, and coincidentally, there's a Chinese specialty store here. I also wanted to buy some ingredients there. Would you like to come along?"
Kagura interrupted Ardan, who had intended to strictly follow Ramonu-neesama's instructions, proposing her own suggestion instead.
"Eh? There's a Chinese specialty store here?"
Ardan hurriedly checked the map Iris-sama sent her and quickly found the shop's location.
[Ardan]:Grandmother, Kagura-san invited me to the Chinese specialty store. I thought it sounded nice, so I've agreed.
Ardan didn't wait for Iris-sama's response, feeling certain her decision was correct. She genuinely enjoyed shopping at Chinese specialty stores—not only for medicinal herbs but also her favorite teas.
"O-Okay! I really love visiting Chinese specialty stores too. Kagura-san likes them as well?"
"Yes~ Did you forget how much I like Chinese cuisine, Ardan-ojousama? I cook it quite often, so I shop there frequently too."
"Ah…"
Of course! Kagura-san regularly cooks Chinese food for me; obviously, she loves it…how did I completely overlook that?!
Ardan had always assumed her niche interests were unlikely to find any like-minded companions. To her surprise, such a companion had been beside her all along; she'd just never asked—or rather, she didn't even need to ask. Had she simply calmed down and thought about it clearly, she would've known.
Looking at Kagura's ever-gentle smile, Ardan suddenly realized something. Throughout today's repeated bouts of panic, it had always been Kagura who gently guided her back. Kagura patiently waited until she made her best attempt, then kindly offered her own ideas afterward. Clearly, Kagura had noticed Ardan's desperate struggle. Even if Kagura didn't know precisely what was happening, she'd certainly sensed Ardan was seeking help, choosing not to expose it openly.
Oh no…I feel like Kagura-san's the one who's actually acting like my older sister…
Ardan understood now: Kagura had seen through everything from the start. After all, Kagura's mind was far more mature—it was impossible to predict her thoughts with the mentality of an eleven-year-old child.
"What's wrong? Is there something on my face? You've been staring blankly at me for a while now, Ardan-ojousama~"
"It's nothing…"
Ardan considered saying something in thanks but hesitated. Kagura hadn't openly exposed her struggle, so perhaps Ardan didn't need to openly respond either.
After a pause, Ardan swallowed her words and instead reached out, gently squeezing Kagura's soft cheeks.
"…It's just…Kagura-san's cheeks looked so soft, I couldn't help wanting to squeeze them~"
"Next time, please ask me first…"
Seeing Ardan's expression finally shift from tense to relaxed, Kagura wasn't sure what Ardan had just realized, but it seemed her clumsy approach had finally succeeded.
"Mm~ Thank you~"
...
[Ardan]:Grandmother, Kagura-san also likes Chinese specialty stores, so we're going there together.
"So Kagura-san also likes Chinese specialty stores, huh? Ardan finally made a good choice…I didn't expect she actually had a friend who shared such a niche hobby."
Iris-sama, relieved after receiving Ardan's message—having worried briefly due to Ardan's delayed response—thought carefully. Considering Kagura's passion for Chinese cooking, they probably should've gone there from the start.
"Indeed, having shared interests makes things much easier. However, Grandmother, if they head there now, considering their route…"
Ramonu traced the mall's layout on Iris-sama's screen, frowning slightly. The store's location meant their route overlapped exactly with the entrance closest to Tracen. Though Rudolf's exact position wasn't confirmed, given an Uma Musume's speed, she might soon enter from that very entrance.
[Ramonu]:You'll pass by the photo booth. Remember to take Kagura-san inside for photos. Don't forget!
"Ramonu, are you sure this will work?"
"No guarantees. If Rudolf moves slower, there won't be enough time. We don't have anyone nearby, and we certainly can't move the store from the first floor to the third."
Iris-sama sighed deeply, covering her forehead. Recalling her youth when she could solo-block Symboli Speed, she lamented now struggling so much just dealing with Speed's granddaughter.
"Ah…I truly have grown old…"