"Kagura-oneesan is here!"
Kagura had just followed Trainer Tojo and Nice Nature into the school building when the sight of an enormous crowd right inside startled her again.
She recognized that excited voice immediately, but before she could even react, several small figures rushed towards her, throwing themselves eagerly into her arms.
"Oh my… Bright, Palmer, Ryan… even Curren-chan is here?"
Finally catching her breath, Kagura looked around more carefully. The large crowd blocking the hallway included Symboli Family maids, the little Mejiro sisters, shopkeepers from the shopping street, aunties and uncles from the Cafeteria—even Curren Chan along with her parents. The sheer number of familiar faces left Kagura astonished.
Trainer Tojo, standing beside her, felt the intense pressure as well. She was suddenly regretting not having dragged Maruzensky-san along earlier. Even if Maruzensky wouldn't be of much practical help right now, at least she could've helped share the intimidating atmosphere. Honestly, this gathering felt scarier than dealing with hordes of reporters.
"We heard you were running the selection race, so we all came to cheer you on! Kagura-oneesan, you were really incredible out there!"
Mejiro Ryan excitedly exclaimed, with the even more enthusiastic Mejiro Palmer nodding vigorously beside her.
"Yeah! Onee-san's running style was amazing! Cool and super fast! Can you teach me sometime?"
Kagura remembered from her earlier observations at the Mejiro household that Palmer's talent was indeed well-suited to daitō. If Palmer wanted to learn front-running strategies, Kagura felt confident enough to help her out.
"Hehe, as long as Iris-sama doesn't mind, I'd be happy to teach you sometime."
Kagura smiled softly, gently stroking Palmer's head. Curren Chan watched from nearby, visibly jealous, and edged closer, her gaze clearly saying: What about me?
Kagura instantly caught the hint. She placed her other hand on Curren Chan's head and gently patted her too. Curren Chan immediately showed an adorable, satisfied expression, her ears and tail wagging happily.
"Hehe… Kagura-sensei, can I also ask you to teach me someday?"
"Of course you can! Do your best, get into Tracen, and we'll talk~"
"Okay~!"
Curren Chan chirped sweetly, happily nuzzling into Kagura's palm.
After pampering the smaller girls, Kagura noticed McQueen and Dober standing quietly nearby, both seemingly hesitant, caught between etiquette and desire to join in. Kagura called over to them with a teasing smile:
"McQueen, Dober, you two look like you want to come over—won't you?"
"I…"
"If Kagura-oneesan doesn't mind… I'll come right away."
Compared to McQueen, who was still stuck in hesitation, Dober moved faster. With Kagura's permission, she immediately leaned in, softly rubbing her head against Kagura's palm, inviting her touch.
Onee-san's hand is… so warm and gentle…
Dober closed her eyes, clearly savoring Kagura's touch. Kagura didn't know if it was her imagination, but the otherwise simple act of head-patting somehow felt a bit strange with Dober. Curren Chan even furrowed her brows slightly while watching.
Thankfully, Dober quickly stepped back after enjoying her moment, politely yielding space to the crowd of "parents" behind her. Seeing Dober move away, the other Mejiro sisters also stepped aside to make way. McQueen, still torn, could only sigh softly and remain standing where she was.
"Congratulations, Kagura. Your performance was splendid, everyone was truly amazed."
Speed stepped forward first, gently patting Kagura's shoulder in praise.
"Trainer Tojo-san, we meet again… She's the trainer you've chosen, correct, Kagura?"
The moment Symboli Speed said this, Trainer Tojo felt dozens of intense gazes immediately stabbing at her from all directions. A tremendous pressure washed over her, making her suddenly understand what Rudolf meant by "pressure attacks." She'd never imagined that one day, she'd experience such an attack from other humans.
She realized something important: choosing Kagura herself would probably bring very little work stress, since Kagura was far more independent than most Uma Musume. But these "friends and family" of Kagura's were an entirely different matter. Only now did Tojo truly grasp just how formidable Kagura's network was.
"Yes. I chose Tojo-san because we've spent more than half a year together already, and we've come to know each other well. I deeply trust both her abilities and her character."
"I see…"
Speed nodded slowly, her expression turning solemn as she looked directly at Trainer Tojo standing behind Kagura.
"You and I are already acquainted, Trainer Tojo-san. Kagura is now entrusted to you. Her talent is dazzling like a precious gem—I hope she'll shine brightly in your care."
"I understand. I will do everything in my power not to disappoint you, Speed-sama, and everyone else here. Please rest assured in entrusting Kagura-san to me."
Trainer Tojo knew that Speed-sama's words reflected everyone else's feelings too. Thus, her response wasn't just for Speed-sama alone—it was a promise made openly to all those present.
Huh~ Why do I feel like Tojo-san's words just now sounded like a groom promising to take care of someone's daughter?
Kagura suddenly remembered hearing her aunt saying something similar to her cousin's fiancé during their wedding.
——Well, isn't that exactly what this is? Whether it's the Symboli Family, the shopping street, or the Cafeteria staff, everyone here treats you like their own daughter. Now they're handing their precious girl over to Trainer Tojo-san, aren't they?
Eclipse's teasing remark flashed across Kagura's phone screen. Kagura considered Eclipse-san's words and had to admit—they really were accurate. Even when Nice Nature had signed her contract papers with Trainer Minamizaka, the pressure she'd faced from her supporters had been nearly as intense as this.
Thinking of this, Kagura instinctively glanced at Nice Nature beside her. Nature appeared distracted, looking towards the group of shopkeepers from the shopping street—or perhaps somewhere else. Wherever it was, she seemed to be thinking of something pleasant, a faint smile constantly lingering on her face.
Strange… Why does it feel like Nature is even happier about this than I imagined?
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