The next day, after taking leave from Tojo Hana and Rudolph Symboli and handing the day's menu to Rudolph Symboli, telling her to watch what she ate for lunch, Teacher Kagura prepared to set off alone to complete her plans for the day.
Her statement last night that she had plans for today was indeed not an excuse. She was following Eclipse's previous advice: before Rudolph Symboli's race began, she herself needed to go to the Racecourse to get a feel for it. Yesterday, she had looked up information related to the Icho Special race and confirmed her destination for today—Tokyo Racecourse.
Tracen's location was a bit far from Fuchu, where the Racecourse was situated. Teacher Kagura had considered whether to run there, but seeing the distance, she obediently chose to take a car. This time, Teacher Kagura learned her lesson and specifically changed into less conspicuous casual clothes before heading out.
—I don't think there's anything wrong with being a little conspicuous in that outfit. It's a good way to train your courage, child.
'Miss Eclipse, you're trying to kill me…'
Saying she was going out alone wasn't entirely accurate. Teacher Kagura was always accompanied by an invisible ghost, Eclipse. Most of their current communication involved Eclipse writing on various mirrored surfaces, and Teacher Kagura responding through thought or speech. Just like now, she appeared to be scrolling on her phone, but she was actually reading Eclipse's handwriting on the screen.
—Even if you don't wear a maid outfit, people will still take pictures of you, you know. After all, I am very beautiful!
'Miss Eclipse, I think you could be a little more modest!!'
Teacher Kagura, of course, knew people were taking pictures of her. Just now, several children and their parents had even come over to ask if Teacher Kagura could take a photo with them. Although Teacher Kagura was a little shy, seeing how happy the children were, she didn't mind so much.
From the Tracen station to Fuchu was only about a twenty-minute ride. Teacher Kagura didn't understand what it was about her that attracted so much attention. During those twenty minutes, three groups of people came up to her for a photo. Two groups were children who loved Uma Musume, which Teacher Kagura could understand. The other was a stylish gray-haired Little Horse Girl about her age, who was now standing in front of her.
Cute big sister~ If you don't mind, can I take a picture with you and post it on my Umastagram account?
Although I don't really mind… but, who are you…?
Teacher Kagura had heard of this platform's name. She also had an account called "Inari Kagura" on it, where she posted food videos. Over the past half-month, her performance had been quite good, attracting many Japanese netizens curious about Chinese cuisine, as well as a considerable number of Fans who were clearly Chinese netizens. Although she was still a bit far from her small goal of 100,000 followers, Teacher Kagura felt it shouldn't take too long to reach it at this rate.
I'm Machikane Tadahashi~ That's my Umastagram name!
Machikane Tadahashi…
Teacher Kagura, feeling the name sounded familiar, briefly recalled if she had heard it somewhere before. Then she remembered: she had once seen a blogger on Umastagram with an unusually high number of followers, and that blogger's account name seemed to be Machikane Tadahashi. That blogger was also the first person she followed when she joined the platform; she had wanted to see how that Uma Musume usually created content to gain popularity.
Ah! I remember you, you're that Uma Musume blogger with a ton of followers, right?
Eh~ Big sister actually plays Umastagram too, and you know Machikane Tadahashi! How happy I am!
Hearing that he knew her, the Little Horse Girl looked very happy, her tail wagging cheerfully, and she almost pressed herself against him.
"Can I add you as a friend, Miss? Should we follow each other?"
"My Umastagram account is Inari Kagura. I'm already following you. It's a pleasure to meet you, Machikane Tadahashi."
"Inari Kagura… Eh! Miss, are you Inari Kagura? The blogger who specializes in Chinese cuisine?!"
Although excited, Machikane Tadahashi still seemed to know not to blurt out people's online names in public, so she lowered her voice when she said this.
Kagura saw Machikane Tadahashi take out her phone and show it to him, realizing that Machikane Tadahashi had already followed her a long time ago.
'Amazing! Did I just run into a fan?? And the legendary Machikane Tadahashi??'
Kagura, who had never paid much attention to her follower list, looked at the follow records for the past two weeks and indeed found that Machikane Tadahashi had followed her early on. She hadn't even noticed when this person had appeared among her followers.
"To think I'd run into Teacher Kagura on a train! Is today my lucky day?!"
"I also didn't expect to see you here, Machikane Tadahashi. You look just as cute as in the photos you post."
"Thank you for the compliment!! I also didn't expect Teacher Kagura to be such a cute girl! Let's take a picture together!"
As she spoke, Machikane Tadahashi, very much at ease, wrapped herself around him, hugging Kagura's right arm and resting her face on his shoulder. Her other free hand raised her phone, ready for a selfie. Kagura paused for a moment, then quickly reacted by tilting his head towards Machikane Tadahashi and smiling, giving a peace sign to the camera. However, compared to the mischievous Machikane Tadahashi, Kagura in the photo looked a bit dazed and adorable.
Kagura seemed to see a dazzling light emanating from Machikane Tadahashi, making his eyes ache. He realized this was the radiance of a social butterfly. Although he wasn't socially anxious, he probably wouldn't be able to naturally and smoothly approach someone to strike up a conversation in his entire life, yet this Little Horse Girl did it with ease.
"Here, Teacher Kagura, take a look. Should we touch up this photo? Machikane Tadahashi thinks it's not necessary."
"I agree. Machikane Tadahashi is a very cute child."
"Hehe~ So Machikane Tadahashi is going to post it now?"
Machikane Tadahashi looked excited, typing away on her phone. Kagura, curious, leaned in to see what she planned to post.
"Today I met Teacher Inari Kagura on the train! So happy! #Machikane Tadahashi Curren #Inari Kagura"
'Ah, it's an unexpectedly normal daily update. But then again, there's nothing extra to say about this.'
"Speaking of which, Teacher Kagura, I've been craving your delicious food for ages! Every time before I go to sleep, I always scroll through my homepage and see your posts, tempting me! It's made me indulge in big meals several times… and I almost couldn't control my figure! Wuwu! Where exactly does Teacher Kagura have a shop? I absolutely must find time to visit Teacher Kagura's place!"
After posting the update, Machikane Tadahashi began to ask a question that a fan would ask.
"I don't have a shop. All my videos are filmed during my daily work. If you don't mind, you can come to the Dining Hall at Central Tracen and check it out. I'll treat you to the desserts I make~"
"Daily… work? Teacher Kagura doesn't look much older than me, does she?"
Machikane Tadahashi tilted her head in confusion, her bright purple eyes full of curiosity.
"I am a Support Musume at Central Tracen. The videos I post are of the dishes I usually make for the Uma Musume I support."
"Eh——"
Blinking, Machikane Tadahashi let out a long drawn-out sound. Kagura guessed that she wasn't quite sure what a Support Musume was, so he took the opportunity to explain the Central Tracen Logistics Department and matters related to professional Uma Musume.
"So, if I get into Central Tracen, I'll have a chance to eat Teacher Kagura's cooking? And if I can get Teacher Kagura to be my exclusive Support Musume, I can eat Teacher Kagura's food anytime, anywhere?"
"You could understand it that way… Mm, that's pretty much the meaning."
Thinking about it carefully, what Machikane Tadahashi said was indeed not wrong, so Kagura didn't correct anything.
"Okay, I understand!"
Kagura felt a strange fighting spirit seem to ignite in Machikane Tadahashi. His intuition told him that it wasn't just simple appetite. But, with just that brief exchange, besides appetite, what other thoughts could Machikane Tadahashi have?
"Now arriving at—Fuchu Station. Passengers, please…"
Just then, Kagura felt the train begin to slow down, and he heard the broadcast announcing the station.
"Ah, I've arrived at my stop. Machikane Tadahashi, you're not coming to Fuchu, are you?"
"No, what a shame… If you have free time in the future, we can meet up and hang out! I'm very familiar with Tokyo and know many fun places!"
"Okay! Then if I ever need to find somewhere fun to go, I'll rely on Machikane Tadahashi~"
Saying this, Kagura waved goodbye to Machikane Tadahashi and then got off the train.
Machikane Tadahashi on the train also waved to Kagura, her purple eyes fixed on Kagura as he left.
"Central Tracen… huh? Machikane Tadahashi needs to work hard too…"