"Miss Rudolph, you once again won the race with an absolute advantage. What are your thoughts on this?"
"Trainer Tojo, do you have a plan for your next race?"
"Miss Rudolph..."
...Leaving the Racecourse through the exit passage and entering the backstage area, Tojo Hana and Rudolph Symbol were surrounded by a large group of reporters. Kagura, who had been following behind them, was very glad she hadn't walked as fast, otherwise she would have been on camera too.
As the Young Lady, Rudolph Symbol had long since adapted to the feeling of being in front of the camera. She naturally greeted the reporters and looked at Kagura, who was standing in the corridor outside the door. Kagura just stood there watching and didn't follow them in. Rudolph Symbol understood her Support Musume's personality, so she didn't try to bring her in.
'The Young Lady handles these reporters with such ease...'
Back when Rudolph Symbol had her debut race, Kagura hadn't seen so many reporters, and she didn't know what had happened in public relations over the past two months. This time, the number of reporters had explosively increased, almost filling the backstage area with these noisy paparazzi.
"Seriously, bothering the Young Lady's rest at a time like this..."
To be honest, Kagura didn't like these reporters very much. After all, Rudolph Symbol needed to rest at this time, and reporters who intruded to disturb her rest seemed very tactless to Kagura. However, seeing that neither Rudolph Symbol nor Tojo Hana had any objections, Kagura decided not to worry about it anymore.
"You can't think that way, little sister. After all, accepting interviews is very helpful for gaining Fans."
Maruzensky, who had just come down from the audience and followed them, saw Kagura's displeased expression and reached out to rub her little head again.
"I don't think the Young Lady lacks Fans, does she?"
Up to now, Rudolph Symbol had participated in two races and won both. Every time Kagura came to watch Rudolph Symbol's races, she had to squeeze through the crowd of spectators outside for a while. Even though she always used the special passage, she still had to navigate through the crowd for some time. She didn't think Rudolph Symbol was someone who lacked Fans.
"You can never have too many Fans~ And, high popularity isn't just about Fan support; it can also bring you some conveniences you wouldn't normally expect."
"I think being recognized by all sorts of people on the street is actually very inconvenient..."
"Well, that depends on the individual. Anyway, big sister here doesn't dislike that feeling, and Rudolph has long since adapted to it. Little sister, you'll definitely have Fans in the future too. You can't always go out wearing a trench coat, pulling up your hood, and wearing a mask, can you?"
Maruzensky could already foresee that Kagura would likely become another formidable existence like Rudolph Symbol in the future. She would also become widely known before her debut race, just like Rudolph Symbol. Perhaps Kagura would have even more Fans later on, and Kagura would eventually encounter such things.
"Then I'd rather dress more discreetly when I go out..."
"You won't think that way when you grow up~"
'Is it possible that I'm actually quite grown up already?'
Kagura silently grumbled in her heart.
—No matter what, having more Fans is always good, after all, it means more and more people are attracted by your running, and you already have quite a few Fans online now.
Eclipse also seemed quite supportive, indicating that she didn't particularly dislike this way of gaining fame.
Having been standing outside eavesdropping, the reporters' questions inside gradually began to change direction. At first, these reporters were still asking the two inside about Rudolph Symbol's future plans and such news. Now, the topic had gradually shifted to Rudolph Symbol's views on her own victory.
"...Maintaining Rudolph's competitive state is not just my effort alone; Rudolph's classmates have also provided great support for her in this."
"Yes, besides my Trainer, my classmates also helped me a great deal during the time I was preparing for the race. My victory is also inseparable from the strong support of my classmates."
Kagura suddenly heard the conversation seemed to be shifting towards her, and her heart instinctively sank.
The reporters, as expected, pressed for more details. Fortunately, Rudolph Symbol and her Trainer didn't intend to elaborate on the true identity of 'Tracen's classmates' or reveal whether it was one person or a group of people. Instead, they simply glossed over this part, and the reporters took it as Rudolph Symbol thanking Tracen Academy for their care.
'You scared me... I didn't expect these reporters to ask about even the Support Musume's affairs in such detail. Luckily, the Young Lady and her Trainer didn't plan to talk about me...'
"What, little sister, don't you want everything you've done to be praised by Rudolph?"
Maruzensky naturally saw Kagura's relieved expression and asked half-jokingly.
"...It's just ordinary daily work, not worth specifically mentioning in front of so many people, is it? I don't need others to know what I'm doing. The Young Lady's race performance is the best praise and proof of my work."
"Hmmph~ So, little sister, you think what you do is just ordinary Support Musume work, huh..."
Maruzensky nodded thoughtfully. She knew what the original job responsibilities of Tracen's Support Musume were. Although it was also about supporting the Uma Musume, it would definitely not be as meticulous as Kagura's work, nor as professional.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just think, little sister, you are indeed as Rudolph said, humble and serious about your work."
"Eh? Is that how the Young Lady evaluates me?"
...By the time Rudolph Symbol finished dealing with the reporters inside, it was almost time for the winner's stage.
Kagura entered the backstage area only after the reporters had left, to prepare Rudolph Symbol for her appearance. She saw Rudolph Symbol sitting on a chair, leaning against the wall, resting with her eyes closed.
"Kagura, were you standing outside listening the whole time?"
Seeing Kagura follow in right after the reporters left, Tojo Hana and Rudolph Symbol knew she must have been waiting outside the door.
"Yes, there wasn't anything I shouldn't hear, was there?"
"No, on the contrary, I actually wanted to introduce you, this excellent Support Musume, to the reporters just now, but you probably wouldn't have wanted me to do that, right?"
"I think there's no need to specifically mention such things..."
While applying makeup for Rudolph Symbol, Kagura responded to Tojo Hana's question.
"I think you've also put in tremendous effort in supporting Rudolph's work. You are indispensable for this victory. Without your careful daily care, I alone wouldn't be able to keep Rudolph, this workaholic, in such good condition."
"While I don't deny that... Kagura, am I as difficult to care for as my Trainer just said?"
"At least the part about working late every night and being hard to pull away is true... I still hope the Young Lady can relax more."
Kagura, who had to run out at around eleven o'clock at night every now and then over the past few months to drag Rudolph Symbol out of her office, knew her workaholic master's habits all too well. Tojo Hana alone probably couldn't ensure Rudolph Symbol rested on time.
"Is that so... It seems I should slightly put aside my work after today..."
During their conversation, Kagura had already finished Rudolph Symbol's simple makeup. Looking at herself in the mirror, Rudolph Symbol nodded with satisfaction.
"Kagura, after today, why don't you also rest for a few days?"
"Me?"
"Yes, you've been busy for so long, you also need some time to rest. And, how about accompanying me to relax tomorrow?"
Rudolph Symbol extended an invitation to Kagura.
It was the first time Rudolph Symbol, who usually buried herself in hard work every day, had made such a suggestion to her. Kagura naturally wouldn't refuse. She quickly nodded:
"Okay, if Young Lady has a plan, I can act with you as well."
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