"I'm so sorry, Kagura, for troubling you to run with McQueen and then asking you to personally make her something to eat. It's truly…"
That evening, outside the banquet hall, Old Mejiro gratefully thanked Kagura as she watched Mejiro McQueen, who had regained her vigor and was happily eating snacks at a nearby table.
"It's alright. It's best if McQueen can cheer up. I didn't spend too much effort anyway."
"I always hear Old Symboli from your family tell me how good your cooking is and how well you take care of people. Today, this old woman has truly had her eyes opened…"
Old Mejiro couldn't help but feel a little envious of Speed Symbol now. She had also heard about Kagura's background. Kagura's shrine was about the same distance from the Mejiro Family and the Symboli Family, so why did she happen to collapse right at the Symboli Family's doorstep?
The Mejiro Family had been looking for a suitable person to take care of their Uma Musume for a long time. Whether it was a Support Musume or a Trainer, ever since the children in the family enrolled, especially Al Dan, who was frail and often ill, Old Mejiro and Mejiro Takamine had been searching for someone within Tracen. But even now, the Mejiro Family hadn't found a truly satisfactory candidate.
After all, there were very few Support Musume in Tracen, and the few that existed were mostly at a student level. Old Mejiro really didn't feel comfortable entrusting the fragile Al Dan to these children. After so many years, they finally found a reliable Support Musume, only for the Symboli Family to snatch her up first.
"Kagura, do you have time to look after another Uma Musume right now?"
Although she didn't hold much hope for Kagura agreeing, Old Mejiro still tried asking.
"What are you trying to do, Old Mejiro?"
Speed Symbol's ears immediately perked up when she heard this, and she glared over with narrowed eyes.
"Kagura is busy enough as it is. She's lost weight these past few months. Today, she ran with your child and personally helped cook. Do you still want to add more burden to her?"
"I know that… but Tracen really can't find a second Support Musume that reliable. I don't need her to take care of her that meticulously, just to keep an eye on her and make sure that child doesn't do anything scary."
Although she knew she was in the wrong, Old Mejiro still pushed through. Al Dan had always wanted to return to school, and Old Mejiro couldn't bear to keep her cooped up at home. But a weak Al Dan going to school would need someone to watch her, and Trainers couldn't go into Uma Musume dorms. If something happened to her in the dorm, her Roommate might not even be able to help.
Kagura also guessed who Old Mejiro wanted her to look after. Mejiro Takamine, being a mature young lady, certainly wouldn't need her supervision. That left only Mejiro Al Dan, who was currently still at Tracen.
"If it's just supervision, why not try asking Miss Al Dan's Roommate for help?"
Hearing the low requirement for care, Kagura tilted her head. This didn't require a specialized Support Musume; any Uma Musume could do it.
"I've thought about it, but Al Dan never said where her dorm was or who her Roommate was. Besides, she hasn't been to school in a long time, and we're only just preparing to send her back. I heard that because she hasn't been back for so long, they even changed her dorm location. When she returns in a while, she might even need help moving… Sigh, just thinking about it gives me a headache."
"This really is…"
It seemed Mejiro Al Dan wasn't as gentle and obedient as she appeared. In some aspects, she seemed a bit rebellious. Kagura guessed this might be because Old Mejiro always kept her cooped up at home and wouldn't let her out.
"The Mejiro Family can hire you, Kagura. We will pay you on time, and you don't need to focus too much on our Uma Musume. Just handle any dangerous situations as quickly as possible."
"…Kagura, what do you think?"
Speed Symbol estimated that if the request was only to that extent, it might not generate too much work. However, the more important factor was Kagura's personal willingness. Although she didn't want Kagura to be overworked, if Kagura was willing, she couldn't really stop her.
"If it's just simple supervision, I don't have any problems… However, when she returns, Miss Al Dan needs to contact me. I at least need to know where she lives."
After thinking for a moment, Kagura nodded, accepting Old Mejiro's request. Seeing Kagura nod in agreement, Old Mejiro, who had already lost hope, first showed a surprised expression, then her entire brow relaxed and smoothed out:
"Good, good… Thank you, child. I'll go talk to Al Dan right away. I'm truly sorry, you're already so busy, and I'm asking you to take time for these things."
Old Mejiro hurriedly thanked her, then slipped into the banquet hall to find her granddaughter.
"Kagura, are you alright?"
Only after Old Mejiro had walked away did Speed Symbol raise her hand and gently stroke Kagura's head. Although Kagura had agreed to it, as she expected, she knew Kagura always acted within her capabilities and wouldn't do things beyond her reach. Still, she worried Kagura might be too busy.
After all, to her, Kagura was no longer just a simple maid or Support Musume. She now treated Kagura like her own child.
"I'm fine. If it's just a quick glance, anyone can do it. It's not difficult."
"That's easy to say… Sigh, I hope you still don't push yourself too hard. I heard from Trainer Tojo that you personally went to help Rudolph with the Racecourse strategy, and you also take care of her daily life. Won't you be exhausted?"
"I'm really fine. If I were too busy, I wouldn't accept such a request. Please don't worry, Madam Chairwoman."
Kagura smiled and waved her hand, signaling Speed Symbol not to worry.
Speed Symbol sighed. Thinking carefully, Kagura's work ability already surpassed that of her own maids, and she was so young, which made Speed Symbol feel it was simply incredible.
"Kagura~ What are you doing outside? Come in and eat with us!"
Mejiro McQueen's childish voice came from inside the banquet hall. Kagura immediately turned her head and responded.
"McQueen is calling me, Madam Chairwoman. I'll go in first."
"Go on, go on. Eat more and gain back the weight you lost."
"Okay~"
After agreeing, Kagura scurried inside.
Speed Symbol stood outside, watching Kagura's retreating back and pondering for a while, then let out a long sigh.
"I need to give this child more pocket money when I get back… Sigh, Old Mejiro really gives me no peace of mind."
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