—Are you working two jobs now?
The next day, after Kagura returned to Tracen, she woke up from her nap and checked her phone, finding a substantial deposit in her bank account. The memo read: "Our child is in your care."
"…It's true that I'm getting two salaries… But why do I feel more and more like a full-time nanny?"
Kagura sighed. She vaguely remembered her position should be Rudolph Symbol's Support Musume, so why did the work seem to be increasing?
Although Kagura was still on her holiday given by Rudolph Symbol today, she didn't intend to idle. After solving Rudolph Symbol's food problem for the day, she went to Tojo Hana to inquire about the next inter-school selection race, and the reply was that it was next week.
'That fast… Should I skip this one and let Soshi prepare?'
Kagura naturally asked this question for Excellent Quality. After all, she hadn't undergone her true awakening yet, while Excellent Quality's true awakening process had already begun. It probably wouldn't be long before Excellent Quality completed her growth, and by then, Excellent Quality could begin professional training. So, it was best for a Trainer to be found in advance during this period.
Because she usually consulted with Tojo Hana and occasionally disguised herself as an ordinary person to attend Trainer lectures, Kagura had accumulated a lot of Trainer knowledge. This time, directing Excellent Quality's training was a small test of her skills. Kagura knew that although she wasn't as professional as a Trainer, she could guide Soshi to find a good Trainer, and then she wouldn't have to bother with such unprofessional training herself.
"Kagura, are you participating in this inter-school selection race?"
Tojo Hana passed by the Track in the afternoon and saw Kagura running on the Racecourse for the selection race. She couldn't help but feel a little strange. Although it wasn't forbidden for children who hadn't undergone their true awakening to participate in inter-school selection races, it usually didn't happen.
"I don't plan to participate. I'm just checking the Track conditions to determine how to run."
"Oh? You seemed to be doing something similar before Rudolph's race. Are you writing a strategy guide for someone?"
Tojo Hana had seen Kagura running alone on the training ground before, when Kagura was writing a strategy guide for Rudolph Symbol. Tojo Hana rarely saw Kagura training alone unless there was such a need.
"Yes, my friend has undergone her true awakening, and she's also preparing to participate in the inter-school selection race to find a good Trainer… Speaking of which, Miss Tojo, do you have any recommendations? A Trainer who is gentle and willing to accept children who are a bit introverted and self-conscious."
"Let me think… I do know such a colleague. We call him Trainer Namba, but I don't know if he'll be on the same wavelength as your friend."
"I will make her perform at her best, so Trainers will have nothing to criticize."
Kagura also understood that she couldn't force other Trainers to accept Excellent Quality. There was only one thing she could do: let Excellent Quality display her best form, impress other Trainers, and allow her to have the right to choose.
"Really… Speaking of which, Kagura, your knowledge of Trainers seems quite good. You don't really want to become a Trainer, do you?"
Tojo Hana felt that Kagura was becoming more and more like a Trainer, and couldn't help but worry. If Kagura truly intended to become a Trainer, then she would have to consider whether to ask Akikawa Yayoi to come and guide Kagura.
"No, I don't have that idea for now. Maybe I will in the future, but not now."
Kagura indeed had no plans to become a Trainer in the short term. She still wanted to fulfill some promises with Eclipse, and personally step onto the Racecourse to run. At least, before she completed her professional career, she had no such intentions.
Watching Kagura go up and down the slope, Tojo Hana suddenly remembered something. She and Akikawa Yayoi had both concluded that Kagura must have sought help from an expert to complete her strategy guide. Now that she happened to catch Kagura about to write a guide, did it mean there was a chance to meet that expert?
Thinking of this, Tojo Hana immediately picked up her phone and sent a message to Akikawa Yayoi. Akikawa Yayoi had also been curious about this for a long time. Coincidentally, today, all the Uma Musume under Tojo Hana were resting, so she had no training tasks. This time, she might be able to find some clues.
"Akikawa Yayoi: Question! Trainer Tojo! Is there anyone else with the little sister right now?"
"Tojo Hana: No, she's exploring alone."
"Akikawa Yayoi: Patience! Why not move a little further away, or simply stop paying attention to her for now? The afternoon is already half over, and the little sister probably won't be able to finish her exploration of the Track conditions. Then she still has to cook for Rudolph. You know the little sister doesn't like to stop halfway through her tasks. She might still come back tonight, and that's when she might ask that expert to come over."
Akikawa Yayoi's suggestion seemed very strategic. Although Tojo Hana didn't know how reliable it was, Kagura probably couldn't complete the detailed guide she wanted in just half an afternoon. If Kagura didn't want to drag it out until tomorrow, then she might indeed come tonight... Night, about two hours after dinner time.
It was past eight in the evening. There were few Uma Musume active on Tracen's Track. In the stands outside the Track, two figures, one large and one small, sat far away.
"Chairwoman, do you think Kagura will really come tonight?"
These two people were, of course, Tojo Hana and Akikawa Yayoi, who had arrived early to stake out. To ensure the smooth progress of the observation plan, Tojo Hana also contacted Rudolph Symbol and Maruzensky to confirm Kagura's whereabouts from multiple angles.
"Certainty! The little sister is very particular about finishing today's tasks today. If she hasn't finished, she'll most likely come back to continue!"
This was an impression formed after months of interacting with Kagura. Kagura had high execution ability and was quite methodical in her work. If she stopped halfway, it meant that the 'stopping' part was originally in her plan. If not, Kagura would work overtime to complete today's tasks.
However, the two had been staking out since Kagura left the training ground to cook for Rudolph Symbol. According to news from Rudolph Symbol, Kagura had left the Student Council about ten minutes ago. And according to information from Maruzensky, who was strolling in the Teaching Building courtyard, Kagura did not choose to detour to other places to find like-minded people, but came directly towards the Track.
To avoid directly exposing their whereabouts, both of them tried to shrink their bodies as much as possible, so that Kagura wouldn't spot them at a glance when she arrived.
Soon, Kagura's figure appeared near the Track. Tojo Hana and Akikawa Yayoi, sensing the movement, both stared intently at the direction Kagura entered, wanting to see who Kagura had consulted.
"Alone?"
There was no one else with Kagura. She still returned to the Racecourse alone, only changing into a miko outfit that looked very inconvenient for running.
Kagura, back on the Track, made no sound. She just quietly ran back and forth on the Racecourse, testing things, occasionally taking out a small notebook to record.
If there was anything amiss, it was Kagura's incredibly fast and efficient error correction. Tojo Hana had still seen Kagura making inappropriate decisions in various positions that afternoon, but tonight, when Kagura ran through those places again, there were absolutely no problems.
Clearly, even with an expert's guidance, it would be impossible to complete problem correction without being on the Racecourse. Before, Kagura had always been busy with work and had no time to go out to contact an expert to test and correct errors.
Although it felt unbelievable, looking at the current situation, it seemed that only one conclusion could be drawn:
"Confusion, is the little sister even a genius in this aspect??"
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