On the Track, Excellent Quality had completed today's round of training and was taking a break.
Teacher Kagura was compiling training data, and also discussing with Eclipse if they had noticed any problems.
"Teacher Kagura, um, after today's training, can you accompany me for a walk?"
"Hmm? Yes, I can, but why did you suddenly think of this?"
Teacher Kagura put down her phone and looked at Excellent Quality.
She did have the free time.
If it took a long time, she could just have Rudolph Symbol find food in the cafeteria according to her instructions, after all, she was technically still on vacation today.
After six days of training, Excellent Quality's running style had greatly improved.
Many of her previous minor flaws had been identified and corrected by Teacher Kagura, and her stamina had also slightly improved.
She had also beautifully taken first place in the simulation races the past two days.
Although Teacher Kagura couldn't guarantee that she would be Muteki among her peers, she wouldn't perform poorly on the Track, no matter what.
"Tomorrow is the school selection race, and I want to… go back and see everyone.
I also told everyone there yesterday that I would go back and visit."
"…Oh, you mean the people from the Shopping Street."
"Yes, I came to Tokyo from my hometown alone, and everyone, and Teacher Kagura, have helped me a lot.
Without you all, I definitely wouldn't have gotten this far."
Saying this, Excellent Quality nodded vigorously.
"Before, before I got into Tracen, I fantasized about what it would be like to compete. I thought it would be a long time before I'd actively participate in tryouts to find a Trainer. I was afraid that if I failed, I didn't dare to think about it… But now, with Kagura by my side, I don't seem so scared anymore."
"Oh dear… Soshi, why are you suddenly so serious…?"
Teacher Kagura, an adult, was immediately flustered, instinctively turning her slightly reddened face away. Excellent Quality also instantly realized what she had just said, her fair cheeks flushing as she stammered, unable to speak.
"Anyway… anyway, if Kagura is free, let's go to the Shopping Street together!"
With great effort, Excellent Quality finally managed to blurt out a sentence. As soon as she finished, she fled back to the Track without looking back to continue running. After training, Teacher Kagura and Excellent Quality returned to their respective dorms to change clothes before heading out to the Shopping Street.
Before even entering the Shopping Street, Teacher Kagura and Excellent Quality saw from afar that the outside of the Shopping Street was adorned with all sorts of balloons, streamers, and small flags. From a distance, it exuded a festive atmosphere.
Teacher Kagura pondered today's date. Clearly, today was not any holiday. With all the lanterns and banners, one might think it was New Year's.
"What is all this about?"
Excellent Quality also stretched her neck, looking down the street in confusion, but it was still a bit far, and she couldn't see what was happening over there.
After the two walked a little closer, a kimono-clad uncle standing at the entrance of the Shopping Street saw Teacher Kagura and Excellent Quality approaching. He blew a whistle like a signal, then waved to them:
"Little Soshi! And Kagura! Welcome back!"
"Ah, Uncle, the butcher shop owner! Long time no see!" "Mr. Morichika! Long time no see!"
Teacher Kagura and Excellent Quality, who were extremely familiar with the Shopping Street, naturally recognized each other immediately and waved back in response.
"Long time no see! Oh!! Soshi has grown quite a bit. It seems you've been eating well since going to school. But Kagura, why do I feel like you've gotten thinner?"
"Is it that obvious? It feels like everyone who knows me says that."
Teacher Kagura herself didn't feel anything, but her old acquaintances like Speed Symbol said she had gotten thinner recently. Perhaps her recent exercise volume was a bit excessive.
"Of course! Kagura, you're still young, don't try to lose weight like those young ladies. Girls look good with a proper amount of flesh; being too thin looks listless!"
"I'm not trying to lose weight… It might just be that my exercise this month was too intense, and I didn't really make up for it."
"That won't do. If your Head Maid saw you like this, she'd be heartbroken. I'll get you some meat to take home and eat later!"
"No… no need. I'm really not starving. If I can starve in a place like Tracen where the cafeteria is self-service, there must be something wrong, right?"
Although Teacher Kagura was busy cooking for several Uma Musume at Tracen, she still ate very well every day. After all, no matter how busy she was, she wouldn't neglect her stomach—that was her principle. Moreover, she felt her appetite had even increased recently, yet despite this, her weight had still decreased.
It was during this time that Teacher Kagura and Excellent Quality also walked into the Shopping Street. She noticed that not only were small balloons and small flags hung everywhere, but there was even a banner stretched across the middle.
[Celebrating Little Soshi's successful participation in the Tracen internal tryouts!]
The banner was clearly hand-written, but the calligraphy looked quite pleasant. Excellent Quality stood there stunned, her face full of surprise as she stared at the banner, speechless for a long time.
'Why does it feel like when a child from my old village got into a top university?'
Teacher Kagura had only seen such a celebratory display in her old village. Although, considering Central Tracen's status in this world, Excellent Quality indeed qualified for a top-tier academy, so such a display wasn't surprising. However, it was truly novel for Teacher Kagura that those celebrating her were familiar people with no blood relation. Soshi said that when she left her hometown for Tokyo, everyone also decorated and sent her off like this. Perhaps she truly possessed some special ability to endear herself to people.
"Superior Quality Da Jie Tou! And Sister Kagura! You're finally back!"
"Little Soshi! And Kagura! Welcome back!"
As the two looked up at the banner hanging in mid-air, a throng of people suddenly poured out of the shops on both sides of the Shopping Street. The children of the Shopping Street all swarmed around, hugging and clinging to the two, instantly blocking the entire street. The shopkeepers familiar with the two and other neighbors on the street who had received their help were also in the shops on both sides, warmly shouting at them.
"Ah ah… Long time no see! Xiao Jiahuo, and everyone on the Shopping Street! Thank you all so much for your enthusiasm!!"
Teacher Kagura, who had the foresight to bring many small candies and snacks, smiled as she distributed snacks to the boisterous children. She also took a moment to look at Excellent Quality next to her. Excellent Quality was excitedly hugging and responding to the children and familiar faces of the Shopping Street. She noticed that Excellent Quality's eyes seemed to be sparkling with tears.
'How wonderful, the people of the Shopping Street, as simple as the village back home. Excellent Quality is truly a lucky child, cherished by so many people…'
Surrounded by the children, Teacher Kagura felt a warmth she hadn't experienced in the big city for a very long time. Perhaps only in small places like neighborhood streets and villages could such a sight be seen.
With the enthusiastic cooperation of the neighbors and shopkeepers, the entire Shopping Street was as lively as a festival today, even attracting curious passersby who wondered why this place was so bustling on a non-holiday.
Deeply moved, Teacher Kagura took out her phone, filmed some clips of today's Shopping Street activities to record them, and then posted them on her Umastagram.
[Machikane Tadahashi Curren: Wow! So lively! Is Teacher Kagura in Tokyo now? Which street is it on? I want to find time to go see it too!]
When Teacher Kagura played for a while and then picked up her phone again, she found a private message from Machikane Tadahashi. She typed a reply and also sent a location share to Machikane Tadahashi.
[Inari Kagura: This street is only so lively today because there's a happy occasion. Normally, it's just an ordinary Shopping Street. If you're coming to see a festival, you might be disappointed.]
[Machikane Tadahashi Curren: I see, but I'm not coming for the festival. I'm more interested in seeing that simple atmosphere.]
[Inari Kagura: If that's the case, you're welcome to visit. I used to buy groceries here often.]
Teacher Kagura replied to Machikane Tadahashi's last message, then put away her phone and looked around for Excellent Quality, finding her still surrounded by a crowd of uncles and aunties.
However, unlike the Excellent Quality Teacher Kagura first met a long time ago, who was very insecure and lacked confidence, the recent Excellent Quality seemed to be gradually shedding that feeling of self-doubt. It felt like she had transformed from "Can I really do it?" to "Sometimes, I can do it, right!"
"Little Soshi~ When your tryouts begin, we'll all come to cheer you on! You can do it!"
"Hehehe… Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to cheer me on! Although I want to say, as before, please don't expect too much from me… But I'm no longer as timid as I used to be. Thank you for your encouragement. I will try my best not to let down your hopes! And not to let down the name 'Excellent Quality'!"
Excellent Quality's expression was incredibly firm, full of determination. Teacher Kagura knew that her encouragement and training during this period had not been in vain, especially the first place in the simulated battle, which gave Excellent Quality great confidence.
A few days ago, Teacher Kagura heard from Excellent Quality that she had met a Little Horse Girls a bit younger than her in the Park, about the same age as McQueen, but with exceptional talent. However, that child hadn't fully awakened yet, and it was unknown if she was a Tracen student. Excellent Quality actually had no intention of competing originally, but Teacher Kagura's sudden plan greatly advanced Excellent Quality's tryout schedule. Otherwise, Excellent Quality would have likely considered the tryouts only after fully awakening next year.
Kagura was also somewhat relieved after learning about it. Although she hadn't seen the genius's strength yet, nor had she heard any related rumors in the school, if the other party was a Tracen student and was going to participate in the tryouts next year, Fine Motion would definitely have trouble if she ran into him in next year's tryouts, and it would greatly affect her performance.
"Speaking of which, how did everyone know that I was participating in the tryouts?"
"The Head Maid of the Symboli Family mentioned it during a casual chat while grocery shopping. She said Old Symboli was very worried that Kagura would overwork herself preparing you for the tryouts. Sigh... Little Soshi, you are really lucky to have a friend like Kagura by your side. Besides your parents, it's really hard to find someone else who is so good to you. You must cherish this friend."
The neighbors had all witnessed Kagura's kindness towards Fine Motion on a daily basis; Inari Kagura was truly the ideal friend, the kind many people would never have in their entire lives.
"Yes... Kagura... is really an important person."
Fine Motion nodded in agreement. Although Kagura always said that what she did was nothing, she knew better than anyone how important Kagura's daily actions were.
Watching Kagura laugh and chat with the large group of Little Horse Girls, occasionally hearing a "Sister Kagura" from that direction, Kagura patiently and gently responded to the children like a kindergarten teacher. Fine Motion realized that her previous feeling was not an illusion; Kagura was indeed more suited to the title of 'older sister' than she was.
"Oh, right, Uncle Morichika, do you know of any delicious snacks on this street? Can you recommend some to me?"
"Oh, oh! Is Little Soshi hungry?"
"No, no, it's not for me to eat. I want to get something for Kagura to eat. You... you just heard me say that Kagura has been training me so I can pass the tryouts smoothly during this period. I also want to repay Kagura somehow. She loves to eat, especially delicious food... Oh, right, I... I'll pay. Uncle, just give Kagura something to eat!"
"Alright! Don't worry, we don't plan to charge Soshi and Kagura. You've helped everyone so much; it's really inappropriate to talk about money! Leave it to me! I'll gather all the recommended snacks on this street right away!"
The butcher shop owner, Uncle, roared like a general before battle, then turned and scurried out.
Fine Motion also squeezed forward, pushing through the crowd of children to reach Kagura's side. Seeing Fine Motion squeeze in, Kagura greeted the children and told them to go play first, then, finally free, she looked at Fine Motion.
"Kagura, are you having fun?"
"Mmm-hmm... Of course, I'm happy. By the way, Soshi, weren't you chatting with everyone in the Shopping Street? How was it?"
"Everyone is discussing coming to the school to cheer me on. Seeing how excited everyone is, I don't want to always end up in third place again, like before... really."
"That's natural. Soshi, haven't you already proven your strength? You are no longer third, aren't you?"
Saying this, Kagura raised her hand and patted Fine Motion's head. Fine Motion chuckled foolishly.
"Thanks to Kagura... During this time, Kagura has been giving me special training, which is why I've achieved such results."
"It's not that amazing... I was able to help you improve so quickly because you already had that potential. I just happened to guide it out. Even without me, other Trainers would surely have found a way, and Soshi, you would still become an Excellent Uma Musume, just like your name suggests."
"Really, Kagura is always so humble. You're not allowed to say that anymore!"
Fine Motion puffed out her cheeks, then leaned in and wrapped her arms around Kagura, pulling her close to her chest. Kagura, suddenly embraced, first made an inarticulate sound, then quickly reacted and hugged Fine Motion back.
"Even if anyone could do it, only Kagura was willing to look at ordinary me... To me, Kagura is unique and the most important person!"
"Soshi..."
Just as Kagura was about to say something, her stomach let out a rather loud protest. She then remembered that she hadn't eaten anything to replenish herself after today's intense exertion.
"Hehe, Kagura is hungry, right? Come on, let Kagura see the delicious snacks only Shopping Street experts know about!"
"Hehe... Then I'll trouble Miss Expert to lead the way~"
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