The next morning, Kagura went out to buy ingredients as usual. She hadn't even reached the shopping street yet when she spotted her friend—Tokai Teio—standing at the street's edge with a schoolbag on her back.
"Morning～ Kagura, here for groceries again today?"
"Mm. From now on I'll probably be the one doing the shopping every time. Teio, why are you standing here?"
"I was just about to head to school. Oh—come to think of it, Kagura, you come here so early every day… are you not going to school at all?"
Mention of school made Teio realize something. For the past month, she'd seen Kagura show up around six in the morning to buy food. By the time Kagura cooked breakfast back at the Symboli estate and left for school, she'd surely be late—even if she ran.
"You know, Teio… I'm unregistered. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't go to school."
Kagura's tone was casual. Whether she went to school or not didn't matter much to her. With her education, she already knew everything in those textbooks. In her spare time, she even tutored Teio with her schoolwork.
"…Makes sense. Wait—no way! You don't even go to school and yet you're way smarter than me!?"
Teio's face twisted in disbelief. This past month, Kagura had been helping her with assignments, leaving her with the impression Kagura was some top student. But thinking carefully, she'd heard from the head maid that Kagura was an orphan, without family, without identity. No school would take her.
"…I just self-study by instinct. No one taught me. I don't even understand a lot of the underlying principles. Teio, you're the clever one. Study hard at school, and you'll surpass me."
Kagura spoke calmly, without changing expression. She was about to pat Teio's shoulder in encouragement when the taller girl suddenly stepped forward and threw her arms around her.
"I know exactly what level I'm at… But thank you, Kagura, for always looking out for me. Once I get into Tracen and start racing, I'll definitely find a way to get you into school too!"
"…Well… it's nice that you have the heart for it. But make sure you take care of your own studies first, before worrying about unimportant things like me."
"Not allowed! Kagura's matters are not unimportant!"
Teio puffed out her cheeks, making an adorably sulky face in protest.
Looking at her pouty round cheeks, Kagura felt warmth spread inside her. Being cared for… it really wasn't a bad feeling. Even if it was by a child younger than her—in spirit at least.
Still, seeing Teio so confident made Kagura curious. Was Tracen Academy really that great? This wasn't the first time she'd heard of it.
They said it was the place where the nation's strongest Umas gathered. Kagura didn't know how "strength" was even measured. But would a place like that really take in someone like her? She doubted it. She already felt incredibly lucky just to have met a good person like Symboli Speed.
"…Oh, right. Teio, in a few days I might not come by for a while."
"Eh? Why?"
"Speed-sama is going out. She wants me to accompany her. I don't know how long I'll be gone. I might not be able to help with your studies for a bit."
Kagura could tell—the moment Teio heard this, her energy visibly sagged. Even her ears drooped down.
"…Ah. It's fine. If it's work, then focus on that. Even without you, I'll definitely manage to solve those tough problems myself!"
She tried hard to look reliable, but Kagura could feel her hug tighten. Still just a kid. That little unwillingness was written all over her.
"You silly girl… Alright, alright. Off you go. Keep clinging to me and you'll be late."
After letting her hug for a while, Kagura gently pushed her back. Only then did Teio reluctantly release her.
"…Mmm. Fine! When you come back, make me radish cake!"
"Haha, alright, alright. If you want it, once I'm back, I'll make it for you every day. Now go, hurry to school!"
School didn't wait. Teio waved goodbye and dashed off. Watching her disappear, Kagura turned and continued toward the shopping street.
"Yo! Kagura-chan, morning! Grocery run again, huh?"
The moment she stepped into the street, shopkeepers on both sides called out warmly. Thanks to Teio, Kagura had quickly become familiar with the vendors here. It was clear—Teio was beloved in this street.
"That kid Teio's looking a lot more cheerful lately. I hear her grades improved too. Must be thanks to you, looking after her so carefully."
While cutting meat according to her instructions, one shopkeeper chatted with her. With a grin, he slipped in more meat than usual.
Though Inari Kagura was technically a year or two younger than Teio, the shopkeepers could all tell—Kagura was the more mature one. It was always Kagura looking after Teio.
"No, no. Friends helping each other—that's just natural. No need to thank me."
"That kid's shy, not very confident, not many friends. It's important for her to have someone her own age supporting her. Take this as a token. Don't refuse."
With such earnestness, Kagura couldn't keep refusing. She thanked him, then packed both the meat she bought and the extra into her basket.
It wasn't just him. At every shop she visited, the vendors insisted on slipping her something extra. Kagura finally saw how adored Teio was in this street. By the time she finished her errands, her basket was far heavier than planned.
That's a lot more food than I budgeted for… The household won't be able to eat all this in a day.
At the Symboli estate, everything was bought fresh daily. Never overnight. With so much surplus, even Speed and the servants couldn't finish it. Not wanting waste, Kagura thought a moment. An idea came.
Tomorrow morning, before leaving with the Speed-sama, I'll cook Teio some breakfast. And the rest—I'll turn into snacks, bring them as gifts to the shopkeepers when I shop again. Yes. That's best.
She smiled, satisfied with her plan. After double-checking she hadn't forgotten anything, Kagura left the shopping street.
Several shopkeepers watched her go. They were about to return to their stalls when they noticed a chestnut-haired Uma run past the storefronts.
She was disguised—sunglasses, mask. They couldn't see her face, only the white streak in her bangs and the Tracen uniform.
An Uma passing through wasn't unusual. She looked a little familiar, but before they could place her, she had vanished. They shrugged and went back to work.
And so, none of them noticed—that Uma had quietly begun tailing Kagura.