Two mornings later, Inari Kagura was up bright and early as always. She changed clothes in a flash, pulled along the luggage she had packed the night before, and then went to make breakfast for Speed-sama, who hadn't yet risen.
Speed-sama, up even earlier than usual, finished her washing and walked out to see the table already set. One look and she knew—it had to be Kagura who had risen early to cook. The other maids were still off duty at this hour, after all.
"My, my… you've worn yourself out again. I had been thinking we'd just eat out today. Waking this early—are you sure you'll be alright?"
The sky outside was only beginning to brighten. Speed-sama worried this schedule would take a toll on Kagura's health.
"It's fine. I went to bed pretty early yesterday. And since you said we'd be leaving early… I thought it would be better to finish eating sooner."
"Good girl… now sit and eat with me. Don't stand there."
When Kagura sat down, Speed-sama suddenly remembered something. Kagura still didn't have a proper set of her own clothes. Aside from the shrine maiden outfit she'd worn when she arrived, all the other clothing in her wardrobe was just maid uniforms.
Pretty though she was in them, a girl shouldn't wear only one type of clothing.
"Come to think of it, I never remembered to buy you some proper outfits. Since we're going out, we'll find the time to get you a few."
"N-no, no need! I can just—"
"Now, don't be stubborn. A child doesn't know these things. Leave it to me."
As Kagura opened her mouth to refuse, Speed-sama simply picked up a shrimp dumpling and popped it into her mouth, silencing her. The message was perfectly clear—no refusing.
Kagura chewed, swallowed, and looking at Speed-sama's expression, she knew it was no use. Speed-sama truly had no intention of letting her wriggle out of this one. She could only nod.
"Then… thank you, Speed-sama."
"Good child."
Satisfied, Speed-sama stroked her hair. To be honest, after this stretch of time, she found herself really wanting a granddaughter like Kagura. When Rudolf was small, her temper had been so fierce it gave Speed-sama headaches daily. Only after spending time with Kagura—a quiet, obedient, gentle child—did she realize that raising children could actually be pleasant.
Kagura didn't dodge her hand, just lowered her head in silence, eating breakfast. Only her ears twitched from time to time, showing her good mood.
Tokyo to Niigata was a fair distance. Kagura had wondered how a great household like the Symboli would travel. The answer turned out to be… simple, plain, and unadorned: the bullet train.
She carried both her and Speed-sama's luggage. It wasn't much. For an Uma, the weight was nothing—once again she marveled at the strength of these bodies.
But before she even boarded, Kagura felt a different kind of pressure. Not from the bags on her back. From the environment.
"Wow… look at that little maid, she's so cute…"
"Hey, look, such an adorable Uma Musume! Is that cosplay?"
From the station to the carriage, Kagura in maid uniform drew every eye. She could feel the gazes pinning her, hear the clicks of cameras. For someone already not great with crowds, it was unbearable—she felt like she'd melt into a puddle like Bocchi.
Why didn't I think of this?! This is basically the same as riding the shinkansen in full cosplay!!
Her ears drooped flat as she realized her mistake, and inwardly she wailed.
Beside her, Speed-sama looked the picture of modest travel. Sunglasses, sunhat, and a neat white sports outfit—ears tucked, demeanor relaxed. She blended into the crowd like any middle-aged lady on holiday. Perfect disguise.
"Haha, Kagura, you're quite popular."
Seeing her flustered, Speed-sama chuckled and patted her shoulder.
"Speed-sama… I feel like I'm about to melt…"
"If you want to be an excellent maid, you must remain composed and elegant at all times."
"Easier said than done…"
Just keeping her posture proper on the seat already stretched Kagura to the limit. She knew full well how far she still was from that perfect, graceful head maid back at the estate.
"Excuse me, if I'm not mistaken, are you perhaps from the Symboli family…"
Thankfully, the awkwardness didn't last. A woman approached—glasses, businesslike clothes, every inch the professional. She leaned down and quietly addressed Speed-sama.
Speed-sama raised a finger to her lips, signaling silence. Then she removed her sunglasses, taking her time before replying:
"Shh—don't say it aloud. If I'm not mistaken, that uniform… you must be a trainer from Tracen, yes?"
"Ah—Tojo-san, good morning! What are you doing here?"
Speed-sama didn't seem to know her, but Kagura did. She quickly greeted Tojo Hana, then made a short introduction for Speed-sama.
"A pleasure to meet you, Tojo Hana-san. Since you're on this train to Niigata… I take it you're here for that child's debut match? So she chose you, out of the three."
"You already know of our situation, Speed-sama?"
"But of course. That's my granddaughter, after all… I'm curious too, about the kind of person she picked as her trainer."
Smiling, Speed-sama gestured Kagura to scoot aside so Tojo Hana could sit.
"By the way, Speed-sama… this child, is she…?"
"Kagura is my personal maid. She's traveling with me this time to take care of things. You must have seen her the other day."
So Speed-sama knew about Rudolf taking Kagura to Tracen. And since Kagura recognized Tojo Hana, that meant she'd been introduced when Rudolf brought her to meet her trainer.
Was it just her imagination, or did Speed-sama's gaze sharpen? Like an examiner sizing up a student at the test table.
"Tojo-sensei, I recall Rudolf brought this child to Tracen two days ago to run a lap. What did you think of her?"
At the sudden shift, Kagura blinked curiously and looked at Tojo Hana.
She had indeed seen Kagura run once. Not an official test, but still enough to judge some things. At the time, though, she hadn't asked deeper questions.
"How old is Kagura this year? Has she undergone maturation yet?"
"Eleven, I think… maturation? What's that?"
"It's a stage of growth in Uma Musume. After maturation begins, the body undergoes major changes—one of the marks of maturity."
"I see… I'm sorry, I don't really know about that."
Kagura couldn't tell, from description alone, whether she had experienced it. She could only shake her head honestly.
"I've checked. This child hasn't undergone maturation yet—that much I can guarantee."
Speed-sama supplied the answer.
"She hasn't, then…"
"So, Trainer Tojo—do you now have a general sense of her?"
Speed-sama narrowed her eyes, watching her closely.
Kagura began to understand. Speed-sama was using her as a test case—measuring this trainer's professionalism.
"Kagura should be the type with explosive power. I believe she'd show excellence in sprints to miles. As for other distances, I'd need more data. Her stamina can't be judged just yet. Based on what I know so far, if I were to draft a training plan, I would…"
Tojo Hana began speaking in report-like detail—a flood of analysis Kagura couldn't fully follow. Numbers, theories, running-style suitability… her head spun. Beside her, Speed-sama nodded slowly, pleased.
"Not bad, not bad… Trainer Tojo, your professionalism is solid. I can see you're a planner, confident in your methods. And that child said you're very responsible. For Uma to have a trainer like you—it's a blessing."
"You flatter me. I haven't actually seen Kagura run properly yet. What I said is based on experience. If I could, I'd like to examine her legs… By the way, Kagura asked me before what a trainer is. She doesn't have one yet, correct?"
"That's right. She's not at that age yet… If you'd like to check her legs, once we get off the train—if she agrees—it's fine."
"Mm…"
Kagura suddenly felt as if she'd been marked. That trainer's gaze burned with a strange passion—like her old dorm mate back in the human world, when she pulled a rare, god-tier item in a game.
"Then, Trainer Tojo, one last, more personal question. If it makes you uncomfortable, you needn't answer."
"Please ask."
"Suppose your Uma's favorite running style—her most natural, the one that lets her unleash tremendous speed, makes her unbeatable—also carried the risk of harming her body. Would you let her keep running that way, or would you make her switch to a safer style? One slower, one she doesn't like as much."
"The body of an Uma is a precious and fragile treasure. As a trainer, protecting my students' safety is my absolute duty. I respect their wishes—but if it puts them at risk, I will stop them. I'll help them find another way. No matter what, I cannot allow a choice that would injure the children under my care."
Without the slightest hesitation, Tojo Hana answered. It was clear—these were her true feelings.
A trainer who truly loves her students.
Kagura's impression of her was very good. Meticulous, earnest, deeply responsible—outwardly cool, inwardly warm. Surely, she was well-regarded at Tracen.
"A fine answer, Trainer Tojo. No wonder that child chose you… I look forward to your future."