To make it back in time for dinner, Kagura didn't linger in the stands for long. As promised, Maruzensky tagged along with her, and the two slipped out toward the supermarket to gather ingredients.
"Maruzensky-san, that carrot you picked isn't very fresh. It's the kind that usually gets marked down in the evening."
Maruzensky, far more easygoing about everyday life, clearly lacked Kagura's eye for produce. Now, staring back and forth between the carrot in her hand and the one Kagura had chosen, her face was full of disbelief, as if trying to puzzle out the difference.
Ah, that face—utter confusion. I must've looked exactly like that the first time I ever went to the market…
Kagura nearly laughed. Maruzensky's bewilderment reminded her of her old self—except she wasn't that girl anymore, the one who couldn't tell scallions from chives.
Since coming to the Symboli estate, Kagura's buying habits had shifted toward high-quality ingredients. First, make sure the quality is good; then find the price balance. It wasn't like before, when she had to always count the costs. The Symboli family didn't lack money—but Kagura still couldn't quite shake the old instincts.
Yes, sometimes you could strike gold in the discounted section. But the odds weren't high. Especially with fish and meat, the good cuts went early. And now it was already too late in the day.
"Um… Kagura-chan, how do you even tell if something's fresh?"
"Sometimes you can see it on the surface. Sometimes you touch or tap. There's no fixed way… I guess it's all in the feel?"
"…I can't believe I'm losing to an amnesiac little Uma in common sense."
Maruzensky glared at the carrot for half a minute longer, before giving up with a sigh.
Kagura, already planning out her menu, moved purposefully from section to section. Maruzensky had thought she'd be helping, but soon realized she wasn't much use. Besides some drinks and condiments, Kagura handled almost everything. Maruzensky was reduced to being a mobile rack, trailing behind to carry bags.
Even though this was Kagura's first time in this supermarket, she navigated like she'd done it thousands of times—reading signs, finding what she wanted quickly. It shocked Maruzensky, who usually bought groceries on a whim—or just lived off instant food when tired.
Somehow, in that small black-haired Uma walking ahead, Maruzensky saw a glow. The same glow she had once glimpsed in her own Uma mother.
Though younger than me, she feels almost like a mother.
Her eyes drifted to the white earring on Kagura's left ear. A sudden urge welled up—to loop an arm around Kagura's waist and tease this serious child. But her self-control won out.
The real reason she'd insisted on coming wasn't only to keep Kagura from overexerting herself. It was curiosity. Kagura gave off a strange pull. Especially when she hugged her—there was a soothing, irresistible comfort that made her want to hold on again and again.
"Kagura-chan, you're really something. I heard you're good at housework in the Symboli home too?"
"I just do my duties. Nothing worth mentioning."
"How nice~ I'm jealous of whoever marries you someday. You'll definitely be a wonderful wife when you grow up—I swear it!"
"…Maruzensky-san, is it really okay to say that to an eleven-year-old? Never mind, I'll take it as a compliment."
Looking at her senior's envious face, Kagura could only give a wry smile. She hadn't thought about anything so far ahead. Her current goal was simple: live independently, repay Speed-sama's kindness. Anything after that could wait.
This time, Maruzensky hadn't done much besides serve as a human shopping cart. But still—having someone to chat with while working was pleasant.
Maruzensky really is a good person…
Ignoring her occasional attempts at chest-suffocation, Kagura thought she was kind and approachable, like a warm neighborly senpai. Though… her exact age was still a mystery. She looked like a high schooler, but gave off the vibe of a friendly aunt.
"What's wrong? Maruzensky-san, why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something on my face?"
As they waited in line to check out, Kagura noticed her gaze. She shook off her own daydreams and asked.
"N-nothing… Kagura-chan, got everything you need?"
Realizing Kagura was especially sensitive to stares, Maruzensky quickly waved it off.
"Pretty much. It's heavy though. Without my little cart, I'd never manage. You really helped by coming along, Maruzensky-san. Thank you so much!"
With Uma appetites being what they were, Kagura had needed to buy a mountain of food. She was relieved she hadn't had to carry it all herself.
"No need to thank me~ all I did was carry a few bags. You did all the work."
"Hehe… well, then these giant bags are yours, Maruzensky-san. Just don't tear them, okay?"
"Cheers~!"
...
That night, in the private room Speed-sama had reserved, Rudolf and several Tracen members gathered to celebrate her debut victory.
Of course, Uma couldn't drink alcohol. The "cheers" was done with juices and carrot juice Kagura had prepared.
And the food—naturally, Kagura's cooking, from ingredients she and Maruzensky had lugged from the supermarket. The hotel kitchen had lent them a space. Even with Uma appetites, it wasn't unmanageable—thankfully, the girls here weren't gluttons.
Maruzensky, who had peeked into the kitchen, couldn't forget it. Kagura moved like five people in one—handling ingredients, cooking, plating, all seamlessly. The hotel chefs nearby had even stopped to marvel.
"Delicious! It's the taste I've longed for! Kagura-chan, I can't believe you can make Chinese food!"
Akikawa Yayoi let out a delighted cry after only a few bites.
"My skills are nothing special… please forgive the shortcomings."
"Denied! This is identical to the dishes I tasted in Huaguo, cooked by a top hotel chef! If this is what you call unskilled, then the world has no chefs left!"
Akikawa refuted her humility with vigor. The praise was so high that Kagura's cheeks warmed. But looking around at the others' satisfied faces, she finally relaxed. She had worried about whether her flavors would fit.
Other things, you can let slide. But cooking, for your own stomach, must never be careless.
That was Kagura's food-lover's creed. In her past life, after long days of work, she'd still practiced cooking all kinds of dishes. She'd never thought those efforts would shine here.
Speed-sama, reassured by Kagura's capability, watched with quiet satisfaction. While Kagura cooked, Rudolf—usually hard to connect with—spoke up for once. She had been learning about Kagura's situation, and wanted to help. She wanted to bring Kagura to Tracen Academy.
Kagura was too young for the track, but getting used to academy life early could only help. Speed-sama, who had long observed her, had noticed—Kagura's education was clearly human, not Uma. Her knowledge of Uma basics was nearly zero. At Tracen, that could be fixed.
And knowing Kagura's pride, Speed-sama had already prepared the reasoning. After talking it over with Rudolf today, grandmother and granddaughter had reached a rare consensus. Officially, Kagura would enter as Rudolf's support Uma—taking care of her daily life. But really… would a student council president raised in elite tradition ever need a maid? The answer was obvious.
At least—for now, Rudolf still thought so.
"Kagura, interested in a change of workplace?"
Halfway through dinner, Rudolf glanced at Speed-sama for confirmation. Seeing her grandmother's nod, she spoke.
"Eh?"
Kagura paused, rib bone in hand, and looked up blankly.
"My schoolwork keeps me too busy to care for myself. Since you're a maid at home—would you consider becoming my support Uma? Looking after my life outside studies and races?"
The moment she said it, Akikawa, who had been sulking quietly, perked up. Her big blue eyes sparkled, all expectation.
Maruzensky rolled her eyes. She knew her friend's talent-hunting nature too well. Rudolf would scour remote villages for prodigies if she had to.
Please. Symboli Rudolf, student council president, elite's elite—claiming she can't care for herself? That's nonsense. You just want her legs!
But then Maruzensky thought—if Kagura came to Tracen, she could hug her all the time. So secretly, she hoped Kagura would agree.
Tojo Hana's face was harder to read. But she had her own plans. She wouldn't push a child into harsh training. Still, having Kagura in the academy would let her monitor her growth, offer foundation guidance. Such talent was rare—of course she wanted it nurtured, even if Kagura never chose her as trainer.
"So… ojou-sama wants me to accompany you to the academy? Is that alright? Speed-sama, would you be okay without me?"
Kagura turned toward Speed-sama. She herself didn't mind changing environments. She'd heard of students bringing maids before. But she worried about leaving the elder unattended.
"It's fine. There are other maids at home. Kagura-chan, go look after Rudolf. She needs it more than I do. And the Symboli estate isn't far from Tracen. You can always come home to visit."
Already planned between them, Speed-sama played her role smoothly. Truth be told, she hated the idea of letting Kagura go. But this was for the child's future. Sooner or later, she'd have to stand on her own. And with Rudolf's influence, the path into Tracen would be smooth.
"If Speed-sama has no objections, then… I'll follow your wishes. Ojou-sama, I'll come to Tracen every day to support you."
Kagura had no reason to refuse, beyond her worries for Speed-sama. Since the elder had given her blessing, she nodded.
"No need for commuting. If you enroll as a support Uma, the academy can treat you as a student. There are still spare dorm rooms. We can arrange one for you."
"Wouldn't that be troublesome? It's not even the start of term…"
In her memory, moving dorms had always been difficult. And now it was July—she worried it'd cause issues.
"Don't worry. As student council president—cough, anyway, summer training camp will end soon, and everyone will be back. No problem."
Rudolf caught herself mid-slip, glancing quickly at Akikawa. But the little director was still staring only at Kagura, eyes glowing, not listening to her words. Relieved, Rudolf exhaled.
"…Alright. If there's any trouble, please tell me. I'll cooperate however I can."
Kagura nodded, then bent back over her ribs.
She never saw Akikawa secretly give Rudolf a thumbs-up across the table. Or Maruzensky's ears, flicking with joy.