"Uwah… Kagura-chan, your speed was way too ridiculous!"
After finishing their training run, Nature immediately let out a regretful wail. She'd planned to demonstrate her seniority to Kagura but ended up getting fried like a fish instead.
"Nature-san, your strides are powerful, and your endurance is excellent. You only lost your rhythm because Kagura-chan threw you off."
Tojo Hana approached and patted Nature gently, reassuring the girl who was currently doubting herself. She could tell that Nature was indeed a rare talent—just unfortunate enough to be standing next to an unreasonable monster.
"Nature… umm… are you alright?"
It was Kagura's first time encountering a situation like this, and she didn't know what to say. She cast a pleading look at Tojo Hana, who could only shrug helplessly, signaling her own inability to help.
"I'm fine… Haah… I knew it. Just an ordinary girl like me really can't compare with geniuses, huh…"
Though Nature claimed she was fine, seeing her ears drooping, Kagura could easily guess her real mood.
Yet, Nature understood the matter wasn't really that serious. Shaking her head and seeing Kagura's anxious look, uncertain about how to approach, Nature actively stretched out her arms toward Kagura:
"Kagura-chan, let me hug you~~"
"You really are… Alright, today you can have your way."
Kagura gave a resigned smile and willingly stepped into Nature's embrace, letting herself be hugged tightly.
Holding Kagura, Nature took a deep breath. Wrapped in that soft, mysterious warmth, her gloomy mood improved significantly. She discovered Kagura's hugs seemed to have some magical power—whenever she held Kagura, she always felt incredibly comfortable.
"You two really are close."
Seeing Nature recover quickly enough to happily hug Kagura again, Tojo Hana relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well… We're friends, after all. Nature, I'll cook dinner for you tonight. Any particular requests?"
"Yes! Radish cake!"
"Can't you pick something other than radish cake for once…?"
For some reason, Nature was utterly obsessed with every type of radish cake Kagura made. Kagura had tried introducing her to other dishes, but Nature always returned to radish cake.
"Ara~ Did I just hear Kagura-chan is cooking dinner tonight?"
Hearing about dinner, Maruzensky, who had approached intending to check on the two after their race, suddenly perked up.
"I was planning to anyway. After all, Tojo-san said Ojou-sama always forgets to eat dinner. Would you and Tojo-san like to join?"
"I still have some work tonight, so I'll have to pass."
"If there's extra, I'd absolutely love to! You have no idea! After eating your cooking last time, I can't stand my own food anymore! Big sis is really suffering here!"
Unlike Maruzensky, who instantly accepted, Tojo Hana had to decline due to her trainer duties.
Maruzensky lived alone off-campus, managing her daily meals herself. Previously, she hadn't minded her cooking, tolerating it without issue.
But ever since the celebration banquet after Rudolf's debut race, Maruzensky couldn't forget Kagura's cooking. She became increasingly dissatisfied with her own meals, so naturally, hearing another chance to eat Kagura's food got her extremely excited.
"Then…I'll borrow the school kitchen tonight and start cooking around six. Come by if you want to eat."
…
Although Kagura agreed casually, she soon realized she'd underestimated the workload of catering for so many. After all, she was still just one person.
The staff at Tracen's cafeteria similarly felt immense pressure—not for any other reason but because shortly after six that evening, Chairman Akikawa Yayoi, Student Council President Symboli Rudolf, the famous Maruzensky-san, and the legendary new first-year with top theory exam scores all gathered in one corner of the cafeteria.
Anyone could clearly see these people were here for the same purpose. The cafeteria had never attracted so many big-shots at once, obviously drawn by that young Uma currently busily cooking away in the kitchen.
Fortunately, that young Uma really managed to handle all these VIPs entirely on her own merit. Tonight, Kagura practically dominated the kitchen single-handedly, this little Uma Musume's astounding efficiency teaching the cafeteria staff a vivid lesson about composure under pressure.
"Uuu…"
Naturally, everyone else ate happily, but Kagura herself was nearly collapsing from exhaustion. After today's supposed "training race" and then this brutal evening workload, she felt her body might just fall apart.
In the end, Nature took Kagura back to her dorm. Completely drained, Kagura wanted nothing more than to shower quickly and collapse into bed.
"Kagura-chan, want me to give you a massage? I've studied a bit on my own…"
Seeing Kagura freshly showered in pajamas, lying utterly exhausted on her bed, Nature asked somewhat hesitantly.
Kagura gave a weak, dazed hum in reply. Half-asleep already, she didn't have the energy to refuse anyway.
With permission, Nature climbed carefully onto Kagura's bed, gently sat on her legs, and cautiously placed her hands on Kagura's shoulders. Remembering massage techniques she'd learned from her parents, she slowly began applying pressure.
"Nnn…Nnah~!?"
Previously half-asleep, Kagura was instantly awakened by the pressure, involuntarily releasing a cute yet slightly suggestive sound. Quickly realizing her mistake, she immediately lowered her voice:
"T-Nature…gentler, please!!"
"S-sorry! It's been a while since I massaged anyone… I didn't control my strength properly… Are you okay?"
Nature hastily apologized. Only now did she remember it had been quite some time since she'd last given anyone a massage, making her current skills a little rusty.
"It's fine… Nature, you can start with lighter pressure."
"Okay, I'll be careful."
After her initial mistake, Nature's movements became much gentler. Kagura's small, delicate Uma Musume body certainly couldn't withstand the pressure meant for an older Uma.
Gently gripping Kagura's tender thighs, Nature adjusted her massage carefully, frequently checking Kagura's reactions. She kept modifying until Kagura's responses gradually shifted from clear words to muffled murmurs, finally settling into the most comfortable pressure for Kagura.
Kagura stopped making clear sounds because she buried her face into her arms. After Nature found the right strength, even Kagura—who had already learned massage techniques from the head maid—had to admit Nature was surprisingly good.
Moreover, Nature's strength was genuinely sufficient to have a soothing effect. The comforting relaxation nearly caused Kagura to release embarrassing moans. Determined not to embarrass herself, she covered her mouth firmly with her arms. Now, only her swishing tail and occasionally twitching ears betrayed her true enjoyment.
Why does it hurt so much when it's painful, but feels so good when it's comfortable? Could it be Uma bodies are much more sensitive than humans? Are we actually succubi or something?!
Face turning bright red from suppressing her voice, Kagura let out tiny muffled whines, inwardly screaming in embarrassment.
"Uma legs have many nerve endings, so it's normal to feel sensitive. Plus, you're still young, Kagura-chan. If you need to moan, just do it. Don't hold back and suffer."
Why does this eroge-sounding setting have a scientific explanation?! Also, why can you even read my mind right now?!
As for moaning aloud… absolutely not. Even if it was summer break, other Uma were still around. She wasn't sure about the dorm's soundproofing either. If anyone heard her embarrassing noises, her school life would end immediately.
Luckily, the massage wasn't too long. Already exhausted from the afternoon run, Kagura drifted dizzily in a half-asleep state until she felt Nature gently poking her, then carefully lifting her up to turn her over, placing her comfortably on her back.
"How was it?"
"Nature, your massage was really nice… so comfortable…"
"Hehe~ even my parents praised my technique!"
Seeing Kagura beneath her so sleepy she could barely open her eyes, her voice slurring drowsily, Nature didn't say anything else. Instead, she just softly rubbed Kagura's fluffy cheeks one last time, then carefully climbed off her.
"Well then, goodnight, Kagura-chan."
"Good…night… Zzz…"
In a dreamy haze, Kagura instinctively murmured a response. She faintly heard Nature switch off the lights and close the door behind her. After that, the dorm fell completely silent, and her consciousness quickly sank into the depths of sleep.