——It's rare for you to get a day off. Take a break today and go out for a bit?
After breakfast, as Kagura cleared the dishes and left the cafeteria with the others, a message suddenly popped up on her phone screen.
Huh? What's up?
Normally, Eclipse-san wouldn't give random suggestions like this. Today was indeed a scheduled rest day, so Kagura didn't have any work, but Eclipse suggesting an outing was still quite unusual.
——You finally get some rest; don't just stay cooped up at school! If you never go out, you'll get moldy. When I was your age, I was constantly running around London. How can you stand being stuck inside all day?
Doctors are like this, you know? If I didn't have patience for sitting still, how could I do my job…
——Silly girl, right now you're a child, not a doctor! Can't you act more like a kid for once? Come on, I want cake! Go eat some for me!
Kagura couldn't see Eclipse's expression, but judging by the words, it seemed Eclipse was craving sweets again. Since Eclipse rarely made these kinds of requests, Kagura didn't see a reason to refuse her this small pleasure.
She texted Rudolf Ojou-sama to remind her to have lunch properly today and not to eat anything strange. After saying goodbye to Mr. C.B.-senpai and Nice Nature, she walked straight out of the academy gates.
Since Kagura planned to simply go out and find something tasty to eat, she didn't bother contacting anyone else. Nice Nature had classes, and Mr. C.B. was heading home to catch up on sleep, so no one accompanied her.
——Follow my directions. You'll just get lost otherwise.
Eclipse-san, do you actually remember where pastry shops are?
——Of course! Remembering my favorite places is basic common sense! Plus, are you planning on returning right after eating? You've already come out anyway; why not stroll around a bit?
"Well..."
Kagura indeed hadn't planned to return immediately after eating. Since she was already out, she decided to explore some nearby markets for interesting ingredients. Maybe she could find something new to cook for Nature and the others, and even post a new video.
Lately, her Umastagram follower count had somehow surpassed 200,000. Every day, she received a pile of messages asking for her shop's location so they could visit, forcing her to frequently remind viewers in her videos that she wasn't running any restaurants.
Besides the foodies, perhaps because of her petite appearance, Kagura had also gained a number of cyber-parents lately. The comment section had become so warm and harmonious, it made her marvel at how lovely the world could be.
Some fans from the mainland even suggested she open an account on their platforms, and she received a few requests for permission to repost her videos on Bilibili. Reminded by this, Kagura realized she had completely neglected her neighboring country's internet platforms since arriving here.
Of course, part of it was because Kagura hadn't actively managed her account for a while. She wasn't very skilled at online marketing or similar techniques. Initially, she'd done everything herself, but lately she'd left things to Eclipse-san, only occasionally checking comments and posting new videos.
Kagura had been quite surprised to discover a spirit like Eclipse could actually handle smartphones. Eclipse had simply replied, "Thanks to you, my condition improved enough for me to manage it," leaving Kagura thoroughly baffled.
But Eclipse seemed to genuinely enjoy managing Umastagram, so Kagura handed the account over completely. During work, she simply left the screen on for Eclipse to use whenever she pleased.
Given Eclipse's past as a professional Uma Musume, she naturally knew a lot about idol activities and promotions. Though she was ancient, Eclipse had absorbed plenty of modern knowledge, especially regarding idol culture.
——By the way, lately a lot of people have been asking if you plan to livestream. What do you think?
I'm just a food blogger. What would I even livestream? Isn't livestreaming cooking a bit odd?
——Fair enough… But now that you mention it, maybe I should teach you dancing sometime.
Wait, what?! I don't want to go into dance!
——I never said you had to livestream dancing. But knowing how to dance will definitely be useful someday!
Kagura felt her hair being vigorously ruffled.
Without realizing, on her way to Eclipse's recommended pastry shop, Kagura had stopped in front of a clothing store she frequently visited. With winter approaching and temperatures dropping dramatically, she'd been planning to buy some warmer clothes anyway.
"Welcome—Oh, it's you again, miss! Here to buy clothes again?"
Because Kagura visited frequently and was quite noticeable, the shop owner recognized her immediately. Usually, children Kagura's age came with parents or friends, but Kagura always showed up alone, making her stand out.
"Yes. It's getting colder lately, so I thought I'd get some warmer outfits and coats."
"I see…"
The owner felt this child might have some personal troubles. Always alone, never accompanied by parents or friends, constantly choosing low-priced items—it wasn't like an ordinary child at all. Rather, she seemed more like a child neglected or mistreated at home, introverted and bullied at school.
But the owner said none of this aloud. Already familiar with Kagura's shopping habits, she quickly guided Kagura to her preferred section, subtly messaging staff to move some better-quality clothes to this area and secretly adjust their prices to match.
After all, it was winter now. She couldn't let a small child wear inadequate clothing and freeze.
Oblivious to the staff's quiet actions, Kagura attentively browsed the cheaper clothing racks. Avoiding overly bright colors like pink, her eyes automatically drifted back toward the black and white garments again.
——If you buy more cheap black-and-white clothes, I'll smack your head! Your wardrobe's filled with only those colors! Why do you always act as if you're short on money?
Eclipse's text appeared animatedly, bouncing up and down as if angry.
Just habitually saving money, that's all! And what's wrong with me liking black and white?
——But stop only buying cheap stuff! Poor-quality clothes can harm your skin, and you're still growing! How can a girl not take better care of herself?
Huh… clothes just need to be wearable, right? I don't feel any difference… It shouldn't matter?
——Put that down already! If you want black and white, at least get that higher-quality one over there!
Seeing Eclipse's animated, exasperated texts, Kagura suddenly had the strange feeling of shopping with her own mother back home.
She placed the cheap clothing back and looked at the recommended coat. Clearly, it belonged to a higher price range than this section normally had, yet its marked price was unbelievably low.
This is definitely not the right price range. Why is it here?
——Maybe you found a really good deal! Try it on already!
Honestly, Kagura really liked this coat, and Eclipse seemed very satisfied too. Even though Kagura had money now, frugality was etched into her very DNA.
"Owner-san, is this coat's price correct?"
To be safe, Kagura confirmed with the shop owner, who nodded with a gentle smile.
"We've got a discount promotion for certain items stuck in inventory recently. That coat is on sale."
"I see…"
Kagura seriously doubted that a coat this nice would remain unsold, but since the owner insisted, she decided not to push further. Gathering some scarves and other accessories, Kagura headed for the changing room.
——Very nice! Almost as beautiful as when I was young. It really suits you!
After changing, Kagura emerged and checked herself in the mirror, nodding with satisfaction. Eclipse also seemed delighted, happily tousling Kagura's hair again.
"You look adorable in this! You were already cute, but this makes you even prettier!"
"Thank you."
Feeling satisfied, Kagura quickly paid and politely thanked the kind shopkeeper once more at checkout, not explicitly mentioning why. The owner paused briefly, then smiled knowingly.
Watching Kagura leave, the owner chuckled softly to herself:
"Sharp kid… She's surprisingly perceptive, isn't she?"
On her leisurely walk, Kagura passed supermarkets, a small park, and even saw Gold Ship loudly hawking yakisoba on the street. Judging by Eclipse's animated and playful messages, she was clearly enjoying the day out. Kagura felt her own mood lift.
She remembered a novel she'd read in high school called "Borrowed Eyes," about a girl trapped underground who could only experience the world through others carrying cameras. Eclipse was somewhat similar. She depended on Kagura's body to experience sensations a normal person took for granted. Kagura, who served as Eclipse's "eyes," felt genuinely happy seeing Eclipse so joyful today.
After their carefree stroll, they finally reached the pastry shop Eclipse had long desired to visit.
Which cake do you like, Eclipse-san?
——You choose your favorite. I want to taste what you enjoy.
"Please give me this one."
She ordered a slightly expensive but delicious-looking cake. Carefully taking a photo, she cut a bite and tasted it, warmth and sweetness filling her mouth.
——Hehe, delicious as ever!
Thanks, Eclipse-san. Actually, today's outing was mainly to find you something good to eat.
——Silly girl, haven't you realized yet? Look at the date. Isn't today November 30th?
Yeah… Is it a holiday?
Eclipse's gentle voice whispered directly into her ear, using a rare bit of energy:
"It's your birthday, silly. Happy birthday, my little fool."