"...Trainer Tojo-san, as I mentioned earlier, I think Rudolf-ojousama's training schedule needs adjusting."
At noon, after lunch, Kagura hurried over to the trainer's office to report Rudolf-ojousama's physical condition to Trainer Tojo, who'd also just returned to Tracen—she'd gained a bit… no, it would be more accurate to say she'd gained a lot of weight.
Moreover, Rudolf-ojousama's first planned race for the year—the Yayoi Sho—was just around the corner. Even though Kagura believed that Bizen Nishiki wasn't capable of beating Rudolf, with this kind of sudden weight gain, Kagura wasn't entirely sure something wouldn't go wrong.
"I understand the situation now… Thanks, Kagura. You've barely come back to school, yet you have to worry about all these things."
Trainer Tojo furrowed her brows and nodded. She also fully understood the significance of the large number Kagura mentioned. To her, this was indeed something that couldn't be ignored.
"It's no trouble at all. It's my duty, after all."
"You're really something else... By the way, Kagura, you turned twelve this year, right? Have you felt any signs of honkaku recently?"
Trainer Tojo had originally planned to ask Kagura about this as soon as they met today, but she'd been caught off guard by Kagura's more shocking news about Rudolf-ojousama's weight and momentarily forgot.
"Nope, nothing yet… Why? Does that sort of thing have a fixed age?"
"It tends to follow certain patterns. Usually around your age is when it begins, though some start later. We're just unsure where you fall. Ah, right—have you already chosen a trainer?"
With Kagura's qualifications, trainers would practically fight over her wherever she went. So Tojo-san wasn't worried about Kagura finding a trainer; rather, she was curious if Kagura had anyone particular in mind.
Although Kagura often appeared in Trainer Tojo's office and many mistakenly believed she belonged to her team, strictly speaking, Kagura was unaffiliated. She was simply Rudolf-ojousama's Support Uma, nothing more.
"I haven't thought about that sort of thing at all… Trainer Tojo-san, if you suddenly ask me, I really can't give an answer right away… Um, do you have the energy to handle one more? I won't be any trouble! If you're too busy, just fill out the race application forms for me and that's enough!"
"Isn't that too irresponsible…? I'm just worried about overloading myself. After all, I've recently recruited several new Uma Musume who haven't even reported in yet. If I'd known you might choose me, Kagura, I wouldn't have rushed to recruit new students."
"Oh… Well, you don't have to worry about that right now, Trainer Tojo-san. I haven't even run my school selection race yet, so choosing a trainer doesn't have to happen immediately."
"That's true… Speaking of the selection race, Kagura, do you have any idea which course or distance you plan to choose?"
"Do they have any 3200-meter turf races?"
"…"
Trainer Tojo froze, speechless for a moment. Realizing she'd just requested an absurd distance for a mere selection race, Kagura quickly corrected herself:
"Uh… then how about 2400 meters? If that's also impossible, 2000 meters is fine too…"
"No, Kagura, must you absolutely run a longer distance?"
Trainer Tojo knew Kagura had monstrous stamina, but the initial request of 3200 meters was just too shocking. Of all the students she'd coached at Tracen, no one had ever started by demanding a 3200-meter race.
"Because everyone likes to watch mid- to long-distance races. From a popularity standpoint, debuting at shorter distances probably won't attract much attention, right?"
As far as Kagura was concerned, she didn't care about distances. Given her adaptability to any racing length in Japan, not completing a race wasn't a concern. What mattered was how much attention and profit a race could generate.
After all, that was simply the reality at Tracen—and all of Japan. Short-distance winners wouldn't necessarily draw much attention, but running longer races—even if she didn't place first—would attract plenty of trainer attention.
"How is your brain always so sharp at moments like this…?"
"Are you saying I usually look like an idiot…?"
...
Thus, Kagura's selection race was tentatively scheduled. Trainer Tojo said she'd keep an eye out for suitable races and register Kagura once she was less busy.
I should have time after the Derby…
Kagura glanced at Rudolf-ojousama's racing schedule, estimating when she might have some free time. The gap between the Derby and Kikuka Sho was fairly large. Even though she'd heard something about summer training camp, squeezing in a selection race afterward would still be completely manageable.
In fact, even Kikuka Sho wasn't fully decided yet. If possible, Kagura hoped Rudolf-ojousama would skip it. After all, the Japan Cup was far too close to the Kikuka Sho, and Rudolf wanted a showdown with Mr. C.B. at the Japan Cup. Naturally, Kagura intended to respect Rudolf's wishes—attending the Japan Cup was non-negotiable.
If Ojou-sama really needs to run both… I'll just have to figure out a way to adjust her condition on the fly.
Just as she was deep in thought over future arrangements, Kagura suddenly sensed movement behind her. Her ears perked up instantly, but before she could turn around, someone tackled her from behind, hugging her tightly.
"It's been so long!! Kagura!! I missed you so much!!"
"Ah… Nature… it's been a while."
Recognizing the voice as Nice Nature's, Kagura, startled initially, quickly calmed down.
Nice Nature squeezed Kagura tighter, rubbing her cheek affectionately against her like a cuddly raccoon.
"It's been forever~ hehe…"
"Where'd you even come from, Nature? Why are you here?"
"We're on the track, aren't we? I came to train with Trainer-san."
Only after Nature pointed it out did Kagura realize she'd wandered onto the training grounds without noticing. Trainer Minamizaka was standing at a respectful distance behind Nice Nature, and seeing Kagura look his way, he waved with a smile:
"Yo, Kagura-san. It's been a while."
"It's been ages, Minamizaka-san. Have you lost weight? Nature hasn't caused you any trouble again, has she?"
"No, no, no. Nature-san is very well-behaved. It's my own fault… probably from pulling too many all-nighters lately. Since I heard we'd be recruiting new members, I've been considering picking up a few more students myself."
Minamizaka quickly shook his head. Meanwhile, Nature, seemingly unhappy with Kagura's lack of trust, squeezed her even harder.
"Ah… Lately, everyone seems to be recruiting new members. Trainer Tojo-san also said she's getting busier with new Uma Musume."
"Yeah… a team can't stay small forever. So whenever I'm free, I'm planning to visit the selection races too."
Minamizaka shrugged as he spoke, looking at Nice Nature, who still clung to Kagura like a koala:
"Nature-san, shouldn't we get back to training?"
"Just one more minute! Only one minute! I haven't seen Kagura in over thirty days! My Kagura-energy is critically low!"
"Um… Nature, if you've discovered some nonexistent element, you should probably publish it in an academic journal rather than practice chokeholds on me here…"
Nearly choked breathless by Nature's tight embrace, Kagura helplessly laughed and poked at Nature's waist.
"Waaah! Sorry, sorry! I got carried away!"
"Just hurry up and go train already!! I still need to drag my Ojou-sama out to exercise!"