"Everyone—our training's been going on for a while now. We may have hit a few bumps along the way, but I'm sure you've all gained something from it. So today, it's time for a checkpoint—an interim test to see what your training has produced."
A few days later, the last aftereffects of the typhoon had finally died away. The course had been cleared as well, and only then did the trainers bring their trainees out to hold the friendly practice race they'd discussed. The weather was pleasantly cool and overcast—not scorching, not pouring—exactly the kind of day Tojo had chosen on purpose.
Tojo's two trainees, the Mejiro pair, Nice Nature, Bizen Nishiki—and Kagura, who wasn't competing this time—had all changed into school swimsuits and gathered at the seaside starting point. They warmed up while listening as Trainer Tojo laid out the course.
"This practice course borrows elements from a triathlon. Kagura already gave you a heads-up, so you know the basics. There are three stages. Look over there—see that island not far off? Trainer Narumiya will be waiting on its shore. This is where you'll start. First, you'll swim over to the island. Once you reach Trainer Narumiya, you'll pick up a bicycle, ride up to the summit, then run down the slope, loop around the peninsula, and finish where Trainer Minamizaka is stationed. Kagura's set up markers along the way these past few days, so you won't get lost."
That was what Kagura had been busy with. Besides helping clear the route, she'd been planting signposts so the runners could spot the course quickly.
"Wooow… That sounds kind of scary~" Maruzensky said with a grin.
She said "scary," but her face was all fighting spirit.
The others looked the same—poised and eager. And there was a simple reason for it: the prize was genuinely irresistible. If it had been nothing more than a buffet voucher, nobody would've been this hyped. But this time, the top prize was a voucher from Kagura herself—several days of meals, cooked for you by Kagura. A buffet couldn't begin to compete with that.
"Before we start, I'll show you the prize box," Tojo added.
She lifted a transparent plastic bin and gave it a little shake. Inside were all kinds of goodies—snacks, a riot of colorful vouchers, buffet tickets, an all-day arcade pass, and more. In the middle of all that bright clutter sat a single plain white slip of paper, almost easy to miss.
Almost.
Every Umamusume there had their eyes glued to it, because it was in Kagura's own handwriting:
"Inari Kagura Three-Day Hospitality Voucher."
"Also—be safe," Kagura reminded them. "This is just a friendly match. It's meant to check your training and let you have some fun. If you get hurt chasing first place, that defeats the whole point."
Kagura would be accompanying them the entire time, but only as a follower—Tojo would be taking her along on a little electric scooter. Kagura had wanted to join in with everyone, but Tojo wouldn't allow it. Even though Kagura had already finished her debut race, she was still a kid who hadn't reached honkaku yet. A race with this kind of workload simply wasn't suited for her.
...
"Ardan—Kagura-san's been helping you recover these past few weeks, and your condition is much better. But don't forget: you're still a patient. Don't push yourself. If you can't hold out, you stop and rest. I'll take the win for you."
Right before the start, Mejiro Ramonu noticed her little sister's gaze drifting again and again toward Kagura—sitting on the back of the scooter, waiting for Tojo to drive her off. Ramonu could tell what Ardan was thinking. Like Mejiro Iris, Ramonu wanted to help Ardan and Kagura grow closer—but no matter what, Ardan's health came first.
"I understand, Ramonu-nee. I'll know my limits."
"I hope you really mean that. Don't make everyone worry. If you get hurt because you forced it… she'll be troubled, too."
As she spoke, Mejiro Ramonu rested a hand on Ardan's head and gave it a gentle pat—then flicked her eyes toward Kagura behind them. Ardan caught the meaning at once and nodded.
...
"Nature-san, you're still a rookie Umamusume who hasn't debuted yet. This course might be a little long for you. If you can't hold out, don't force yourself."
"I know. My training volume's been plenty," Nice Nature said. Then she glanced at her partner in crime. "If anything, it's you, Nishiki-san—your distance aptitude isn't exactly built for long runs, right? If you can't take it, don't grit your teeth and pretend you can."
Not far from the Mejiro pair, Nice Nature and Bizen Nishiki kept stretching as the start drew near.
The two of them had already made a deal: if either of them won, they'd share Kagura's cooking together. With powerful rivals all around, Nice Nature and Bizen Nishiki—neither of them the kind of prodigy who stood out on sheer talent—could only make that sort of choice.
Even while moving, Nice Nature stole a glance toward Rudolf and Maruzensky. Neither of them looked tense in the slightest. They carried themselves as if victory were already in hand—just like Mejiro Ramonu.
So that's what they call a strong person's confidence, huh?
A little envy stirred in Nice Nature's chest. She looked away—and toward Kagura near the start line. Kagura was on the scooter's back seat, scrolling through her phone. Just then, she lifted her head, noticed Nice Nature watching, and smiled—making a small, adorable You can do it! gesture.
I can't lose… even if I promised Nishiki-san… I still can't lose!
Because Nice Nature understood one thing clearly: you could share food, sure—but you couldn't share who Kagura chose to look after, or who she spent her time with. So even with their agreement, Nice Nature made up her mind—she absolutely wouldn't lose to Bizen Nishiki.
Even with President Rudolf and Ramonu-san and all those monsters in the mix… I can't give up! I want to win, too!
...
——You really are popular~ In the few minutes you've been sitting here, those girls haven't stopped sneaking looks your way.
Well, I'm the one supplying the prize. Isn't it normal to look at me?
——The prize supplier, huh… Hehe. Sure. Let's go with that.
---
T/N2: heres ur bonus chapssss i forgetty teehee
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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