After warming up with the two of them, Kagura walked to what seemed to be the starting line on the track. She wasn't sure where the start actually was—she'd only been told that the spot with the signboard of some unknown Uma was the beginning.
"Clear skies, turf, good track condition. 1600 meters."
By the trackside, Tojo Hana was reciting something. Kagura caught the gist—it sounded like she was announcing the course conditions and training distance.
Kagura remembered: when she'd run with Speed-sama before, it had also been 1600. That distance hadn't even reached her stamina's limit. Thinking back, she realized—her physical endurance had grown absurdly compared to before.
She glanced at Maruzensky and Symboli Rudolf beside her. For some reason, both of them radiated an intense fighting spirit. It pressed down on her, leaving her uneasy.
Wasn't I just supposed to jog a couple of laps? Why are you two treating this like a real match!?
Kagura, face dark with exasperation, forced herself to look away from the strange aura exuding from the two and focused on the track ahead, waiting for Tojo Hana's signal.
Tracen's track was different from the Symboli estate's. The estate's turf was soft and pleasant, though harder to push off from. Here, the grass was firmer, sturdier for acceleration, but harsher on the feet.
At the sound of the whistle, Rudolf and Maruzensky shot forward like arrows. Kagura moved clearly half a beat slower—already a full length behind at the start.
"…A terrible delay at the break. Well, understandable—she's never trained, never attended an academy…"
Tojo Hana already had some information about Inari Kagura from Rudolf. A child who could spark Rudolf's interest was naturally worth watching. This so-called "training" was both Tojo's curiosity and Rudolf's request.
She had expected Kagura to hang back, look for a chance to edge forward. But Kagura surprised her: starting late, she suddenly went full throttle—forcing her way past Rudolf on the outside!
"…She's running escape?"
Tojo frowned. In racing, if you're boxed behind from a slow start, fighting for the lead at all costs is reckless. She thought Kagura only meant to recover position and then ease up. But no—Kagura kept accelerating, pulling further and further away!
"…No way. Is she going for a runaway?"
As the gap widened, Tojo's eyes widened too.
A child not yet even formalized, running a daitō (full-throttle runaway)? Impossible. A small Uma's stamina and stride shouldn't compare to a formalized one. Even choosing 1600, a distance Kagura had already finished once—sustaining a runaway pace should've been out of the question.
"Ohoh… so this is the legendary daitō, huh!"
Rudolf, chasing behind her, actually felt excitement. She couldn't look away from Kagura's back. This running style was a revelation.
"My, losing the lead to a little one, how rare… But if she keeps this pace, that stamina of hers…"
Maruzensky, just ahead of Rudolf, still wore her easygoing smile. But she too had picked up speed, unwilling to let the gap widen. Kagura was already three lengths ahead. If it grew further and Kagura didn't falter, the veteran herself might be embarrassed in front of a new junior.
As for Kagura at the very front—she wasn't thinking of competition at all. She hadn't even checked her surroundings. She simply ran, following her instinct, feeling free. No one near, nothing to hold her back. The thrill filled her with joy, her steps unconsciously quicker.
"…Running like this every so often isn't bad."
While sprinting, Kagura mused whether she should ask Speed-sama to lend her the estate's track sometimes. Running like this blew away stress, lifted the gloom of the day. With no phone to play on, maybe running was the best pastime.
1600 wasn't long. Just over a minute later, Kagura rounded the final curve and hit the homestretch. Remembering her last attempt, she knew she wasn't near exhaustion yet. So as soon as she touched the straight, she dropped her posture low—and surged again, even faster than before.
"…!"
Tojo Hana's mouth parted slightly. She had thought Kagura should be slowing by now. Instead—another burst of acceleration!
"…Runaway pace, and then… a finishing kick? A child who hasnt even matured?"
It was absurd. Even if thrown straight into a graded stakes race, this kid could at least clash with pros. Maybe even place. True, compared to her two seniors, she was still behind—but she was already above so many other Uma.
"…No wonder Rudolf cares for her… With talent like this… Thank goodness no other trainers are around."
If they had witnessed it, many would swarm her instantly, waving contracts, demanding to become her trainer. But no one would believe she wasn't even a student—just a visitor.
As expected, the two veterans behind her began their final pushes on the straight. Against their refined pacing, Kagura's raw running couldn't hold. Within moments, the gap closed—half a length, then past her.
"…They're so fast…"
Watching them overtake her, leaving only the wind in their wake, Kagura felt genuine admiration. She had no urge to chase. She simply kept her own pace, maintaining her rhythm until the finish.
Rudolf and Maruzensky crossed almost together. Kagura followed two lengths behind, breath slightly heavy. She slowed, adjusted her breathing, calming her rhythm.
"…Haa. Maruzensky, you're as overwhelming as ever. Kagura—you ran so hard. Are you alright? Your legs?"
"Kagura-chan, you pushed really hard. Your feet don't hurt?"
They had seen it: a child running a daitō beyond her years. Both seniors were quick to check on her. If she had hurt herself, it would've been tragic.
"…Mm. I'm fine. Thank you for worrying."
Her spirits high after the run, Kagura smiled and nodded. Maruzensky looked like she wanted to hug her again. Rudolf just reached out, gently ruffling her hair.
The training match had proven it. Kagura undeniably held remarkable talent. Even if she and Maruzensky hadn't gone full force, for an unformalized child to finish only two lengths behind—it was more than impressive.
Her guess confirmed, Rudolf's mind turned to the next step: Kagura's own will, and how to speak to her grandmother about taking her. She had overheard the maids: Kagura had been caring for Speed-sama devotedly, winning her affection. Would Speed-sama even be willing to part with her?
The girl didn't seem against being here, running, meeting others. Perhaps there's a way to bring her into Tracen. Even if her age is too young, letting her learn the basics early wouldn't hurt.
Watching Kagura surrounded now by Tojo Hana and Maruzensky, peppering her with questions, Rudolf quietly made her decision.