At lunchtime, Maruzensky-san returned to Tracen's cafeteria for the first time in ages, hoping she might bump into Kagura-chan. Spotting Akikawa Yayoi and Rudolf Ojou-sama eating there gave her a pleasant surprise, but when she looked behind them, the kitchen Kagura usually occupied was pitch-dark, its doors even locked tight.
"Eh? That's weird. How come it's just you two here? Where's Kagura-chan?"
"Oh, her? She's been overworking herself lately, so my grandmother couldn't stand it anymore and forced her to come home and rest for a few days."
Rudolf Ojou-sama answered casually, crunching loudly on a fresh carrot, the crisp sound tempting enough to make anyone salivate.
"What a shame! It's rare for me to stop by hoping for some of her cooking, but it turns out our little sister isn't even here. Maruzen-san, quickly grab some lunch and sit down. I brought carrots I grew myself."
"I know, right..."
Maruzensky-san returned with a full tray and slumped down listlessly at the table. She hadn't seen Kagura-chan in ages, and after hearing Nice Nature had finally won the Selection Race, she'd thought Kagura-chan would finally have some downtime. Who would've expected Speed-sama to come and whisk her away so quickly?
"You two should really give Kagura a break. She can't keep up if you keep coming by to freeload at that pace."
"No choice! Maruzen-san and I already agreed to stagger our visits as best we could. I come only twice a week, and Maruzen-san twice as well…"
"There are only seven days in a week!!"
Rudolf Ojou-sama retorted, exasperated.
Luckily, there weren't many regular visitors who freeloaded off Kagura's cooking. Aside from Nice Nature and Rudolf herself, whom Kagura regularly took care of, there was only the Director and Maruzensky-san. Mejiro Ardan hadn't yet shown any signs of joining, and occasional visits from the two family matriarchs didn't count.
But Rudolf Ojou-sama wondered whether this number would grow in the future. Given Kagura's personality, it probably would. If too many started relying on her cooking, she'd inevitably become overwhelmed. Did Kagura have any measures planned for this, or was she counting solely on the conscientious scheduling between Maruzensky-san and the Director?
…
Meanwhile, in the park beside Tracen Academy, Kagura-chan lay idly beneath a tree, scrolling mindlessly through videos on her phone.
She didn't actually enjoy this idleness. She'd rather find something productive to do. But every time she'd tried at Symboli Estate, maids would appear seemingly out of nowhere, blocking her path. She often wondered whether these maids secretly practiced ninjutsu.
Thus, bored beyond belief, Kagura had decided to take a walk, eventually drifting into the park. After a large lunch forced upon her by Speed-sama, Kagura felt sleepy, so she'd found a nice shady tree to rest under.
"Hm? Kagura-oneesan, why are you here?"
Just as Kagura's eyelids began drooping, debating whether to nap right there on the warm grass, she heard a familiar, childish voice call her name.
Instantly sitting up, Kagura glanced towards the voice's origin. As expected, it was Mejiro McQueen. Kagura didn't know why she was wandering around here, but judging from the small bakery bag in one hand and a cup of honey drink in the other, McQueen had just gone out to buy snacks.
"Ah, McQueen… I'm on vacation right now, and Speed-sama refuses to let me do any work, forcing me to rest. So here I am."
"Vacation? If I recall correctly, it's still class time. Doesn't Kagura-oneesan have to attend afternoon classes?"
"I have an exemption, so it's fine to skip… By the way, little glutton, eating snacks outside again? If Ramonu-san and Ardan-san find out, they'll scold you, won't they?"
As Kagura knew, recently both Mejiro Ardan and Mejiro Ramonu had been paying close attention to their newest family member. Specifically, they'd been trying to curb Mejiro McQueen's insatiable appetite, going as far as hiring someone to strictly regulate her overeating habits.
"I got permission to buy these snacks! Ugh… lately, everyone at home's been watching me so closely! I get it, but every time I pass a bakery window and see cakes inside… ahh—!!"
McQueen let out a twisted wail, clearly suffering immense restraint. Seeing this, Kagura couldn't help but remember her best friend back in her previous life who had desperately dieted for cosplay, making similar faces whenever Kagura ate heartily in front of her.
"Oh my, pretty impressive self-control. Yet you dare come talk to me? I thought you were craving something again."
A mischievous impulse stirred within Kagura.
"Why wouldn't I… Wait, Kagura-oneesan, why is there such a sweet smell coming from you?"
Only then, reminded by Kagura, did McQueen notice the faint, deliciously sweet aroma coming from Kagura's direction.
"Probably from when I made dessert earlier today. I made a little extra, so I brought some along in case I got hungry this afternoon. Want some?"
Kagura smiled, pointing casually to a tightly packed bento box sitting near the tree roots beside her.
Mejiro McQueen's eyes visibly widened, throat unconsciously moving. After nearly five seconds of tense silence, she waved her hands frantically, shaking her head with effort:
"No! I can't eat more! I'll turn into a pudgy little horse!"
"Chinese desserts taste good but aren't overly sweet. Usually, they don't use much sugar, focusing on a delicate balance between natural flavors and mild sweetness… Actually, they're pretty low-calorie, especially compared to heavy cakes loaded with sugar and cream. They won't make you gain weight easily, you know."
With a completely straight face, Kagura continued her persuasive pitch. She watched McQueen's determination quickly unraveling, reminding her again of the pleasant torment she'd inflicted on her dieting friend.
McQueen fought hard to maintain her last shred of reason. In her eyes, Kagura seemed like a little demon in a maid uniform, yet the temptation offered by this demon was simply irresistible!
"Didn't you just say you got permission today specifically to relax and eat? Since you decided to relax, why are you holding yourself back?"
"Kagura-oneesan… you're truly a demon!!"
"Oh my~ I'm only telling the truth. If you're worried, I'll teach you a method later to control your weight."
This promise was the final straw. Kagura watched McQueen freeze for a few seconds before finally nodding, accepting her defeat and reaching out to take the bento box from Kagura:
"… Kagura-oneesan, you better keep your promise!"
"Hehe, there's honestly not much. You can't get fat eating just this. If you're free afterward, rest here for a bit. I'll teach you some weight-loss exercises. You don't have other plans this afternoon, do you?"
"Really?! I—I—I don't have anything planned at all!"
McQueen, on the verge of digging in, was suddenly overjoyed, hurriedly nodding as if fearing Kagura might change her mind and run away.
"Of course. Why would I lie to you? I'll go buy some water. It'd be bad if you got thirsty after exercising. You stay here and eat first."
Kagura patted McQueen's head affectionately, then stood up, heading toward the shop selling honey drinks.
As Mejiro McQueen nibbled at the delicious dessert Kagura had brought, she quietly watched Kagura buy drinks at the distant shop. Without realizing why, a strange impulse rose in her heart.
Kagura-oneesan really is so gentle… and kind… If only she truly was my real big sister, how wonderful would that be…