For the first time since coming to this world, Kagura fully enjoyed the soothing warmth of a hot spring. Completely relaxed, she slept exceptionally well last night.
When she woke up in the morning, she stretched a bit but found herself strangely restricted. Twisting around slightly, Kagura soon realized Rudolf had completely entangled herself around her, clinging tightly like she was hugging a body pillow.
"Ojou-sama… ugh… you're hugging me way too tight…"
Rudolf's arm was wrapped firmly around Kagura's waist, and her legs were clamped tight, making it impossible for Kagura to move without waking her.
Maybe I'm just not suited to sleep next to other people?
Having been squeezed like this multiple times now, Kagura couldn't help but think this way. In her memory, Nice Nature would wake up nibbling on her neck, and both Ardan-ojousama and Rudolf-ojousama hugged her like a pillow, trapping her completely. Kagura resolved to keep a bit of distance the next time she slept near someone—waking up immobilized by a powerful squid every morning was really too uncomfortable.
Thankfully, Rudolf wasn't a heavy sleeper, nor one who slept in late. She soon woke up, and feeling Kagura struggling in her arms, she quickly let go.
"Sorry, Kagura, I… completely lost control after falling asleep…"
"It's fine! Everyone who sleeps next to me reacts the same way… I'm already used to it~"
Seeing Rudolf's apologetic face, Kagura quickly reassured her. She wasn't sure if it was due to her petite size making her easy to treat as a pillow or some unknown trait specific to Uma Musume. Initially, she'd thought it was just Nice Nature's appetite or Ardan's fondness for cuddling kids, but now it seemed the reason lay in Kagura herself.
"By the way, Kagura, you're heading back to school later, right? Got any plans today?"
"Nothing specific… Probably just relaxing in the dorm."
Thinking it over, Kagura realized she had no real arrangements today. After a busy month, she decided her plan was just to lie around the dorm and do nothing.
"Alright, I'll have someone take you back later. Symboli Sirius invited me out to play billiards today… Oh right, Kagura, no sneaking off to work in the Cafeteria! Understand?"
"Yes~"
...
"Morning~"
By the time Kagura returned to the dorm, it was already past nine in the morning. Ardan-ojousama was fiddling around in the open space at the center of their dorm room with a cleaning rag, working on something Kagura couldn't quite understand. Looking down at the dark-red magical circle drawn on the floor, then at the dark-red substance—paint or whatever—on Ardan's nightstand, Kagura tilted her head curiously.
"Umm… Ardan-ojousama, are you… doing some kind of ritual?"
Other than some unknown ritual, Kagura couldn't think of any other possibility.
"Ah, Kagura-san, sorry, sorry. Recently I heard some interesting ghost stories… and wanted to research a bit. As you can see, I'm currently cleaning up the traces…"
"Eh… I didn't know you had interests like this, Ardan-ojousama…"
This was Kagura's first time hearing that Ardan had this kind of hobby. Considering this world had goddesses and spirits, perhaps these rituals weren't necessarily nonsense. However, Kagura—the spiritually sensitive miko—looked around and saw no unidentified spirits, suggesting that Ardan's ritual hadn't succeeded.
——Of course it failed. Ignoring the fact that the ritual circle has no target or invocation, every stroke of the drawing is off. It'd be a miracle if something actually got summoned.
Eclipse-san left a concise but sharp comment on Kagura's screen. Kagura guessed there probably wasn't anyone more knowledgeable than Eclipse-san about these messy rituals. If Eclipse-san said so, then Ardan's ceremony was doomed from the start.
"Ardan-ojousama, let me help you clean up!"
"Eh… Kagura-san, I couldn't trouble you…"
"No problem! It'll be done in no time!"
Not giving Ardan any chance to refuse, Kagura immediately grabbed her cleaning supplies from the balcony and quickly wiped away all traces.
Watching Kagura cleaning, Ardan suddenly noticed a pleasant floral fragrance coming from her. Clearly, it was a scent Kagura had brought back.
"Kagura-san, did you go somewhere with Rudolf-san yesterday? There's such a nice scent on you."
"Oh, it must be from the hot spring we visited yesterday. It was highly rated, and soaking there made me feel super relaxed~ You should try it sometime, Ardan-ojousama!"
"Ah… Eh?! Rudolf-san… took you to a hot spring yesterday?"
Kagura answered so naturally, obviously not lying, leaving Ardan momentarily stunned.
Eh?! How come I never thought of that!?
Ardan felt frustrated with herself.
Soaking in a hot spring was a great way to relieve fatigue—something Ardan was fully aware of. It was exactly what Kagura, who was always exhausted, needed most. Ardan had clearly known this yet hadn't thought of it at all until last night, even resorting to playing around with a summoning ritual out of boredom.
Is it really because I've always been the one being cared for by others…?
Thinking carefully, Ardan realized her thoughts rarely moved in directions like this due to always being cared for. To deepen her relationship with Kagura, she'd need to change that passive mindset of hers.
"What's wrong, Ardan-ojousama?"
Noticing Ardan looking hesitant, Kagura, who'd finished cleaning and had lain down on her bed, sat up again, watching her.
"Nothing… I just wanted to ask if Kagura-san has some free time today. Maybe we could visit an art exhibition or something, and perhaps eat out afterwards?"
"The art exhibition sounds fine, but… if we're eating, why not just eat in the Cafeteria? I'll cook—it saves money and tastes better too."
Kagura quickly realized Ardan was trying to treat her to a meal. Knowing Ardan would never agree to splitting costs, she immediately refused.
Ardan felt helpless dealing with Kagura's low-cost lifestyle. Even when they'd gone shopping together before, Kagura's expenditures were minimal, with most spending being Ardan's. Although Ardan understood—given Kagura's status as an orphan and maid, she probably avoided spending recklessly due to past financial strain—it still frustrated her slightly.
"Kagura-san, you finally have some time off. Soon you'll be busy helping Rudolf-san prepare for the Satsuki Sho, right? You'll be so busy you won't have time to rest properly. You absolutely shouldn't trouble yourself with things like cooking!"
Ardan jumped down from her bed and ran in front of Kagura, trying her best to appear serious.
"But…"
Before Kagura could finish, Ardan grasped her shoulders. Without even fully understanding her own impulse, Ardan raised a finger and gently pressed it against Kagura's lips:
"Don't worry about the money! You always go through so much trouble looking after me—isn't it natural for me to repay you properly?"
"Eh… Eh?!"
...
[Mejiro Iris]:Hey, old friend, did your granddaughter take Kagura out to the amusement park yesterday? Should've just been a day trip, right? Ardan says Kagura didn't come back to the dorm last night?
[Symboli Speed]:I told Rudolf to take Kagura to the hot spring inn. The child worked herself nearly to death this month—she deserves some rest.
[Mejiro Iris]:Huh?
[Symboli Speed]:Huh what? All of you just keep pushing Kagura so hard, it breaks my heart. What's wrong with sending her for a nice soak in a hot spring!?
Reading the message left by Old Mejiro on the screen, Speed couldn't keep from grinning. She decided she'd definitely raise the Head Maid's salary this month and give her a few extra vacation days.
...
Eclipse-san, do you know a lot about these summoning rituals and things?
——Not exactly an expert, but I'm familiar enough. Why, is there something you want to ask?
Is there a ritual to summon you, Eclipse-san?
——Don't bother. You can't do it right now anyway. After your contract with Symboli ends and you make your debut at the end of the year, you'll naturally understand what to do.
Eh… I see…
---
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