Uma Musume: Your Uma Has A Problem! [51]

The Mejiro Family truly lived up to their reputation as equals to the Symboli household—the grandeur of their mansion was impressive. But Kagura, accustomed to the Symboli estate, had long ceased to be amazed by such things.

“Ojou-sama, Kagura-san, we’ve arrived.”

As Kagura felt the slight vibration of the car slowing, the elderly butler driving announced their arrival.

“Kagura-san, after you,” Mejiro Ramonu always gave off a faint air of intimidation. Even if it might be unconscious, it made Kagura feel slightly uneasy.

Fortunately, having interacted with various powerful figures recently, Kagura was no longer troubled by such pressures. She stepped out of the car and quietly followed Ramonu into the Mejiro courtyard.

“We’ve been waiting for you… Kagura, welcome to the Mejiro household.”

Kagura had wondered who she would see first upon entering. Perhaps she’d catch a young lady peeking from behind the door—she never imagined Old Mejiro herself would greet her personally.

“My greetings, Family Head-sama. It’s an unexpected honor for you to welcome me personally.”

Kagura immediately curtsied, lightly lifting her skirt. Outside her own household, even as a mere maid, she couldn’t allow her manners to embarrass the Symboli family.

“Haha, you’re an honored guest who helped our child. It’s only right we show proper courtesy, so please, no need to be so formal… Ramonu, the Symboli family will arrive shortly. Please stay here to greet them; I’ll take Kagura in first.”

“Understood.”

Ramonu nodded, glanced briefly at Kagura, then turned to stand by the entrance.

Hearing the Symboli family would soon arrive, Kagura began to offer to stay by the door to greet them as well, but Old Mejiro gently stopped her:

“My child, you’re a guest. Making you stand at the door is improper. Don’t worry, Ramonu will handle greeting Speed-sama and the others. Please come inside.”

“…Yes, Family Head-sama.”

With such insistence, Kagura felt it improper to decline again and could only nod obediently.

Though Old Mejiro appeared elderly, her steps were agile, posture upright—a spirited old Uma Musume who was friendlier than Kagura had imagined.

“I heard from Ramonu about you, child. Truly, thank you for what you’ve done for Ardan.”

“It was just a minor effort. Family Head-sama really doesn’t need to be so formal…”

“Ardan and Ramonu are both my precious children. Unlike Ramonu, Ardan was born frail yet refuses to stay still, always doing things that terrify us—like training under the blazing sun that day… Sigh, our family truly worries endlessly about her. If only she were half as obedient and sensible as you.”

Old Mejiro sighed heavily, clearly troubled over Ardan.

Kagura understood Old Mejiro and Mejiro Ardan’s feelings. Maruzensky-san and Rudolf Ojou-sama had mentioned Ardan was a determined Uma Musume full of dreams, unwilling to resign herself to quiet obscurity at such a young age. She constantly pushed herself to test her limits—a rebellion against fate that any youth could easily comprehend.

Ardan’s actions might not be much to herself, but to the deeply concerned Old Mejiro and the family, they weren’t just rebellious—they were downright frightening. Throughout their walk, Old Mejiro listed numerous “glorious deeds” of Ardan, and Kagura felt herself breaking into a cold sweat just listening. She couldn’t imagine how many times a day her heart would stop if she were Mejiro’s maid.

“…Fortunately, this child is blessed with strange luck at times. Like when she visited China previously, she met a very caring junior. Kagura, didn’t you also meet that junior a few days ago? That child called Wudi took care of Ardan while she was in China, saving us much worry and making Ardan more cheerful. Somehow, I feel there’s a special connection between her and Ardan. More than friends—they feel like family, sisters even.”

“I see. No wonder Wudi-san mentioned she came here specifically to look after Ardan-san.”

“Exactly. That child said she couldn’t rest easy letting Ardan travel alone, so she personally escorted Ardan all the way home. You know how delicate Ardan’s health is—it really gave Wudi a great deal of trouble.”

Wudi looked barely thirteen or fourteen. Kagura never expected that she’d been caring for Ardan personally—truly a capable youth.

Old Mejiro’s chatter had rarely strayed from Ardan, and though Kagura didn’t mind accompanying the elderly woman in conversation, something about the Mejiro family’s interest felt unnatural. Kagura had long held suspicions, and now she felt this might be her chance to finally ask Old Mejiro directly.

“Family Head-sama, speaking of which—I previously encountered the Mejiro family’s trainer… Did he seek me out because of Ardan-san?”

“…You’re perceptive, child. That trainer said you were unusually mature for your age. It appears he was correct.”

Old Mejiro didn’t directly answer, but her indirect acknowledgment confirmed Kagura’s guess—the Mejiro family wanted to adopt her to race in Ardan’s place.

“If our sudden approach offended you, I apologize sincerely. We won’t trouble you with such strange requests again.”

“No offense taken, Family Head-sama. I understand your intentions, but I want to ask—why me?”

“Because you truly possess extraordinary talent. In you…I see the shadow of another person…”

As Old Mejiro spoke, she gently brushed Kagura’s hair aside, lightly touching her cheek.

Kagura didn’t avoid it. Meeting Old Mejiro’s gaze, she felt the elderly woman was looking through her, seeing someone else entirely. Kagura knew the person she saw was Eclipse-san, but she definitely wasn’t about to reveal that.

“Too alike…truly too alike…”

Old Mejiro’s voice was barely a whisper, merely a gentle movement of lips, clearly not intending Kagura to hear. But Kagura’s hearing was sharp enough to piece together roughly what was said.

“Family Head-sama?” Kagura tilted her head innocently, feigning confusion.

“My apologies, child. Just reminiscing, don’t mind an old woman’s curiosity.”

“Speed-sama also often touches me like this—I don’t mind at all.”

As they spoke, Kagura and Old Mejiro entered the banquet hall.

It was still early, and guests had yet to arrive. Tables were empty, save for one in a corner to the right, where several Uma Musume sat.

“Hi! Kagura-chan! Over here!”

“Wudi-san? And that’s…”

Kagura spotted the energetic waitress, Wudi, whom she’d just met yesterday. Beside her sat an Uma Musume with lovely sky-blue hair—Mejiro Ardan, waving along with Wudi.

“Haha, seems you’re already acquainted. Hurry along, child. Don’t worry about formalities—treat each other as classmates.”

“And you, Family Head-sama?”

“This old lady doesn’t belong among young folks. Speed-sama will be arriving shortly, and I’ll greet her then. Go on.”

With a gentle push and a kindly smile, Old Mejiro encouraged Kagura forward.

Kagura respectfully nodded, approached the table, and only then noticed behind the heap of snacks, a white-haired little Uma Musume was engrossed in pudding, oblivious.

“Yo, we meet again, Kagura-chan! That outfit looks great on you!”

“Hello, Wudi-san. Ardan-san, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Symboli family’s maid, Inari Kagura.”

She greeted politely, introducing herself briefly before sitting beside Wudi.

“Pleasure to finally meet you, Kagura-san. I’ve heard so much about you from Ramonu-nee. You truly are as adorable as she said.” Ardan elegantly extended a hand, greeting warmly.

“Alright, alright, McQueen, greet our guest.”

Ardan gently nudged the little Uma Musume still busy with cake.

“!! Mmm…(chew)…gulp…Hello! I’m Mejiro McQueen!”

McQueen swallowed quickly, greeting brightly.

“Hello, Kagura-chan.”

Though strange to call her “-chan” given her own small stature, Kagura finally had someone smaller to dote on. She pulled homemade snacks from her bag, handing them to McQueen, whose eyes instantly sparkled.

“Ah!? Thank you, Kagura-nee-san!”

Ah, someone finally called me nee-san! I’m touched!

As Kagura watched happily, warmth filled her heart.

—

This is a fan translation of 你这后勤马娘有问题啊 by 惰性大发 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!