The secret boys' dorm, normally forbidden to girls—especially Uma—contained not one but two Uma today.
Respected Student Council President Symboli Rudolf stood inside Trainer Mizuno's room, arms crossed, her peaceful smile laced with hidden killing intent as she gazed at the man and woman before her.
Mizuno, the room's rightful owner, and Gold Ship—the "lady of the house"—were kneeling on the floor like students caught misbehaving, heads bowed in guilty silence.
"Trainer Mizuno, would you care to explain... why Gold Ship-san is here?"
"Uh, maybe she was just passing by..."
"Passing by the hidden boys' dormitory? And just so happens to have the key to your room?"
"President Rudolf, you know... anything's possible..."
"Trainer Mizuno, you're lying again. Do you know what happens to children who aren't honest?" Rudolf leaned down, cupping his face and forcing him to meet her eyes, her smile sharp.
"They get Uma Pyoi'd~"
But Mizuno only gave a calm little chuckle.
"Heh."
"Hm?" His reaction caught Rudolf off guard.
Moments ago, the mere mention of Uma Pyoi had terrified him. Why now did he act so unafraid, as if suddenly confident?
"You're not afraid of being Uma Pyoi'd?"
"Of course not." Mizuno shook his head with a face full of confidence.
"Because I've seen through your bluff. You say you'll Uma Pyoi me, but that's just words. In truth, you don't dare to... guh!"
The moment Rudolf's hand touched his chest, Mizuno's bravado crumbled. He trembled like a washing machine gone haywire.
"Ho? Are you sure you're not afraid?" she teased.
"Of-of course not... guh!" He tried to hold his ground, but Rudolf's hand sliding to his zipper made it impossible.
"If you're so brave, then I'll just Uma Pyoi you right now."
"Glrk..." Mizuno swallowed hard, his whole body shuddering.
"You're not answering? Then I'll take that as consent." Rudolf's voice dropped as she prepared to move.
She didn't truly intend to assault him—but she wanted to teach him a lesson. Lying to her was not only futile but came with severe consequences. Like being stripped bare, for instance.
And besides... she was curious what Mizuno looked like under his clothes. This was a good chance.
Her fingers pulled at his zipper—
But before it could go down further, Gold Ship grabbed her wrist.
"If you want to Uma Pyoi Mizuno-dono, you'll have to get through me first!" she barked.
"Broshi!" Mizuno's eyes shone with relief at her intervention.
Rudolf's brows furrowed slightly.
"So... are you two in a relationship?"
"No." Mizuno and Gold Ship shook their heads at once.
"Then you're..."
"Brothers!" they threw their arms over each other's shoulders and answered in unison.
"You've never done anything lovers do? Like kissing?"
"No," Mizuno replied truthfully.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Whew..." At his immediate, unhesitating response, Rudolf sighed in relief. Likely he wasn't lying—meaning he and Gold Ship really were just brothers in spirit.
But still... Rudolf felt jealousy stir.
Because more than bullying Mizuno, what she truly wanted was to be his protector. To be looked at with trust, not fear.
Yet that role had been stolen by Gold Ship. So if she wanted to stay by Mizuno's side, she had no choice but to keep playing the domineering Emperor, dragging him deeper into forced submission.
"Gold Ship-san... do you really think you can stop me?" Rudolf's glare bore down, her aura swelling with terrifying pressure.
She was one of the strongest Uma alive. Gold Ship was still a foal who hadn't even debuted. Standing in her way was certain death.
But Gold Ship only shook her head. Not retreating—her eyes grew firmer.
"This isn't about whether I can..." She pried Rudolf's hand away from Mizuno's zipper.
"It's about whether I should!"
"Broshi..." Mizuno's heart warmed.
Truly, Broshi was the most reliable brother of all.
"Mizuno-dono..." Gold Ship turned to him.
"If I win this fight, will you promise me one thing?"
"Of course!" he nodded without hesitation.
"Then tonight... ngh~"
Her words were cut off. Rudolf had tugged her tail. Gold Ship gasped in a helpless, girlish cry, eyes rolling back, cheeks red, collapsing limp to the floor.
"Eh? Broshi, what's wrong?!" Mizuno gathered her into his arms in alarm.
What happened? Why did Broshi suddenly fall?!
"Heh." Seeing his confusion, Rudolf explained:
"Trainer Mizuno, as a trainer you should know. For Uma, ears and tails are sensitive zones. The tail's base is most potent. Pull with the right force, and you can disable her completely."
"By the way... in contests of tail-grabbing, I've never once lost."
As she spoke, she swatted away Gold Ship's hand sneaking for her tail, then gave her tail another tug.
"Ngh~" Gold Ship whimpered again, her usual rowdy swagger gone. She was now a fragile, blushing girl, powerless in Mizuno's arms.
Gold Ship—"downed."
"Broshi—!" Mizuno wept, cradling her.
Yet with her last ounce of strength, Gold Ship reached out toward him, like a dying hero's final spark.
"Mizuno-dono... I have something to say..."
He clasped her hand to his face. "Broshi, tell me. I'm listening."
Tears filled her eyes as she gazed at him.
"Since you're doomed to be Uma Pyoi'd anyway... let your brother enjoy himself first..."
"Broshi! Do you hear yourself—"
"Heh... just kidding..." She gave a weak smile, stroking his cheek as if in farewell.
"Since I can't beat President Rudolf head-on... I'll just..."
With grim resolve, she removed her cap and pressed it into Mizuno's hand.
"Mizuno-dono! This is my last Ripple! Please take it!"
"Broshi, what are you doing?!"
She didn't answer. Instead, her eyes hardened, and from nowhere she produced a megaphone, shouting toward the door:
"Dorm supervisor! An Uma got into the dorms!"
"An Uma?! Where?!"
At her cry, chaos erupted.
Footsteps, furniture crashing—panic spread among the trainers, scrambling to escape. Mizuno even heard glass shatter—some poor trainer, triggered by PTSD, had leapt through a window.
"Broshi!" Mizuno realized her intent.
Since Uma weren't allowed inside, any intruder would be captured and forcibly isolated, cut off from trainers.
Broshi was trying to drag Rudolf down with her!
But—she didn't know. As Student Council President, Rudolf already had the privilege to enter.
So Broshi's plan was doomed from the start.
Too late to warn her. Seconds later, the dorm supervisor arrived at Mizuno's door with a tranquilizer gun.
Gold Ship's eyes lit up. She clung to Rudolf, shouting:
"Here! The Uma's here!"
"Hoh?" The supervisor's eyes sharpened as he spotted the Uma. He raised the tranquilizer gun.
"Uma in front, don't resist. Come quietly, and your punishment will be lighter. Isolation shorter. We'll even tie your trainer to your side and book a room for you two. So calm down, don't cause panic in the boys' dorm."
"We're not panicking! Come arrest us already!" Gold Ship tightened her grip on Rudolf.
But Rudolf had never tried to break free. Calmly, she smiled at Gold Ship.
"Good." Relieved at the lack of resistance, the supervisor holstered the gun, drew out special Uma handcuffs, and charged in.
Clack!
He cuffed Gold Ship, tied her wrists with rope, and led her away—while Rudolf stood untouched, serene.
"Eh?!" Gold Ship froze.
"Wait—that's not right! Why only me?!"
Even as she was dragged off, she couldn't understand why the supervisor ignored Rudolf entirely.
"Broshi—!" Mizuno collapsed, powerless, watching his brother be taken away.
Then Rudolf's hand fell warmly on his shoulder from behind.
"Heh heh... Trainer Mizuno. Now it's just the two of us..."
"Yamerooo!"