After Symboli Rudolf safely escorted Tokai Teio up from the basement, the rescue mission was complete and everyone returned together to Tracen Academy.
They gathered in the student council president's office to put the kidnapper, Gold Ship, on trial.
According to academy rules, kidnapping a married man—no, kidnapping a responsible Trainer—was an extremely serious offense. Especially if you'd stolen the Trainer's first kiss, the perpetrator would get at least a year in detention.
But when Symboli Rudolf asked Mizuno, as the victim, whether he'd suffered any psychological harm, Mizuno insisted he hadn't been mistreated by Gold Ship—that being locked in the basement was just Broshi playing a prank on him.
Of course, Symboli Rudolf knew Mizuno was lying. This "prank" story was just Mizuno's way of trying to go easy on Gold Ship, letting his good bro off the hook.
Though she very much wanted to ignore Mizuno's false testimony and give Gold Ship the maximum sentence—two or three years, to keep that troublesome Uma Musume away from a certain someone—Rudolf thought about it again. If she were too merciless, wouldn't it damage her "gentle, approachable" image in Mizuno's heart?
If Mizuno resented her for coming down hard on his good bro, it'd only make capturing his heart even more difficult. That'd be a loss, not a win.
So after some deliberation, Symboli Rudolf gave Gold Ship the lightest possible sentence—six more months in the Special Education Base for "no Uma Pyoi" re-education.
If Gold Ship behaved, there was even a chance to reduce her sentence—a gesture that gave Mizuno plenty of face.
"Thanks."
Mizuno knew Symboli Rudolf was going easy for his sake and sincerely thanked her.
Symboli Rudolf just smiled, glancing at Mizuno's lower half: "No need to thank me. Just give me something precious of yours as repayment."
Since Gold Ship had taken his first kiss, Symboli Rudolf would have to claim something even more important.
Mizuno felt her gaze and shivered, nervously swallowing. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key, handing it to Symboli Rudolf.
"This is the key to our training room. You can come in whenever you want from now on…"
"You know that's not what I want."
Symboli Rudolf narrowed her eyes, clearly unimpressed.
As student council president, she already had a copy of every training room key—she could go in Mizuno's room any time. And it's not like he lived there anymore, either; these days, he was in a tent everyone could walk into. The key meant nothing to her.
But Symboli Rudolf still took the key anyway. There's a difference between barging into someone's space and being given access—just like there's a world of difference between being forced into a girl's house and being invited in.
She figured Mizuno was giving her this key because, after this rescue, he felt safe with her, trusting her fully—maybe even ready to give himself to her, but too embarrassed to say it outright. So he hinted at it this way.
"I see. I understand now."
Symboli Rudolf nodded, her smile growing sly as she looked at Mizuno.
"I'll prepare all the necessary protection tonight."
"?"
Mizuno was completely lost.
What did she "understand"? What protection?
He'd just given her a useless trinket. Symboli Rudolf could already go into his training room whenever, so giving her the key wasn't a big deal.
But the way she looked at him now—like she was planning a romantic getaway for Valentine's—gave Mizuno a very bad feeling.
Could Symboli Rudolf be thinking he'd given her a key to "do whatever she wanted" with him?
"Gwah!"
Come to think of it, that was very possible!
"Luna, maybe I should give you something else instead?"
To avoid any misunderstandings, Mizuno quickly suggested swapping gifts.
"Oh?"
Symboli Rudolf raised an eyebrow. "What gift?"
"Uh…"
Mizuno rummaged through his pockets and, from the nearly empty four-dimensional pocket, found a single remaining carrot.
"Like… this carrot?"
But Symboli Rudolf just grinned even wider when she saw it.
"No problem. I'll eat both just the same~"
"Gwah!"
The way she was looking at him made Mizuno feel exposed, as if he'd been stripped bare in front of her.
Out of the frying pan, into the fire!
Mizuno had thought that getting out of Gold Ship's basement would be the end of his troubles. He could finally get back to his plans and focus on training his team…
But now, just as Broshi had finally mellowed out, it seemed the would-be rescuer, Symboli Rudolf, was turning into the next dragon to slay.
So much for the hero—now the dragon herself.
But just as Symboli Rudolf was teasing Mizuno, two Uma Musume hurried over.
"Please don't bully Onii-sama…"
"President, Trainer is already scared enough—can you not frighten him more?"
Rice Shower and Tokai Teio flanked Symboli Rudolf, putting themselves between her and Mizuno to shield him.
"Whew…"
Mizuno looked at the two girls' backs and finally relaxed.
One was his adorable little sister, who could keep her wits even after seeing his true self. The other was a genius who'd cleared every trial to save him.
He'd once misunderstood Teio, thinking that as the "Monarch's Basement" boss she was the most dangerous one, always worrying she'd lock him away at any moment…
But after these months together, and this whole Gold Ship incident, his view had changed completely.
Guess I read too much scary fanfics… What's dangerous about Teio? She's talented, works hard, and is always ready to help others—a good kid through and through!
If anyone dares call her a yandere again, Mizuno's not having it!
Of course, Mizuno didn't notice that Teio's gaze wasn't as clear as Rice Shower's. There was something different in her eyes.
While she stood guard over Mizuno, she was also secretly watching him out of the corner of her eye.
Just like a squirrel, always checking whether the food in her nest had been stolen.
Trainer, you belong to me…
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T/N: GULP out of one danger and into the next :sob: