The moment Air Groove finally pieced it all together, her mind snapped into icy clarity.
So that's how it is.
I thought I was the one who wronged you…
But look at you—you're not clean either, are you?!
Heh.
Then she didn't need to feel guilty at all.
If everyone was dirty, then fine—
they'd fight to the end.
Air Groove's aura flared in an instant, as if blue flames were burning off her skin. She squared up against Symboli Rudolf without yielding an inch.
Symboli Rudolf froze… then laughed—actually laughed.
"Wait… you hid Yuu's return, tried to sneak ahead, and now you're picking a fight with me?"
"Are 'sneaking cats' these days all this bold?!"
Her voice cooled, razor-smooth.
"Air Groove. Care to explain?"
Air Groove rose, meeting her head-on.
"Explain? Shouldn't the President be the one explaining?"
Crackle. Crackle.
The air between them seemed charged with electricity.
At work, they were the tightest partnership Tracen had ever seen.
But right now—
they were each other's greatest enemy.
Wuyou sat on the sofa in silence and let out a soft sigh.
He'd seen enough.
These two had absolutely been sabotaging each other.
From his guess:
Air Groove had hidden his file first.
Then Symboli Rudolf had found out by accident—otherwise she wouldn't have rushed over that day like her life depended on it.
And after that, Symboli Rudolf must've tried to hide it back from Air Groove.
That phone call that dragged Rudolf away that day…
was probably Air Groove.
They'd both assumed the other didn't know.
Each of them thought they'd won the information gap.
They just hadn't expected—
they'd collide here of all places.
"Air Groove, you were the one who hid the news first," Symboli Rudolf said.
"First move wins," Air Groove replied flatly.
"First move wins?" Rudolf's eyes narrowed. "Yuu is my trainer. You're the latecomer."
"Those who may go, I may go too."
"You—"
The two mature beauties stood so close their soft chests pressed together. Neither retreated; both tried to crush the other's momentum with sheer presence.
The scene was… undeniably fragrant.
But if they truly erupted into a full argument, that was the last thing Wuyou wanted.
He stood.
"Enough."
Just two simple words.
Yet the Emperor and the Empress both had their pressure noticeably ease.
"Sit down," Wuyou said gently. "I've got plenty of tea. I guarantee both of you will be satisfied."
Air Groove and Symboli Rudolf exchanged a look.
Their faces still held stubborn pride, but the tension loosened—like a tightly drawn bowstring finally giving a fraction.
In the end, they each reined themselves in and walked to the sofa, taking seats on either side of Wuyou.
Left and right—
pinning him in the middle.
The office filled with tea fragrance.
Wuyou brewed separate tea for each of them, exactly to their tastes.
Symboli Rudolf took one sip and her eyes lit up. Even her horse ears flicked happily.
"Yuu, this tea is really good."
Before Wuyou could respond, Air Groove smiled and spoke first.
"I'm glad the President likes it. After all… these tea leaves are all~ gifts Wuyou gave me."
Symboli Rudolf's expression stiffened.
"…Hmph." She forced out a cool tone. "Is that so? No wonder it tastes like it has the scent of a sneaking cat."
That counterattack didn't hurt Air Groove at all.
Instead, she glanced at Rudolf and replied smoothly,
"Wuyou picked these tea leaves with his own hands. So the President is saying…"
She tilted her head, voice sweet as honey.
"…that Wuyou is the sneaking cat?"
"I—I didn't mean that!"
Symboli Rudolf immediately realized she'd thrown the stone onto her own foot. She looked panicked and turned toward Wuyou, about to apologize.
Wuyou waved lightly with a laugh.
"It's fine. I'm not offended."
Then he added, still smiling,
"And Air Groove—stop bullying Luna."
"…Ugh."
The instant Wuyou called her "Luna," Symboli Rudolf felt bliss flood through her entire body. She threw Air Groove a triumphant, smug look.
"Hmph."
Air Groove turned her face away as if she hadn't seen it.
No choice.
The "Luna" card was simply too lethal.
It was Symboli Rudolf's private nickname.
Aside from her seniors at home, almost no one dared to use it—
especially not someone from her own generation.
And when Wuyou said it, it wasn't just a nickname.
It was a pet name.
A name belonging to them alone.
How many Uma Musume had gotten jealous over this exclusive intimacy?
Too many to count.
After that exchange, Rudolf and Air Groove each scored a point. Neither gained a decisive advantage.
So the office sank into an eerie calm.
Symboli Rudolf secretly glanced at Air Groove, her mind racing.
The race is nearing the final corner.
If I can't force an advantage from the opponent…
Then I'll just strike directly.
Her violet eyes drifted to Wuyou.
Ah…
He was still beautiful, just as always.
Even sitting there quietly drinking tea, he carried the refined elegance of an ancient noble.
Symboli Rudolf's desire surged like a fire.
Her face remained composed, but her hand slowly reached toward Wuyou's right hand resting on his thigh.
Air Groove, meanwhile, was watching too.
Though her head was turned, her peripheral vision caught Rudolf's little movement immediately.
Air Groove's mouth curled faintly.
Trying to sneak ahead? Not a chance.
Just as Rudolf's fingertips were about to touch the back of Wuyou's hand—
Air Groove lifted her tea cup and leaned forward as if naturally.
"Oh—!"
The cup tilted.
A few drops spilled neatly onto Rudolf's hand.
Symboli Rudolf stiffened and instinctively pulled back, glaring at Air Groove.
Air Groove blinked innocently.
"Sorry, President. My hand slipped."
Thankfully, the tea had cooled. It was only warm.
Wuyou sensed the subtle undercurrent between them. He set his cup down and smoothed things over in a warm tone.
"I'll go get some snacks. Wait a moment."
Symboli Rudolf drew her gaze away, but as Wuyou turned, she shot Air Groove a warning look—
Just you wait.
Air Groove calmly sipped tea and returned a faint smile without any panic.
When Wuyou placed the delicate snacks onto the table, he immediately felt the heat of two intense gazes.
Whoosh.
Two soft gusts.
Symboli Rudolf and Air Groove both lunged at the sweets at the same time.
First move wins.
The snacks were for everyone, but at this moment—whoever got the first piece got the right to speak.
In the end, Air Groove—who handled paperwork daily and had absurdly nimble hands—snatched one first.
But she didn't look like a winner.
Instead, her brows knit slightly.
Was it my imagination?
Did the President deliberately slow down for a split second?
Still, she had won, so she decided to deliver her "victory speech."
"This red bean cake looks good. Thanks, Wuyou."
Her eyes slid meaningfully toward Symboli Rudolf.
"But someone already had a 'hand slip' once. This time, you should be careful."
Before she even finished—
Air Groove froze.
She hadn't misread it.
Symboli Rudolf was wearing an eerie, triumphant smile.
Rudolf calmly broke a small tea pastry in half.
Air Groove's pupils tightened.
Don't tell me you're planning—
Then Symboli Rudolf lifted the piece to Wuyou's mouth.
"Yuu. I'll feed you."
"Hmm? Sure. Thank you," Wuyou said.
Feeding him was a thousand times more advanced than snatching snacks.
And the real key—
Wuyou couldn't see.
He couldn't judge distance well.
So he had to lean forward cautiously toward Rudolf's voice, head slightly lowered.
It was a simple motion.
But on a delicate, blind, beautiful young man—
it radiated a devastating sense of obedience.
It stabbed straight into the hearts of two predators like Rudolf and Air Groove.
Their minds—without permission—began running wild.
If, hypothetically…
If that pastry wasn't in their hands, but somewhere else…
If this blind, gentle boy leaned forward like that—
and the instant he touched it, realized something was wrong and wanted to pull away—
but forced himself to stop out of shame…
Then instead of fleeing, he lowered himself further, obedient, soft, and careful—tasting.
And if he was even more obedient—
they wouldn't be able to resist pressing his head down—
harder—
until his resistance broke.
That kind of scene…
was impossible to refuse.
Air Groove's teeth clenched.
She glared at Rudolf, who was smiling in silent satisfaction.
Rudolf mouthed soundlessly, lips forming words without voice:
One arrow repaid.
Wuyou chewed the pastry.
For some reason, he frowned slightly.
"…Is it just me, or do I feel like I got harassed?"
Air Groove stuffed her red bean cake into her mouth.
It should've been sweet—
but it tasted like rubber.
After a moment, she set down her cup and spoke calmly.
"By the way, Wuyou, did you know? The President has been very busy these past two days."
Symboli Rudolf froze, staring at her.
Enemy… helping me?
No way she means well.
"And two days ago… she was so busy she didn't feel well."
"Really?" Wuyou's voice sharpened with concern. "That serious?"
So that's what it is!
Symboli Rudolf instantly realized Air Groove was referring to—
the time she'd lost sleep because she couldn't catch Wuyou's livestream.
Her face went stiff.
She clasped her hands together and bowed twice toward Air Groove.
Please, Air Groove-sama! I was wrong! Don't say it out loud!
Air Groove's eyes flickered with amusement.
She turned to Wuyou in a gentle tone.
"Yes. The President really has been working hard. You can hear it—her energy isn't as good as usual."
Since Air Groove didn't expose the real cause, Symboli Rudolf finally breathed out.
She gave Air Groove a subtle nod of thanks.
Wuyou turned toward Rudolf, voice warm.
"Luna, didn't I tell you? You have to control your workload. Don't damage your health."
The concern hit Rudolf straight in the heart.
Warmth flooded her.
"I'm sorry, Yuu. I made you worry. It won't happen again."
Then she gave Air Groove a thumbs-up, beaming.
So even if we're enemies right now… we've got years of friendship. She covered for me.
Besties really are the best…
But then—
Symboli Rudolf saw the same eerie smile blooming on Air Groove's face.
Air Groove lifted one of the tea bundles from the wooden box.
"Sigh… I really feel for the President," she said.
Her fingertips brushed the tea package lightly, like she was displaying a precious token.
Symboli Rudolf's gut dropped.
Air Groove wasn't being kind.
She was laying the runway for an attack.
Even so, Rudolf could only follow the flow.
"…Yes. I've been a little tired."
She shot Air Groove a covert glare.
Air Groove's smile was flawless—calm, uncracked.
Then Air Groove pushed the tea gently toward Rudolf, voice sweet and considerate, yet carrying an unmistakable dominance.
"The President is tired. You should rest well."
"This tea is a gift Wuyou specifically gave me. Its fragrance is elegant—perfect for calming the mind."
"Take some home. Consider it…"
She paused slightly, then smiled.
"…me helping Wuyou take care of you."
She spoke naturally, openly.
Like a hostess entertaining a guest.
Like a woman staking territory.
Symboli Rudolf's throat locked.
She was the one who'd been close to Wuyou first—
yet now Air Groove had countered her with "Wuyou's gift," then wrapped it in this gentle, magnanimous posture.
If Rudolf refused, she'd look petty.
If she accepted, it was like acknowledging Air Groove's "ownership."
Either choice was suffocating.
The anger in Rudolf's chest finally flared.
If both options are wrong—then I'll flip the table.
Symboli Rudolf and Air Groove leaned forward at the same time, eyes clashing like blades.
"Air Groove," Rudolf said lowly. "Know your limits."
"That line applies to you as well," Air Groove replied, voice equally low. "Don't you think… this childish tug-of-war is embarrassing?"
"Who's childish?" Rudolf's eyes narrowed. "The one who hid the news first wasn't me."
"Likewise."
Wuyou sighed again, helpless.
Then Air Groove suddenly spoke, tone light—like offering peace.
"Of course, if the President is willing to tell me who gave you that information…"
"I can't say I wouldn't yield a little."
Air Groove's mind was already racing.
The chairman must have prepared thoroughly.
Even so, Rudolf still saw the contract application form.
That meant only one possibility—
there was a mole in the student council.
But Symboli Rudolf scoffed.
"Heh. Do you think I'd burn the bridge after crossing it?"
Wuyou's ears twitched.
"Honestly, I'm curious too," he said. "Who told Luna?"
Symboli Rudolf answered without hesitation.
"Tokai Teio."
Sorry, Teio…
I'm not backstabbing you. But Yuu wants to know. I can't not say it…
Please forgive me. Just… for my sake.
"Teio?" Air Groove blinked, genuinely puzzled.
"With Teio's intelligence… she shouldn't be capable of something like that."
She remembered checking the application herself.
Wuyou's form definitely wasn't in the visible pile.
Meaning someone expected Air Groove to inspect it, hid it ahead of time, and slipped it to Rudolf afterward.
But Tokai Teio's brain…
couldn't possibly execute that kind of plan.
Rudolf shrugged.
"I don't know. It was Teio who handed it to me."
"She accidentally stuffed it in her bag and only remembered after school."
Air Groove stared blankly.
Then, slowly, her expression collapsed into pure despair.
"…So it wasn't that the opponent was too strong."
"It was that I had a pig teammate."
Chairman… you've ruined me!
....
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