"Then we'll take our leave."
"Mm. Be careful on the way back."
Once they stepped out of Wuyou's office, both Air Groove and Symboli Rudolf let out a small breath of relief.
Then, in the very next second, they instinctively glared at each other—battle intent blazing in their eyes, no less intense than if they were standing on the starting line of the Arima Kinen.
But this was still right outside Wuyou's door.
No matter how badly they wanted to go full "ascended immortal" on the spot, they weren't about to start a war in the hallway.
So they left together.
It was class time. The corridor was empty—only the echo of their footsteps and the distant cadence of teachers lecturing behind classroom doors.
Air Groove glanced sideways at Rudolf.
"I thought the President would stay and have lunch with Wuyou."
Rudolf folded her arms, the soft fullness under her uniform pressed up by the gesture. She smiled lightly and looked at the wooden box hugged tightly against Air Groove's chest, violet eyes carrying a hint of amusement.
"I thought you would stay and drink tea with Yuu."
They weren't trading barbs this time—just quietly lamenting.
After all, there was only one little lamb…
and two hungry wolves.
Either of them would gladly seize any chance to get closer, melt his defenses, and wait for him to obediently step into the trap—
to be eaten clean, bones and all.
"I'd love to," Air Groove shrugged, "but the student council still has work."
Her tone sharpened, gaze meaningful.
"Care to guess because of who?"
Rudolf awkwardly looked away.
"…Sorry."
She had "adjusted" the selection races a little.
That tiny adjustment had spawned a mountain of paperwork—applications, venue allocations, administrative approvals, and countless other details—
all dumped straight onto the student council.
The awkward part?
As president, Rudolf wasn't only handling Tracen affairs; she also had URA duties.
To preserve her stamina, the student council had long established that most campus matters were executed by the vice president. The president mainly signed off.
Which meant—
everything landed on Air Groove's head.
One sentence from the boss.
The subordinate runs until her legs fall off.
"Relax," Air Groove waved a hand. "I'm not mad."
Then she added, eyes narrowing slightly:
"Besides, I know you were helping Wuyou."
That made Rudolf blink in surprise.
Seeing her president look genuinely dumbfounded for once, Air Groove inexplicably wanted to laugh.
"You put Oguri Cap into a dirt track selection, didn't you? So she could pass earlier and sign with Wuyou."
If Wuyou had returned to the central circuit, then with his ability, it was only a matter of time before he built a team and climbed to the top.
And if the team's first member was already a top-tier monster like Chiharu Representative—
then the rest couldn't be mediocre.
But Rudolf just chuckled, shaking her head.
"This time, you guessed wrong."
Air Groove blinked.
"Why?"
Rudolf's smile held a hint of teasing.
"Because Oguri Cap came to me a few days ago and said she wanted to take the selection early."
Air Groove rubbed her chin, thinking.
Then she remembered something and murmured under her breath:
"Don't tell me… it's the person she's been waiting for?"
Rudolf nodded.
There were countless reasons an Uma Musume might refuse a trainer contract. For talented ones, the excuses could be especially bizarre.
Mejiro Takamine: You don't understand the aesthetics of running.
Orfevre: You are unworthy of my radiance.
And the most outrageous of all—Gold Ship:
You don't look like a person with free time. And you're boring.
Amid all those strange, dramatic reasons, Oguri Cap was like a monk.
She had been waiting for someone she'd promised long ago.
This kind of "fated person" romance didn't harm her reputation at all—
it made her famous as the purest "true love crusader."
So famous that many trainers genuinely rooted for her, hoping that person would hurry to Tracen and let the two finally become a pair.
Even Air Groove nodded, smiling faintly.
"Then… congratulations to her."
"After holding out so long, the clouds finally part and she sees the moon."
But as she spoke, a small sourness rose in her chest.
Hadn't she been waiting for Wuyou too?
The difference was—
Air Groove was already in Tojo Hana's camp.
Seeing the shadow of loss on Air Groove's face, Rudolf pressed her lips together.
They were "rivals."
And precisely because they were rivals, Rudolf could understand that sting of missing out. There was no schadenfreude—only a quiet sympathy.
She patted Air Groove's shoulder.
"No matter what… Yuu is back now."
"There's still a chance, isn't there?"
Air Groove couldn't help but laugh, half amused and half exasperated.
"What kind of person cheers on her own rival?"
Rudolf answered without hesitation.
"We're rivals—yes."
"But first… you're also my friend."
"…Thanks."
"No need."
Air Groove's eyes curved, the corner of her mouth lifting with a playful edge.
"If you really want to comfort me, then hand Teio over to me."
"Let me deal with her as I please."
"…That—"
Rudolf's face flashed with conflict.
Then, surprisingly, it hardened into resolve.
She nodded.
"…Fine."
Sorry, Teio.
Air Groove already knew it was you anyway.
Teio can suffer a little.
The bad name?
Teio will carry it too.
So… endure it for now.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the student council room, Teio was scrolling her phone—
and suddenly shivered like she'd been cursed.
Teio: AIEEEEEEEEE! President! President why?!
Air Groove nodded in satisfaction, and the two stopped talking as they walked. The atmosphere between them even seemed… friendlier.
But—
that friendliness was only surface.
Because inside, both Symboli Rudolf and Air Groove were thinking the exact same thing:
Great… she still hasn't noticed.
Back in Wuyou's office, when he went to fetch snacks, the two of them hadn't just sat there staring each other down.
This was Wuyou's office.
If you didn't "inspect," you'd be losing money.
What if he'd hidden some mysterious adult magazine?
Then whether it was for researching his tastes—
or threatening him later with:
"Wuyou, you don't want the whole school to find out you read this, do you?"
Either way, it was pure profit.
They'd even considered planting monitoring devices or tiny cameras.
In the end, circumstances didn't allow it, so they abandoned the idea.
Still—
as their eyes practically licked the office clean like it was Wuyou's body itself—
they really did find something.
On his desk, there was a hot spring voucher.
A hot spring.
Hot springs were good.
Hot springs were wonderful.
In a galgame—
that was basically the bonus route that boosted affection by a huge chunk.
And not just the soaking.
There were… many other "benefits."
Yukata outfits.
Festival stalls nearby.
A nightcap before bed.
And if the gods were kind—
maybe even a mixed bath.
And those traditional tatami rooms…
Perfect for a midnight "surprise visit," isn't it?
Six-six-six.
Reward segment.
Special CG.
Sure, a voucher like that could bring friends along.
But both of them had already decided something.
Even if Wuyou invited them—
they'd pretend to be busy with work and decline.
Why?
What a silly question.
Being invited was great.
But—
running into him by chance was the true path.
That "fated encounter" vibe?
Who doesn't love it?
They each stole a glance at the other.
Both assumed the other hadn't noticed.
Heh.
Sorry about that.
This time—
Wuyou's affection points—
are mine.
....
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