My apologies, Legend. I called you over due to my mistake.
Symboli Rudolf was sitting at her desk, processing documents.
It's fine, nothing major was happening today anyway." Gold Legend browsed a document, while a large stack of files sat on the table in front of her.
But it's truly rare for you, Student Council President, to make such an oversight." Gold Legend said in a teasing tone.
I'm ashamed. I didn't expect this situation to occur just because Air Groove took two days off." Rudolf said helplessly.
This many documents is only two days' worth?
Just how strong is Air Groove!
Gold Legend was somewhat shocked.
It seems I usually lack sufficient concern for Air Groove. I need to reflect." Rudolf reflected on her own mistake.
Speaking of which, the Student Council has so many members, why are there only two of us?" Legend looked around the Student Council office, not seeing the others who were theoretically members.
Brian isn't good at these things. Fuji and Hishi still have to manage the dorms. As for Senmei-senpai and Maruzensky-senpai... they haven't shown up at the Student Council since they heard Air Groove was on vacation." Rudolf took off her glasses and leaned back in her chair, her expression and words showing exhaustion.
...Should I say that's just typical of them?" Gold Legend's first reaction was that she wasn't surprised.
Alright, let's not talk about them. Once we finish this today, we can rest." The Emperor cheered up again. "Legend, would you like to grab a meal with me later?"
I don't mind, but the cafeteria is probably closed now, right?" Gold Legend looked up at the window; it was already dusk.
We can just eat out. Just tell Fuji about the curfew. The Student Council still has some privileges.
Then I'm fine with it." Gold Legend shrugged and continued processing documents.
Speaking of which, I heard a transfer student arrived today." Perhaps the tedious document processing made Rudolf bored, so she initiated a topic.
Yes, she came from Hokkaido, named Special Week." Since Rudolf rarely indulged in casual conversation, Gold Legend didn't mind passing the time.
Oh, you already know her?" Rudolf was a little surprised. "What kind of girl is she?"
If I had to say, she's an ordinarily'special' girl." Gold Legend thought about Special Week's career and offered a somewhat reflective assessment.
...Ordinarily'special'? That's an interesting evaluation." Rudolf became slightly intrigued. "Not ordinary, not special, and certainly not specially ordinary. Could you tell me more?"
If I had to elaborate, she's a character with potential and ability—a Uma Musume with unremarkable victories and defeats, a peaceful retirement, respectable achievements, and definite areas of regret." Finally, Gold Legend added, "Just like her name."
'Special Week'?" Rudolf picked up the student file next to her; the portrait on it was of the newly enrolled Special Week.
What is it? Is the Student Council President interested in her?
Now that you mention it, my interest has certainly piqued." Rudolf smiled openly. "Perfect. Caring for transfer students is part of the Student Council's duties. I'll call her over tomorrow for an interview, and give her an orientation and school introduction."
You can just leave that sort of thing to Teio. Besides, if nothing unexpected happens, that girl is already my teammate." Gold Legend sighed, sounding a little worried.
Oh? Is that so? That's quite good then. Trainer Okino's abilities are definitely trustworthy." Rudolf confirmed.
Apologies for interrupting your contemplation, Student Council President, but your movements have stopped." Gold Legend organized the documents next to her and handed a portion to Rudolf. "These are the last ones. You just need to sign them, President."
...Ah, thank you for your hard work." Rudolf snapped out of it, took the documents, and quietly processed them.
Gold Legend looked around again and saw two beautifully packaged bottles.
...President, is drinking alcohol allowed in the Student Council office?" Gold Legend pointed at the two items that looked like bottles of wine.
Ah, those. Although they look very much like high-end red wine, they are actually carrot juice." Rudolf glanced up and explained.
Carrot juice packaged like '82 red wine?
Gold Legend thought about it and decided not to comment.
Heh, and it's French imported." Gold Legend walked over, picked up a bottle to look at it, and made a face like a Bewildered Subway Elder.
If you want to taste it, just open it and drink." Rudolf said indifferently.
...Then I'll try it." Gold Legend ultimately succumbed to curiosity.
The bottle opener is in the..." Rudolf looked up, about to say something, only to see Legend open the cap with a single chop of her hand.
Hmm?
It's nothing. The glasses are in the cabinet below." Rudolf adjusted her glasses and said calmly.
Oh, they're stemware glasses. President, would you like a glass?
Sure.
Gold Legend took out two glasses, filled them, and handed one to Rudolf.
Thank you." Rudolf put down her pen, took the carrot juice, and walked over to the window.
The massive canvas named Night completely covered the world. The stage belonging to the sun and light had rotated, and the Silver River flowed from amidst countless mysteries, decorated by countless tiny diamonds.
What a magnificent view." Rudolf sighed with emotion.
Indeed, Tracen's night view has always been quite nice." Gold Legend leaned against the table, swirling the glass in her hand, exuding a sense of elegance.
...I understand now why everyone says you are so charismatic." Rudolf, being well-traveled, did not lose her composure due to someone's occasional charm. "If you toned down your personality and dressed up properly, you would certainly be a breathtaking beauty."
Please spare me that." Gold Legend smiled, accepting Rudolf's compliment gracefully.
Speaking of which, you don't seem to wear makeup, do you?" Rudolf gazed at Gold Legend's face, realizing only then that the person before her had clean, natural features, possessing an indescribable beauty.
My girl requested for her entire life that I shouldn't wear makeup—at least not put it on myself." Gold Legend recalled Nakayama Festa's solemn wish. "Besides, I personally don't like cosmetics."
Is that so?" Rudolf nodded. "That's right. Your natural beauty doesn't need that kind of embellishment."
...Student Council President, are you trying to flatter me?
I'm merely stating the facts. Why?
It's nothing. I'm just unaccustomed to a fair and strict Student Council President suddenly praising someone.
...Do you all see me as someone difficult to get along with?" Rudolf sighed helplessly.
Who knows? I'm not offering an opinion, anyway.
Gold Legend poured herself another glass of carrot juice.
I wonder what it feels like to pour the drink into a glass and then chug straight from the bottle?
Gold Legend suddenly thought.
By the way, Legend, have you found your dream yet?" Rudolf suddenly asked.
...Not yet.
Usually, Uma Musume who reach your level decide on their goals early on. In that regard, you are quite unique." The Emperor pondered, her tone slightly teasing.
Well, I'll take my time. Dreams are like saving money; as long as you keep accumulating, you'll eventually have one.
Saving money? That's an interesting analogy." The Emperor laughed, perhaps triggered by some inner joke. "But Legend, do you actually save money?"
I used to." Gold Legend sighed. "But I stopped saving when I realized I had nowhere to spend it.
In fact, when she first realized she had money, she was quite excited, constantly thinking about buying things. Many of the properties she currently owns were purchased back then.
However, once she came to her senses, she suddenly realized she didn't have any desires that required spending those numbers in her account.
Later, as the numbers grew larger and larger, a slightly irritated Gold Legend simply donated all the money, reserving only funds for daily life and a portion for emergencies.
Building a few schools, sponsoring several orphanages, supporting impoverished students, and bringing some warmth to children in underdeveloped areas.
Contributing to society while achieving peace of mind—why not?
The girl who still longed for heroes and light thought so.
Yet, after her donations, she found that her life hadn't changed. The numbers in her account were still growing, her daily routine continued, and she hadn't accumulated any metaphysical merit or suddenly awakened any superpowers.
Everything was as usual.
So why not continue doing it?
Leaving behind some meaning of existence is quite nice, isn't it?
Gold Legend stared blankly at the drink in her glass.
What are you thinking about?" Rudolf asked.
Nothing." Legend shook her head. "President, are you done with the documents? I'm hungry."
...You just reminded me of Oguri Cap." Rudolf sounded slightly pained.
President, you promised to treat me. No backing out.
Fine, fine, fine." Rudolf sighed, sat back down in her chair, and continued burying herself in the documents.
Gold Legend took another sip of carrot juice, waiting quietly.
Everything was as usual.
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