"I absolutely didn't report you!" Mizuno frantically shook his head the moment he saw Tachyon's accusing glare.
He still planned to buy the Intent Glasses someday; why on earth would he tip off the officials to the Black Market?!
His appearance here today was solely because President Rudolf and Air Groove insisted he accompany them. He had no intention whatsoever of participating in this raid!
"Whether you reported me or not will be clear in a second!" Tachyon naturally didn't trust Mizuno's frantic denial. She pulled open a drawer, rummaged inside, and quickly produced a pair of glasses:
The Intent Glasses.
After placing them on her face, Tachyon stared intently at Mizuno, determined to verify whether he harbored malicious intent toward her. But the result caught her off guard.
"A white triangle… no ill intent toward me at all?" Tachyon furrowed her brows.
So he really hadn't reported her…
Then why had President Rudolf and Vice-President Air Groove suddenly come knocking today?
Tachyon was utterly baffled.
"Tachyon, Trainer Mizuno has nothing to do with this…" Rudolf stepped forward, again positioning herself protectively before Mizuno. Her tone was grave as she said:
"It's our Student Council's decision. The potions you've been selling seriously threaten public order and morality at Tracen Academy, and thus must be properly regulated. That's why we're here."
"Oh?" Tachyon raised an eyebrow, sensing insincerity.
If they genuinely felt that way, wouldn't they have shut her down back when she first opened the Black Market? Why wait until now?
But she didn't refute them, instead patiently awaiting their real intention.
Typically, when the local officials who normally shelter you suddenly decide to raid your stall, it's rarely because they genuinely want to shut you down—it's usually because they're after something else.
For instance, helping themselves freely to some of your goods…
"Tachyon…" Seeing Tachyon had caught her drift, Rudolf's lips curved into a subtle smile as she continued, "Of course, if you sincerely admit your mistake, show repentance, and promise never to commit this offense again, we can overlook this incident…"
"Heh heh~" Tachyon raised her sleeve-covered hand, hiding a faint smile.
As expected. That was their angle.
Tachyon straightened, then bowed slightly, adopting an obediently remorseful expression.
"Respected President Rudolf, Vice-President Air Groove, I deeply realize my mistakes, and I'm willing to bear responsibility for the trouble I've caused…"
"Very good…" Rudolf nodded approvingly, pointing to Mizuno behind her. "Then, Tachyon, hand over the antidote for the Want-a-Hug Potion and give it to this poor victim."
"Of course. That is indeed my responsibility…" Tachyon agreed, covering her mouth as she turned toward the stacks of potions, looking for the antidote.
However, while Tachyon was a genius in science, she was quite terrible at hiding her true feelings. Her entire body radiated pure delight, not showing a shred of remorse.
"Tsk…" Mizuno clicked his tongue softly, but didn't bother calling her out.
He knew perfectly well the beneficial Black Market couldn't truly be shut down. It would still open in the future—just secretly, somewhere out of sight…
After two or three minutes, Tachyon finally returned, holding two bottles of faintly glowing, pale-blue liquid. She handed them to Mizuno and King Halo.
"Here, the Want-a-Hug antidote."
Mizuno eyed the blue liquid suspiciously but felt it was probably safe enough, so he took it and downed it in one gulp.
"Gulp gulp—!" Mizuno drained the whole bottle in one go.
"Must I drink it too?" King Halo asked reluctantly, staring uncertainly at the antidote.
To be honest, she didn't really want to. It would've been perfect if Trainer Mizuno hadn't drunk his antidote either…
"You certainly don't have to drink it…" Tachyon smiled gently. "But now your trainer's already taken the antidote and won't be forced to hug you again. Also, if anyone else drinks Potion-A within a week, that stranger might be compelled to hug you instead…"
"Eeek!" King Halo's eyes widened in panic.
Getting hugged by trainers other than Mizuno?!
"Gulp gulp—!" King Halo quickly snatched the antidote from Tachyon's hand, hastily swallowing it down.
Not long after, Mizuno felt considerably lighter, and tentatively relaxed his hold on King Halo—succeeding easily. His body no longer forcibly demanded he embrace her. It appeared the Want-a-Hug Potion's effect had truly dissipated.
"Woohoo!" Mizuno threw up his arms in excitement, relishing his newfound freedom.
"Uu…" King Halo, on the other hand, felt profoundly gloomy, a sense of loss sinking into her heart.
Especially seeing Mizuno's joyful reaction—she felt utterly infuriated.
Dammit! Did you really dislike hugging the first-rate King Halo that much?!
She'd already prepared herself mentally for a whole week of being held continuously by Mizuno. Yet after barely one day and night, that bliss had vanished…
"King Halo-san, since I won't be compelled to hug you anymore, you can head straight back to class now," Mizuno said cheerfully.
"Ugh…" King Halo sank even further into depression.
As King Halo and Mizuno separately experienced their highs and lows, Rudolf quietly slipped next to Tachyon, leaning down and whispering discreetly:
"Tachyon, do you still have Want-a-Hug Potion?"
"I do," Tachyon nodded.
"I want one too," Air Groove joined in quietly.
"Heh, I've got plenty," Tachyon chuckled softly.
"How much?"
"No charge. Consider it my thanks for you both graciously letting me off today," Tachyon said sweetly. "Oh, by the way, will you two be needing antidotes as well?"
Rudolf and Air Groove both cast covert glances back at Mizuno, then shook their heads firmly:
"No need."
"Hehe~" Tachyon's eyes narrowed slyly, immediately understanding their intentions.
She got it now. Trainer Mizuno must be someone special to President Rudolf and Air Groove. No wonder a simple hug with another Uma made them rush here demanding an antidote…
They were jealous, huh? Jealous that they weren't the ones being hugged instead?
"Here, your items." Tachyon reached into her oversized sleeves, producing two sets of Want-a-Hug Potion and discreetly handed them to Rudolf and Air Groove.
After carefully hiding the potions away, Rudolf and Air Groove casually returned to Mizuno's side as if nothing had happened.
Rudolf cleared her throat lightly, patting Mizuno's left shoulder with a smile.
"Since Tachyon has admitted her mistakes, and your situation with King Halo-san is solved perfectly, we can head back now."
Air Groove shyly brushed back her hair, resting her hand on Mizuno's right shoulder.
"Yes, I'm feeling a bit thirsty myself. Let's go back and have a drink…"
"Oh? Sure then." Still elated about being cured of the potion's effects, Mizuno happily agreed without a second thought.
But before leaving, Mizuno secretly whispered a request to Tachyon:
"Remember to save those Intent Glasses for me. I'll come buy them once I've saved enough."
"Certainly." Tachyon smiled sweetly in return, but silently snarked:
First, try escaping these two Student Council heavyweights before you think about that…
Standing at her door, Tachyon's fake smile collapsed the instant the four uninvited guests vanished from view, and she quickly shut the lab door behind them.
Returning to her chair, Tachyon's fingers tapped restlessly on her desk, expression turning serious.
Although she'd safely navigated this sudden inspection by Rudolf—only losing a few trivial potions—the Black Market would still run in the future. The incident was neatly resolved, and she could finally return her focus entirely to research.
Yet one detail kept gnawing at her.
If Tachyon's memory was accurate, among the ten Uma who'd been affected by the mysterious man appearing at the Three Goddesses statue, Air Groove was undoubtedly one…
Yet today, Air Groove seemed completely fine—energetic even?
Moreover, Air Groove no longer seemed to care at all about the mysterious man, instead appearing attracted to Trainer Mizuno…
A guy who covered himself so thoroughly you couldn't even glimpse his face?
"Wait a moment!" Tachyon's mind suddenly sparked with insight, connecting crucial dots rapidly.
Why had that mysterious man vanished after his initial appearance? With charisma that unforgettable, how had he remained hidden for so long?
Why was Trainer Mizuno so desperate to buy her Intent Glasses, constantly fearful of others' intentions toward him?
"So that's it…!" Tachyon murmured, realization flooding her mind.
No wonder the Student Council hadn't announced finding the mysterious man…
They'd found him long ago, deliberately hiding him!
Trainer Mizuno was the mysterious man!
"Heheh~" Tachyon covered a sinister grin, murmuring softly:
"Scarlet… I've finally found that beloved man you've been longing for…"