January 10th. Symboli Rudolf returned to Tracen Academy from the Symboli Family estate.
Sitting down in the Student Council President's chair for the first time in nearly ten days, Symboli Rudolf's expression remained as tense as ever.
She certainly didn't look like someone who had just come back from a vacation.
There was only one reason for her furrowed brow: Symboli Sirius.
After Christmas, Sirius had left the Tokai Family territory.
And throughout the entire New Year period, she hadn't returned to the Symboli Family either.
Aside from this, there was another reason Rudolf's expression was stiff—these past days, she kept recalling that dish.
A flavor she'd tasted before.
A taste she'd thought she'd long forgotten.
"A restaurant near Tracen Academy… That really is unexpected."
Thinking of that dish, Rudolf's expression softened a little.
She vaguely remembered that she'd originally rejected the arranged marriage planned by the Symboli Family and the equally prestigious Mejiro Family—specifically with the Triple Crown winner, Mejiro Peak—and chose the Tokai Family instead, all due to a promise with someone.
Only…
Remembering what happened afterward, Rudolf's expression darkened again.
She'd never imagined an engagement could go awry like that.
She certainly hadn't anticipated such a dramatic twist.
But now, since the other party had already received sufficient punishment, Rudolf saw no reason to pursue the matter further.
This was enough—no need to do anything more.
Moreover…
Remembering the location Mejiro Ardan had mentioned back then, Rudolf only pondered briefly before deciding to set aside the Tokai Family matters completely.
She had to get back to work.
The Student Council room door opened once again.
The ones entering were still Mr. C.B. and Maruzensky.
After all, during this period, there weren't many Uma Musume qualified to enter the Student Council room.
The two walked in, one after the other, not greeting Symboli Rudolf. They simply sat down at their usual spots.
Seeing them, Rudolf merely greeted them briefly, "Good morning."
"Mm."
"Oh."
They didn't seem like three people who'd worked together in the same room for so long—more like strangers forced to share space.
Their cold responses didn't cause any reaction on Rudolf's face.
She was already accustomed to their attitudes.
...
Around three in the afternoon, Tokai Natural sat alone in her shop, contemplating what to cook tonight for Mr. C.B. and the others. Mochizuki was also at an age where she could eat some easily digestible food.
However, the shop door opened abruptly, interrupting her thoughts.
"Welcome. Would you like something?"
It was an Uma Musume who entered, still wearing her Tracen Academy uniform.
Seeing Tokai Natural, the Uma girl paused for a few seconds before cautiously asking, "Um, can I order takeout here?"
"You can."
Tokai Natural's reply seemed to relieve the girl a bit, as if she'd come to fulfill some important task.
Noting her visibly relaxed expression, Tokai Natural continued, "You can sit down and look at the menu first."
"Ah, okay."
After she sat down opposite Tokai Natural, a glass of water and a laminated menu appeared in front of her.
The Uma girl quickly scanned the menu, picked a main dish and a snack, then put the menu down.
Shortly after, two takeout boxes wrapped in plastic bags were placed before her.
"H-how much?"
Seeing her timid appearance, Tokai Natural didn't push the conversation further, simply stating, "Two thousand five hundred yen."
Without hesitation, the girl quickly took out exactly two thousand five hundred yen and handed it over.
Seeing the girl's shy manner, Tokai Natural gently added, "Be careful on your way back!"
"Mm."
The Uma girl's reply wasn't loud, but Tokai Natural clearly heard it.
...
By four-thirty in the afternoon, Maruzensky and Mr. C.B. finally arrived at the restaurant again.
Noting they'd come later than usual, Tokai Natural didn't inquire further, simply asking, "Tea?"
Maruzensky nodded lightly. "Mm."
"Just water for me…" Mr. C.B. replied, obviously more exhausted.
"Was there a lot of work?"
"Yeah… some tasks that weren't even ours got dumped onto us, so…" Mr. C.B.'s voice carried clear resentment.
In fact, the extra tasks had specifically been assigned by Rudolf, and the thought irritated Mr. C.B.
Yet due to Tokai Natural's presence, she kept her irritation subtle.
Seeing Mr. C.B.'s annoyed expression, Tokai Natural just smiled gently. "Oh, then should I cook extra for dinner?"
"Ah! You don't have to! Preparing dinner for three plus Mochizuki's meal is already tiring enough."
Mr. C.B. quickly declined, sitting opposite Maruzensky. "Just make the usual amount."
Once seated, Mr. C.B. immediately slumped onto the table. "I wonder if that transferred Uma Musume will be able to perform well… After all, being separated from one's trainer is pretty serious."
"Alright, alright, enough complaining about Student Council business."
Maruzensky promptly interrupted Mr. C.B., taking a sip of the tea Tokai Natural had just placed before her.
Though the tea leaves weren't particularly expensive, since it was brewed by Tokai Natural herself, Maruzensky found it delicious.
Shortly after, a cup of warm water was placed in front of Mr. C.B.
...
Looking at the takeout boxes left aside, Symboli Rudolf hesitated briefly, then finally decided to discard them.
She'd be meeting the chef herself soon enough, so there was no need to dwell on these boxes anymore.
"Still… I wonder which member of the Tokai Family she could be."
Thinking this over, Rudolf eventually gave up due to the sheer number of Uma Musume connected to the Tokai Family.
Well, it doesn't matter—once we meet, I'll know her identity anyway, right?
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T/N: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH