Seeing the sudden, sharp shift in Symboli Rudolf's expression, Dream Weaver tilted her head and let out a soft, dismissive huff.
The sheer nerve of the woman—using Mr. C.B. to trick her into coming to the office—was enough to make Dream Weaver keep up the verbal assault.
"So, the rumors on the forums were true after all. They say the Student Council President prowls the campus like a predator, hunting down any Uma Musume who catches her eye and forcing them to stay by her side. I'd heard gray-haired girls were in the most danger."
Dream Weaver brushed back her dark bangs, her voice dripping with mock disdain.
"But now, it seems even black-haired girls aren't safe. You're actually stooping to deceiving dorm managers just to break into someone's room? Honestly, anyone called 'The Emperor' really is just a total weirdo."
She leaned in slightly, a sharp glint in her eyes. "Wouldn't you agree, Your Majesty, the Night Emperor of Central Tracen?"
"I... uh..."
Loss for words, Symboli Rudolf stumbled back until she collapsed onto the sofa. She looked utterly defeated, her breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps as if she'd been physically struck.
Dream Weaver showed no mercy. She looked down at the President with a gaze full of pure, unadulterated judgment.
"Creep."
"Let me explain!"
Unable to bear that stinging look, Rudolf turned her head away, her face flushed crimson from a mix of panic and indignation. "You took a month off without a word and left no way to contact you! Anyone would have been worried sick!"
"Besides," Rudolf added, struggling to regain some ground, "the only reason I didn't tell you sooner was because of the delays with the Tokyo Derby. Then you dodged me for an entire week! That's why it took until now!"
Dream Weaver remained silent, her eyes still narrowed in deep suspicion.
"Dream... do you really not trust me anymore? Have you truly forgotten everything we've shared...?"
"I used to trust you. Now? It's hard to say."
Seeing Rudolf's head slump in genuine dejection, Dream Weaver decided she'd twisted the knife enough. She let out a long, slow breath.
"Well... I suppose it's not impossible for me to forgive you."
"Really?!"
Rudolf's head snapped up, her eyes wide with hope. Every ounce of the composed, dignified Student Council President had vanished; her emotions were being played like a fiddle by Dream Weaver.
"On one condition: you owe me three favors."
"I'll do it!"
Rudolf agreed instantly, not even bothering to ask what the favors were.
"I haven't thought of them yet. I'll let you know when I do."
"Then, about that forgiveness..."
Dream Weaver arched an eyebrow and finally looked at her properly.
"Who knows when I'll actually think of something. So, I guess I'll forgive you in advance, Rudolf."
In truth, given the depth of their bond, Dream Weaver would have helped Rudolf in a heartbeat if she'd just asked. She had no intention of using those "three favors" for anything serious; she'd likely just waste them on something trivial or forget about them entirely.
She cherished the people she was bonded with like priceless treasures, and her heart was far softer than she let on.
She just wanted to teach Rudolf a lesson before the woman actually ended up on a criminal path.
Relief washed over Rudolf as Dream Weaver's attitude softened. But just as she was about to speak, she caught a glimpse of a pair of horse ears twitching at the doorway.
Rudolf nearly choked on her own breath. She fell into a fit of violent coughing, her mind racing. If this conversation leaked out, her legendary reputation as the Emperor would be finished.
Determined not to let the eavesdropper escape, Rudolf bolted for the door.
Before she could even get a clear look at who it was, she grabbed the girl and hauled her up, shouting, "Eavesdropping is a direct violation of Central Tracen School Regulation Number Fifty-Three!"
"Why aren't you back at the dorms after school? What are you doing at the office—"
Her commanding tone died in her throat.
She realized then that the Uma Musume hiding behind the door was none other than Tokai Teio—the girl she considered her own successor.
Rudolf froze. Her eyes went wide, her mouth hung open, but not a single sound came out.
Teio looked up, her gaze wandering toward Rudolf with a hollow, distant expression.
"So... this is the kind of girl Prez really is..."
"The Night Emperor... hehe... I feel like I understand Prez so much better now..."
Seeing the light fade from Teio's eyes, Rudolf panicked even more. She scrambled to let go, waving her hands frantically. "No! It's not like that! Teio, let me explain!"
"Explain what? You already admitted to it. You even promised three favors just to get someone to forgive you."
Teio's voice was flat, her idols crumbling before her eyes. "But since Prez is the one I admire most, I guess I just have to learn from your example. From now on, when I like someone, I'll just break into their room when they aren't home."
"Don't you dare learn that!"
Seeing that Teio was so shocked she was starting to talk nonsense, Rudolf grabbed her by the shoulders and started shaking her.
The two of them looked like they were going to be locked in that back-and-forth until dawn.
Not wanting to get dragged into what felt like a family domestic dispute, Dream Weaver decided to slip away while they were distracted.
She crept around Rudolf's back, treading as lightly as a cat. She was one step away from freedom when Teio's eyes locked onto her, betraying her position.
Rudolf, who was hyper-fixated on Teio's every movement, spun around and caught Dream Weaver mid-escape.
"Dream! Quick, help me explain!"
Rudolf grabbed onto her like a drowning woman reaching for a life raft.
"How am I supposed to explain this?! Aren't you the President? Handle it yourself!"
"But Teio heard all of this because of you too! You're just as involved!"
Rudolf tightened her grip, refusing to let go. "Teio is a responsibility we both share! You are not leaving!"
Dream Weaver tried to shake her off, but it was no use. She squeezed her eyes shut and let out a frustrated, embarrassed yell.
"Symboli Rudolf, you... you useless idiot!"
Just then, Teio, who had been staring at Dream Weaver, seemed to remember something. She gripped the straps of her school bag, a bit of life returning to her eyes.
"Dream... Dream Weaver. Right! I... I came here to find you..."
Rudolf's face lit up with immense relief.
Without a second thought, she shoved Dream Weaver toward Teio, pushed them both into the Student Council office, and yelled, "Look, Dream! Teio has something to talk to you about! You'd better listen!"
She shot Dream Weaver a desperate, frantic look, silently pleading with her to distract Teio. Before Dream Weaver could even process a response, the office door slammed shut.
The words Dream Weaver was about to say were cut off by the heavy thud of the door.
She stood there for a moment, fuming, and decided then and there that she definitely wouldn't forgive Rudolf so easily next time.
Resigned, she turned around and sighed, spreading her hands helplessly toward the bewildered Tokai Teio.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.