An adult and a child walked side by side.
Their destination was Maruzensky-san's home.
Or rather, her house?
For Rudolf, it didn't really matter—she was only here to meet Maruzensky-san.
But more importantly...
There was something Rudolf cared about far more.
She glanced sideways slightly, catching sight of the girl beside her.
The girl hadn't yet told Rudolf her name, but Rudolf already knew it very well.
Mochizuki…
Silently repeating the name to herself, Rudolf shifted her gaze forward again.
"Oh right, Aunt Luna, you're the Student Council President, aren't you?"
"Sort of… I suppose."
"Sort of?"
"The position of Student Council President at Tracen Academy is a bit special. Generally, whoever has the best racing record gets the spot. As for now…"
Rudolf paused for a moment, then continued, "The previous President, Rudolf, has been swamped handling arrangements for the Climax Series, so…"
"I'm only acting as president temporarily."
Having concealed—or rather shifted—some details onto herself, Rudolf continued, "This time, I came here because President Rudolf instructed me to handle something, so…"
The unnaturalness in Rudolf's voice caused Mochizuki to turn and stare at her.
She stared intently.
But she couldn't tell what Rudolf was hiding.
No matter how mature Mochizuki was, she was still just a child. There was no way she could grasp all the adult subtleties in Rudolf's words.
"Sounds like grown-up stuff…"
With those words, Mochizuki withdrew her gaze.
"Mostly grown-up stuff indeed. But next week is Tracen Academy's Open Day. You could go and check it out yourself."
Rudolf blinked as she spoke.
She obviously knew that Tracen Academy's Open Day was exclusively for Uma Musume and Trainers.
But…
For her own daughter, bending a small rule wouldn't hurt, would it?
"Can I really go inside? I thought Open Day was just for Uma Musume."
"Yes, if you really want to visit, it won't be an issue as long as you have a special visitor's pass issued by the Student Council."
After inventing something nonexistent, Rudolf calmly added, "If you need one, I could prepare it for you. It'd only be valid for that short time, though."
"Won't it cause trouble for you? You're just the acting president, right?"
A hint of concern crept into Mochizuki's voice. She didn't really know how much authority Tracen's Student Council President had, but…
If Rudolf was just an acting president…
Rudolf genuinely sensed Mochizuki's concern.
She simply shook her head reassuringly. "It's fine. Even as acting Student Council President, I can handle a small matter like this."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
Doing her best to speak gently, Rudolf said something she'd never ordinarily say aloud: "Just think of it as repayment for bringing me to Maruzensky-san. How does that sound?"
Hearing Rudolf's words, Mochizuki visibly relaxed.
Seeing Mochizuki's relieved expression, Rudolf chose not to say anything more.
She closed her mouth tightly.
Enduring quietly.
Mochizuki was right beside her; all Rudolf needed to do was ask, and she could hear plenty about Natural.
But Rudolf forced herself not to think about that. She knew very well it was pointless to hear anything about Natural now. After all, she and Tokai Natural wouldn't meet again.
Unasked questions weighed on Rudolf's silence as she walked alongside Mochizuki until they reached Maruzensky-san's front door.
At the door, Mochizuki turned toward Rudolf.
Rudolf hesitated only a second before understanding her daughter's intentions.
Your relationship with Aunt Maruzensky is tense. Do you want to hide for now?
No words were exchanged, yet Mochizuki's eyes conveyed her meaning clearly.
Rudolf shook her head slightly in refusal, then nodded firmly back to Mochizuki.
The gestures were simple yet meaningful. Mochizuki stood still, quietly thinking a few seconds before raising her hand to knock.
Moments after her knock, the door swung open.
"Oh my, Mochizuki-chan, I was wondering when you'd co—"
Maruzensky's voice abruptly cut off when she noticed Symboli Rudolf standing just behind Mochizuki.
She stared blankly at Rudolf for a full second before speaking again. "Why are you here?"
"I came to discuss something with you," Rudolf said plainly, pausing briefly to glance inside.
The furnishings and decor hadn't changed at all in several years.
Rudolf remembered clearly: it was right here she'd forced Natural out of her refuge.
Maruzensky frowned slightly, still staring hard at Rudolf.
She certainly didn't welcome Rudolf's presence, but…
Mochizuki was standing right there.
Therefore…
"Come in, then."
"Thank you."
Ignoring Rudolf's thanks, Maruzensky-san turned gently to Mochizuki. "Come on in. Let's head inside."
Her implication was clear: I'm only letting you in because Mochizuki-chan is here.
Rudolf didn't say another word, merely following Mochizuki silently into the house.
As she stepped inside, Rudolf felt as if all her past actions here were replaying vividly before her eyes.
Seeing this, Rudolf's expression remained largely unchanged.
She watched Mochizuki settle onto the sofa, then quietly moved toward the dining area.
Only after making sure Mochizuki was comfortable did Maruzensky-san approach Rudolf in the dining room.
"You—"
"Let's go upstairs."
Interrupting Maruzensky-san abruptly, Rudolf cast a careful glance at Mochizuki.
She didn't want Mochizuki overhearing any of this. That was her clear decision.
Maruzensky-san didn't object.
Both climbed the stairs silently.
Only after they entered an empty room upstairs did Maruzensky finally speak, her voice sharp and cold, "What exactly do you want?"
Even before asking, Maruzensky-san had already decided: no matter what Rudolf proposed, she'd never agree.
"One year from now, due to arrangements for the Climax Series, I'll voluntarily resign from the Student Council and withdraw from Tracen Academy." Rudolf stared directly at Maruzensky-san. "I want you or Mr. C.B. to temporarily take over as Student Council President until someone else is ready."
Rudolf's words left Maruzensky momentarily stunned.
But Rudolf wasn't finished. She continued firmly, "In exchange, I'll agree to any request you and Mr. C.B. might have."
Maruzensky-san no longer knew how to respond.
After a brief silence, Rudolf quietly added, "You're free to refuse, of course."
Saying no more, Rudolf turned to leave. She had no authority to demand anything from anyone. Thus, further discussion was pointless.
Even though Rudolf desperately wished she could stay with Mochizuki just a bit longer…
It was time to wake from this dream.