After making her decision, Symboli Rudolf left. Just as she'd thought—
Those brief encounters were merely fleeting dreams.
But…
Almost instinctively…
Symboli Rudolf found herself at Tracen Academy's old campus building.
A place filled with significance.
At least, that's how Rudolf viewed it.
However…
As she arrived at the entrance, the locked door posed no trouble; she'd always kept the key.
Opening the gate, Rudolf's eyes landed on the small pile of charcoal still scattered on the floor.
Seeing this unchanged scene, Rudolf's expression subtly shifted.
Before Tokai Natural and her daughter reappeared, Rudolf hadn't realized just how much time had passed.
But…
Once she saw Mochizuki—
That face, so similar to her own except for those unique Uma Musume traits—
Only then did Rudolf truly feel the passage of time.
Thinking this, Rudolf carefully stepped over the old charcoal remnants,
Heading toward the dorm rooms on the first floor.
Walking along one side of the corridor, she soon found the room tucked at the very end.
She pushed open the tightly shut door.
Inside, everything remained exactly as it had been years ago.
Seeing this interior unchanged by time, Rudolf stood silently for more than ten seconds before shifting her gaze toward the window.
Outside, the trees once damaged by Symboli Speed had slowly recovered after years of care.
Every detail seemed to whisper to Rudolf just how long it had been.
Sharply reminded again, Rudolf lowered her head slightly.
As her eyes wandered, she noticed something she'd once deliberately overlooked.
It was a small knife.
Something left behind by the former Yayoi Natural—Tokai Natural.
Seeing that knife, Rudolf froze momentarily, then memories surged vividly into her mind.
As those memories flooded back, Rudolf's gaze shifted further, finally landing upon a small mark on the wall—something she'd once helped Tokai Natural carve.
A tiny mark, etched carefully with a blade.
It looked like a tally counting days.
Yet Rudolf knew its true meaning.
Precisely because she understood the significance behind that mark, Rudolf's expression twisted painfully.
Finally, she bent down and picked up the knife.
With a few swift strokes, Rudolf altered the original marking.
Just a few simple cuts transformed meaningless lines into a meaningful shape—
A connection she'd once failed to make.
Seeing this new shape emerge clearly, Rudolf's expression softened slightly.
Her face, already tempered by resignation, grew gentler still.
But ultimately…
Rudolf raised the knife again and decisively etched two final lines—a large, distinct X.
After completing this final gesture, Rudolf dropped the knife. It was the same blade Natural once used to prepare vegetables bought from the market back then.
And now Rudolf had used it to draw a final line between them.
Then…
Rudolf stood, turned around, and left the room behind.
She had no plans to return.
Perhaps there would never be another chance.
...
That evening, Maruzensky brought Mochizuki back to the restaurant.
By that time, Tokai Natural had already returned home.
Seeing the lights on inside the restaurant, Maruzensky recalled the conversation she'd had with Rudolf earlier.
Honestly, Maruzensky had been somewhat tempted by the offer. The Student Council President position was appealing—both in terms of authority and as a voice for all Uma Musume.
Yet…
Even now, Maruzensky still couldn't grasp how Rudolf could casually surrender everything.
That position had once meant everything to Rudolf, yet now she'd relinquished it so easily—something utterly unimaginable.
But…
Glancing at the warmly lit restaurant ahead, Maruzensky began to understand a little more.
After all she'd done, perhaps Rudolf felt she no longer had the right to cling to such things.
With that thought, Maruzensky pushed open the door.
"Natural, how did things go over there?"
"At Mejiro?"
"The situation looked pretty good. But how effective it'll actually be—we'll find out tomorrow. Ardan-san will stop by then, so we'll probably get a clearer picture." Saying this, Natural turned her gaze toward Mochizuki, who was still holding Maruzensky's hand. "Did you go to Maruzen-san's today?"
"Cooking at home is a pain."
Mochizuki's reply was blunt and straightforward—quite typical, honestly.
Natural was still using a gas stove in the restaurant, after all.
Mochizuki was well-behaved and mature for her age, but still a child. If an accident ever occurred, Natural wouldn't care about the restaurant itself, but she'd be deeply upset if Mochizuki got hurt.
Hearing Mochizuki's reply, Natural reached out to ruffle Mochizuki's hair, only to have her hand swatted away.
"You're messing up my hair."
"We're already home. Plus, we aren't opening today, so it doesn't really matter if it gets messy." Natural paused briefly before straightening up and smiling warmly at Maruzensky. "Thank you."
"It's nothing. Mochizuki-chan's your daughter after all, so naturally I'll look after her. But…"
"Hmm?"
Meeting Natural's gaze, Maruzensky hesitated briefly before looking away. "Never mind. It's about something else entirely."
She chose not to mention Rudolf's visit. It wasn't something Natural should hear anyway.
This sudden shift briefly caught Natural's attention, but realizing she had no reason to pry, Natural simply nodded. "I see. Are you busy with work again tomorrow?"
"I'll still drop Mochizuki-chan off at school, but I probably won't stop by in the afternoon."
Maruzensky paused again briefly before continuing lightly, "Mr. C.B. and I have both been pretty busy lately. You don't need to worry about it, Natural You too, Mochizuki-chan"
Having settled the matter casually, Maruzensky turned to leave. "Well, I'll be heading out then."
"All right. Drive safely."
"No worries~ My driving skills are top-notch, after all."
"I know—but still, be careful."
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