The next day, seven in the morning.

Because she usually rose early, her body had long adjusted. Symboli Rudolf woke from her warm blankets right on time, opening her eyes.

She sat up slowly, stretched in comfort, then got out of bed and headed for the bathroom.

After a quick wash, she stood before the tall mirror, changing clothes.

Since today was an outing, Rudolf didn't put on her Academy uniform. Instead, she chose a green long shirt, white casual pants, a pair of low-power glasses, and a lady's shoulder bag—an outfit making her look every bit the adult woman.

She checked her reflection, saw nothing wrong, and left her room, heading to the cafeteria.

Her appointment with Trainer Mizuno was set for eight o'clock. Still plenty of time. She decided to have breakfast before going to the school gate.

As Rudolf picked up a tray of food and searched for a seat, Tokai Teio bounced into the cafeteria.

"Prez~ Good morning!" The moment she spotted Rudolf, she dashed over in delight.

Today Teio wore a yellow off-shoulder T-shirt paired with blue denim shorts. With her natural brightness, the outfit made her look both childlike and pretty.

"Good morning~" Rudolf answered with a smile, heart light.

Yes—Teio was just as adorable today.

"President, I'll grab breakfast too. Let's sit together and eat~"

"Mm." Rudolf nodded with a smile.

"Yay~" Teio hopped off, then half a minute later hopped back, carrying a tray piled high with food, and sat at the empty spot Rudolf had saved.

"President, you know what…"

As they ate, Teio chattered about funny little things. Rudolf listened quietly, occasionally offering a word of praise.

By the time they finished, it was already seven-thirty. Half an hour left.

They returned their trays and utensils, then walked together toward the school gate.

At the gate, Teio's nose twitched. She raised her hands like binoculars, scanning all around as though hunting for someone.

Rudolf glanced too—no sign of Trainer Mizuno.

"Are you looking for Trainer Mizuno? He doesn't seem to be here yet," Rudolf remarked.

"No, Trainer Mizuno's nearby!" Teio shook her head.

"With his personality, he must have arrived an hour before the time. And I can already smell the honey scent from him—he's definitely close by!"

"Is that so?" Rudolf sniffed as well. Indeed—there was a faint sweet scent in the air.

So this was Trainer Mizuno's scent? She'd remember it.

"Ah, found him!" Teio finally spotted him, leaning against a wall in the corner, book in hand.

"Trainer Mizuno~" Teio cried happily, sprinted over, and threw herself straight into his arms.

"Eh?!" Mizuno jolted, book flying out of his hands.

"Teio?" He twitched at the corner of his mouth.

Why was she arriving early again? This was dangerous!

To keep his promise with Teio—not to bring any other Uma—Mizuno hadn't called Ship-bro as bodyguard today. That meant if Teio came early, they'd end up with dangerous alone time.

And if no one else was around, Teio would snuggle into his chest, laugh while rubbing against him—utterly terrifying.

That was not what Mizuno wanted. That was why he'd hidden in the corner to wait. But she had hunted him down anyway…

Fortunately, when he saw Rudolf was also there, he breathed a sigh of relief.

With her present, maybe Teio would behave a little.

"Good morning, President Rudolf." Mizuno greeted her quickly.

But when he actually looked at her mature outfit, he almost wanted to complain aloud.

She was young, but dressed like some middle-aged lady. Standing next to Teio, who looked like a child in her bright clothes—they looked like mother and daughter…

"Good morning, Trainer Mizuno." Rudolf waved back.

She looked at Mizuno and Teio hugging—and felt a flicker of confusion.

But not about why Teio would cling to Mizuno. Her doubt was this:

Why, when she saw her beloved Teio leap into another's arms, did she feel no jealousy at all?

In the past, she would always feel uneasy when Teio got close to a man. Always assume he might steal Teio away, corrupt her, and feel she had to deliver righteous judgment.

But with Mizuno—it was different. Instead of jealousy, she felt… a strange sense of happiness.

Perhaps it was trust. Or perhaps respect. Either way, Rudolf had already separated Mizuno from the rest of "other men."

"Hehe." Watching Teio affectionately rub against him, Rudolf couldn't stop a smile of happiness from rising on her face.

"Hm?" Mizuno stared at her, baffled.

Hey—President Rudolf, aren't you wearing glasses? Can't you see your darling Teio is practically drilling into my chest? Shouldn't you stop her?!

Mizuno jabbed both hands at Teio clinging onto him, nodding rapidly to signal help!

But Rudolf only tilted her head curiously, misunderstanding his intent, looking almost cute in her puzzlement.

"…Forget it." Mizuno gave up resisting, letting Teio cling as she pleased.

"So, Trainer Mizuno, where are we going to play today?" Teio asked, looking up at him.

"I don't mind. Where does President Rudolf want to go?" He threw the question to her.

"I think… where does Teio want to go?" Rudolf tossed it back.

"I don't know. Wherever Trainer Mizuno goes, I'll go too." Teio passed it right back again.

"Uh…" The atmosphere turned awkward.

So no one had actually decided?

Teio thought, then suggested:

"How about this—we make a group chat. Each of us types the place we want to go, and on my count of three, we all send it at the same time. Whoever's comes first, that's where we'll go. How's that?"

"Good idea."

"That works."

Both Rudolf and Mizuno agreed.

"Okay, I'll make the group and invite you~"

"Alright."

Mizuno pulled out his phone, just as Teio's invite popped up.

"Tokai Teio has invited you to join the group chat [One Loving Family]"

"…" For a second, Mizuno really didn't want to join.

But of course, that was only a thought. In the end, he tapped "Accept."

The three typed their answers into the chatbox, waiting for Teio's cue.

"Three, two, one!" Teio shouted—the contest began.

[Group Chat: One Loving Family]

[Tokai Teio]: Karaoke 🎵🎵

One second later, the other two's messages appeared.

[Symboli Rudolf]: Bookstore.

[Mizuno Sora]: Bookstore.

"Eh?!!!"

Everyone was shocked. Mizuno and Rudolf—exactly the same answer?!

"Guuh… Trainer Mizuno and Prez, you colluded beforehand, right? Why else would you both pick the same place?" Teio puffed out her cheeks, glaring at them accusingly.

Mizuno and Rudolf exchanged a look, then shook their heads at the same time.

Rudolf: "Teio, we didn't collude…"

Mizuno: "Really, we didn't."

"Guuh…"

Even though Teio had technically won, she wasn't happy at all.

It was obvious—they'd both been letting her win. And worse, they were so in sync: sending at the same time, and even choosing the exact same place.

Ugh. Extremely displeased.