"I think...maybe it's Kaneshiro Takeru."

After uttering these words, Mizuno Sora felt a profound pang of guilt.

Sorry, Kaneshiro-san. Since you're probably about to get locked in the basement by Hinagiku soon anyway, adding a few more Uma Musume to your roster will help balance things out for you. So, see, I'm actually helping!

As for why Mizuno himself didn't volunteer to take more Uma Musume and manage them through mutual restraint…

Well, he was shamelessly double-standard. If it wasn't safe, he wasn't doing it.

"Is that so?" Symboli Rudolf narrowed her eyes slightly, clearly unconvinced by the trio's fabricated excuse.

Yet there was little she could do. It wasn't like she could forcibly drag these trainers one-by-one to personally confirm with each of those ten Uma Musume.

Talented Uma Musume were precious treasures; talented trainers equally so. Considering Tracen Academy was currently facing a severe shortage of skilled trainers, Rudolf couldn't risk alienating either side.

Thus, she finally let the matter rest.

"I see. Thank you all for your sincere replies. If there's nothing else, everyone may leave," Rudolf politely said.

"Thank you." Mizuno and the two senior trainers quickly nodded, eager to escape.

"Mizuno-san, please stay behind. I still have something I'd like to discuss with you privately," Rudolf suddenly called.

Mizuno halted in his tracks, stiffly turning back.

"What is it, President Rudolf?" he asked cautiously.

Why was Rudolf singling him out? Could it be she'd discovered he was that mysterious trainer?

But Rudolf simply smiled gently and said, "About that gifted child I mentioned earlier—have you considered my proposal?"

Oh. So she hadn't figured out his real identity. It was just another pitch for Tokai Teio.

Mizuno shook his head.

"I'm sorry, but my answer remains unchanged. I have my own plans. It'd be best if you found someone else."

Seeing Mizuno still refusing, Rudolf seemed unsurprised and leaned closer.

"Mizuno-san, I'll just be honest with you—that child is actually Tokai Teio."

She puffed her chest out, proud to have revealed this secret.

But Mizuno had no idea what she was trying to say.

Of course I know it's Teio. So what?

"Oh," Mizuno replied politely, though he genuinely didn't understand Rudolf's intention.

"Hm?" Rudolf's expression turned puzzled.

This wasn't what she expected. Shouldn't Mizuno have reacted dramatically upon hearing Tokai Teio's name?

Two days ago, Rudolf had discovered, through casual chat with Teio, that the girl had been regularly joining Haru Urara and Mizuno during their afternoon training sessions. Surely Mizuno knew exactly how talented Tokai Teio was?

She had assumed that Mizuno rejected the proposal before simply because he didn't realize the Uma Musume she wanted him to train was Teio. Yet now, even after revealing Teio's identity, he was still indifferent?

"It's Teio. Tokai Teio!" Rudolf emphasized once more, afraid Mizuno hadn't grasped it.

"Uh...I know..." Mizuno awkwardly scratched his head.

Exactly. It's precisely because she's Tokai Teio that I refuse.

However, Mizuno now understood what Rudolf intended. She merely wanted him to recognize how extraordinary Teio's talent was, hoping he'd reconsider out of excitement.

Indeed, he was moved, but not in the way she imagined.

"I'm sorry. Even if it's Tokai Teio, I still have to refuse. After all, I already have Urara," Mizuno stated firmly.

"..."

Rudolf almost let her smile slip, but quickly maintained composure.

She couldn't grasp why Mizuno still wouldn't take Teio on.

After thinking carefully, though, Rudolf believed she'd found an answer.

Wasn't Mizuno Trainer-san's unwillingness to abandon his original trainee despite being offered a genius Uma Musume proof of his great sense of responsibility?

Indeed, entrusting Teio to you was absolutely correct.

Ah, Mizuno-san—the more you resist, the more excited I become!

Seeing talent alone wouldn't sway him, Rudolf decided to play the emotional card.

"Actually...Teio has fallen ill…" she confessed, lowering her voice dramatically.

"Ill?"

Though fearful of interacting with Teio directly, as long as there was no threat to his safety, he genuinely cared about the Uma Musume's wellbeing.

She didn't fracture something, did she? God forbid. The fanbase would go berserk if Teio broke anything.

Seeing Mizuno Sora's worried expression, Rudolf inwardly rejoiced and continued.

"She was caught in that sudden rain mentioned on the forum yesterday and now shows symptoms similar to a cold. She really enjoys training with you and Urara, so I was hoping you could take care of her a bit."

"Oh, just a cold…" Mizuno relaxed slightly.

Thankfully, it wasn't a fracture.

Still, he suspected something was off about that rainfall. Mizuno feared lasting harm might befall those Uma Musume who were caught out in it.

He consulted Luck inwardly.

Luck, any insights?

[She got soaked yesterday and was infected with misfortune energy. But nothing serious—she'll recover fully in a few days.]

Upon hearing that Teio would soon recover, Mizuno relaxed further.

"No worries, President Rudolf. It's just a minor cold. Let Teio rest, and she'll be fine in a few days."

"Huh?" Rudolf was startled by Mizuno's response.

Even Teio getting sick didn't move him at all?

Mizuno-san, why are you so heartless?

But Rudolf reconsidered. No, wait.

In truth, Mizuno clearly had shown worry at first, only becoming relaxed after learning it was merely a cold.

That's right. A trainer must be this tough. A simple cold isn't worth excessive worry. If he's overly attentive, won't he end up snatching Teio away from her side?

As her "old father," she couldn't bear that.

As expected, Mizuno-san is the only possible trainer for Tokai Teio!

"Mizuno-san, won't you reconsider one last time?" Rudolf persisted, unwilling to give up.

"..." Mizuno was speechless.

Seriously, why was she so persistent? Did he wrong her in some past life?

Feeling Rudolf would endlessly persuade him if he stayed, Mizuno decided to escape.

"Sorry, I have something urgent. I'll take my leave first. Let's chat next time." Mizuno turned around hastily, not looking back.

"..." Rudolf tried to think of a reason to stop him, but couldn't. Reluctantly, she let him go.

"Whew…" Mizuno sighed with relief upon seeing Rudolf not blocking him, heading quickly toward the exit.

Yet just as Mizuno reached for the door, Luck's urgent warning sounded in his mind:

[Mizuno-dono! Don't open the door!]

Why not?

[There's danger outside!]

What danger could there possibly be?

[Trust me! My alarm system says something unfortunate awaits beyond the door. Don't go out!]

Mizunowas skeptical.

Luck had tricked him before, and he couldn't imagine any threat lurking right outside the Student Council P resident's office.

Even if Teio herself stood there, it couldn't be worse than staying inside. Besides, wasn't Teio sick? There was no way she'd be here.

Ignoring Luck's warning, Mizuno resolutely opened the door.

As soon as it swung open, he spotted his two seniors, Trainers Kaneshiro Taito and Kaneshiro Takeru, hiding just behind it—each gripping a heavy club, poised to strike.

"Your existence-erasing outfit—it's ours now!"