Tracen Academy

Student Council Office

Symboli Rudolf sat comfortably at her tidy desk, sipping steaming black tea while browsing through a laptop in front of her.

After spending the entire weekend diligently catching up on paperwork, Rudolf had earned herself a few days of leisure. Now, she finally had time to do something she'd been meaning to: secretly digging through the academy's trainer files in search of Mizuno-san's hidden past. With some luck, she might find some interesting details—perfect leverage for a friendly negotiation.

Mizuno-san, surely you wouldn't want your little secrets exposed, right?

Yet, despite searching for a long while, Rudolf found nothing. Mizuno-san's file was meticulously blank, revealing nothing about his past.

"As expected from you, cautious Mizuno-san," Rudolf praised, slightly amused.

Knock Knock~"

Someone tapped lightly on her door.

"Come in."

"Prez~!" Tokai Teio skipped cheerfully into the room.

"Teio," Rudolf smiled warmly.

Ah, it seemed Teio had come again to chat about everyday things.

"Good timing! I wanted to discuss Mizuno-sa—"

She paused abruptly mid-sentence as she noticed Haru Urara entering the room, holding Mizuno-san's hand. Mizuno himself seemed somewhat dazed, followed closely by two more Uma Musume.

"Mizuno-san?" Rudolf quickly snapped the laptop shut, her smile stiffening slightly.

Why is Mizuno-san here? Could he have discovered I was looking up his past?

Or maybe he's here to accept a new Uma Musume trainee?

"No, no, that can't be it," Rudolf shook her head firmly, dismissing the idea immediately.

She had repeatedly tried to pair Mizuno-san with Teio, but he had consistently refused. There was simply no way he'd suddenly—

"President! We're here to register Trainer-san's new trainee!" Urara announced happily.

"!" Rudolf sprang up from her chair, eyes wide with excitement.

Mizuno-san is finally taking on a new trainee?

Is it Teio? Or perhaps another one here?

Rudolf swiftly scanned the Uma Musume accompanying Mizuno, assessing who might compete against Teio for his attention.

First, Urara, Mizuno-san's original trainee. Obviously already registered, so she couldn't be the new candidate.

Second, Mejiro McQueen, a refined young lady from the prestigious Mejiro family, widely recognized and admired.

Third, King Halo, the talented daughter of a [G1 Champion]. Certainly a strong contender as well.

McQueen and King Halo would undoubtedly be formidable rivals for Teio.

Yet both stood slightly apart from Mizuno, appearing calm and indifferent, so clearly they weren't the chosen ones today.

Teio's chances just rose dramatically!

Then Rudolf noticed another Uma Musume—a petite, timid black-haired girl hiding nervously behind Mizuno-san. She seemed tense, occasionally peeking out cautiously.

Rudolf assumed she was simply shy, dismissing her quickly as an unlikely candidate.

Having reviewed everyone, Rudolf confidently concluded:

The chosen trainee is clearly Teio!

"Teio…" Rudolf's eyes misted happily.

At last! My precious Teio is finally getting marr— no, becoming Mizuno-san's trainee! As your proud guardian, I couldn't be happier.

Rudolf immediately pulled out two fresh trainee registration forms and two elegant fountain pens from her drawer.

"Mizuno-san, this one's yours," Rudolf handed Mizuno the form, eyes brimming with expectation.

Mizuno silently took the paper, stiffly beginning to fill it out.

Meanwhile, Luck controlled his movements from within his mind:

[Mizuno-dono, you're currently incapable of thinking clearly, so leave the paperwork to me!]

[Mizuno-bot, activate!]

Mizuno: [Charmed Lv.2]

"Mizuno-san seems a bit strange today…" Rudolf murmured suspiciously.

Yet her overwhelming joy allowed her to overlook Mizuno's odd behavior. His accepting Teio was all that mattered now!

"Teio, this form is yours," Rudolf said, offering it to Tokai Teio with a delighted smile.

But Teio hesitated, awkwardly avoiding Rudolf's gaze without accepting the form.

"Hmm?" Rudolf frowned in confusion.

Why aren't you taking it? Accept quickly! Once signed, Mizuno-san will be yours!

Just as Rudolf puzzled over Teio's odd behavior, the timid black-haired girl stepped forward, quietly accepting the form.

"Thank you, President," Rice Shower softly thanked Rudolf and started writing.

"Eh?" Rudolf froze in shock.

Wait, this…this isn't right.

She's actually Mizuno-san's new trainee?

Rudolf slowly turned her questioning gaze to Tokai Teio.

Mizuno-san finally decides to accept a new trainee, you're here too, but why isn't it you, Teio?

Teio, sensing Rudolf's unspoken question, lowered her head guiltily.

"I see..." Rudolf sighed heavily, rubbing her forehead.

Watching Rice Shower seriously fill out the form, Rudolf wondered what had caused Teio to lose out.

"Mizuno-san, may I ask why you chose Rice Shower as your trainee?" Rudolf asked, unable to hold back her curiosity.

"Rice Shower... is cute... " Mizuno replied simply.

"And…?"

"Rice Shower... really cute..."

"…"

Just cuteness? Teio was adorable as well, wasn't she? So why not Teio?

Rudolf couldn't quite understand Mizuno's reasoning.

Never mind, she thought to herself.

If there's a second trainee, there can be a third. Teio would have more chances in the future! She'd just need to learn more about cuteness from Rice Shower!

For now, Rudolf focused on her role as Student Council President, proceeding formally with the traditional trainee oath ceremony.

Rudolf collected the filled forms, carefully checking them before stepping solemnly between Mizuno and Rice Shower.

"Rice Shower, do you accept Mizuno Sora as your trainer, promising to cherish him, remain loyal to him, in sickness and in health, in poverty or prosperity, until death do you part? Do you?"

"I do!" Rice Shower earnestly nodded.

"Mizuno-san, do you…(same vows)?"

Mizuno stood dazed for a moment before Luck quickly smacked his head.

"I...I do..."