Having confirmed that the person she'd sought was right here in the shopping street, Symboli Rudolf didn't rush to meet her immediately.
After all, to see her again, she had to leave the best possible impression.
So…
She carefully adjusted the ornaments hanging from her ears, studying herself in the mirror.
Pushing open the Student Council room door, Symboli Sirius saw Mr. C.B. and Maruzensky, and Rudolf's conspicuously empty seat.
"Where's Rudolf?"
"Didn't she take the day off today?"
"..."
Hearing Mr. C.B.'s indifferent tone, Symboli Sirius immediately considered a tiny but not impossible scenario.
"Oh no!"
Realizing the possibility, Sirius spun around and bolted out of the Student Council room without another word.
Noticing Sirius's reaction, Maruzensky merely turned to glance at Rudolf's empty chair. She briefly considered something similar, but quickly dismissed the thought.
In her memory, Rudolf hadn't yet noticed Tokai Natural's existence, much less found her.
Thus, Maruzensky quietly turned back to the documents before her.
Mr. C.B., though sensing something was slightly off, followed Maruzensky's lead, treating the matter as strictly Symboli Family business.
...
Tokyo had suddenly grown colder, heavy snow falling steadily.
Walking slowly through the snow, Rudolf felt the chill keenly. Yet the excited beat of her heart made her realize she was truly happy right now.
The shopping street wasn't long; she soon located the restaurant.
Though she couldn't see clearly through the frosted glass, Rudolf paused outside the door, taking a deep breath to ensure her mental state was perfect.
After all, after such a long separation, it would be terrible to meet again while looking anything less than her best…
Having steadied herself, Symboli Rudolf pushed open the restaurant door.
As the bell hanging from the door chimed softly, a vaguely familiar voice sounded.
"Welcome, would you like to eat some—"
Abrupt silence followed. Hearing the voice falter, Rudolf raised her head.
Then, she saw the person standing there clearly.
"…"
"Tokai Natural. Why are you here?"
Rudolf's expression froze slightly, yet she maintained control, determined not to lose composure upon finally meeting that person again.
"I-I… I work here."
Natural's timid response irritated Rudolf, who glanced coldly toward the kitchen.
The open kitchen allowed Rudolf to instantly see that no one else was inside.
Her gaze turned sharply toward the only other possible hiding place in the restaurant—the stairs leading to the second floor.
Noticing Rudolf's gaze, Tokai Natural finally moved, stepping quickly in front of the staircase to block her view.
This act only intensified Rudolf's anger. She approached Natural directly, voice icy cold:
"Move aside."
SLAP!
Rudolf felt the stinging pain before her brain even registered what had happened.
"How… How much more will you take from me?!"
Eyes glistening with tears, Natural tried to speak again, but suddenly found breathing difficult.
Something feels…
Darkness crept into the edges of her vision.
Just then, the doorbell rang again as someone else entered.
Seeing Rudolf and Natural standing there, Symboli Sirius didn't hesitate. Without slowing her pace, she stepped forward and punched Rudolf squarely in the face.
The sheer force hurled Rudolf backward into the wall.
"Sirius! What are you doing?!"
All confusion from Natural's earlier resistance vanished. Now, facing Sirius's fist, Rudolf felt nothing but searing rage.
Thump.
A faint sound of someone collapsing reached their ears.
It was Tokai Natural.
Hearing this, Sirius no longer paid attention to Rudolf. She quickly took out her phone and dialed emergency services. "As expected, this is exactly what happens when she meets you."
After calling the ambulance, Sirius gently picked up Natural and placed her carefully on the sofa, preparing her to be taken to the hospital.
Finished, Sirius set her phone down, then turned to face Rudolf again.
"Do you have any idea just how badly you messed up?"
Without hesitation, Sirius swung another punch.
This time, however, it didn't connect.
Compared to Sirius, Rudolf was far stronger. Using only one arm, she effortlessly blocked Sirius's fist:
"Explain yourself clearly. Now!"
The emperor's overwhelming presence immediately filled the room.
But what Sirius said next left Rudolf stunned—enough to take Sirius's full-force blow directly:
"Tokai Natural is the girl from your promise!"
With those words, Sirius swung her other fist upward.
"Wha—"
The uppercut landed solidly beneath Rudolf's chin.
Uma Musume strength far exceeded that of humans—this punch sent Rudolf hurtling upward, crashing against the ceiling.
The heavy blow left Rudolf's vision completely blacked out, yet her body still felt the crushing impact when she fell back down to the floor.
When her sight gradually returned, she saw Sirius gripping her collar, lifting her roughly.
Looking up at Sirius, Rudolf asked in disbelief, "Tokai Natural…is the person from my promise? That can't possibly…"
"I asked Obaa-san about it personally! That girl from back then was Tokai Natural!"
Along with this explanation came Sirius's powerful headbutt.
Having finally gotten the answer, Rudolf lost all will to fight. She didn't resist, allowing Sirius's headbutt to strike heavily against her skull.
As intense pain exploded in her mind, Rudolf's vision sank entirely into darkness.
Seeing Rudolf finally unconscious, Sirius let go, allowing Rudolf's limp body to collapse onto the floor.
Then, Sirius turned to Tokai Natural.
Natural remained motionless, unconscious on the sofa.
But…
The edges of Sirius's vision began turning red.
She reached up, touching her forehead, and her fingers came away stained crimson.
"So, I'm bleeding now too, huh…?"
"Looks like the ambulance will need to pick up three people today…"
---
T/N: BEAT HER UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! also holy shit the ceiling from a fucking uppercut?? :Sob: