Rather than dwell on what would happen tonight to that young trainer, Mizuno's group found an empty table and called a server to order.

"Prez, Mizuno, I'm going to the restroom first," Tokai Teio said, leaving her seat for the restaurant bathroom.

After Teio left, Mizuno couldn't help glancing again at the young trainer celebrating his Uma's birthday. Just imagining that poor guy's fate tonight filled him with grief; he offered a silent prayer.

Symboli Rudolf also noticed where Mizuno was looking. She guessed what he was thinking, leaned close, and whispered:

"Mizuno, rest assured. I will not allow such a thing to happen. As long as you remain Teio's trainer, I will protect you."

Mizuno: "..."

So… she saw straight through what he was afraid of…

Though Mizuno was touched by Rudolf's promise, it was clearly conditional. Her protection would only last as long as he continued as Teio's trainer.

But he'd already agreed yesterday to become Teio's official trainer. There was no backing out. The condition was already satisfied.

He just hoped that when Teio tried to lock him into the Monarch's Basement, Rudolf really would stop her—and not help tie him up instead…

When Teio returned, the server also arrived with menus.

Server: "What would you like to eat?"

Teio: "Uma-sized carrot roast meat!"

Rudolf: "I'll have the Uma-sized carrot roast meat as well."

Mizuno: "Uh, one human-sized carrot roast meat… and a bowl of rice."

"Hm? Onii-sama?"

Several kilometers away, Rice Shower seemed to sense something. She lifted her head in that direction, ears twitching happily.

Maybe she was mistaken. She didn't press it, and returned to her task.

Meanwhile, there was one curious thing—wherever Mizuno went, it seemed a certain gray-haired Uma always turned up nearby.

Because Mizuno spotted, in the restaurant's kitchen, Gold Ship—washing dishes. Every so often she'd stop, peek out toward him, confirm nothing was wrong, then return to her work...

Apparently, she had once again predicted Mizuno's itinerary, and found a part-time job here ahead of time.

After ordering, the food came quickly. Everyone began their meal.

Half an hour later, they left the restaurant. Gold Ship finished her dishwashing shift and quietly tailed them again.

Since they were full and it wasn't yet afternoon, they decided to stroll around first, to digest, before heading to the bookstore.

Soon they crossed a pedestrian bridge. They were about to take the stairs down, when from below a man in a black suit appeared, walking up toward them.

He was somewhat good-looking, a stranger. Mizuno and Teio had never seen him, but Rudolf seemed to recognize him.

When their eyes met, both froze.

"..." Rudolf's lips twitched. She actually stepped back.

The man's face went from shock to glee, like a wolf sighting a lamb.

"Luna?!"

Then, in the most absurd running posture imaginable, he dashed toward her, skipping steps, shouting as he ran:

"Luna! Luna!"

"..." Rudolf did not respond. A headache was already forming.

Mizuno glanced back, then at the man running up, curiosity piqued.

To call President Rudolf by her nickname right to her face… clearly, this man's relationship with her wasn't simple.

"President's friend?" Mizuno asked.

Rudolf shook her head. "Not a friend. Just… a fan."

"Oh? A fan?" Mizuno grew more curious.

"If he's just a fan, why call you Luna so affectionately?"

Rudolf gave an awkward smile.

"Luna is my childhood nickname. Only family and old friends from my hometown use it. But this fan—he somehow learned it. From the first time we met, he's always called me Luna. It's troubling..."

"I see..." Mizuno raised his brows.

How rare—to see Rudolf openly show dislike for someone! Completely unlike her usual self.

What had this man done, to make the Emperor, who treated everyone the same, visibly annoyed?

About ten seconds later, the suited man reached them, panting.

"Luna, do you remember me? I'm Tobu Makoto!"

"Pfft!" Mizuno couldn't hold back his laughter.

"?" The sudden laugh made Tobu instantly wary. He scanned toward the sound.

And then, slowly, from the edge of his vision, Mizuno appeared—his presence so faint it was as if he hadn't existed at all.

Strange. There was another person here? How could someone's presence be this low...

Tobu frowned slightly.

"And you are?"

"Ahem." Mizuno coughed a few times before replying:

"I'm President Rudolf's friend."

"You..."

"I'm a woman."

"Phew, then it's fine."

Hearing she was female, Tobu relaxed instantly, dismissing her existence.

Then he noticed Teio beside them.

"Luna, is this your little sister?"

"This is my junior, Tokai Teio. An extraordinarily gifted child." Speaking of Teio filled Rudolf with pride. Her mood visibly lifted as she introduced Teio's brilliance.

But Tobu showed no interest. "Oh, oh, oh," he muttered flatly.

The smile on Rudolf's face collapsed into something strained.

Yet the moment the topic turned back to Rudolf herself, Tobu lit up like a man injected with pure caffeine.

"Luna, you finally came out! It's been months since I saw you in person—I missed you so much!"

"Luna, you've grown even prettier. Can I take a few photos? I'll treasure them forever."

"Luna, girls have to be careful when they go out, never trust other men too easily!"

"Luna... Luna... Luna..."

Rudolf: "..."

Mizuno: "..."

Wasn't this way too much? He was just a fan, yet nagging like he was her boyfriend. No wonder Rudolf disliked him. Any normal girl would.

"Right, Luna, this is the gift I prepared for you!"

From behind his back, Tobu pulled out a plush doll of Symboli Rudolf. Its fabric was no better than those cheap claw machine toys, but its eyes shone brighter, and it was heavier.

"Uh..." Rudolf didn't want to accept it. But Tobu's next words forced her hand.

"Luna, my little sister made this. She's only ten. She worked for days and nights without sleep, pricked her fingers countless times. Her effort, her love—it's all in this doll. Please accept it! I beg you!" He bowed a full ninety degrees, completely sincere.

"Alright... thank you... I'll keep it safe..." Rudolf hesitated, but in the end couldn't refuse the feelings of a ten-year-old girl. She accepted the doll, placing it in her bag.

At that moment, Mizuno's inner voice—Fortune—spoke strangely.

[Fortune]: This...

[Mizuno]: ?

[Mizuno]: What's wrong? Why just a "This..." all of a sudden?

[Fortune]: There's something. I'm not sure if I should say it...

[Mizuno]: Say it.

[Fortune]: It's bad. But it doesn't directly involve you. If you meddle, you'll bring trouble on yourself. So my advice—don't interfere. Best not to know.

[Mizuno]: ...

[Mizuno]: Tell me what it is first. Whether I get involved, I'll decide after. If it threatens my own safety, I'll definitely stay out.

[Fortune]: Very well... then I'll tell you...

[Mizuno]: Go on.

[Fortune]: That doll... has a problem...