[Fortune]: This plush... there's a problem...

[Mizuno]: A problem? What kind of problem?

[Fortune]: The plush... has a camera inside...

[Mizuno]: ...

Mizuno remembered what had struck him as odd just now.

No wonder the doll looked exactly like the kind you'd buy from a gift shop—same fabric, same design—yet its eyes shone brighter, and its weight was heavier, as if it had been modified.

Now he understood. The reason was simple: a hidden camera.

To install a camera inside a plush doll given to a girl—there was no mistaking the intent.

"Peeping, huh..." Mizuno narrowed his eyes at Tobu Makoto, who was still fussing over Rudolf, spouting endless "caring" words.

Mizuno had never liked judging a person as "bad" based only on their surface.

Sure, Tobu talked too much, low EQ, annoying. But that didn't make him a villain—just a clumsy, obsessive fan. That's why Mizuno hadn't cared much until now.

Without Fortune's reminder, who would have thought? This well-dressed, decent-looking guy—slipping a camera into a gift for Rudolf?!

Even if you noticed something off about the plush, you'd dismiss it with his excuse: "My ten-year-old sister handmade it, that's why it's a little different."

Now that Mizuno knew the truth, he realized—there might not even be a "ten-year-old sister." She could just be a fabrication, invented to make Rudolf accept the gift.

"Great. Troublesome." Mizuno felt irritation creep in.

He didn't think of himself as a "good person." If someone hit him, he'd hit back. If the food given to him was bad, he'd throw it away. He was biased toward those close to him. If his safety was threatened, he'd run instantly. He'd even sell out teammates. By most standards, he was pretty scummy.

But even so, he could still recognize true filth.

And planting a camera to spy on a girl—that was real evil. Something Mizuno could not just ignore.

Yet he didn't expose Tobu right there. Instead, he quietly slipped a hand toward Rudolf's shoulder bag, intending to steal the plush.

He had reasons:

First, he didn't want Rudolf to know he was helping her.

Last time, when Teio discovered he had been secretly looking out for her, she had clung to him ever since—forcing him onto the Monarch's Basement route. That bloody lesson was enough. He wasn't about to get dragged onto an "Emperor Route" by helping Rudolf openly.

Second, he didn't want the girls scarred.

Finding out that a fan's "gift" contained a hidden camera—terrifying. The thought of some creep watching you change clothes… a lifelong trauma.

Especially Teio, not even debuted yet. If she started believing creeps would stalk her the moment she raced, her dream of the undefeated Triple Crown would end before it began. Mizuno would never allow that.

So he decided that it's better if they never knew. He would silently solve it alone.

His plan was to steal the doll, protect Rudolf's privacy, then file an anonymous report with the police. With Rudolf's national idol status, the police would surely investigate immediately and haul Tobu in.

That way, Rudolf was freed from harassment, and no one would know Mizuno's involvement. Perfect.

As his hand touched Rudolf's bag, Fortune suddenly cut in.

[Fortune]: Mizuno-dono, you'd better not do that.

[Mizuno]: Why not?

[Fortune]: Hm. I have a premonition...

[Fortune]: If you help Rudolf escape this creep, there's a very high chance you'll end up in a situation extremely unfavorable to you.

[Mizuno]: You mean, he'll retaliate?

[Fortune]: Hard to say.

[Mizuno]: ...

He hesitated, then finally reached into Rudolf's bag, found the doll, and slipped it into his dimensional pocket.

[Fortune]: Mizuno-dono! What are you doing?! You're really going through with this? Aren't you afraid of the danger?!

[Mizuno]: Relax. You said "very high chance." That means there's still a small chance of safety.

[Mizuno]: And when it comes to small-probability events, I'm used to them. I've been through enough.

[Fortune]: But Mizuno-dono, think about it—none of your "small-probability events" have ever succeeded.

[Fortune]: Whether it was hiding your identity, or avoiding becoming Teio's official trainer...

[Mizuno]: ...

[Mizuno]: I've failed so many times already. That means, by pity rate logic, this time has to succeed.

[Fortune]: You're treating this like a gacha pull?! Reality doesn't have a pity system!!

[Mizuno]: Don't worry. I'll be careful this time. I won't fail.

[Mizuno]: And even if I do fail, I'm not afraid of retaliation. In fact, I'd welcome it. That way, I'll have a perfect excuse to throw this creep into prison—to let him "play" with the big guys inside.

[Fortune]: ...

Seeing his resolve, Fortune gave up trying to dissuade him.

[Fortune]: Fine...

Meanwhile, Tobu was still fussing over Rudolf, even asking about her plans.

"Luna, where are you going later? I know this area well. Why don't I show you some fun places? I'll make sure you enjoy yourself." He smiled.

"This..." Rudolf's face showed difficulty.

She didn't want him tagging along. Today was meant for Mizuno and Teio.

But he was far too persistent. From experience, she knew—even if she refused outright, he'd tail her anyway, unless given a reason strong enough.

Usually she solved it by retreating to Tracen Academy. Without Hayakawa-san's permission, no outsiders could enter. Problem solved.

But today she still needed to go to the bookstore with Teio and Mizuno. Returning to the Academy wasn't an option.

Cancel the outing? Leave Teio and Mizuno on a date together? Impossible.

She trusted Mizuno, yes. But her presence made the Uma feel safer.

"Luna, what do you think?" Tobu pressed, not even giving her space to answer.

"Uh..."

Just as Rudolf struggled, Mizuno stepped forward, blocking Tobu.

"Sorry, handsome. This is a girls-only outing. We're going to a bookstore, and tonight we're having a pajama party. No boys allowed."

"Girls?" Rudolf blinked, puzzled.

She had checked Mizuno's data in the official database. Male. Yet here he was, claiming to be a girl—and talking about a pajama party?

Why lie?

But Rudolf was clever. She quickly realized: Mizuno was giving her an out. Pretending, to help her reject him.

So Rudolf followed along.

"Yes, I'm spending the day with my female friend. It wouldn't be convenient to bring you."

"Bookstore... pajama party... hehe..." Tobu's grin stretched strangely. Who knew what he was thinking.

"Well then, since it's a girls' date, I won't intrude. Luna, see you next time."

After bidding farewell, he hurried off—clearly preparing something.

"Phew..." Rudolf outwardly showed little, but Mizuno could sense her relief.

"..." Watching Tobu's retreating back, Mizuno's face—usually hidden—curled into a grin more wicked than the villain's.

Heh. Now then. Let's wait for the fish to bite...