Mizuno was focused intently on adjusting the nutrient solution ratios when he suddenly heard footsteps approaching from behind. A packaged loaf of bread was gently placed on the table beside him.

He didn't bother looking back, guessing it was probably Symboli Rudolf returning from the cafeteria.

"Thanks," Mizuno politely said, planning to finish his work first and eat breakfast later.

But then, he felt a sudden gentle pat on his shoulder—not heavy, more like a friendly tap.

Thinking it was Rudolf simply responding to his thanks, Mizuno didn't pay much attention to it.

But then the shoulder got squeezed again, this time more firmly, clearly trying to get Mizuno's attention.

"Huh?" Mizuno frowned, puzzled.

Although Rudolf was usually very pushy—frequently forcing him into improper interactions—when it came to work, she was always serious. She disliked distractions when she herself was working, and similarly wouldn't disturb others during their tasks.

Even though she'd never explicitly said it, Mizuno had come to understand Rudolf's personality well after spending so much time together. Unless it was something extremely important, she generally wouldn't interrupt him while he was focused on something…

At this moment, a very bad suspicion arose in Mizuno's mind.

Could it be...the person behind him wasn't actually Rudolf?

Gulp.

Nervously swallowing, Mizuno slowly turned his head around to check.

Thankfully, it really was Symboli Rudolf behind him.

However, something felt strange. Rudolf had her arms crossed over her chest, her expression subtle and complicated, like there was something difficult she wasn't sure she should mention.

"What's wrong?" Mizuno asked.

Did she have something important to tell him?

Rudolf stared intently at Mizuno for a long moment, then finally made up her mind and said:

"Otouto, what I'm about to tell you—please don't be scared."

"Hm?" Mizuno felt uneasy but forced himself to reply, "Just say it. I'll try not to be afraid."

Rudolf stared again for another moment, then suddenly smiled:

"Actually, I brought you a surprise."

"A surprise?" Mizuno's mind filled with question marks.

Why does this sound exactly like what Tokai Teio said yesterday?

Yesterday, Teio had also promised him a "surprise" when they next met…

"And the surprise is…" Without waiting for Mizuno's reaction, Rudolf quickly moved to the tent entrance, performing an exaggerated magician's gesture.

"Tada~!"

Following Rudolf's overly dramatic presentation, a small, familiar Uma bounced happily into the tent.

"Trainer~!" Tokai Teio cheerfully played along with Rudolf's magician routine, appearing as the "person" conjured from thin air, grinning excitedly in front of Mizuno.

"Tada~ Surprise!" Tokai Teio shouted enthusiastically.

"..." Witnessing this scene, Mizuno just stared blankly for a moment, then turned silently toward Rudolf, hoping for some explanation.

"When I was at the cafeteria earlier, I bumped into Teio," Rudolf proudly explained, chest puffed out as though she'd just achieved something incredible. "She told me she already knew about Air Groove's situation and had become your helper. She was planning to come help you here this morning, so I brought her along."

Mizuno slowly shifted his gaze back to Teio.

"Tada~!" Teio was still repeating the sound effect, apparently waiting for Mizuno's thrilled reaction.

"Oh! It's Teio!" Mizuno forced a surprised expression, exaggerating his response to spare Teio's feelings.

In truth, Mizuno wasn't especially shocked, since he already knew Teio would come today. He just hadn't expected her to arrive so early.

"Hehe~!" Teio was clearly pleased with Mizuno's reaction, giggling happily with her hands on her hips.

After laughing gleefully for a moment, Teio's voice suddenly took on a mysterious tone:

"Trainer, do you remember yesterday when I said I had a surprise for you next time we met?"

"I remember." Mizuno nodded.

Isn't that exactly what just happened with your dramatic entrance?

He'd worried about it for ages yesterday, yet it turned out to be just this simple.

But Teio, unaware of Mizuno's inner thoughts, wore a sly, secretive smile, walked slowly over to where Rudolf had just stood, and began imitating Rudolf's earlier magician's gestures, preparing to "conjure" another person.

"Hah?" Mizuno instantly became nervous again.

Wait, the surprise Teio mentioned yesterday wasn't this one?

Was there another person still to appear? Were they doing some kind of Russian nesting doll routine?

Rudolf had just brought out Teio—was Teio going to suddenly bring out Kitasan Black next?

Unfortunately, Mizuno guessed wrong.

"Tada~ Surprise!"

After her exaggerated performance, Teio pulled another Uma into the tent.

The newly arrived Uma had shoulder-length hair, a yellow ribbon tied neatly behind her left ear, and a beautiful face—though her complexion was pale, looking slightly exhausted, disinterested in her surroundings.

And this Uma was precisely the person Mizuno had hidden himself away to help, tirelessly researching plants day and night, determined never to leave until his mission succeeded…

Air Groove! Read complete version only at N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

"Gwah!"

Shocked by the sight in front of him, Mizuno toppled backward, chair and all, landing flat on the floor.

"Aieeeee!! A-Air Groove? W-why is Air Groove here?!"

Mizuno stared wide-eyed at Air Groove, rubbing his eyes in disbelief, unable to comprehend how she'd appeared here of all places.

"Trainer, are you okay?!" Seeing Mizuno crash dramatically, Teio asked anxiously.

"It's nothing, just slipped..." Mizuno shakily rose from the floor, righted the chair, and wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead.

Mizuno quickly lowered his head, avoiding eye contact, silently praying Air Groove wouldn't recognize him.

"..." Air Groove glanced briefly at Mizuno, mildly distracted by his noisy fall, but quickly lost interest in this unfamiliar, black-clad figure. She turned instead, staring silently at the garden plots filled with wilted sunflowers.

"Trainer, do you like my surprise?" Teio eagerly stepped forward, proudly expecting praise. "I spent a lot of effort convincing Air Groove-senpai to come out, you know!"

Mizuno: "..."

Can I say I don't like it?

"I-it's… certainly surprising…" Mizuno's mouth twitched painfully.

"Otouto, didn't you say you'd try not to be afraid? How come your reaction was so dramatic just now?" Rudolf teased lightly.

"..." Mizuno was speechless.

Who knew the scary thing you were warning me about was this?!

Air Groove was looking for the mysterious masked man—and he himself was that mysterious masked man!

Suddenly bringing Air Groove here—wasn't this like a random beautiful girl secretly approaching him on the street, dramatically flinging open her coat, revealing row upon row of dynamite strapped inside?

One careless move meant absolute doom!

Mizuno glanced up carefully at Air Groove, relieved to find she wasn't paying attention to him at all. Instead, she remained silently transfixed by the experimental fields, staring blankly at the lifeless sunflowers.