Walking out of the restaurant, the first thing Rudolph did was lock the door.
After all, Tokai Nature's current physical condition was not optimistic, and if outsiders were to enter the restaurant, it would not be a good thing.
After checking once more that the restaurant door was securely locked, Rudolph finally turned around.
And then… she saw an old acquaintance.
"Rudolph…"
"Long time no see, Chiaki."
Saying this, Rudolph walked over to the other party, and then continued: "Come out with me for a bit."
Rudolph did not intend to let Representative Chiaki come into contact with Tokai Nature.
Because from Tokai Nature's words, Rudolph had learned quite a lot.
For example, Representative Chiaki had once planned to add some other ingredients to the medicine.
Therefore, for Tokai Nature's safety, Rudolph had no intention of letting Tokai Nature be alone with Representative Chiaki.
That would be very dangerous.
Looking at the serious expression on Rudolph's face.
Representative Chiaki gritted her teeth.
"…Okay."
Hearing Representative Chiaki's response, Rudolph simply nodded, then walked ahead, a step before Representative Chiaki.
Just like on the race track.
Representative Chiaki followed behind Rudolph, with no intention of walking side-by-side.
And as if sensing Representative Chiaki's thoughts, Rudolph slightly slowed her pace, thus walking alongside Representative Chiaki.
The two walking side-by-side did not have much conversation.
Both of them understood why the other was there, so fundamentally, many questions did not need to be discussed.
But the question Rudolph wanted to ask was not that, but… "You came to see Shizen, you must have wanted to do something, like locking Shizen in the basement or something."
Turning her head to look at the other party, Rudolph's words were direct and clear, almost mentioning Representative Chiaki's previous intention to add Air Groove to the medicine.
And just like the question Rudolph posed.
Facing this question, Representative Chiaki's expression stiffened.
She didn't know how to answer this question.
After all, she had indeed done that.
And seeing Representative Chiaki's reaction, Rudolph didn't have many thoughts; she just continued: "Chiaki, stop. Shizen is always being watched by others."
"…You, what right do you have to say that?"
Her voice was cold and resolute, sounding almost as if she was telling Rudolph that what she had done was even more disgusting than what she herself had done.
Hearing Representative Chiaki say this, Rudolph simply turned her head to look at the other party.
She looked at Representative Chiaki.
Representative Chiaki was right, at least in terms of the essence of this matter, Rudolph agreed with her, after all, the harm she had caused Shizen at that time was a fact that stood there.
No matter how much she did afterwards, Rudolph could not make the fact itself disappear.
So, she just remained silent for a few seconds, and then responded: "I truly have no right, but…"
Saying this, Rudolph shifted her gaze from Representative Chiaki: "Is there a possibility."
"What you are about to do is no different from what I once did, and it might even be worse."
Rudolph was never ashamed to admit what she had done, so she directly admitted her mistake.
And Representative Chiaki, listening to Rudolph's words, her expression grew increasingly displeased.
Because just as Rudolph said.
What she wanted to do was indeed the same as what Rudolph had once done.
Even more so… Looking at the changing expression on Representative Chiaki's face, Rudolph simply looked forward again.
She still remembered her purpose for going out; she was thinking whether it would be better to buy some raw ingredients and use her half-baked cooking skills to make dinner for Shizen, or to buy a bento from a convenience store.
Thinking about this and that, Rudolph refocused her gaze on her surroundings.
She looked at the other person walking alongside her.
And Representative Chiaki had already calmed down quite a bit by now.
Hmm, it seems… Having made this judgment, Rudolph spoke again: "Have you calmed down a bit?"
Listening to Rudolph's words, Representative Chiaki frowned.
She had not calmed down.
This was caused by Rudolph.
Although it might sound a bit strange to say so.
But… that was the truth.
Because she knew that whether on the racetrack or concerning Shizen, Rudolph was much faster than her.
And when she first got to know Shizen, she also had the idea of seeing Rudolph's judgment.
So, under such circumstances, it was quite normal for Chiaki and Rudolph to be at odds.
But… what truly prevented Representative Chiaki from calming down at this moment was the fact that Rudolph chose to walk side-by-side with her.
Although such situations had occurred before, the circumstances then were not the same as now.
At that time, she and Rudolph were at least colleagues, at least friends.
But now… under circumstances where they were clearly rivals, an opponent who had always been ahead of her still chose to walk side-by-side with her.
What did this mean? Pity?
Or was she being pitied?
This was the root cause that truly prevented Representative Chiaki from calming down.
As a Triple Crown Uma Musume, it was impossible for her competitive spirit not to be strong.
It was precisely because of this that after being outmaneuvered, Representative Chiaki would make such an extreme move.
However, if a more detailed explanation were given, it would probably be this:
Representative Chiaki, having been outmaneuvered, remembered Rudolph Symboli, which is why she acted that way.
And now, facing Rudolph's question.
Representative Chiaki also gave her answer:
"No."
"Is that so? I thought as much."
Saying this, Rudolph paused for a moment, then spoke again: "Chiaki."
"…"
Not hearing a response, Rudolph simply continued: "Regarding the medicine, since it didn't succeed, I won't say much."
"Normal dating with Shizen, as long as Shizen agrees, I will not interfere in any way."
"But I hope you won't do anything that harms others."
Saying this, Rudolph Symboli stopped. She stopped at the entrance of the convenience store.
Before she said those things to Representative Chiaki, she had already decided to buy a bento from the supermarket, as she didn't think she could make food that would suit Shizen's appetite.
So she stopped here.
And Representative Chiaki also stopped with her.
The two standing at the convenience store entrance looked at each other.
Finally, Representative Chiaki spoke: "Is this the pity of someone who is a step ahead?"
"No, I withdrew from the race."
After giving this response, Rudolph turned sideways, but her gaze still did not leave Representative Chiaki: "Tomorrow, Maruzen and I will go for a light run. Want to come?"
"…"
Looking at the unresponsive Representative Chiaki.
Rudolph didn't wait any longer; she simply walked directly into the convenience store.
And watching Rudolph walk into the convenience store, Representative Chiaki, left standing there, had a complex expression.
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