Just a few days before Yayoi Natural's scheduled discharge, when her health had finally begun to improve, Maruzensky at last returned.
It was fortunate that this trip was only to local races—otherwise, she might not have been able to come back at this critical moment.
Naturally, the first thing she did upon her return couldn't have been anything else.
"Maruzensky, where are you going?"
Seeing the rushed expression on Maruzensky's face, Symboli Rudolf asked this.
Hearing Rudolf's question, Maruzensky merely turned slightly, glancing at Rudolf coldly, and spoke in an icy tone utterly unlike herself:
"It has nothing to do with you."
The voice was so frigid it was hard to believe it belonged to Maruzensky.
Hearing that voice, Rudolf wanted to say something further, but the look Maruzensky gave her—a gaze as though looking at human trash—made her words catch in her throat.
It was so unlike Maruzensky's usual demeanor that Rudolf found herself unable to press further.
This brief hesitation gave Maruzensky enough time—and in just these few moments, Maruzensky had already vanished from Rudolf's sight.
Watching Maruzensky disappear, Rudolf frowned.
She couldn't understand what had caused such a drastic shift in Maruzensky's attitude towards her.
But recalling Maruzensky's anxious state just now, Rudolf decided against pursuing immediately.
After all, there wasn't any urgent Student Council work that required Maruzensky at the moment, so letting her handle personal matters first wasn't necessarily a problem.
Still...
I'll need to find out what happened later.
Thinking like this, Rudolf stepped out of the train station and headed towards Tracen Academy.
...
At the same time, while Rudolf walked toward the academy, Maruzensky had already gotten into a taxi headed straight to the hospital.
Her own car was still parked back at the house, so she had no choice but to take a taxi—otherwise, Maruzensky's license might very well be revoked for reckless driving.
About twenty minutes later, Maruzensky finally arrived at the hospital entrance where Yayoi Natural was staying.
After exiting the taxi, she hurried without hesitation toward the hospital room number provided by Mr. C.B.
In no time, she stood in front of the hospital room door.
The door was shut, and muffled voices of conversation could be heard from inside.
Listening briefly, Maruzensky drew a deep breath, adjusted her emotional state slightly, and then opened the door.
Stepping into the private room, Maruzensky saw Yayoi Natural and Sakura Chiyono O sitting by the bedside, chatting together.
Seeing the two of them, Maruzensky paused for a few seconds, then reached her hand toward Yayoi Natural.
"Yayoi."
Turning to look, Yayoi Natural saw Maruzensky standing there.
"...Maruzen-san, you're back."
"Mm."
Looking at Yayoi Natural's face, Maruzensky felt her earlier anxiousness gradually fade away.
Quickly stepping behind Chiyono O, Maruzensky spoke again, "How are you feeling?"
"The results just came out. I'll be able to prepare for discharge tomorrow."
Hearing Yayoi Natural's words, Maruzensky remained silent for a moment, then asked again with emphasis:
"Are you sure you're really alright now? You can rest a bit longer if needed."
"I'm fine."
Yayoi Natural's response was straightforward, causing Maruzensky to turn her gaze to Sakura Chiyono O instead:
"Is what Yayoi's saying true?"
"It's true! The doctor checked this morning. Yayoi-san's condition has improved a lot, and there shouldn't be any major issues as long as she doesn't overexert herself afterward."
Only after hearing Chiyono O's response did Maruzensky fully relax.
"I already said I was fine." Seeing Maruzensky's lingering concern, Yayoi Natural added softly, then continued:
"Maruzen-san, what would you like to eat tomorrow?"
Maruzensky blinked in surprise for a moment before replying:
"Regarding that... I think..."
She glanced briefly at Sakura Chiyono O beside her, then at Yayoi Natural, before finally continuing:
"We can decide that a bit later. I'll first ask… C.B.'s thoughts tomorrow."
The brief pause made Yayoi Natural slightly puzzled, but since Maruzensky had said so, she simply nodded quietly.
Seeing Yayoi Natural nod, Maruzensky finally added the rest of her sentence:
"Chiyono O, what would you like to eat tomorrow?"
"Eh? Me as well?"
"Of course. During this period, you and C.B. took care of Yayoi together, after all. It wouldn't feel right to only invite C.B.," Maruzensky said, shifting her gaze slightly as she added:
"Though C.B. certainly can be a bit... well, anyway, inviting her isn't a bad thing either."
Hearing Maruzensky's explanation, Yayoi Natural still couldn't quite understand why she specifically emphasized Mr. C.B., but since Maruzensky had already agreed, she decided not to worry any further.
After remaining silent for a few seconds, Yayoi Natural cautiously spoke again:
"About the expenses incurred during the time I stayed at your home…"
"Oh, that's no issue—it wasn't much at all, you don't have to pay me back." Saying this, Maruzensky slightly shifted her gaze.
Compared to her own minor expenses, Yayoi Natural's hospitalization costs were the real concern, and Mr. C.B. probably had no intention of accepting reimbursement from Maruzensky either.
Thus, Maruzensky simply sighed and returned her gaze to Yayoi Natural's face.
"If you'd like, you can continue staying afterward."
"...Is that really alright?"
"Of course. It's no trouble, and besides, it's a good thing to have someone watching over the place since the house is usually empty."
Looking at Maruzensky standing behind Chiyono O, Yayoi Natural felt a flicker of tears forming in her eyes.
As if suddenly aware of her watery eyes, Yayoi Natural quickly raised one hand to wipe them gently, whispering: "Thank you… Thank you so much."
Hearing Yayoi Natural's grateful words, Maruzensky's expression subtly softened into a faint smile.
Witnessing this heartfelt moment, Sakura Chiyono O wisely chose not to interrupt. After all, it clearly wasn't the right time to speak up.
Moreover, Chiyono O herself felt genuinely happy for Yayoi Natural, relieved that she had finally found stable support.
Although she had only heard Yayoi Natural's heavily edited version of the story, Chiyono O could still keenly sense the hardships she had faced.
Thus, Chiyono O sincerely rejoiced alongside Yayoi Natural.
...
Having finally finished dealing with all the piled-up paperwork, Mr. C.B. stretched lazily.
She intended to rest briefly before heading over to visit Yayoi Natural at the hospital.
But the person who entered the Student Council room next instantly shattered her good mood.
"Symboli Rudolf."
"Mm. It looks like you've properly finished all your Student Council duties these past few days."
Without replying, Mr. C.B. stood immediately and briskly exited the room.
Watching Mr. C.B.'s clearly unusual behavior, Symboli Rudolf didn't understand why she seemed upset.
But…
"I should first check her completed work."