Recently, Agnes Tachyon was dealing with a very important issue.
This issue was important enough that she had to cancel her original break plans and return to Tracen Academy ahead of schedule.
"To put it simply, your application doesn't comply with current regulations, so it's been rejected."
And then, she received this answer.
Agnes Tachyon didn't understand this response at all.
Because previously, this same application had been fully approved—so even now, it shouldn't have been rejected.
"Why?" Agnes Tachyon asked, staring at Maruzensky. "Wasn't the previous application approved?"
"Yes, it was approved," Maruzensky replied calmly, returning her gaze. "But that was under the previous Student Council President, Symboli Rudolf."
"Due to Symboli Rudolf's mishandling of the Climax Cup review, all approvals she granted over the past year need to be re-examined before they can pass."
As she spoke, Maruzensky watched Agnes Tachyon carefully. "Anything else?"
Agnes Tachyon frowned slightly under her gaze, then turned away. "No."
Agnes Tachyon was not someone who would quietly accept such a decision.
Neither Maruzensky nor Mr. C.B. were aware of this fact.
After all, neither had actively worked in the Student Council for a very long time.
So, their understanding of Agnes Tachyon's character was rather limited.
And precisely because of this—they had absolutely no idea that Agnes Tachyon had already decided to build an underground laboratory.
After Agnes Tachyon left, Maruzensky sighed lightly. "Yayoi should be back today, huh?"
Thinking this, Maruzensky glanced briefly at the documents on her desk.
There weren't too many files piled there.
Although Rudolf's decisions over the past year required rechecking, Rudolf's administrative competence was unquestionable, so most documents just needed a quick review.
Thanks to this, Maruzensky's workload right now was relatively manageable.
So…
"I'll just set the work aside for now~" Maruzensky declared, standing up decisively. "It's break time."
Although she said that aloud and genuinely believed it herself,
Maruzensky's real reason for leaving at this moment was simple—
She was going to wait for Yayoi Natural.
...
A few hours earlier.
"Mom, you're going out?"
Seeing Yayoi Natural changing into a different outfit, Mochizuki asked this question.
Hearing this, Yayoi Natural turned to look at her daughter. After several seconds of silence, she finally spoke. "Mm, I have something to do. Let's meet later directly at the train station."
As she spoke, Yayoi Natural's gaze shifted slightly. "I'm going to see someone."
"…I see. Then I'll let Roman-san know."
"Mm. I'm heading out."
A few seconds later, the door closed. Mochizuki stared quietly in the direction her mother had left, then finally withdrew her gaze.
After leaving the rehab base, Yayoi Natural walked slowly along the road heading down toward town.
It was summer now.
Entirely different from the harsh circumstances she'd faced in the past.
But as she thought of the person she was going to see today,
Yayoi Natural felt as if she'd been transported back to that cold winter once more.
Only, this time, her purpose was different.
She slowly made her way into town.
Yayoi Natural had no intention of stopping anywhere here, as she needed to catch the train at eleven in the morning.
So there was no time for detours.
Besides, she had come here for one reason only.
Upon entering town, Yayoi Natural moved steadily toward a location she'd asked about a few days ago.
As the town wasn't particularly large, she quickly arrived at her destination.
Standing on one side of the street, Yayoi Natural looked at the building across the road—
The only children's welfare center in town.
After the collapse of the Tokai Family, the Symboli Family had taken over the orphanage. But perhaps because this facility wasn't especially important to the Symboli Family, none of the original staff had been replaced.
Precisely because of this, Yayoi Natural now felt compelled to come here.
After all, back then, the first help she'd ever received was from the director of this orphanage. So, she felt she had to see that person again.
At least…
Thinking about something, Yayoi Natural took her first step toward the orphanage across the street.
...
"We'll meet at the station later," said Tokai Roman, glancing briefly at Yayoi Natural's neatly packed luggage next to Mochizuki.
Watching this scene, Tokai Roman turned away quietly, deciding not to interfere with her sister's personal plans.
After all, even if she couldn't find Natural later, there was always the phone.
No need to rush.
Letting Yayoi Natural act on her own wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
But unlike Roman, who remained calm and unaffected, Tokai Teio edged closer to Mochizuki. "Um, Mom…"
"If you're not comfortable, you don't have to force yourself to call her that," Mochizuki interrupted, seeing Teio struggling to speak. She didn't correct her either.
Instead, Mochizuki simply asked, "Do you want to follow her?"
"Yeah… Somehow, I feel like I need to go and see…"
Observing Teio's honest reaction, Mochizuki thought briefly before turning her gaze toward Roman.
Roman stood nearby. Considering an Uma Musume's sharp hearing, she had definitely overheard everything Teio just said.
Yet Roman's reaction was…
Thinking about this, Mochizuki looked back at Teio. "No can do~"
As she spoke, Mochizuki averted her gaze slightly. "This is something Mom needs to handle on her own."
Hearing this, Teio paused, then finally said, "Oh… Is that right?"
"Right, so there's no need to worry."
With that, Mochizuki turned around, putting the last item into her backpack. "Teio-nee, are you done packing your things?"
"Mm, all packed."
"If you left anything behind, we probably won't be able to get it until next year."
"I'm completely sure I got everything."
"Well, then…"
Mochizuki turned to Tokai Roman again.
Roman checked her phone to confirm the time, then looked up. "If you're both ready, let's get going."