Maruzensky wasn't coming home tonight either.
She hadn't returned to the Tracen Academy dorms for some time now, nor would she be visiting this place during this period.
Of course, there was another reason—Maruzensky was busy handling Tokai Natural's identity registration papers.
So, for the time being, Maruzensky wouldn't be coming here at all.
But…
"The registration might fail."
Recalling what Maruzensky had said before leaving, Tokai Natural could only let out a soft sigh.
Of course Tokai Natural understood there was a chance of failure. After all, the administration at Tracen Academy was managed by only a few people, and if the application ended up in Symboli Rudolf's hands…
Thinking about this, Tokai Natural's face darkened.
She knew exactly what would happen to her identity application if Symboli Rudolf reviewed it.
But even knowing this, there was nothing Tokai Natural could do.
She could only wait in this house, powerless, for the outcome.
Yet just as she finished one dish and was about to begin preparing the next, the doorbell rang.
The sudden sound of the doorbell made Tokai Natural tense slightly.
This house was Maruzensky's private property. By logic, no one else should know about or visit this place.
Maruzensky's friends always went directly to Tracen Academy to see her. So logically, no one should appear here.
Then, whoever arrived at this time must be…
With this thought, Tokai Natural quickly turned off the stove and removed the pot from the burner.
Taking off her apron, she carried a chair to the front door.
Standing on tiptoes on the chair, her eyes perfectly level with the peephole, Tokai Natural nervously peeked outside.
Let's rewind the clock slightly—
...
A few hours ago.
Whether moved by some mysterious fate or simply intrigued by Maruzensky's constant recent absences, Mr. C.B. returned to the Tracen student council room.
But upon her return, she found the room completely deserted.
This was no surprise. Currently, Shinzan was only a figurehead, while Maruzensky and Symboli Rudolf managed nearly all of Tracen's internal affairs. With Akikawa Yayoi away from the academy, the two had more than enough to deal with.
Therefore, most of the time, only one person could usually be found in the student council room:
Symboli Rudolf.
But occasionally, matters arose that took both Rudolf and Maruzensky away at the same time.
This explained why Mr. C.B. now faced an empty student council room.
Yet her attention wasn't on the emptiness of the room itself, but rather—
She picked up a document left lying carelessly on the floor. Her eyes skipped past the personal details listed, instead instantly landing on the applicant's name at the bottom-right corner:
Maruzensky.
Seeing this, Mr. C.B.'s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
She knew Maruzensky and Rudolf had a good relationship, and given her own frequent absences from Tracen's student council, approving this document should've been easy.
Yet no approval had been marked on the paper, meaning—
Now truly intrigued, Mr. C.B. turned her attention to the personal information provided.
Identity applications for Uma weren't strictly complicated, but they did require basic personal data and certain necessary details, including a registered residential address.
Her eyes narrowed sharply upon seeing the listed address.
This place…
Recognizing the address immediately—having once gone house-hunting there with Maruzensky herself—Mr. C.B.'s lips curled into a mischievous smile.
...
Standing at the doorstep was an Uma wearing a small, signature hat.
Although Symboli Rudolf's recent undefeated Triple Crown had overshadowed many figures, Tokai Natural recognized this visitor instantly.
Realizing who stood outside, Tokai Natural's knees instantly gave out, sending her crashing down onto the chair she'd brought along.
For Mr. C.B. to appear here, there had to be a reason.
Given Mr. C.B.'s personality, even though she lived freely and casually, every action she took was carefully deliberate.
So, if Mr. C.B. was here now, there could only be one reason:
Something had gone wrong with her new identity application.
Just as Tokai Natural attempted to stand again, a playful voice drifted through the closed door:
"You're inside, aren't you, Tokai Natural?"
Investigating someone's identity wasn't difficult at all for Mr. C.B. With a photograph in hand, finding a specific Uma among the student body was practically effortless, given Uma's distinctive physical traits.
Precisely for this reason, Mr. C.B. could so confidently call out Tokai Natural's name.
Hearing her own name spoken so clearly from outside, Tokai Natural's expression hardened even further.
Initially, she had thought to simply pretend not to be home and avoid this situation altogether, but—
Mr. C.B. already knew exactly who she was and clearly knew her history as well. Thus, Tokai Natural realized one crucial fact:
Mr. C.B. already knew, without a doubt, that she lived here.
So, reluctantly leaving the chair, Tokai Natural moved it aside and opened the door.
"Oh, you really are here," Mr. C.B. remarked casually, not even bothering to pause at the doorway as she strode right into the house.
Watching Mr. C.B. so casually enter, Tokai Natural's attention focused entirely on the photocopied document in her hand.
Tokai Natural recognized it immediately: the photocopy of her identity application. But now…
Did Maruzensky fail?
This thought sent a wave of anxiety through Tokai Natural, and she lifted her gaze hesitantly toward Mr. C.B.
Mr. C.B. didn't seem to mind Tokai Natural's lack of greeting at all. After all, she knew very well that her sudden appearance would inevitably cause Tokai Natural some panic.
Instead, her eyes leisurely swept through the room—quickly noticing the kitchen and the pots and pans still resting on the stove, as well as a freshly cooked dish emitting faint wisps of steam.
She sniffed the air theatrically, then said in a playful tone, "It seems I've come at just the right time for dinner. Won't you invite me to eat?"
"Eh…?"
Faced with this bizarrely sudden shift in topic, Tokai Natural visibly faltered.
"I said," Mr. C.B. clarified with a cheerful, relaxed expression, "Can I stay here for dinner?"
She gave a casual, yet pointed, wave of the document in her hand.
Seeing that unmistakable gesture, Tokai Natural no longer hesitated, responding almost immediately with a timid nod:
"If…if you don't mind, please do."
---
T/N: is the hag gonna get ntrd omggggg