Wait—are you serious? Seriously? For real?
I'd only just said I liked you, and now you're inviting me to live at your place. The "like" you just told me… is it the kind of like I think it is?
Or was what you said earlier the real confession?
One sentence from Rudolf sent Eternal Meteor's brain launching into outer space, drifting in the endless void.
"Do you not want to?"
Before she could even leave the solar system, Rudolf yanked her straight back down to Earth.
Those violet eyes fixed on her with unmistakable nervousness. The sight snapped Eternal Meteor into focus—enough that she didn't nod yes on impulse.
"Um… let me ask first. At your place, President… are there a lot of people?"
Are you kidding me? You want me to go to the Symboli household? Looking like this?
And then the very next morning some kind, well-meaning staff member—someone who doesn't know who she is—reports Rudolf for kidnapping an underage horse girl?
Sure, the odds of that happening were pretty low. She was fairly well-known now, after all. But if there was even a chance of something turning into a disaster, then it had to be snuffed out before it ever started.
If the police got involved and an investigation revealed she was actually a not-yet-fully-developed horse girl, that would be the end of everything. She didn't want Rudolf making the news like that—and it would absolutely be front-page news.
And if Rudolf's life got ruined, then her life would go down with it.
Eternal Meteor had a very clear understanding of what she looked like right now. One glance was all it took—her first impression screamed elementary schooler. She was half a head shorter than Tokai Teio, for crying out loud.
And then there was Rudolf's mouth—she had absolutely no intentions in that direction, and yet somehow always managed to say things that sounded like a criminal confession with pinpoint accuracy.
Good lord. This was the worst match. If anyone saw them, they'd get hauled straight to the station.
Still… there was also the possibility Rudolf meant her private residence. So she decided to probe first.
"What do you mean, 'other people'?"
"Ah—don't worry. It's my own place."
Rudolf blinked at the question, then immediately understood what Eternal Meteor was really asking. She just assumed Eternal Meteor was nervous about strangers.
"Then there's no problem!"
If it was the home of a famous Triple Crown horse girl, it couldn't be shabby. At the very least, there had to be a big bed, right?
Eternal Meteor grinned and gave a thumbs-up. Otherwise she'd be stuck in the academy dorms for the entire winter break—might as well find somewhere more comfortable.
Seeing how excited Eternal Meteor was about living together, Rudolf finally relaxed. She decided she'd start packing as soon as she got back today.
"Oh, right—do you want to go do a shrine visit together?"
It had been so long since she'd spent New Year's outside that Rudolf had only just remembered it was a thing.
"President… are you sure you want me to go over like this?"
From inside the blanket wrapped tightly around her whole body, Eternal Meteor stuck out a small, pale foot. The moment it left the warmth—hit by the cold wind—her five toes curled up all at once, and she immediately yanked it back under the covers.
Seeing that, Rudolf awkwardly rubbed at her cheek. Back then, she'd been so focused on letting Eternal Meteor see the fireworks that she hadn't thought anything through.
"Come on—back to the dorm!"
Eternal Meteor smoothly changed the subject, pointing toward Tracen Academy. After a day that had drained her dry, she was starting to miss the warm bed in the dorm.
"Wait! Don't carry me—just piggyback me."
The instant those hands were about to scoop her up again, Eternal Meteor hurriedly stopped her.
Sure, it felt really nice—and with the blanket around her, she wouldn't get jabbed by Rudolf's arms.
But it was way too embarrassing. People were probably starting to head down the mountain, too. Better to behave and just go with a piggyback ride.
Leaning against Rudolf's back, feeling that barely-there sway with each step, she grew drowsy within minutes.
She tried hard to stay awake, but her upper and lower eyelids kept waging war, completely ignoring her commands.
Today had been nothing but wild highs and gut-drop lows, one emotional takeoff after another, leaving Eternal Meteor exhausted in body and mind. In the end, she couldn't fight off sleep anymore—she slumped forward and dozed off against Rudolf's back.
Rudolf's ears twitched ever so slightly. She could hear the breathing behind her change, not the same as before.
She called softly twice, but got no response. Her steps slowed again on the way down, careful not to jostle Eternal Meteor awake.
To the rhythm of that quiet breathing, the two of them returned to the dorm together.
Rudolf laid Eternal Meteor onto her bed and tucked the blanket in properly. Only then did she notice several takeout boxes on the desk—along with a bowl of rice set on Rudolf's side, and a pair of disposable chopsticks resting on top.
She recognized them at once: Tracen's cafeteria containers. But the cafeteria wouldn't have this many different stir-fried dishes in one go.
Which meant there was only one possible answer as to who had made them.
Rudolf looked at Eternal Meteor—still smiling even in her sleep—and stood by the bed, teeth clenched, breathing in and out, over and over.
Finally, trembling just a little, she picked up her rice and chopsticks from the desk, snapped lids onto two of the side dishes, and quietly left the room.
She set them on the hallway windowsill and, with the moon as her only company, ate slowly—one bite at a time—savoring every mouthful.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 115)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter116)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter82)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter144)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 118
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 111
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 80
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 112
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 95
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 89
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player 53
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 61
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 65
Uma Musume: From Beginner 61
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 37
Uma Musume: I Want All 35
I Can Copy Unique Skills 36
A Guide to Aid in the Underwor 26
Summoning an Evil God, but the 27
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