Umamusume's days are numbered

The girl paused slightly. On the page, Rudolf's signature was clearly visible.

Rudolph symbolically lifted her hood slightly, revealing her ears. Then she put her index finger to her lips, gesturing for silence.

———Now you're in my life

———I can't get you off my mind

Platinum nudged Rudolph with its elbow.

"It must be awesome to meet your little fan!"

"You'll encounter this situation someday too."

Rudolph and Platinum stood in the elevator, and the elevator door was still covered with an advertisement for Rudolph.

“Everyone knows him…” Platinum pointed to the advertisement in front of the elevator door, covering her mouth and chuckling, “Rudolph symbolizes a big star.”

“I remember this place usually displays posters of the main characters from the most popular morning dramas…” Rudolf grinned.

Who would have thought they would put up their own posters!

Ding---

With a sound, the elevator doors slowly opened in front of Platinum and Rudolph.

The first thing you see is an endless expanse of glass windows. The view is almost 360 degrees around you, with no obstruction to your entire field of vision.

The exhibition booth, towering a full twenty stories high, overlooks the entire city of Tokyo, offering an unobstructed and expansive view. From this vantage point, one can see most of the Tokyo cityscape, arranged like layers of Lego bricks. And in the far distance, with the afterglow of the sunset, Mount Fuji is shrouded in a thin, warm-colored veil.

"Although it's a bit late to say this now..." Taking advantage of the moment when Platinum was lost in thought about the scenery in front of her, Rudolf symbolically handed the pastry in his hand to Platinum.

These are handmade chocolates that I secretly bought from a French pastry shop. They were tightly wrapped in gold paper and a tin box.

Happy Valentine's Day, Platinum.

(2-in-1)

(By the way, Gosho Aoyama, the author of Detective Conan, graduated from the Department of Art at Nihon University.)

Rudolph's Symbol and Platinum Palace both feature some of Nerima's most famous attractions. It seems a Harry Potter theme park has also recently opened; interested readers can check it out.

Episode 169 Don't Let the Sunset Dye You Red

"This is..." Platinum took the chocolate from Rudolf's symbol, not expecting such a thing.

Ultimately, Platinum only saw Valentine's Day as a day to dump chocolates, so she didn't understand why the Carp Leap Over the Dragon Gate and the others were so persistent.

So, in this afternoon, Bai Jin was able to skip class and go out to play without any problem, having long forgotten about these things.

Unexpectedly, while she had forgotten about it, Rudolf Symbol hadn't. Not only had he not forgotten, but he had also bought chocolates when she wasn't looking. She hadn't bought any chocolates for Rudolf Symbol; the chocolates she bought that morning had long been devoured by Koi Leaping Over the Dragon Gate and Ibuki Mai Kagura.

"Actually, I had prepared a copy for you." Rudolf scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed, and said, "It was in the student council's drawer, but it's probably been taken by Tokai Nature and Mejiro Takamine by now."

"So I can only buy one now... I'm sorry."

"Ah, uh..."

Faced with such a straightforward president, Platinum became somewhat insecure.

No, is this really such an important holiday? Is it a public holiday in Japan? Why is the Rudolf symbol so solemn, it's almost like...

It's almost like...

Platinum immediately shrank her neck. She dared not let Rudolf symbolically look at her neck, because it felt burning hot there, like she'd been stung by a bee. Somehow, suddenly…

"that···"

As soon as she opened her mouth, Bai Jin was startled by her own words. She hadn't expected her voice to tremble so much, as if she couldn't even utter a complete sentence.

The sound was like being constantly brushed against by a feather, ticklish and itchy.

Doesn't this make it seem like he's afraid of Rudolf?

This sentence popped into Platinum's head out of nowhere.

"Ahem...ahem." Platinum cleared her throat, feigning composure, a slight smile playing on her lips. "How come the president still remembers giving me chocolate? Does he care that much about me?"

When someone embarrasses you, you should retaliate in kind. This is Sekiro's lightning retribution against Genichiro Ashina!

In short, it's about using their own methods against them, and it's especially effective against the Emperor of the East Sea and the Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate, proving consistently successful.

Rudolf symbolically did not directly answer Platinum's question, as if he did not take it to heart: "Go inside, the chance to see Mount Fuji and the sunset at the same time is not often, so cherish it."

Following in Rudolf's footsteps, Platinum gave himself a mental pep talk.

This guy completely ignored me... he just pretended not to hear me...

But not directly answering my question can also be considered an answer, right? This kind of avoidance is undoubtedly a victory for myself!

Just as Platinum was still feeling smug, Rudolf Symbol stood on the edge of the terrace, holding onto the railing and looking at the gentle sunset in the distance, and slowly spoke.

"Of course I care."

Platinum froze, then frantically touched her face twice.

"Ah, I see, that's what you meant, right? As a student of Treson Academy, and you being the student council president, it's perfectly normal for me to care about other students' grades and well-being..."

“No,” Rudolf interrupted Platinum. This was the first time he had interrupted Platinum that day.

Rudolph Symbolizes turned her head to look at Platinum. The soft, golden sunlight bathed Mount Fuji, and naturally, Rudolph Symbolizes as well. Standing tall by the railing, Rudolph Symbolizes appeared even more spirited; the left side of her face was framed by the setting sun, and Platinum could even clearly see the fine downy hairs around her lips…

“No.” Rudolf symbolically repeated what he had said.

"To me, Platinum is Platinum. I'm not concerned about a student as the president, but as a symbol of Rudolf, that's all."

"So, I must deliver your chocolate today."

"..." Listening to Rudolf's symbolic words, Platinum fell silent and turned to look at the sunset outside the window.

Rudolf, seeing Platinum's attitude, didn't say much, but simply stood quietly beside Platinum watching the sunset gradually sink behind Mount Fuji.

She originally wanted to say more, such as that she had seen a new side of him today, or that he should keep up the good work in future competitions, but since Platinum didn't want to talk anymore, Rudolph also wanted to watch the sunset together.

She is very adept at interpersonal relationships; her years as student council president have honed her into a master of rhetoric.

So what is Platinum thinking right now?

Her head was about to explode, and her hands, which were holding the chocolate, were trembling.

No... what does Rudolf symbolize?

When Platinum received this chocolate, his heart beat faster than when he received the chocolates for Ibuki Mai Kagura and Koi Leaping Over the Dragon Gate at the same time.

How could this happen? Why am I so useless?

Ultimately, why give yourself chocolate? Is it just a polite gesture? Is it a gift from a senior to a junior? Or is it because you were worried you wouldn't receive any yourself, so you prepared a minimum of one chocolate for everyone?

still···

Platinum dared not think any further.

No, Platinum, think about this carefully. Regardless of what Rudolph symbolizes, why are you so swayed by just receiving a chocolate? You've received chocolates from other people too, so what's the difference between them?

—Of course there's a difference. The Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate and the Ibuki Kagura dance were handed to him without hesitation, like offerings. But Rudolph, before handing him the chocolate, would…

return···

Wait. Wait! Platinum suddenly widened her eyes.

This afternoon... could it be... perhaps...?

Just like I imagined...? It's that ceremony that starts with the word "appointment" and ends with the word "meeting"!

Bai Jin was so afraid that her face would be tinged with the red of the setting sun that she didn't even dare to think of the word completely.

That makes perfect sense! The atmosphere has been built up to this point...

No, no, no, no! I don't know what's wrong, but it's just wrong! The relationship between myself and Rudolf is purely one of superior and subordinate!

Platinum stealthily glanced at Rudolf's symbol, then quickly averted her gaze.

"President..."

"what?"

"You have a good reason to be hunted down by Tokai Nature and Mejiro Takamori."

Platinum said this out of the blue.

"?"

Episode 170 Goodnight, President

They didn't say anything more. Rudolph genuinely wanted to enjoy this hard-won moment of leisure and watch the sunset over Mount Fuji. Platinum, on the other hand, saw nothing; her head was crammed with all sorts of thoughts, almost stretching her already small brain to its limit.

And so, the last rays of the setting sun flashed across the horizon, as if bidding a final farewell, before disappearing completely into the darkness. The entire sky turned a deep blue in an instant, and soon it would be utterly black. At that time, night would fall.

Rudolph Symbol and Platinum had dinner on the street, and after wandering around outside all afternoon, the two finally returned to their original goal... back to the apartment.

"For a while, Teresen College collaborated with an animation company to produce some animated commercials that aired on television. It was during that time when I came to negotiate that we bought a small apartment."

Rudolf symbolizes climbing the stairs with platinum while explaining.

Compared to Rudolf's iconic mansion in Setagaya Ward, these apartments are rather modest. The residential areas around Nerima are generally less developed than Setagaya, and these are apartments built quite a while ago, so the lack of elevators is understandable…

Rudolf glanced down symbolically, looking straight down.

This five-story apartment building has no elevator, and even the staircases aren't enclosed. The iron staircases are directly attached to the wall, and you can feel the wind blowing in your face whenever there's a breeze. It looks like it's about to collapse.

"Hmm." Normally, Platinum would definitely have made a few complaints, but she really wasn't in the mood today.

She was still racking her brains trying to figure out what Rudolf's symbolic words meant, what kind of psychology they contained, and what mindset he had when he said them.

"It doesn't look too good... Although it's not so good inside either, it's not bad as a temporary place to stay, right? At least we don't have to stay in a hotel." Rudolf took out a bunch of keys, turned the latch, and the flimsy door opened with a click.

The first thing you see is a small two-story duplex apartment with a floor-to-ceiling view, probably only about 20 square meters in total. From the entrance, you can see the bathroom and kitchen directly from the first floor. There's no TV, but surprisingly, there's a small sofa. Climbing the stairs leads to the second floor, and just looking at the ceiling height, you know even the Emperor of the East Sea wouldn't be able to stand up straight on the second floor. Just spread out the bedding and it's used as a bedroom. In addition, there's a small balcony outside the small living room on the first floor.

It's not exactly comfortable or uncomfortable, but it's definitely a crowded yet reassuring place.

Rudolf stretched for the first time ever: "Yawn—if you don't mind, you can go take a shower. I have some clean clothes here. You must be tired after walking around outside all day."

Platinum is now extremely nervous, and its ears immediately perked up.

Why would someone make you take a shower as soon as you walk in the door? What kind of mentality is that?

Rudolf symbolizes: Ask yourself if you have a good heart.

If someone were to barge in while she's taking a shower, Platinum has no idea how she'd be able to hide.

Thinking about it this way, Platinum suddenly felt increasingly threatened. If Rudolph's symbolism didn't mean that, all would be well, but if it did... wouldn't he be walking into the lion's den?

"At this hour, those people are probably still causing chaos at Treson Academy." Rudolf sighed as he thought of those people who were relentlessly chasing him like zombies. "I'm afraid you'll have to make do with staying here tonight."

Stay one night? Platinum's eyes widened immediately.

Platinum almost yelled, but thankfully her remaining rationality stopped her.

"President...President..." Platinum stammered, "Um...where do I sleep?"

"The attic upstairs looks rather narrow, but it should be big enough for two people to lie down comfortably."

Oh no. Everything matches perfectly.

Platinum immediately clutched his head.

That's a fatal blow!

Thinking about it carefully... isn't Rudolph's symbolism just a standard way to pick up girls?

Find an irresistible excuse to invite the other person out, then take them out to kill time and have fun while getting to know each other and showcasing your humor and wit.

Then, when the atmosphere is sufficiently built up, launch a full-scale attack, striving to defeat the opponent decisively with just a few words.

By this point, the target has already fallen for the trap, but a skilled hunter isn't in a hurry to strike. They wait until sunset, then can legitimately enjoy the nightlife: bars, restaurants, karaoke. A few drinks later, they're all warm and fuzzy inside, and anything that happens becomes perfectly natural.

It matches perfectly! Except for the missing drinking element, everything else makes sense! Is Rudolph a symbol because drinking is prohibited for minors?

You bastard, you're planning to lay a hand on a minor, yet you strictly adhere to the no-drinking rule. You're really... I'm going to cry. You're too gentle.

Just as Platinum was about to break down the door and fight to the death, Rudolf symbolically pulled out a few coffee grounds from the cabinet, casually pressed the water heater's heating function, took out his portable thin laptop, put on his anti-myopia glasses, and looked like he was in office mode.