Sitting in the Symboli Family's private car.
Symboli Rudolf had entirely abandoned maintaining appearances.
Inside this vehicle with fully tinted windows, she no longer needed any pretense.
After glancing at Rudolf, Symboli Sirius spoke helplessly once more: "Let's stop by the hospital first."
Hearing Sirius's instruction, the driver didn't hesitate, steering directly toward the Symboli Family's private clinic.
A faint voice whispered out...
"Sirius..."
Rudolf's voice was weak and drained.
"A plane ticket..."
She didn't mention a destination or departure location.
Her words were vague, indistinct, yet clear enough.
...
A month and a half later, fully recovered, Symboli Rudolf finally stood on unfamiliar soil.
She had never visited Europe before.
Checking her phone again, Rudolf raised her head, observing her surroundings.
Since Symboli Speed spent most of her time in France, Rudolf had picked up some French as well.
Not much, but enough to manage.
Since Symboli Speed clearly wouldn't be coming to pick her up, Rudolf had no choice but to head out alone.
Opening the French Twitter feed she'd never dared to check before, she found nothing related to Tokai Natural.
Seeing this, Rudolf exited Twitter, returned to the home screen, and dialed a number.
After a short pause, the call connected.
"Rudolf?"
"Mm, I've arrived in France..."
The moment those words left Rudolf's lips, Symboli Speed immediately understood her intentions.
There could only be one reason for Rudolf to come here.
"Which airport are you at? I'll pick you up."
Pulling out her boarding pass, Rudolf read the airport's name.
Then, the call disconnected.
The busy tone filled Rudolf's ears, leaving her in silence.
Not long afterward, a car stopped in front of Rudolf.
Seeing it, Rudolf paused briefly, then opened the door.
Inside sat Symboli Speed.
Looking at her, Rudolf spoke softly: "What happened to the sports car?"
"Sold it. A family car suits me better now." After briefly glancing at Rudolf, Speed continued: "Made up your mind?"
"Yes, I have."
Rudolf straightened her posture, gazing at the road ahead. "Is she… doing well?"
"…"
Speed gave no answer, remaining silent for several seconds instead.
"You did very well in the Dream Cup."
"…Mm. Thanks."
Rudolf didn't press further after receiving no reply, knowing she had no right to ask more.
Their conversation ended abruptly, neither speaking again.
About half an hour later, Speed finally arrived at the family residence.
After smoothly parking in front of the mansion, Speed spoke again: "I'll go ask Natural's side first."
"Mm..."
Though her voice was quiet, Rudolf pushed open the door.
Speed cast one last glance at Rudolf before returning her attention to the road ahead.
The car started again.
In the rearview mirror, Rudolf stood alone on the sidewalk.
...
When Speed returned with Tokai Natural, nearly an hour had passed.
Rudolf was still standing exactly where she'd been, posture unchanged.
Seeing her there, Speed turned to Natural in the passenger seat: "I'll go pick up Mochizuki and buy groceries on the way."
Natural quietly nodded at the implicit meaning behind Speed's words. "Thank you."
Then she opened the car door, stepping onto the street opposite Rudolf.
In that moment, their gazes met.
When their eyes connected, despite clearly knowing Rudolf had come to apologize, Natural involuntarily trembled.
Rudolf didn't notice Natural's reaction.
With her somewhat deteriorated eyesight, Rudolf could no longer easily perceive subtle movements from across the street.
Yet Natural quickly steadied herself.
Finally, Rudolf moved.
She swiftly crossed the street, stopping beside Natural.
For the first time in ages, the distance between them shrank this much.
They gazed at each other silently.
Eventually, Rudolf spoke quietly: "Natural..."
"Mm..."
"I'm sorry."
No elaborate excuses, no complicated words.
Even Rudolf herself was surprised by how easily the words—once thought impossible—slipped from her lips.
"…Mm."
"Is there anything… I can do?"
"No need. Thank you."
Rejecting Rudolf's offer, Natural simply raised her eyes toward Rudolf.
Natural's refusal didn't surprise Rudolf. She'd probably wanted to sever ties long ago. Thus, Rudolf fell silent for a long moment. "Mm, I understand."
Her lingering illusions completely disappeared.
Rudolf now clearly understood—the past belonged in the past.
Thus, she turned again toward Natural. "When will you return to Japan?"
"What are you planning?"
Natural's wary tone unsettled Rudolf, but she quickly explained, "I…"
"Sorry…"
Rudolf's apology made Natural look toward her again.
Natural didn't know what Rudolf had been through these past years, but facing the Rudolf standing before her now was somehow harder.
Had Rudolf been as cold and harsh as before, Natural could've freely lashed out.
But seeing Rudolf now—like a lost kitten with nowhere to go—Natural found herself unable to speak.
Ultimately, after several seconds of silence, Natural finally replied, "It has nothing to do with me anymore."
"I know."
"I'm sorry…"
After saying this, Rudolf turned away.
"Goodbye."
"Mm, goodbye."
Their conversation abruptly ended. They each turned, walking away in opposite directions.
Moving farther and farther apart, it seemed their paths would never cross again.
...
When Rudolf returned to Japan, it was already afternoon the following day. She once again made her way back to the old dormitory.
As before, no one else lived here.
Opening the glass door, Rudolf stepped into that room once more.
Nothing had changed since she'd last left it.
Drops of water fell onto the floor.
"Natural… I'm sorry… truly…"
"Farewell… Natural…"
---
T/N: NOOOOOOOOO AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
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