Chapter Text
“We have to keep this from her. By all means necessary. There has to be a way.” Tazuna stressed at the desk. The student council room never felt any much heavier. Symboli Rudolf looked out the window of the tower, looking over the track field in Tracen. It was a bright and sunny day, blue skies, but off in the distance, tall pillars of clouds were off in the distance. Rudolf squinted.
“There’s no way they can say this.” Tazuna continued.
“Rudolf-san? Rudolf-san!”
“Hm…I’m trying to think, Tazuna-san…” Rudolf put a hand on the window and put her forehead on it. The solution is obvious. But she wouldn’t dare turn to see Tazuna’s face. It was red and streaming with tears. Tazuna wiped her face, and Rudolf looked down at the track again before turning and looking at the paper again.
“Chairman, we have noticed that one of your many trainees, Haru Urara, has not given satisfactory results in her record. We have attempted to reach you many times, but this is the final warning. We, the URA, cannot reasonably sustain such a blemishing record with our long standing culture of excellency. We must stress that she is to be removed before more believe they are allowed with such a record, or we will find a more suitable Chairman for the Academy who is less complacent. -Director.”
Rudolf felt stuck. Chained. What could they possibly do against this?
“I’ve tried calling them, but they simply won’t answer.”
“...I need some time.” Rudolf said, sighing. Tazuna nodded before rushing out of the room. Rudolf returned to looking out the window. She wondered if Urara was out training today. Best have a look. It may help her decide. And maybe a talk with the trainer too. Besides, the fresh air is good for the mind once in a while.
As she walked down to the track field, her head was looking at the floor. She was trying to rack her brain about what to say. This was just a complete mess. How could a director demand this? Why did they do this? What purpose did it serve? Urara’s charm was no doubt something, but it was an innocent spell and charm that brought good to the entire academy as a whole. But…the people need to-
Her thought train was interrupted rudely by bumping into someone. Face right into their chest. How inconsiderate of her.
She stumbled back as she looked up, disappointed and confused.
“Hey, you know you need to keep your head up while down here. Seems like the Emperor forgets to look forward instead of down at everything.” Sirius Symboli stood proudly in front of Symboli Rudolf with her signature charming grin.
“Not right now Sirius-san. I need to think.”
“Right. Sorry. First time doing something is hard isn’t it?” Sirius held up her hands and swished her tail in fake apology.
“It’s about Akikawa-san.” Rudolf let this spill out. She didn’t even know why she was saying this to Sirius out of all people. Maybe she hoped that Sirius would understand. She had no reason to believe this logically, but she did so anyway.
“O…kay…and?” Sirius placed her hand on her hip, swishing her tail as she skewed her face into a confused look.
“The URA director threatened to remove Akikawa-san if Akikawa-san doesn’t get rid of Urara-san.”
Almost instantly, Sirius’ confused face turned into a deadpan look as she looked
“...what.”
“I know this is bad-”
“Well what are you going to do about it?” Sirius suddenly raised her voice into an intense level and crossed her arms, death glaring at Rudolf.
“You’re probably just gonna bend and move to take her out won’t you?”
“No I…I’ll try to get this figured out…” Rudolf tapped her head as she crossed one arm across her chest.
“Like you did with Oguri Cap?” Sirius Symboli was now out for blood here. Mercilessly out and biting and raging at Rudolf. Rudolf, as usual, just crossed her arms and looked away. Not a single peep of a retort. As usual whenever the two argue.
“Ridiculous.” Sirius Symboli stormed off after scoffing, her ears flat against her head and throwing her arms in the air.
“Come back down when you have an answer.” Rudolf heard last before Sirius disappeared from sight.
Rudolf retreated to her office, but found someone there already when she opened the door and stepped in.
“Maruzensky-san…”
“Oh, heya Rudolf! Just wondering where ya went…why the glum look?” Maruzensky asked, tilting her head and turning her ears forwards. Rudolf sighed, went to the desk, and set down the letter for Maruzensky to read. Maruzensky squinted and read the letter, and she stepped back in shock.
“Well that’s not right! Did she-”
“Only Tazuna-san, me…and Sirius-san know this. It’s meant to be a secret…”
“Could’ve told me that from the start.” Sirius Symboli was at the doorway.
“You’re lucky I didn’t say anything and decided I’d march my tail up here.”
“Sirius-san, this is…look…both of you leave and wait outside. I just need to…think.” Rudolf walked past
“...alright Rudolf. Me and Sirius will wait outside.” Maruzensky went outside and shut the door, with a very agitated Sirius Symboli going to lean against a wall with her arms crossed, glaring at Rudolf.
Now Rudolf was alone. Alone alone alone. Story of her life. She looked at the phone, and sighed, before turning around looking outside, her ears flat against her head. The consequences of this were steep. She needed to act now…
She picked up the phone, her ears popping up again.
chk shhk chkk shhk chkk shhhk chk shhhk
She dialed in the phone number, and silently prayed they’d pick up.
Nothing…nothing…nothing…
“Hello?” A voice came over the phone.
“Hello. This is Symboli Rudolf. I need to make an appointment…”
Maruzensky’s car rumbled down the street as Rudolf looked out the passenger seat window.
“So what's the big plan, Emperor?” Sirius taunted from the backseat as she had her legs open and her hands behind her back with a smirk across her face.
No response. Rudolf’s ears began to flit back and forth to the sides. As they approached the URA building, Rudolf only clinched her teeth and her fist tighter. Then she let her fist go as the car rolled to an easy stop in the parking lot.
The trio silently made their way to the waiting room. Even
tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock
The clock was the only noise in this room, the constant plucking of tension. Even the ever boisterous Sirius Symboli was in silence. Mostly dumb founded by all of this. Now she was questioning what Symboli Rudolf was doing. She wasn’t getting an answer that she liked, which was no answer. Everyone's ears were twitching to the side, and swooshing their tails often.
“Symboli Rudolf. The Director would like to see you.” Symboli Rudolf stood up and stumped her way to the room. She carried herself with a weight that she had. Every part of her wanted to turn around, but there was no way out. No point. This was for one person. All for one. Because in order to provide for the masses, one must also look at the individuals. Because one could be the glue that holds them together.
She pondered these thoughts as the door to the director was opened. The oppressive feel of the office clashed against her aura of authority, and she stood, undaunted. The director merely smiled. She wore a normal suit, nothing spectacular, and rectangular framed glasses that sat below her eyes, allowing her to bow her head and glare if need be. Her face was chiseled stone cold, making her smile all the more venomous.
“As convincing as you are, I know why you’re here, Rudolf-kun.” The two faced off against each other, one standing, the other sitting behind a desk, their fingers interlocked and in front of her face.
“I am afraid I will not turn back on my decision.”
“I realize that, director. Which is why I want to provide a deal.”
“A deal you say? What could you possibly have to offer?”
“Yayoi Akikawa has many things to look over. So it’s up to the student council to provide overwatch amongst all the students, I am sure you’re aware of this though.”
“Yes…I suppose…so what does this mean for you?”
Rudolf inhaled, then exhaled. Then spoke.
The trio was walking down the stairs back to the car. Sirius spoke up after everyone was seated and buckled.
“So, what’d you say?” Maruzensky asked.
“Everything I could do. I need to speak to Takemori Kagi. He should know about the coming storm ahead.” Rudolf's eyes drifted as she looked outside, her tired eyes hiding the anxiety that she bore.