This was Sunday Serenity's first time in the cafeteria. The seats were nearly all filled with students, and the counters were lined with buffet-style dishes.
Food was supposed to be the source of one's energy. But once that need vanished, a lot of hassle just disappeared along with it.
It was like how even the most exquisite delicacies couldn't truly satisfy a starving man's stomach.
Holding a tray, Sunday Serenity stood before the buffet counter, the enticing aromas of food wafting around her, yet her heart remained utterly unmoved.
What a pity, she thought. One of life's few simple pleasures had been snatched away from her like this.
She sighed inwardly and turned around.
Not far away, at a table, Green Grass sat with her cheeks propped in her hands, a happy smile on her face, looking as though she was really looking forward to spending time with her junior.
Just how badly ignored was she normally?
To be this thrilled just to sit down and share a meal…
Honestly, I'm starting to feel a little sorry for her.
After wandering aimlessly in front of the counter for a while, Sunday Serenity's gaze casually fell upon the drink machine nearby.
Every student could use the paper cups beside it to get a drink.
Remembering how she'd missed out on Manhattan Cafe's coffee last time, and wanting to make up for that regret, Sunday Serenity took a cup and casually filled it.
There. That would be her dinner.
"Is that all you're having for dinner, Cafe-senpai?"
A somewhat listless voice reached her ears.
Turning her head, Sunday Serenity saw Tokai Teio standing there, eyelids drooping, looking rather unhappy.
"Teio, what are you doing here?"
"Because it's dinner time, obviously. I saw you, Cafe-senpai, wandering around here nonstop, so I came over to see what was up."
She was holding a bowl of freshly served rice in her hands.
Just a coincidence then. Never mind.
Just as Sunday Serenity thought she was just here to say hello, Tokai Teio remained rooted to the spot.
"Doesn't Cafe-senpai have anything she wants to say to me?" Tokai Teio suddenly asked.
"Hmm…"
Noticing the complicated look in the girl's eyes, Sunday Serenity thought for a moment.
"Keep… eating well?"
"That's not it! Senpai, I'm waiting for my compensation!"
"Compensation?"
"That's right! Senpai did all sorts of awful things to me! You're not going to pretend they never happened, are you? The worst part is how you deliberately avoid me every time we pass in the hallway! Why? I'm the victim here! My body and spirit have been worn down completely by you, Cafe-senpai!"
"And yet you're acting like some heartless cad, trying to ignore me completely after having your way with me."
"Isn't this just like what Mayano Top Gun told me about a 'playgirl'?"
Her voice was loud—no, it was incredibly loud. It was already drawing stares from people around them.
Some were even starting to whisper!
'Look, that girl said her body and spirit were completely crushed by the other one.'
'Really? At their age? How could someone do that?'
'Poor child. She didn't do anything wrong, yet she's being treated like this…'
'She really is a heartless one, isn't she?'
'Who is that anyway? Does anyone recognize her?'
'Haven't seen her before. Must be from the high school division.'
The mosquito-like buzzing voices reached Sunday Serenity's ears, immediately throwing her mind into chaos.
These horse girls, always so eager for gossip, with nothing better to do…
"But that incident… wasn't that quite a while ago?"
Are you still not over the shock?
"Because it was a while ago, you think it doesn't count anymore? Is that what you're trying to say?"
Faced with Tokai Teio's childlike sulking, Sunday Serenity felt the pressure mounting.
Her own reputation didn't matter much to her, but if this was tied to Manhattan Cafe's identity…
She could already imagine how Cafe would react, being dragged into rumors and gossip once again.
She'd probably lock her up, never letting her leave that room, forcing her to listen to stories from morning till night.
To calm the girl down and stop the surrounding Uma Musume from spreading any more rumors, Sunday Serenity hurriedly said, "Wait, wait a second."
"Has Cafe-senpai realized her mistake?"
As if completely deaf to the surrounding chatter, Tokai Teio's attention remained entirely fixed on Sunday Serenity.
"…I've deeply realized it."
"Don't think you can just write off what you owe me, Senpai."
"I'll think of a way… to make it up to you," Sunday Serenity stammered out.
Things had developed to this point entirely due to Tokai Teio's misunderstanding, but in a situation like this, the loudest voice held the truth.
Especially now, with these horse girls who loved drama already slapping labels like 'playgirl', 'perpetrator', and 'seducer of innocent girls' onto her.
Even if she had ten mouths, she wouldn't be able to explain herself clearly.
"We'll talk about it seriously next time we meet."
Just as Sunday Serenity picked up her tray, ready to flee this troublesome scene, Tokai Teio stopped her again.
"Wait, Cafe-senpai. Are you going to ignore me and run away again, just like before?"
The girl puffed out her cheeks in clear dissatisfaction.
"Of course not. I've never deliberately ignored you."
"Really? Then why do you always avoid me from afar?"
"I don't."
"You look at me like, 'Ugh, this troublesome kid is here again, I don't want anything to do with her.' It's true, Cafe-senpai, you never actually do anything, but I always end up feeling hurt all over again."
So this is the dynamic you two have at school.
"If you're not deliberately avoiding me, then where were you about to go just now, Senpai?"
"To see a senior from my team."
Sunday Serenity was getting a headache from this vexing child.
Following Sunday Serenity's gaze, Tokai Teio saw the girl sitting at the table, watching them curiously, a green hair clip adorning her head.
The moment their eyes met, the girl immediately looked down, her index fingers twisting together nervously, her eyes occasionally darting back towards them.
How suspicious…
"Is she really a senior from your team?"
Why does it feel like I'm the one who's done something wrong?
"She should be, yes…"
Green Grass-senpai, how can you get this nervous even from all the way over there?
"I'm coming too."
"Why?"
"It feels like a lie you made up on the spot to get rid of me."
What? This little girl actually thinks I'd lie about something so trivial!
"Fine, come along then. But let me make this clear: Green Grass-senpai is an upperclassman, even more senior than me. You must show her respect."
"Assuming you're not just pointing at some random elementary division student to trick me."
It seemed she held quite a prejudice against Green Grass.
By the time the two of them arrived at the table, the food on Green Grass's plate had gone cold.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Senpai."
"N-no, not at all! I just got here too! Just arrived!"
She waved her hands frantically.
"U-um, and who is this with you, Cafe?"
"Tokai Teio. A girl from the elementary division."
"Tokai Teio…" The name sounded familiar to Green Grass, and she paused. "Ah, I've heard about her from Rudolf. She's a really impressive child…"
"The President?"
Tokai Teio's ears perked up.
"What did the President say?"
"She said… she said Tokai Teio is a very promising child, that she has high hopes for her, things like that."
"That does sound like something the President would say. Anyone else would call me the Invincible Emperor-sama."
She nodded, pinching her chin.
Someone who can chat with the President… It seems, just as Cafe-senpai said, she really is a high school division senior, completely unlike how she looks.
"I suppose your credibility in my eyes has improved a little."
"Hah?" Sunday Serenity raised an eyebrow.
"But it seems Rudolf has been busy with something lately. She always rushes off right after class."
Green Grass added, rather inopportunely.
Tokai Teio, who had just set down her tray, immediately deflated like a balloon, slumping over the table, her ears slapping listlessly against the top of her head.
"Yeah… Why is the President busy with other people's business instead of paying attention to me…"
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.