Why does it feel so noisy today?
Before arriving at school, Manhattan Cafe couldn't shake the feeling of a constant, droning buzz surrounding her. No matter where she went, it felt like eyes were following her.
Still, she was already used to this kind of unusual attention.
Not long ago, right after Admire Vega had said those things in the hallway, Manhattan Cafe found herself branded with all sorts of strange labels.
Whispers swirled about how the two, seemingly close, must have some unspeakable private habits.
That in private, she made Admire Vega call her 'Mommy'. Or that she was trying to satisfy some inner maternal urge, coaxing those words from Admire Vega, who'd forgive her anything.
In short, all sorts of rumors, about both Admire Vega and herself, had spread everywhere, essentially painting them as a couple with peculiar tastes.
For days after that, Admire Vega was almost nowhere to be seen outside of class. The moment breaks started, she'd flee the classroom as if escaping reality, vanishing to who-knows-where.
And Manhattan Cafe herself was busy with league matters, with no time to bother with the gossip flying around, letting the situation ferment.
It was just like before. These people heard a whisper and took it as a storm, voicing opposition to her 'friend' without a care for what was true, willfully accepting and spreading information.
So, for this kind of phenomenon, Manhattan Cafe had already built up an immunity.
She couldn't change others, so she made herself ignore those messages as much as possible.
That's right. Just treat the people around her as if they don't exist.
She had honed the ability to tune others out.
Just as Manhattan Cafe was about to enter her classroom as usual, a tall figure leaning against the hallway wall stepped in front of her.
That ever-present weird boat-shaped hat sat on her head, and her pretty face wore a roguish grin that completely didn't suit a youthful girl.
Gold Ship!? What was she doing here?
Cafe's composure instantly shattered.
As someone who had once seen her secret laid completely bare, Manhattan Cafe was quite wary of Gold Ship, terrified she might have a loose tongue and spill everything.
Actually, she had already said quite a bit. Maybe because of her wording, nobody took it too seriously.
But Manhattan Cafe could hear the hidden meanings in Gold Ship's words.
She probably knew more than she let on.
"What are you doing here?" Manhattan Cafe asked.
It was obvious the other girl was waiting for her.
"Heh heh, Cafe. I've found it out... that little secret you don't want anyone to know…" Gold Ship slowly drawled, her words sending a chill straight to Cafe's heart.
Found out… So she knew everything!?
About 'friend'? About Agnes Tachyon? Even about Air Shakur? Gold Ship knew it all?
No, calm down, think carefully. It's impossible!
While Agnes Tachyon's character was questionable, her mouth was sealed tight. Any secret she didn't want getting out would stay out, regardless of threats or bribes.
Could it be Air Shakur then?
Forget her whole demeanor being the polar opposite of Gold Ship's; she acted like even talking was a waste of time. There was no way she'd tell Gold Ship about their... current website project.
Besides, Air Shakur didn't know about 'friend' either.
That left only one possibility, Manhattan Cafe realized.
Gold Ship had been tailing her. From observing her movements, she'd deduced her connection to the 'friend'.
Manhattan Cafe's gaze turned cold.
"Gold Ship, you followed me secretly just to eavesdrop on my secret?"
"How rude! I didn't hear it on purpose. It was totally the wind from Siberia that carried the sounds right into my ears."
Completely unfazed by Cafe's glare, Gold Ship smugly stuck a V-sign by her head and lifted her chin.
This girl…
Manhattan Cafe's fists tightened slightly.
To talk about eavesdropping so brazenly.
"Weeell, I just never imagined, even though on the surface you don't seem that close to them, you're actually this intimate behind the scenes."
On the surface?
Who was she talking about…
Cafe thought of Agnes Tachyon.
It was true she always acted like she couldn't stand her, but when it came to the 'friend' matter, Agnes Tachyon was actually quite involved. So Cafe's attitude towards her had gradually softened.
But even though her feelings had changed somewhat, she hadn't exactly shown it openly.
Gold Ship was probably talking about her relationship with Agnes Tachyon.
She'd even noticed that?
How did she know? Through observation?
She looked so scatterbrained, yet she possessed such terrifying observational skills.
Manhattan Cafe's heart was pounding a mile a minute.
"Even so, that doesn't prove anything, right? Just being in the same room together can change a relationship," Cafe retorted, almost defensively.
In the same room?
Gold Ship blinked.
Ah… now that you mention it, I heard Cafe joined the student council. So she's in the same room as Narita Brian.
Wait a minute!
Gold Ship smacked her fist into her palm, suddenly connecting all the dots.
First, Manhattan Cafe and Green Grass had some kind of shady relationship. You could often see the two of them sitting together, whether eating or training.
Later, Manhattan Cafe was invited into the student council by Symboli Rudolf. Then, within the student council, the relationship between Manhattan Cafe and Narita Brian gradually changed from ordinary students to… something else, culminating in Narita Brian saying those words:
'Green Grass isn't right for you. I'm the one who suits you.'
I see! So it's a story of Narita Brian NTRing Green Grass!
Gold Ship was moved by her own deductive prowess.
No wonder she was so angry just now. Her most hidden side had been exposed.
Thinking this, Gold Ship suddenly let out a strange chuckle.
"Cafe, oh Cafe, do you really think your excuses can fool my God Eye? Bari bari~ Detecting deception signals, automatically blocking them out, bari bari~"
Watching Gold Ship put her hands on her head like antennas, making those weird sounds, and giving her no room to explain, it was clear she was already convinced of Cafe's 'secret'.
Seeing that the situation could no longer be concealed, Manhattan Cafe asked in a low voice, "Just what do you want to do?"
"Heh heh heh, so you've finally realized you can't fool the great Golshi-sama and are surrendering, huh?"
Manhattan Cafe remained silent.
"Actually, I won't make you do anything too strange. Your Golshi-chan is known as the Honest and Trustworthy Maiden of Chivalry! I wish for all lovers to unite. Seeing such a complicated love triangle, I just can't help but want to get involved."
What the hell? A love triangle? What is she even talking about?
Manhattan Cafe was utterly lost.
"But no matter who it is, two-timing is bad. So I propose a fair competition! Since Narita Brian wants to use [the Kikuka-shō] as a betrothal gift, you should also ask Green Grass for her opinion, see if she's willing to yield gracefully."
"Then let the battle for Manhattan Cafe's heart begin! Let's see who can win your favor! I propose that I, myself, shall host this contest!"
Spreading her arms wide, Gold Ship declared her idea, plunging Manhattan Cafe into despair.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 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.