As if escaping reality, whenever class ended, Admire Vega would rush outside, find a secluded spot to sit and pass the time, only returning to the classroom when the next session began.
Her daily interactions with others never exceeded ten minutes. Aside from the training grounds and the classroom, she was practically a ghost.
Yes, this was fine.
Admire Vega kept deceiving herself.
If no one could see her, then the surrounding gossip about her would slowly fade, and she could return to her old days.
"Vega-chan, if you keep going like this, she's going to be snatched away, you know."
Just as Admire Vega was preparing to drift through her days like this, her roommate finally couldn't hold back any longer.
With pretty, short gray hair, sparkling amethyst eyes, and a bright red bow tied around her black ear muffs—as if pushing the adorable charm of a youthful girl to its limit—the girl sitting on the bed hugged a pillow and spoke to Admire Vega.
"Curren... what are you talking about?"
Lifting her eyes slightly, Admire Vega feigned ignorance and asked offhandedly.
"I'm talking about Manhattan Cafe. The rumors about her have been spreading like wildfire lately."
Manhattan Cafe...!
Hearing that name, Admire Vega's face instantly flushed red.
The words she'd said that day were still fresh in her memory. Every time she recalled them, she would kneel on her bed, knocking her head against the bedframe, wishing she could forget that embarrassing memory.
"Don't... don't talk about her!"
After so long, it had finally begun to fade from her mind. Now, with Curren Chan's reminder, wasn't it all coming back?
No, she had to forget quickly, distract herself... what could distract her... right!
My sister, my dear sister, that night I felt your sincere heart. No matter where you are, you must find happiness. I too will truly enjoy the racetrack...
Watching Admire Vega muttering something quietly to herself, Curren Chan sighed.
"It's not about that incident, Vega-chan. It's other rumors about Cafe."
Of course, Curren Chan had also heard about what happened to Admire Vega—about her calling Cafe 'Mom' in front of everyone.
When she first heard it, Curren Chan was a bit surprised, but as Admire Vega's roommate, she understood.
Because Admire Vega always felt that her sister's death was inextricably linked to her. She believed she carried the weight of a loved one's life, her sister's wishes. Unlike ordinary people, she was a child born by taking her sister's life.
It was this mindset that made her so withdrawn.
Every night, Admire Vega would sit on the grass, gazing at the stars in the sky.
Unwilling to communicate, disliking interaction, she would sometimes run up to the mountains in the middle of the night to camp, talking to the sky by herself.
In others' eyes, Admire Vega was just a girl with strange hobbies, as if wrapped in a transparent barrier that kept everyone at a distance, making her hard to approach.
So, many people didn't really know what the true Admire Vega was like.
In truth, she was an incredibly gentle person.
Someone inarticulate, who buried all her problems deep within, bearing them alone in silence.
Curren Chan had once seen Admire Vega sitting under the night sky, looking up at the stars with a soft smile. She raised her hand, gently waving as if stroking her sister's hair.
That was one of the rare moments when Admire Vega showed her true feelings.
She wasn't cold.
She just struggled to express herself.
Like when Curren Chan was sick, Admire Vega's expression hadn't changed much; she still wore that icy demeanor.
But wearing that very same face, she ran to the cafeteria, brought back hot porridge, and while muttering words of reluctance, spoon-fed Curren Chan bite by bite.
If her sister were still alive, Curren couldn't help but think, Admire Vega would absolutely be the perfect older sister.
Gentle, beautiful, and caring.
Sometimes, Curren even imagined herself as Admire Vega's sister, wanting to truly bask in that care. But sadly, Admire Vega didn't like her doing that.
After saying all this, Curren really just wanted to make one point.
Admire Vega wasn't an unfeeling child. On the contrary, her emotions were more delicate than anyone's.
So when she uttered the word 'Mom,' Curren understood.
Manhattan Cafe was one of the rare classmates who could capture Admire Vega's attention.
'Capture attention' wasn't entirely accurate. Curren had never seen Admire Vega act so out of character around anyone else—like drawing close, embracing, or gazing at someone so openly.
It was clear that the other person possessed a charm that truly attracted Admire Vega. Apart from her deceased sister, Cafe was one of the few who could make Admire Vega open her heart completely.
So, for that rare person who evoked such strong affection, calling her 'Mom' wasn't so strange after all.
Well, maybe.
But that wasn't what Curren wanted to talk about.
Seeing the confusion in Admire Vega's eyes, Curren recounted what she'd heard from their classmates.
Admire Vega's eyes widened, her expression one of complete incomprehension.
"Narita Brian and Green Grass are fighting over Cafe? A love triangle at Tracen...?"
What in the world was all this?
Admire Vega felt both puzzled and shocked.
True, these past few days she hadn't spoken to anyone, keeping to herself, so she might be a bit out of touch with the group. But even so, how could something this big happen in just a few days?
And Cafe had gotten dragged into the gossip around her too.
Could it be that her strategy was to bury small gossip with bigger gossip? That seemed way too extreme, totally unnecessary.
"I don't really get it, Curren..." Admire Vega pressed a finger to her forehead. "Where did you hear all this?"
"Of course from everyone talking about it. It's gossip about the seniors' love lives, and a love triangle at that—the most sensational topic."
Besides, Green Grass was a senior one year above them, Narita Brian was an active dual-crown Uma Musume, and Manhattan Cafe had just recently been invited to join the student council. Putting these three identities together, it was hard not to draw attention.
But if you traced it back to the source, it was probably that note someone had posted on the bulletin board.
Even though it had been taken down by now, the contents had already spread throughout Tracen.
Narita Brian and Green Grass were vying for Cafe's affection.
As for Manhattan Cafe, Curren had only seen her a few times during training and events and didn't know her well. But she did know how important Manhattan Cafe was to Admire Vega.
Every now and then, Admire Vega would let that name slip, whispering it quietly, showing how much she cared about this person.
So, seeing her mope around the dorm every day, looking dazed and seemingly planning to merge with her bed forever, as her roommate, Curren couldn't help but speak up.
If the one person who could truly open Admire Vega's heart was taken away, what would become of her in the future?
Curren couldn't help but feel a pang of worry.
"I-I see... so Cafe is involved in rumors like that again..."
"It's not just 'I see,' Vega-chan!" Curren Chan put down the pillow she was holding and spoke seriously to Admire Vega.
"Matters of the heart are like cracks in a teacup. If you're not careful, they'll shatter completely. Don't you like Cafe? If that's the case, you shouldn't just stand by and watch things unfold! Summon your courage and confess your feelings to her!"
Frustrated by Admire Vega's reluctance, Curren urged her on.
--+--
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.