"You want to duel me? Green Grass?"
Narita Brian was a bit surprised, but on second thought, it made perfect sense.
She had made her stance clear to Green Grass, bluntly stating that the other's running style wasn't suited for her rival, and Green Grass had looked thoroughly unconvinced, standing her ground defiantly.
In that case, a duel was the most fitting solution.
Let's see which was better: Green Grass's hidden, patient, tactical approach, or Narita Brian's unrestrained, all-consuming, blazing style.
Just one race would make it clear to everyone who was the most compatible choice for that person.
"See? I knew it. You're really competitive too, Brian. I said it before—if you're that fixated on her, you wouldn't back down just because the other party's a senior."
Seemingly pleased with Narita Brian's response, Gold Ship squinted her eyes, arched her brows, and nodded repeatedly.
"Did she say when? Today, tomorrow? I'm ready even now."
She'd never refuse a challenger—provided they were worthy, of course.
Green Grass had a solid reputation at Tracen, on par with 'Pegasus' and 'Noble Prince'. Though she attracted less flashy attention, her skill was the real deal.
Getting to race a senior like that, even setting aside the debate over running styles, was something Narita Brian would welcome.
A match against a former Kikuka-shō champion would be the perfect warm-up for her own final crown, the Kikuka-shō itself.
Narita Brian clenched her fists, her fighting spirit burning bright.
"Whoa! Seems Brian's obsession runs deep too. Is she really that captivating, enough to make you challenge Green Grass just to keep her by your side?"
Was Manhattan Cafe's charm really that potent?
Sure, her Shadow Clone Jutsu was impressive, but I'm working on that too.
Once I can split into a whole fleet of little Gold Ships, I'll rename Tracen Academy to 'Japan Gold Ship Training Center Academy'. Now that has a majestic, imposing ring to it—instantly boosting Tracen's prestige by several notches.
Unaware of Gold Ship's wild fantasies, Narita Brian stated her thoughts plainly.
"On the track, what ignites your potential isn't the trainer, the audience, or the course—it's your opponent."
Nothing is more important than a worthy rival. The blood in her veins seemed to carry a certain energy, one that stirred the primal competitive fire buried deep within.
The desire to become faster, stronger—almost everyone who'd raced against her found that thought echoing in their mind unbidden.
Just standing beside her made Narita Brian's body grow restless, her blood churning and boiling, screaming with a wild fervor.
You could say their compatibility was frighteningly high.
If coming to Tracen was the subtle decree of the Three Goddesses, then meeting her, running alongside her, striving together—that was their ultimate purpose.
To draw out every last drop of that inner energy through rivalry!
A smile touched Narita Brian's lips.
"Being near her… it makes me feel incredibly happy…"
Gold Ship's eyes went wide, staring at Narita Brian who was speaking like a lovestruck maiden.
"Sincerity! I see your sincerity! Brian, you care for her that much too? I'm genuinely moved." Wiping away nonexistent tears, Gold Ship empathically patted Narita Brian's shoulder.
"So this isn't a story of Brian stealing someone's love, but one pure love triumphing over another! In this muddy swamp, two pristine white lotuses have bloomed simultaneously. Seems saving the world in a past life finally paid off."
"Don't worry, Brian. I'll make sure this race is a spectacular event. I'll handle communications with Green Grass and notify you once the time's set. Not only that, I'll make sure all of Tracen witnesses your resolve, far stronger than Green Grass's."
Thumping her chest, Gold Ship pledged her allegiance to Narita Brian on the spot.
"Oh… okay. I'll leave it to you…"
She didn't quite grasp what Gold Ship was on about, but the other's determination was indeed firmer than Green Grass's.
As for contacting Green Grass, since the other hadn't approached her directly, there was no need to go herself. Letting Gold Ship explain on her behalf was fine.
When the official race came, Narita Brian would prove to everyone, and most importantly, to her rival, that Green Grass's way was wrong.
She would shatter that hypocritical facade with her true strength.
--+--
Word of the duel between Green Grass and Narita Brian spread like wildfire from someone's lips.
A legendary senior versus an active dual-crown winner, fighting tooth and nail for a maiden's favor.
Of course, 'fighting tooth and nail' here meant on the racetrack.
By any measure, it was gossip fodder cranked to the max. You couldn't go anywhere without hearing people talk.
Especially the central figures: Green Grass, Narita Brian, Manhattan Cafe. Wherever they passed, people would stop, lean in, and whisper to their companions.
'Look, that's one of the famous love triangle trio.'
'The one both Narita Brian and Green Grass are in love with?'
'Yeah, to the point of throwing caution to the wind!'
'Wow… I heard. How bold!'
'Can that even happen between girls?'
'Feelings without desire are purer, aren't they?'
'Is this Tracen's holy war of emotions?'
'Admittedly, watching other people's drama is way more fun than dealing with your own.'
'Wait, is this like a martial arts tournament to win a bride?!'
Carried by the wind, the voices drifted unintentionally to the ears of the person in question.
Her legs felt weighed down by a thousand pounds as Manhattan Cafe trudged step by heavy step back to her dorm.
So tired…
She couldn't even lift a finger.
Even though her training today was lighter than usual, her condition felt worse than ever.
The voices were like invisible carving knives, hollowing out her spirit, leaving it riddled with scars.
It was hard to imagine how her 'friend' had managed to run that indescribable Autumn Tenno Sho. The surrounding noise alone could drive someone mad.
And what Cafe heard wasn't even the most direct verbal attack.
If they'd been outright, merciless insults, she might have been in an even worse state.
She couldn't find peace.
She wanted to ignore everyone around her, but those flapping mouths kept hammering the sounds into her skull.
What love triangle?! Forget that her interactions with Green Grass were purely about training; even with Narita Brian, they'd barely met a handful of times and had practically nothing to talk about.
Yet, against all sense, things had spiraled to this point.
Why did Green Grass challenge Narita Brian? And why did Narita Brian accept such an ambiguous duel? Just thinking about it all gave Cafe a headache.
Wasn't this, in effect, acknowledging their 'relationship'? What on earth was going on…
Manhattan Cafe could guess Gold Ship's big mouth was probably behind the scenes, but she had no way to stop her. Getting Gold Ship to shut up would probably require aliens from her home planet to come pick her up.
Cafe had already asked Agnes Tachyon for help, but the other just looked thoughtful, didn't promise anything immediately, and told Cafe to wait patiently.
She wasn't sure what Agnes Tachyon was planning, but there must be a method.
For now, Manhattan Cafe could only wait quietly and endure the torment of the voices.
So tired, so sleepy… I just want to sleep…
Back in her room, Manhattan Cafe changed her clothes, bid Yukino Bijin goodnight, and sank into a deep slumber.
She hoped waking up would let her forget today's exhaustion.
--+--
The clock on the wall ticked steadily. Soon, the moon rose high over Tracen, its pale light bathing the deserted training grounds.
"Hmm? Is that…"
In the darkness, a dark-haired girl sitting at the edge of the field, preparing for the Kikuka-shō, spotted someone staggering, as if sleepwalking, emerging from the direction of the dormitories.
Then, moving stiffly like in a dream, the figure slowly turned and wandered toward another dorm building.
Admire Vega? What is she doing?
Completely baffled by the other's midnight stroll, the watching girl saw Admire Vega slip into the building of Miho Dorm—the one where Manhattan Cafe lived.
--+--
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.