Agnes Tachyon... What's she doing here?
Manhattan Cafe stared, wide-eyed.
"What do you mean by this?"
Facing Agnes Tachyon who was telling her to go back, Manhattan Cafe couldn't help but question her.
I asked you here to solve the problem, not to solve me.
"I know, you know, what you're thinking, Cafe." Agnes Tachyon rested her chin on her hand. "My original plan was to get either you or Gold Ship to come to the lab, but sadly, neither worked out. So, I had to change tactics on the fly."
Tachyon continued, "The pre-ordered items are on their way. Her situation will be taken care of later. So right now, we deal with the trouble you're in."
Speaking words that made absolutely no sense to Manhattan Cafe, Agnes Tachyon gestured for her to return to her seat.
That doesn't count as an explanation.
Manhattan Cafe hesitated, her feet shifting uneasily.
She didn't know if she should trust her.
"Think about it, Cafe. What happens if you leave now? So many people are watching you. You'd just walk off the field without a care."
"The whole point of solving this trouble is so you can live peacefully later, isn't it? How do you think your classmates will see you after pulling a stunt like that? What will Green Grass and the others think of you? This isn't just about what you want anymore, Cafe."
In an extremely rational tone, Agnes Tachyon addressed her.
"If you really want my help, then go back to your seat."
It was rare to see Agnes Tachyon adopt such a forceful attitude. After a brief internal struggle, Cafe ultimately chose to follow her advice, silently sinking back into the chair.
"Agnes Tachyon, if you're just trying to make a fool of me, I will absolutely... never forgive you."
"Relax." She chuckled. "An experiment is the process of turning theory into reality. The theory is already in place. Now we just wait to verify the results."
Seeming to have her own plans, Agnes Tachyon sat down next to Cafe and took the microphone Gold Ship handed to her.
"Never thought Agnes Tachyon would be so interested in Cafe, going so far as to call in just to snag a commentator spot."
"Maintaining curiosity is the proper attitude for any researcher."
"Ooh~ But thanks to you, Cafe agreed to stay put. Much obliged~" After casually expressing her thanks to Tachyon, Gold Ship turned her attention to the field.
Well, it's about that time.
Seeing the atmosphere heating up on the track, Gold Ship prepared to announce the start of the race. Right then—
"Gold Ship."
A voice came from behind her.
Turning towards the sound, Gold Ship caught sight of a flash of orange.
Soft, long hair fluttered in the breeze as Silence Suzuka walked calmly up to Gold Ship.
Her blue-green eyes flicked briefly towards Manhattan Cafe in her seat before Silence Suzuka looked up and uttered words that left everyone present utterly bewildered.
"I'm entering this race too."
--+--
At the starting gate on the training field, Green Grass looked at the girl before her with the long, chestnut-colored ponytail.
"Admire Vega."
"Yes... Green Grass-senapi." Admire Vega responded.
She wasn't Narita Brian; she didn't have that overly fierce competitive streak.
Even though Green Grass was her rival in love, Admire Vega wouldn't be disrespectful to this esteemed senior. Her attitude remained as composed and respectful as ever.
"Which of my juniors is it that you like?"
Green Grass spoke, posing a question that Admire Vega didn't quite grasp.
What did she mean? That Green Grass had many juniors? Wasn't this race supposed to be about confessing feelings to Cafe? How could there be a 'which one'?
Admire Vega pondered.
Could it be... this senior was testing me? Thinking Cafe was just one of the people I liked?
No, that's not it at all.
Admire Vega shook her head, then spoke. "The one I like is Manhattan Cafe, and only her. She alone captivates me deeply."
"I see. So it's Cafe you like..."
Just having such a clear stance was already much better than Narita Brian's 'I want them both' attitude.
"Then tell me, what is it about Cafe that draws you to her?" Green Grass pressed on.
"What about her..." Admire Vega raised an eyebrow slightly, murmuring quietly.
This was genuinely hard to answer.
To be perfectly honest, Cafe wasn't the most beautiful girl at Tracen. Whether it was the top model, Gold City, or the famous ojou-sama of Tracen, Daiichi Ruby, who resembled a porcelain doll, both surpassed Cafe in looks.
Of course, if Admire Vega were to rank Cafe in the top tier, that would be fine too. But what attracted Admire Vega most wasn't her appearance.
It was her aura... or rather, something that transcended the senses. Like the final, scattered puzzle piece finding its picture.
A perfect fit? That might be one way to put it.
In the other girl, Admire Vega had found her own sense of belonging.
As if from the distant end of time and space, she and the other were born from the same soul. Being with her brought a feeling of mutual, entangling attraction that left Admire Vega's spirit feeling utterly at ease.
So, Admire Vega couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was about her that was so appealing. But that also meant Admire Vega wasn't focused on just one part of Cafe.
"Everything."Admire Vega finally said. "Everything about her captivates me. I can't be without her."
Such passionate words made Green Grass's eyes widen.
She could feel the genuine emotion inadvertently revealed from this seemingly aloof girl.
No falsehood, no impulsiveness. It was completely considered, spoken from the heart.
This kid... leaves a good impression.
Although it was their first meeting, Admire Vega had indeed given Green Grass a very favorable impression.
"I approve of you."
"Huh?"
"If Cafe ends up choosing you, that should be a fine outcome."
"Senpai..."
Admire Vega suddenly felt like she was meeting a family elder and being praised by her.
"But no matter what, we can't let Narita Brian win!" Green Grass immediately added.
That girl, not only was her attitude terrible towards me, but she also disregards every other aspect of her junior, focusing only on her strength.
If someday, that junior stopped racing, or couldn't perform at her current level anymore, wouldn't Narita Brian just leave her?
Rather than entrusting a junior to someone so unreliable, it would be better to let this sincere girl before me treat her with true feelings.
And besides, if the junior didn't care about status, then anything others could do, Green Grass could do too. So, her winning was also acceptable!
Anyway, as long as it wasn't Narita Brian, whether it was herself or Admire Vega, Green Grass could accept it.
Just as the participants finished warming up and prepared to enter the starting gates to begin the race, the broadcast sounded again. Gold Ship's voice reached all the students' ears.
"Everyone! A last-minute announcement! A new participant has joined the race! To increase the challenge for the suitors and let these intense feelings reach a glorious climax, this competitor has resolutely stepped onto the field—!"
Instantly, Gold Ship's voice grabbed everyone's attention. People looked towards the center of the training field, where a girl with orange hair was walking slowly towards the starting gates.
The students wore expressions of disbelief.
"That's right! This new challenger is—the one and only, Silence Suzuka!"
In an instant, the field erupted.
--+--
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.