"...What are you talking about? Why would I drug my trainer?" Platinum looked utterly bewildered.
"...If not for your trainer, then are you planning to take it yourself?" Agnes Tachyon looked equally confused.
The two stared at each other, each sensing a fundamental misunderstanding had taken root.
"What on earth have you been selling to the students all this time!" Platinum's face flushed crimson as she shot to her feet, pointing an accusing finger at Agnes Tachyon.
The scene's completely shifted! It's totally derailed!
Symboli Rudolf, what are you doing? You've been president for so long, and Agnes Tachyon has been carrying on this kind of business right under your nose all this time, and you had no idea?
"Tch..." Agnes Tachyon turned her face away. "I shouldn't have left my room today..."
"Let's get one thing straight," she said, pointing back at Platinum. "I'm not the one peddling it. The students come begging me, and I reluctantly provide it. It's a nuisance for me too. Some block my dorm door, others camp out at the lab, some even stalk me at the library... I need a normal life too."
Biting back the torrent of criticisms rising in her throat, Platinum silently reminded herself: Don't forget why you came here today!
"...Anyway, that's none of my business." Platinum pressed her hands flat on the table. "Do you have the medicine or not? I mean the kind you take yourself."
"I can pretend I didn't hear anything you just said."
Agnes Tachyon smoothed her bangs and shot Platinum a sidelong glance.
"I don't have that."
"How can you not have it? I've heard all about your—"
"I have no intention of turning students into drug addicts," Agnes Tachyon cut her off coldly. "Or are you trying to say you see me as someone with no principles whatsoever?"
"My research into pharmaceuticals is to help those with deficiencies stand on the same starting line as everyone else. Not to provide shortcuts for some."
"Athletic competition is a sacred thing, Miss Platinum. Please leave. I can also choose to forget what you said earlier."
A waitress arrived with steaming tea and pastries. Agnes Tachyon pushed one cup of black tea towards Platinum.
"I'm not a counselor, and I'm certainly not your parent. I have no interest in listening to you whine and plead your reasons. The answer is simply no."
Platinum realized things had reached another impasse. She had to persuade Agnes Tachyon personally, to get her on her side.
But her current reason for persuading her was still too flimsy—unless she told her the truth about Soul Dissolution Syndrome.
And how could she reveal such a secret to anyone—
Wait. Why couldn't she tell Agnes Tachyon?
In fact, even if she convinced Agnes Tachyon now, if she wanted her treatment later, she'd have to confess every detail of her condition anyway.
From the very start, there had been no choice. She had to come clean to Agnes Tachyon no matter what.
So, what were the consequences of telling Agnes Tachyon about Soul Dissolution Syndrome?
The reason she hadn't told Symboli Rudolf the truth before... was because if she knew, she would absolutely forbid her from continuing to run.
Given Symboli Rudolf's current personality, Platinum would be placed under strict surveillance. A fierce, terrible argument would erupt between them... and the final victor would undoubtedly be Symboli Rudolf.
Platinum knew full well that Symboli Rudolf's intentions were good. But she herself had reasons she absolutely had to keep running.
So, what about laying it all out for Agnes Tachyon?
There was no such risk. Agnes Tachyon herself had just said—[I'm not a counselor, and I'm certainly not your parent.]
Agnes Tachyon was indifferent to others, or rather, there were very few people who truly mattered to her. Towards everything else, she adopted a laissez-faire attitude.
Having reached this conclusion, Platinum hesitated no longer.
"I think there's been a misunderstanding between us." Platinum took the bottle of suppressants from her pocket, placed it on the table, and slid it towards Agnes Tachyon.
"What, are you trying to tell me you're already an addict?" Agnes Tachyon picked up the bottle. "This is a massive dosage... and American-made, too. The kind used for abuse..."
Her voice trailed off as she spoke.
"...I've never seen a drug like this." She turned the bottle over, examining it from all angles, her expression growing graver with each passing moment. "This isn't a health supplement, nor is it a training aid. No hormones, not a stimulant. This is... for treating what illness?"
"I'm sick. Very seriously ill. You're the only one who can save me." Platinum pressed her lips together.
Agnes Tachyon held her forehead, tapping a teaspoon against it. "...This is troublesome."
"I regret this. I really wish I hadn't come today," she sighed.
She picked up a pastry, hesitated, then put it back down. Stood up, paced a few steps, and sat back down.
"Listen, Platinum. I'm not a miracle worker. In your condition, you should go talk to the Tracen Academy president. Let Symboli Rudolf find you a proper doctor—"
"I want to keep running." Platinum looked straight into Agnes Tachyon's eyes. "You've experienced that feeling before, haven't you?"
"The track is right there. The finish line you dream of is right there. No matter what, there are reasons you simply cannot turn back."
"Agnes Tachyon," Platinum said softly. "You're an Uma Musume who retired after only four races. I think you can understand this feeling."
"The fruit of victory is right there, almost within reach. Just one more step forward, one more is all it takes... but the chains behind you wrap around you tightly, holding you back until you die, never able to take that step."
"Haven't you ever woken from a nightmare at midnight and stared at your own legs?"
"In those moments, didn't you ever think... if only, if only your legs were stronger, could you have gone further, achieved greater glory, instead of being labeled the 'Phantom Horse' like you are now?"
"Heh... Hehe, ahahahaha..." Agnes Tachyon let out a dry, humorless laugh. "I've had different people tell me all sorts of things like that already."
Agnes Tachyon stirred her teacup with the spoon. "That's just how it is. There are some things that simply cannot be changed, no matter what."
"And I don't want to hear any more from you. You'd better go find a doctor, quickly. Consider that my advice to you."
With that, Agnes Tachyon brushed off her clothes, stood up, and turned to walk out the door, without even touching her pastry or tea.
"Agnes Tachyon!"Platinum stood and called out loudly, but Agnes Tachyon merely waved a hand behind her back without turning around.
"Agnes Tachyon! Don't you want to witness it—to see what heights the most perfect physique can ultimately reach?!"
Platinum struck her own chest, her voice hoarse. "These legs of mine—they are the most perfect legs you've been searching for all along!"
"You're only one step away from achieving your dream!"
Agnes Tachyon stopped in her tracks. She turned her head, her crimson eyes fixed on Platinum's face, scrutinizing her figure brazenly before finally settling on her legs.
"Foolish fantasy."
Agnes Tachyon scoffed derisively. "You've only just entered Tracen Academy. You naturally have no idea just how many—"
"How many geniuses there are, is that it?" Platinum gritted her teeth and pointed at herself. "Then why don't you test it out yourself? How about that?"
--+--
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.