As planned, the students from Oi Tracen were scheduled to arrive at the center around ten in the morning.
Manhattan Cafe and the others were tasked with receiving them upon their arrival.
The students were in the first group. Later, the trainers handling procedures at the school and the organizers from the local Tracen league would also gradually make their way over.
After all, for them, the school league was the first joint event between the central and local branches since the reforms.
As the event progressed, a slew of complicated issues emerged—funding problems, scheduling conflicts for the students, adjustments to originally planned races—all piling up one after another.
This ended up delaying the local academy officials, who should have arrived first. Even after the students had set off, those matters still weren't fully resolved.
"First, we'll meet up with Maruzensky and the others, then head to the station."
Taking advantage of Agnes Tachyon pulling an all-nighter for research and still being bedridden in the dorm that morning, Manhattan Cafe went to the classroom and had her 'friend' change into the school uniform.
When meeting with the student council from the local Tracen branch, wearing the school uniform was mandatory—a student council rule.
With a mask covering half her face and under Cafe's guidance, the girl struggled to tie up her hair.
Honestly, such a complex and tedious braiding method was really beyond her.
Especially with Sunday Silence in the mirror, staring wide-eyed as the girl's appearance gradually changed, her expression shifting through a mix of emotions.
Seriously, how am I supposed to do your hair like this?
At least try to cooperate a little!
After some blind fumbling, she finally managed to tie the intricate crown braid and coil it at the back of her head.
She adjusted her bangs a few times, put in the colored contacts, and a completely different image from her usual self suddenly emerged.
In the mirror, without her waist-length hair, the mysterious aura that usually surrounded her had vanished.
In its place was an elegant beauty.
This was so much better than a simple ponytail.
Who knew an ordinary change of hairstyle could achieve such an effect…
She never experienced anything like this with short hair.
"How is it?" the girl asked.
"Absolutely wonderful… Did you remember it after just one demonstration?"
"If I know the finger movements and rhythm, I can mimic it."
She was simply recreating what Cafe had shown her.
According to Cafe, being able to learn it was all thanks to Yukino Bijin's patient coaching beside them.
Finally, it came in handy now.
"Once you change clothes, it'll be perfect. As for Maruzensky… last time we both disguised ourselves, so she probably won't recognize you."
As she spoke, Cafe handed her spare uniform to her 'friend,' signaling her to change.
"..."
"..."
"Change here?"
"There aren't any other classrooms available."
"I remember the changing room downstairs is empty…"
"There aren't any other classrooms available," Cafe repeated.
Holding the neatly folded uniform that carried a faint scent of lavender, the girl wondered, why does it feel like she's been keeping such a close watch on me lately?
Every day after class, back in the room, she'd grill me for over ten minutes, making sure I hadn't gone out randomly or wandered off.
In reality, the girl had just been reviewing trainer knowledge in the library, reinforcing what she knew.
But even with her explanations, Cafe's eyes still held a trace of doubt.
'Don't… lie to me,' she even said something like that.
The level of trust had dropped to a point where it urgently needed mending.
"Well, if there's no other free classroom…"
As she spoke, the girl began taking off her clothes.
Changing clothes was something she was more than familiar with.
But…
"Cafe."
"Hmm?"
Sitting on the sofa, Cafe watched her unblinkingly.
That unwavering gaze gave her a prickling, uneasy feeling.
"Is there something strange about my body?"
"Not at all. It's very beautiful," she said.
The girl's eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.
As she took off her black top, Cafe leaned forward slightly.
"Why are you wearing underwear?"
That was a rather sharp question.
Yeah, why indeed.
"It just… happened?"
Because when she opened her eyes, she was already wearing it.
Manhattan Cafe tilted her head, thought for a moment, and said to her 'friend,' "I'll go back to the room and get you some underwear."
Yukino Bijin was still in the dorm right now, so it wasn't convenient to bring her 'friend' along.
"As for underwear, it's not really necessary to change, is it…"
It's not like anyone would see it anyway.
"It is necessary," Manhattan Cafe said immediately. "Since you're changing the outerwear, the underwear should be changed too. If you didn't prepare in advance, you can wear mine for now."
Is it really necessary?
"Not necessary," a voice murmured by her ear—Sunday Silence.
"It is necessary. Wait for me."
With that, Manhattan Cafe hurriedly ran off after instructing her 'friend' not to leave the room.
Two seconds after Cafe left, the uniform was lifted by an unseen hand.
"Let's get changed during this time."
"Is that alright?"
She had a feeling Cafe would be quite upset when she returned.
"Of course it's a problem, but it'd be even more problematic if you really changed in front of her."
"True enough..."
As usual, with Sunday Silence's help, she changed clothes.
Lately, she had gradually grown accustomed to the various willful demands Cafe made.
You could say this room had become one of the only two places she could go, aside from the library.
Compared to before, Cafe seemed to like this place even more now.
In this dimly lit room, there were no shameless, glaring words, no harsh, misinformed voices.
Here, there were only neatly arranged, fascinating storybooks.
Walls adorned with beautifully intricate patterns.
And the dazzling starry sky painting hanging on the wall.
It felt similar to the mysterious space within the mirror—a world set apart from the rest.
Here, she could immerse herself among her treasured collections, spending time with her 'friend' free from distractions.
Manhattan Cafe loved this place more than ever.
"This is escapism."
Slender fingers touched the mirror's surface, sending out ripples like disturbed water.
Every time she saw news reports, Cafe's expression turned sour.
Especially when she overheard people in the corridors casting doubt on the black Uma Musume, Cafe would tremble all over.
Those vile words didn't affect her, but they made Cafe feel awful.
She hadn't intended to pay any mind to those ignorant people.
But seeing Cafe like that—
She just felt she couldn't easily ignore it.
Inside the mirror, the black-haired girl curled her lips into something between a smile and a smirk.
Even with her changed appearance, nothing could diminish the arrogant aura she exuded from within.
"It's… somewhat irritating," the girl said softly, a sharp intensity radiating from her.
Foolish acts by foolish people.
Would surely—
"Be paid back in full."
With a rustle, the door opened.
Manhattan Cafe had returned, holding a bag containing white underwear.
Seeing her 'friend' already changed and looking in the mirror, Cafe's brows furrowed slightly.
"You've… already changed?"
"Yeah, on second thought, there's no rush."
There'd be plenty more events in the future anyway.
Hearing this, Cafe thought for a moment, then nodded and put the clothes into the cabinet.
That was true enough.
After all, there was still a long time ahead.
--+--
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.