Before the weekend knew it, the time had arrived.
When she laid eyes on Cafe again, the girl rubbed her eyes.
For a moment, she thought she was seeing things.
An elegant white dress was cinched at the waist by an indigo blue ribbon belt.
Striped white tights clung to her well-proportioned legs.
A grey round hat perched on her head, covering the dark hair coiled neatly at the back.
Paired with a delicate, flawlessly smooth complexion that seemed meticulously cared for, an air of fresh, youthful charm radiated from her.
Was this really the Manhattan Cafe she knew?
A question mark practically materialized above the girl's head.
To avoid drawing attention, the two hadn't arranged to meet inside Tracen Academy.
They'd agreed on a spot outside the school grounds, leaving the campus separately.
By the time the girl stepped out, Cafe had already been gone for nearly half an hour.
Seeing her there, the girl almost thought she'd mistaken her for someone else.
After all, the change in Cafe was simply too drastic.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Walking up to Cafe, the girl raised a hand in greeting.
"Mhm, you're here."
It felt like a gloomy sky finally clearing after a long stretch, as Cafe revealed a bright, sunny smile.
Reflected in her crescent-moon eyes was the girl's own image.
"How do I look today?"
Pinching a corner of her skirt, Cafe gave a slight twirl.
"Very pretty, very cute…"
Honestly, she really was struck by her appearance.
It wasn't that the outfit itself was extraordinarily beautiful.
Compared to her 'New York Black Tea' alias getup, today's attire was far more subdued.
Yet, this very understatedness suited her aura perfectly.
To describe it…
"Like a butterfly dancing gracefully in the air."
A truly delightful sight.
"That's wonderful."
The corners of Cafe's lips lifted.
"Then… did it make your heart flutter a little?"
"Well…"
The question was a bit sudden, leaving the girl momentarily speechless.
"Yes?"
"Really?"
"Really."
"Let me listen."
As she spoke, Cafe slowly wrapped her arms around the girl, pressing her ear against her chest.
"Liar…"
She murmured.
"Your heart isn't fluttering for me at all."
Cafe sounded a little annoyed.
So it was meant literally?!
What am I supposed to do about that?
Install a pacemaker in this body or something?
For a moment, the girl was also at a loss for words.
It wasn't just the change in appearance.
The girl distinctly felt that Cafe was acting bolder than ever before.
While keeping her ear pressed to her chest, she was also nuzzling her face against it.
That soft sensation sliding back and forth over her chest, such an intimate gesture, promptly caused several passersby to turn their faces away, quickening their steps as they moved past the pair.
"Hey, Cafe, people are staring…"
The girl couldn't help but try to dissuade her.
This kind of behavior was just a bit too conspicuous.
Yet, it was as if Cafe didn't hear her at all.
Her arms tightened their embrace, and she buried her face in the girl's chest, breathing in deeply.
A scorching warmth seeped through the fabric onto the girl's skin. As the heat intensified, Cafe's breathing gradually quickened too.
"Cafe, we're still outside, let's be a little more careful…"
Patting her back, the girl's voice took on a firmer tone.
Only then did Cafe seem to snap out of it, lifting her head.
"Silence… I'm sorry, I got a little carried away."
It had been far too long since she'd last felt the companionship of 'friend.'
Finally having the chance today, Cafe really didn't want to let her go.
"That's alright, but not in a place like this. With so many people around, it wouldn't be good if someone saw."
The girl said awkwardly.
A moment ago, Cafe's hand had nearly slipped inside the front of her blouse.
It felt like her emotions were running a bit too high, to the point where even the girl was having trouble holding her off.
"R-right, you're absolutely right."
Her face flushed, Cafe nodded in agreement.
"Let's get going. We have a lot planned for today."
To ensure a wonderful weekend, Cafe had even drafted an itinerary, scheduling every minute to be used.
Where to go in the morning, where to have lunch, what to do in the evening.
It seemed she intended to make up for all the time they hadn't seen each other over the past week.
"You've already got it all planned out?"
"Mhm, just follow my lead. Oh, right."
Cafe reached out her hand.
"Hold hands with me."
She said.
"It's rare for just the two of us to go out like this."
"Besides, I've heard that intertwining fingers means hearts are connected."
"I want to know what you're feeling right now."
As she spoke, Cafe slowly spread her pale, almost translucent fingers.
The girl's body swayed slightly.
Under Cafe's gaze, she slowly extended her own hand.
Cafe seized it immediately, interlacing their fingers tightly.
"So? Can you feel what's in my heart?"
"I can feel it…"
"Wonderful. I can feel yours too," Cafe said.
"Your heart has me in it."
"Right."
But then…
Her tone shifted abruptly.
"It has others in it too."
Thump!
That non-existent heart certainly gave a jolt this time.
The girl couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.
"Silence, during your time as a trainee… you didn't do anything too extreme, did you?"
Golden eyes stared unblinkingly at the girl.
"No."
"Really?"
"Really, I didn't." The girl shook her head resolutely.
"I was just doing the regular work of a trainee."
"Then why did I keep seeing you and Narita Brian go into the lounge and not come out for a long time?"
Cafe asked.
"What were the two of you doing in there all that time?"
Thump!
Another forceful thump of the heart.
The girl forcibly suppressed the twitching of her cheeks, keeping her voice steady.
"Narita Brian's physical condition is quite poor. After every training session, she's basically running on empty. To prevent any accidents, I stay by her side for monitoring and basic care until her condition stabilizes."
"Her condition… is it really that bad?"
Hearing this explanation, Cafe's voice softened involuntarily.
"It's not critically bad, but she definitely needs extra attention."
"I see…"
Cafe nodded.
"I understand your hard work. But, compared to Narita Brian…"
She leaned close to the girl's ear, whispering softly.
"I'd prefer it if you took care of these feet instead."
As she spoke, Cafe's knee brushed against the girl's thigh, the white tights making a soft rustling sound.
Gulp—
Swallowing hard, the girl nodded repeatedly.
"I'm working on it. It probably won't be much longer before I can come to you."
"Mhm, I know."
Cafe said, "So I'm trying hard to wait too…"
Trying hard to wait for the day you return to my side.
"That day won't be too long from now," the girl assured her.
"I hope so."
Cafe looked at her.
This is bad…
The girl turned her head stiffly.
This is really, really bad.
Perhaps it was a case of extremes meeting, but after not seeing each other for a while, Cafe was showing a terrifyingly strong desire for closeness.
If this keeps up, Cafe might discover the secret of her spiritual body!
When she realizes she can touch me directly, without any clothes in the way…
The girl's body trembled involuntarily.
That scenario wouldn't be pretty in the slightest.
At the very least… before things devolve to that terrible point, the girl had to help her release some of this pent-up desire.
As they headed toward the city center, the girl ventured a question.
"By the way, Cafe, any plans for tonight?"
"Mhm, we're going to a western restaurant later."
"And after that?" the girl pressed.
"After that… it'll be quite late. We'd have to go back."
At the thought, Cafe's ears drooped unconsciously.
A single day was so terribly short.
Once the sun set, it meant today was over.
"Can't we stay out later?"
"Any later, and Dorm Head Amazon will get angry."
Besides, it would be hard to explain to the trainer.
It wasn't that Cafe didn't want to stay out later, but school rules simply wouldn't allow it.
"I see…" The girl nodded. "I was hoping we could have a good, long time together, maybe even stay out overnight."
Looks like that won't work.
Hearing her words, Cafe's ears shot upright.
"Did you just say… stay out overnight with me?"
"With so many places to go, we definitely won't have time to return to Tracen," the girl shook her head. "We'd have to wait until—"
"We can."
Cafe gripped the girl's hand.
"It's fine. We just need to ask Dorm Head Amazon and the trainer for permission. We'll say I have something very, very important to do and can't make it back by curfew."
"If they really don't agree, they can just come find me! So that's settled, I'll call them right now. No take-backs on a decided plan!"
With that, Cafe pulled out her phone and hastily dialed their numbers.
This… should buy us a little more time…
The girl calculated silently in her mind.
--+--
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.