President... Rudolf?
The tall figure stood beside her, brown hair cascading over her shoulders, the white streaks at her forehead swaying gently as Symboli Rudolf wiped up the coffee Manhattan Cafe had spilled.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Rudolf asked.
Before Manhattan Cafe could even react, a click sounded, a flash of white light making her notice Narita Brian, who had been hidden behind Rudolf. She was holding her phone.
"Brian..."
"My apologies." After glancing at the photo of Manhattan Cafe on the screen, Narita Brian silently tapped delete.
So she could get a shot like that. Of course, it made sense she couldn't just openly appear in the cafeteria.
Feeling a slight pang of disappointment, Narita Brian set her tray down on the table.
"There are no empty seats around. May we share your table?"
"Go ahead..." Manhattan Cafe replied.
The two sat down on either side of Cafe.
"I saw Agnes Tachyon sitting here just a moment ago. Has she left?"
"Yes, Tachyon had some business to attend to, so she went back already."
"I see." Symboli Rudolf nodded. "Speaking of which, Cafe, you've been spending more time with Tachyon lately."
Not rushing to eat, Rudolf smiled and struck up a conversation with Manhattan Cafe.
"It's more like I'm being pestered against my will."
"That must be quite troublesome. She hasn't caused any incidents, has she?"
She's caused far too many...
Though the thought crossed her mind, Manhattan Cafe simply said, "Compared to what she used to do, she's relatively well-behaved now."
"Haha..." This seemed to strike Rudolf as funny.
Covering her mouth, she chuckled lightly. "Indeed, that's true. Compared to before, we hardly hear any negative news about Agnes Tachyon these days."
No victims forced to drink her strange potions, no bizarre contraptions wrecking parts of the campus, no large-scale experimental drug leaks rendering entire floors inaccessible.
It was as if Agnes Tachyon had undergone some sort of sublimation, becoming far less frightening.
Of course, what Rudolf didn't know was that it wasn't due to any reformation on Tachyon's part. The reason for the lack of such shocking events was purely because she was too busy with her ghost research to find the time.
Otherwise, she'd have probably managed to blow up Tracen Academy a few times by now.
Mourning inwardly for a few seconds over President Rudolf's ignorance of the truth, Manhattan Cafe pushed her conscience aside and nodded in agreement.
"So you think so too, Cafe." Symboli Rudolf sat up a little straighter.
"I believe that the change in Agnes Tachyon is largely thanks to your influence, Cafe."
"President... why would you think that?"
"It's simple, really. Usually, whether in class or out, Agnes Tachyon is almost always absorbed in her own affairs. Even in her free time, she's holed up in her lab. Very few people have any chance to interact with her."
"But recently, you've been spending more and more time with her. So I think the one who could possibly influence Agnes Tachyon must be you, the person who shares a room with her," Symboli Rudolf stated.
Hearing Rudolf's words, Manhattan Cafe was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
"And it's not just Agnes Tachyon," Rudolf added.
"I've seen all your hard work. The various complications in the league competitions become orderly under your management."
"That's only because the seniors are there to help me."
"The fact that you've gained their support also means you've earned their recognition, hasn't it?" Symboli Rudolf looked at her.
"Modesty is a virtue, but excessive modesty isn't advisable, Cafe. You've already helped me a great deal, and I truly hope you will accept this gratitude."
With that, Symboli Rudolf bowed her head in thanks.
Seeing Rudolf behave this way sent Manhattan Cafe's heart into a sudden thump.
They were in the cafeteria! The cafeteria during lunch break, filled with students eating their meals!
If Symboli Rudolf had chosen to sit with her—someone who frequently interacted with the student council—out of concern for her presidential image and not wanting to inconvenience other students, then right now, she was single-handedly elevating Manhattan Cafe to a height she had no business being at.
A student personally thanked by Symboli Rudolf...
Such individuals were exceedingly rare, even within the whole of Tracen Academy.
To the average student, Symboli Rudolf was the absolute pinnacle of the academy, an unapproachable existence, a symbol of absolute authority. Her time was immensely valuable, her matters of utmost importance.
It seemed as if every thought, every action of Symboli Rudolf could bring change to all of Tracen.
This was the fixed impression every student held of Symboli Rudolf.
Of course, the real Rudolf wasn't quite like that—she had her complaints, her anger, her dissatisfactions—but in the eyes of these students, Rudolf was a perfect individual.
And now, this perfect individual was bowing her head in thanks to a black-haired girl.
"President Rudolf..."
The gazes of the surrounding students were already prickling against Manhattan Cafe's skin, making her feel frozen in place.
"I was only... doing what I should," Manhattan Cafe replied, flustered.
"Of course you'd see it that way."
Symboli Rudolf lifted her head. "To be honest, because of the Central Inspector situation, I haven't been able to move around freely, and a lot of work has fallen on your shoulders."
"Central Inspector?"
"Just some unimportant maneuverings by those people. Pay it no mind," Narita Brian, who had been quietly focusing on her meal all this time, suddenly spoke up. The amount of food she'd taken was more than usual.
"Whether it's unimportant or not, I truly haven't been able to extricate myself lately," Symboli Rudolf said.
"Cafe has taken on a workload far beyond the norm, yet she still manages to complete everything flawlessly. And so, Manhattan Cafe, I would like to formally invite you to join the student council."
Finally, Symboli Rudolf stated the purpose of her visit.
She had come here specifically to invite Manhattan Cafe into the student council.
Rudolf's eyes remained fixed on her.
...Huh?
Hearing those words, Manhattan Cafe's mind froze solid.
Several long seconds passed before her petrified thoughts began to thaw slightly.
Her fingers nervously picked at her coffee cup as she swallowed hard.
Is... is she joking? With her standing, how could she possibly join the student council!
That was a place only for Tracen's top-tier Uma Musume. Her own race records within the academy were hardly anything remarkable.
Manhattan Cafe wanted to refuse, but seeing the earnest look in Rudolf's eyes, and feeling the complex mix of envy, anticipation, and jealousy in the gazes of those around them, the words died in her throat, unable to make a sound.
I'm not someone that outstanding...
Manhattan Cafe fell silent.
As if sensing her hesitation, Symboli Rudolf neatly folded the handkerchief stained with coffee and tucked it into her pocket.
"Of course, Cafe, you don't need to give me an answer right now," Rudolf said with a gentle smile.
"This is just the cafeteria, after all. I didn't come here to issue a decree or pressure you into joining. It's simply that I believe you have the capability to be in the student council, and I wanted to talk to you about it as a friend."
"I'm sorry, President Rudolf."
"It's quite alright, Cafe. There's no need to rush. Make the choice that suits you best. However..."
Symboli Rudolf's gaze burned into her, her amethyst eyes reflecting Manhattan Cafe's own image clearly.
"I would genuinely like to have you by my side."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, 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.