Two figures collided in the school hallway.
"Ah… Mom, are you done with work?"
"It's fine, Admire Vega."
The exchange was so ordinary that neither of them registered what had just happened—until Agnes Tachyon's soft "Hm?" snapped them back to reality.
"Um…"
"Sorry! A slip of the tongue, that was a slip of the tongue!" Admire Vega's cheeks flushed crimson as she realized what she'd said.
"...Could it be the approaching winter driving human nature to seek warmth in someone maternal, perhaps?"
Now this is an interesting phenomenon—a post-infancy individual actively searching for an emotional anchor during a specific period.
You've become quite the subject of study yourself, Admire Vega.
"No! I told you, it was a slip!"
Vega loudly refuted Tachyon's baseless claims, her face burning with embarrassment.
Lately, something had felt off about Admire Vega's behavior.
There'd been signs before, but now the strangeness had intensified.
She hated to admit it…
Vega buried her face in her hands.
Originally, she ran—day after day, race after race—to honor her deceased sister, hoping to share the joy of victory with her.
But a few nights ago, she'd dreamed of her sister thanking her.
Her sister said she was happy, watching Vega's life at Tracen Academy, delighted she'd made so many friends, and sincerely wished for her to enjoy running on the track.
Sincere words, an innocent face—Admire Vega woke with a start.
She could feel it: her sister was right beside her, watching over her tenderly.
Guilt, gratitude, joy—a storm of emotions swirled in Vega's mind. The emptiness inside her was filled with that gentle warmth.
In that moment, the icy weight that had burdened her for so long simply melted away.
Admire Vega felt it clearly: her sister, who had once wandered helplessly and alone in this world, had finally found something irreplaceably precious.
She had learned gratitude. She had learned to bless others.
She was no longer that lost child who could only blankly call out "Sis, sis…" as if abandoned by the world.
This is wonderful…
Tears streaming down, Vega felt a profound release. The invisible chains that had bound her were dissolving in that gentle, unseen warmth.
It should have been a good thing. But soon, Admire Vega noticed a new problem.
Her dependence on Manhattan Cafe had grown stronger than ever.
It was as if Cafe were the very source of that tenderness—every gesture, every movement captivated Vega.
So much so that, even when she had other plans, if she happened to run into Cafe, her legs seemed to move on their own, trailing after her like a child seeking its mother.
Only when Cafe noticed and asked if something was wrong would Vega snap out of it.
She'd slap her own cheeks, scolding herself: Why was she acting like a stalker? Why do something so embarrassing?
But that invisible thread connecting their souls kept subtly shifting her instincts, leading Vega into one awkward situation after another.
Like today.
She had been on her way to training when she spotted Manhattan Cafe inspecting league activities. She froze on the spot, and without thinking, blurted out that mortifying question.
What did she mean, "Mom"?! Why would I call Cafe "Mom"? Admire Vega, have you lost your mind?!
She looked utterly defeated.
The more she told herself not to pay attention to Cafe, the stronger the pull became.
It was as if only by Cafe's side could she find any peace.
What's happening to me?
Just when she'd broken free from the guilt over her sister, she'd stumbled into another dilemma.
Earlier, when she'd accidentally climbed into Cafe's bed, rumors had already started swirling about the nature of their relationship.
And now this.
It's not like that at all!
Admire Vega burned with frustration.
She was just going through a weird phase lately—it wasn't some strange romantic feeling!
She didn't care what others thought of her, and Cafe was a solitary type by nature, but hearing those whispers still unsettled her.
We're just ordinary classmates—nothing more!
"Well, we'll be going now, Admire Vega…"
"Wait, Mom! Ah…"
It slipped out again, pure instinct.
Agnes Tachyon grinned mischievously.
"Cafe, it seems Admire Vega can't bear to part with you. Honestly, I'm curious—if you became someone's mother, how would your mindset shift? Care to assist in my research, Admire Vega?"
"Agnes Tachyon…"
"Sorry, sorry, just a joke. Don't look at me like that, Cafe, really—just a joke."
Under the weight of Cafe's golden stare, Tachyon finally dropped the subject.
"Perhaps… would you like to join us, Admire Vega?" asked Manhattan Cafe, who was also deeply embarrassed by the situation.
"...I'll pass."
Her face like glowing embers, Admire Vega felt her will to live flicker and die.
All she wanted now was to vanish into the earth, erect a tombstone, and carve the epitaph: "Here lies one who died of shame."
The hallway was busy, and their exchange hadn't gone unnoticed. A few people had already stopped to stare and whisper. No doubt the already-sensational gossip would soon explode like a bomb.
With all hope extinguished, a despondent Admire Vega bid Manhattan Cafe farewell.
She trudged into the restroom, locked herself in a stall, and slumped over the toilet lid, head in her hands.
"Uwaaaaaah!!! Admire Vega, what are you DOING?! AHHH—!!!"
Faint thuds echoed from the restroom. Agnes Tachyon rested her chin on her hand.
"You know, Cafe, the more sensitive the person, the more dramatic their emotional outbursts."
"Tachyon, you're the last person who should say something like that."
Manhattan Cafe shot back without mercy.
"True enough. They say the more rational the person, the milder their emotional shifts. Perhaps I fall into that category. Ahaha—!"
Tachyon let out a rhythmic, almost musical laugh.
I don't want to deal with her anymore…
Just as Manhattan Cafe quickened her pace to leave the nuisance behind, she spotted a figure in a white dress—an "Admire Vega"—skipping cheerfully down the hall.
By the time Cafe rushed over, the figure had vanished.
Manhattan Cafe stood there, blinking in confusion.
Who… was that just now?
--+--
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.