It was a familiar morning, with a familiar figure. Agnes Tachyon stood before Platinum's bed, holding two gongs in her hands.
Normally, she'd use these to rouse Platinum from her slumber.
Really, only these things could jolt Platinum awake in one go—absolutely essential gear for home or travel. The only downsides were the noise complaints and the toll it took on any classmates within earshot.
But today, they wouldn't be needed. By the time Agnes Tachyon reached Platinum's bedside, the bed was already empty.
"…What's going on? This feeling of déjà vu… Have I been trapped in the same day?"
Agnes Tachyon pondered for a moment, then pulled out her phone to check the calendar. "No, it's fine…"
"So, was she kidnapped?" Frowning deeply, Agnes Tachyon tossed the two gongs onto Platinum's bed and pinched her chin, deep in thought.
It didn't make sense. It really didn't add up.
Agnes Tachyon knew it might sound a bit arrogant, but she had to admit—her mind was sharp. One might even say her talents in other areas far surpassed her running abilities.
Yet even with such a clever brain, she was completely baffled by Platinum's recent abnormal behavior.
If you got up early one day, I could chalk it up to pre-race jitters. But you've already finished your race—and you're still getting up early?
Are you sure you haven't been kidnapped?
Agnes Tachyon was a slacker herself, so she knew exactly how hard it was to become diligent.
Frankly, she didn't believe Platinum could manage it with her barely-evolved, gorilla-level self-control.
Agnes Tachyon took out her phone and started dialing… Of course, she wasn't calling Manhattan Cafe. Even she had suffered enough at Manhattan Cafe's hands lately. She wasn't a masochist—she didn't enjoy being tormented.
She was calling Platinum.
The phone rang a few times, but the scenario Agnes Tachyon had imagined—Platinum not answering, vanishing forever—didn't happen. Platinum picked up almost immediately.
"…Huff… Tachyon… huff… What's up?"
The rhythmic, halting speech, the steady panting—it was definitely Platinum's voice, but still…
"Platinum, tell me the truth—have you been kidnapped? If you've been kidnapped, blink twice."
"Huff… What kind of nonsense are you talking… huff… Even if I blinked, you couldn't see it…"
Agnes Tachyon felt as if she were witnessing the path of evolution unfolding before her eyes.
Tens of thousands of years ago, an ape named Platinum emerged from the Great Rift Valley, and humanity began its evolution.
She—Agnes Tachyon—was now being called stupid… by Platinum, of all people?
Suppressing the urge to call Manhattan Cafe just to confirm whether she was dreaming, Agnes Tachyon pressed on: "What are you doing right now?"
"Huff… Isn't it obvious… huff… I'm running…"
Agnes Tachyon glanced out the window. The sun hadn't risen yet; the sky was still a murky gray, not much different from night.
Though spring had already arrived, it was still early spring—the chill hadn't fully retreated, and the days remained relatively short.
At this hour, with this scenery, speaking in that tone, with those pauses… If you didn't explain, I'd think you were in Symboli Rudolf's bed.
If it were Agnes Digital, she might've let her imagination run wild, but Agnes Tachyon wasn't Agnes Digital.
So she came right out and asked.
"Just say it straight—I won't judge. Anyway, you… be honest with me. Is Symboli Rudolf with you?"
There was a brief silence, only the sound of heavy breathing coming through the receiver. When Platinum spoke again, her voice sounded cheerful.
"How did you know Symboli Rudolf is running with me? I only found out today—the president likes to do her morning workouts on the mountain road."
Some rustling noises came through the phone, and then another voice came on the line. Compared to Platinum's, it was deeper, more neutral, carrying a grown woman's composure and warmth.
Just from the voice, one could picture a capable, reliable lady on the other end.
"Hello? Tachyon?"
"Don't worry, Platinum is with me. We happened to run into each other on the road—I have to admit, it surprised me. Next time she comes out for a morning run, I'll let you know in advance."
The phone changed hands again, and Agnes Tachyon heard Platinum's voice once more: "Huff… See? Now you can relax. Don't worry, I won't skip afternoon training… huff…"
"I'll just catch up on sleep in the classroom this morning… huff…"
Symboli Rudolf's voice echoed faintly in the background: "Pay attention in class!"
Agnes Tachyon rolled her eyes, wanting to say something, but the words caught in her throat. After two or three attempts, she finally let out a soft sigh.
"Well, have a nice day, you two."
"Oh, and Happy White Valentine's Day."
With that, Agnes Tachyon hung up, gazing wistfully out the window.
"Ah… Being busy… being busy is good, I guess…"
So Platinum had wrapped herself up like a chocolate gift and delivered herself to Symboli Rudolf.
All you could say was—it must be true love. It was a little too forward, but Agnes Tachyon understood.
Uma Musume, as a rule, were proactive, and it was that time of spring when hearts stir… Plus, Platinum was a foreigner, so a more open attitude was to be expected.
She just hadn't thought… Symboli Rudolf would really accept her just like that… Agnes Tachyon clicked her tongue in amazement.
Seems like all those rumors Agnes Digital spouted every day weren't entirely baseless.
From today onward, the list of the Night Emperor's misdeeds had grown by one.
Thinking this, Agnes Tachyon dialed Manhattan Cafe's number.
When the call connected, she was met with that familiar, murderous tone and low voice.
"Agnes Tachyon, do you have any idea what time it is?"
"Manhattan Cafe, Happy White Valentine's Day." Watching the sun about to rise on the horizon, Agnes Tachyon allowed a faint smile to touch her lips.
"…Have you lost your mind?"
"So, where's my chocolate?"
Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate—when it came down to it, wasn't Valentine's Day just a holiday for eating chocolate? Nothing more than a marketing gimmick.
This was the perfect chance to mess with Manhattan Cafe.
"…" The scolding she expected didn't come. Instead, Agnes Tachyon heard a soft tsk from the other end.
"So impatient. Or should I say… you really want it that badly? …Chocolate?"
Only then did Agnes Tachyon, who'd called as a prank to tease Manhattan Cafe, realize the implication of her own words.
Oh no.
This time… she'd woven a trap only to catch herself.
"Yes, of course I have some…" Agnes Tachyon heard a gentle, almost sweet voice reply from the other end.
"I prepared yours a long time ago."
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T/N: Tachyon x Cafe aint bad i say...
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, 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.