I went to a slightly more distant place this time. As expected, just like in Teio's support card story, the shops on the second street outside of Tracen were closed, and there were no pedestrians on the road. It seemed as if the world only maintained its original appearance within Tracen's visible range. I tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. There were invisible walls here too.
Left with no choice, I went to the convenience store and bought some snacks. Manhattan Cafe beside me gave me a gentle look, like a parent watching their child.
"Trainer, you really love these little things, don't you? Did you finish the ones you bought last time already?"
"I ate them all."
Luo Cheng seemed to have bought a large bag, but in reality, it was only a three-day supply. Even if he didn't give them to Seiun Sky and the others, just Tokai Teio alone would consume a lot after a single training session.
"By the way, Trainer, about what you said to my friend just now..." Manhattan Cafe asked. "Did something happen between you and my friend?"
"There's something I want to ask her to do."
Since she always approached him in the form of Manhattan Cafe, she shouldn't stand by and do nothing when he was in trouble. In the game world, Luo Cheng had called out to her more than once, and she had responded... probably.
In any case, there could only be progress if they met, so the most basic thing Luo Cheng needed was to meet her. The rest could be discussed later. If it really came down to it, Luo Cheng could only ask Manhattan Cafe to talk to her. She would at least have to save face for her friend, right? The two had been together since they were little.
"Ask my friend, huh..." Manhattan Cafe nodded. "Although my friend's personality is... very strong, she's a very good girl. She's always been helping me train, and she's always been there for other things too. If it's a request from the Trainer, my friend... she definitely won't refuse."
As if praising her own friend, Manhattan Cafe praised her endlessly.
"That's good."
After buying the things, the two returned to Tracen.
"By the way, Trainer, do you want to walk around nearby? It's rare to have such a wonderful rain."
"Hmm, let's walk then."
He had bought everything he needed. The rest was to peacefully go through the story. Speaking of which, this multi-stage support card story was different from other stories. The ending was very random. The last time, it ended during a quarrel between Agnes Tachyon and Manhattan Cafe.
What would the ending be today? It wouldn't be just a walk, would it?
Thinking of this, Luo Cheng said, "Let's go a little later, Manhattan Cafe. Can you call her over? Just tell her I'll be waiting in the office."
"Eh? Ah... okay. I just saw my friend running towards the school building."
"Alright, I'll count on you then."
With that, the two returned to the school building. As soon as Luo Cheng entered, he bumped into a small figure. She was wearing a blue rose hat. Her long bangs covered her right eye, and her gem-like eyes revealed a loveliness that made people want to protect her. Her delicate, small features had the timidness of a small animal, and her rosy lips showed a hint of insecurity and unease.
Seeing the little horse girl, Luo Cheng instinctively said, "Rice Shower?"
"Eh?" Hearing the voice, Rice Shower lowered her head in fright. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Rice Shower wasn't looking. I'm sorry for bumping into you!"
When she saw Luo Cheng's face, Rice Shower's pupils constricted.
"Brother... no, Trainer Luo Cheng."
Eh? Did she just try to call me 'Brother'?
Luo Cheng remembered that was Rice Shower's exclusive name for her trainer. But he wasn't Rice Shower's trainer now. She was still training under the instructor.
Luo Cheng planned to finish Tokai Teio's story first before looking for Rice Shower. He had too many horse girls on his hands right now and couldn't handle them all. Luo Cheng wasn't worried about Rice Shower being picked up by another trainer. His affection for her was currently seventy-two, which was a perfectly good level for a contract.
To be honest, if it weren't for how convenient Akira Kiryuin was, Luo Cheng would prefer to knead Rice Shower. Her soft little face and tender little feet perfectly matched the characteristics of a huggable pillow. And what Luo Cheng liked most was Rice Shower's shy, nervous, and slightly excited expressions. Such a variety of expressions could be found on this little rice cake-like girl. So when he got tired of kneading Akira Kiryuin, Luo Cheng would go find Rice Shower. Her small body could completely melt in his arms.
"Are you going somewhere, Rice Shower?"
"Rice Shower... wants to see the rain," she said, lowering her head. "Because Rice Shower is an unfortunate child, it's raining, so Rice Shower wants to ask the rain to stop soon."
"Is that so? I think this rain is quite nice. You can draw on the glass. You can't do that without rain."
"Draw on... glass?" Rice Shower wiggled her cute big ears.
"I started to like the rain because of someone else's influence. But remember not to run around in the rain when you're sweating, or you'll catch a cold." With that, Luo Cheng touched Rice Shower's ears. He was impatient to rub this little guy all over, but he still had to find the ghost and didn't have time to waste.
"By the way, here, take this." Luo Cheng handed her the cream bread he just bought. "Come play in my office often from now on."
With that, Luo Cheng didn't linger and went upstairs. Rice Shower looked at the direction Luo Cheng had left in. She looked at the bread in her hand, hugged it to her chest, and rubbed it against her cheek.
"Yes, Brother..."
Back in the office, Luo Cheng prepared to record all his experiences, including his discoveries in the support card stories. Maybe they would be useful later.
It was pitch black outside. Luo Cheng turned on the light and walked to the window. The sound of rain was loud in his ears.
Splat!
A crisp sound mixed in with the rain. Luo Cheng saw the rainwater on the ground ripple unnaturally, as if someone was running, extending forward quickly until it disappeared under his window.
Clang!
The room's light suddenly flickered, as if the current was unstable. The water cup on the table inexplicably fell over. The familiar scene brought back Luo Cheng's memories. He instantly understood. She had arrived.
Knock, knock, knock!
A knock on the door. A gust of wind howled outside the window. Luo Cheng felt like he had just entered the set of a horror movie. But knowing who the instigator was, Luo Cheng was no longer nervous. He walked over and opened the door, imagining the black figure standing outside.
Unexpectedly, there was no one behind the door. Luo Cheng scratched his head and turned around. His golden pupils emitted a faint glow, and a black-haired girl suddenly appeared behind him.
"Trainer, were you looking for me?"
Luo Cheng screamed.