"The URA Review Department… What kind of place could make President Rudolf wear such a smile?"
It was the first time Nearl realized smartphones actually had their conveniences. Paper media alone really couldn't match the efficiency.
"But a phone should be simple and reliable. I'll just buy a separate tablet for extra tasks."
Nearl took out her own phone, rubbing it gently. In the end, she still had no intention of replacing it.
"If you need to use a smartphone right now, please take this."
Right then, a timid, soft voice came from nearby, and a large, brand-name black smartphone was offered to Nearl.
"Ah, Cafe, you're here? Thank you for keeping your steps so light. Waking Tachyon would have been troublesome."
Seeing that dark figure, Nearl first leaned over to check on Tachyon. Finding her still soundly asleep, she let out a relieved sigh and turned back to speak with Cafe.
"You've seen Tachyon's condition?"
"Mhm. It's obvious, impossible to miss. She's glowing right now, like a golden slime."
"There's really no way to hide that. I can only say it's fortunate it was you who came. If anyone else walked in, it'd be hard to explain."
"But… what are you doing to Tachyon? Did she anger you, so you're punishing her?"
Though Manhattan Cafe held no particular fondness for Agnes Tachyon, that Uma-shaped enigma—and sometimes even got angry at her for treating her like a lab rat—a certain subtle feeling deep down compelled her to ask.
"I don't use my abilities over personal grievances. Right now, I'm just treating Tachyon."
"Treatment? You don't mean…!"
Manhattan Cafe's eyes widened sharply. A flash of insight crossed her mind.
The few sparse races she'd run against Tachyon in the past remained unforgettable memories—the first time she'd ever truly admitted defeat to someone.
This rival hadn't even lasted until the Japanese Derby due to injury, a fact that had become a lingering regret in Manhattan Cafe's heart.
Perhaps her current leniency toward Tachyon had something to do with that.
But today, she'd heard wonderful news.
"Can Tachyon's leg really be healed?"
Cafe lowered her voice, but the urgency in her emotions was plain for anyone to see.
"It can be healed. It's not difficult for me, it will just take some time."
If any other doctor had said that, she would have scoffed without a second thought. After all, even Tachyon herself believed it was incurable; other doctors held less credibility with Cafe than Tachyon did.
But if Nearl said it could be healed…
"Mhm! I believe in you, Lady Nearl!"
"Cafe, we agreed not to use that suffix."
Curling her index finger, Nearl gave a light tap on Cafe's head.
Cafe covered her forehead and leaned into the motion, settling comfortably against Nearl's shoulder.
The interaction held a faint hint of ambiguity, but through their mutual assistance in restaurant work, Nearl and Manhattan Cafe had built a deep friendship, so they allowed themselves a little leeway.
"Cafe, are you tired?"
Looking at the senior resting on her shoulder, Nearl naturally adjusted her posture. After all, her current height was a bit much for most Uma Musume.
"Mhm. Can I lean on you for a while? I sleep very soundly when I'm near you."
Cafe nodded, then tentatively reached out, wanting to pull Nearl's left hand into her embrace.
Testing, testing. Sneaking glances, sneaking glances.
Her eyes darted furtively. Seeing that Nearl showed no sign of objection or displeasure, Cafe happily wrapped both arms around that limb, locking it securely against her chest.
In high spirits, Cafe closed her eyes contentedly, gradually drifting into the kingdom of dreams within this sense of security.
"Haa… haa…"
Soft breaths sounded near Nearl's ear. Manhattan Cafe's breathing was faint yet endearing, like a gentle massage for one's ears.
Gently stroking Cafe's long, black satin-like hair, Nearl suddenly realized she had nothing to do at the moment.
'This is a miscalculation. With one hand occupied by Cafe, I can't move at all now.'
Tilting her head back to gaze at the plain white ceiling, Nearl fell into silence. About ten minutes later, there were three sleeping Uma Musume in this classroom—a veritable paradise for Uma Musume-racing fans.
But just a few minutes after Nearl drifted off, Cafe's eyes suddenly snapped open.
"…"
Those eyes were cold and dull. It seemed SS had come online while Cafe was deep in sleep.
"Lady Nearl… so close."
Compared to the outwardly aloof but secretly shy and girlish Manhattan Cafe, SS was the genuine article—an unknown entity.
Her rejection and indifference toward others were ingrained.
In contrast, she was decisive about her own desires and candid with her emotions, launching proactive advances without the slightest hesitation.
Just like now.
"Hehe, Lady Nearl really lets her guard down completely around those she's familiar with. That's an easy way to get hurt, you know? But Cafe and I won't let that happen."
Muttering quietly to herself while carefully shifting Nearl's body, SS continued.
"Because Cafe and I will occupy that most important position, and we would never harm you. There!"
Setting her hands down, SS let out a small sigh of relief, then an expression of excitement and anticipation spread across her face.
So, what exactly had she done?
Of course, nothing too outrageous was possible, both in terms of Cafe and SS's own integrity and their level of fondness and respect for Nearl.
So this was just a small act, fulfilling a little wish of her own.
"So warm… It really is like the sun. Is this what it's like being near a goddess? So captivating…"
She laid Nearl down gently on the sofa.
This sofa was one Cafe had bought herself—back then, pestered relentlessly by Tachyon, she'd gotten an extra-large size that took up a big chunk of the classroom. But today, it finally proved useful.
Namely, letting two people sleep together.
Cafe's body was truly petite compared to Nearl's—155cm versus 171cm. Their size difference was just right for SS to tuck herself into Nearl's embrace.
"Hup!"
Carefully adjusting her position so her back rested against Nearl's chest, she pulled Nearl's arms over herself, forming a perfect curled-up embrace.
"Please forgive my impertinence, Lady Nearl."
Before closing her eyes, SS recited this line in her mind, completely without remorse.
Now, the classroom was truly quiet. Three sets of breathing drifted peacefully within.
Mhm. And Cafe and Nearl's embrace grew closer and closer.
[Secret: Nearl has lacked a sense of security since childhood, which makes her love hugging something tight in her sleep.]
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T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 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.