Garden Gale couldn't help but glance back at Curren Chan.
Then she looked toward Tokai Teio again.
…And instantly regretted how quickly she'd agreed.
Her scalp tingled in embarrassment.
Sure, she had asked Teio-san to save her, but not to this extreme! There were three people present—if she went out alone with Tokai Teio, what about Curren Chan? What would she think? How would she look at her afterward?
She couldn't even bring herself to meet Curren Chan's eyes…
Goosebumps rose on her skin.
…They were roommates!
She and Curren Chan lived together—they'd have to see each other every day! Under the same roof, with this lingering awkwardness from now on. Maybe she should ask the dorm leader, Fuji Kiseki, if she could switch rooms.
Yeah, that might be good.
Such was Garden Gale's train of thought.
Truly, a classic case of speaking before thinking.
Hearing Garden Gale's quick agreement, Tokai Teio's face brightened instantly. She cheerfully grabbed Garden Gale's hand, tugging lightly to urge her along. "Great~!"
Her voice was bubbly and sweet, like a sip of honeyed tea.
Garden Gale took an involuntary step forward.
She stared blankly at her hand, held firmly in Tokai Teio's grip. She didn't pull away—couldn't pull away. Although Garden Gale sometimes acted bold enough to appear socially fearless, in reality, she was so timid she couldn't even voice a rejection.
"Huh…?"
Curren Chan stood frozen in place.
She stared quietly at the two about to leave.
What about me?
They're just going to leave like that?
Garden Gale didn't dare look back. She was afraid of meeting Curren Chan's gaze.
What if Curren Chan misunderstood, thinking she disliked her or something…? Actually, she genuinely adored a little angel like Curren Chan, who had taken such good care of her recently. Beyond her cuteness, Curren Chan's gentle sensitivity was like a warm spring breeze that Garden Gale deeply appreciated.
…Ahh.
You're so awful, Garden Gale.
She couldn't help scolding herself internally.
Glancing at Tokai Teio again, she lowered her head and pursed her lips.
She applied slight pressure—
It was an attempt to pull her hand away, the best effort she could make to refuse someone. Yet the moment Tokai Teio felt her resistance, she tightened her grip without even turning around, holding on firmly.
As if she couldn't bear to let Garden Gale go.
…Garden Gale immediately shrank back like a timid bunny.
She turned around slightly, meeting Curren Chan's eyes with a deeply apologetic expression.
She said nothing.
But her expression clearly conveyed, "I'm sorry." Seeing this, Curren Chan's tense shoulders relaxed. She gently lowered the hand she'd unconsciously raised to her chest and responded with a smile. Speaking softly enough that only she herself could hear, she whispered, "…It's fine. Do your best."
...
"Why'd you suddenly drag me away like that?!"
Once they were far enough from the training track, Garden Gale couldn't hold back anymore. She blurted out her confusion, her expression full of disbelief. "And…why didn't we bring Curren-san? Aren't you two close?"
Tokai Teio still wore a radiant smile.
"Curren-san and I are definitely close!"
She didn't offer any explanation, however, and simply changed the topic like nothing had happened.
After a pause, Tokai Teio asked cheerfully, "So, where should we go next? We should properly celebrate your successful debut race, GG-san! Also, make sure you win—"
"Wait!" Garden Gale interrupted, mustering the last of her courage. "But then…why didn't we invite Curren-san?" She asked firmly.
Silence.
Tokai Teio remained quiet.
The silence stretched—not for just a moment, but much longer. Finally, unable to bear waiting any longer, Garden Gale turned around with disappointment in her eyes, preparing to head back the way they'd come.
"Did you notice earlier?"
Tokai Teio's voice softly broke the silence.
She quickly caught Garden Gale's hand again and explained, "GG-san, you saw it, didn't you? When Curren-san was filming you earlier… You saw it, and it even made you restart your run."
"Huh?" Garden Gale tilted her head, thinking back.
Oh, right. That did happen… now that you mention it.
Then she heard Tokai Teio continue her explanation. "And—earlier, Curren-san called Admire Vega 'Admire Vega-senpai,' yet she refers to us simply as classmates. Doesn't that show we're just classmates to her? Sometimes I wonder if Curren-san might be closer with Admire Vega than we think. Maybe earlier, when she changed the topic awkwardly…"
"Maybe the real reason she recorded you was to analyze your training footage carefully… to find your weaknesses."
"And then pass it on to her beloved senpai to help Admire Vega win the race."
"That's why I wanted just the two of us to leave without Curren-san."
Now it was Garden Gale's turn to fall silent.
Having said that, Tokai Teio quickly laughed, her usual bright smile returning. "Well~ it's all just speculation, really. Curren-san wouldn't do something malicious like that. But GG-san, just be careful, alright?"
Her bizarrely cryptic way of speaking was back again.
"Mm," Garden Gale softly agreed.
She didn't add anything else.
She wasn't in the mood to say more, nor did she continue back toward the training track.
Then—
Tokai Teio reached out again, taking Garden Gale's hand once more. Before Garden Gale could react, Tokai Teio tugged sharply—harder than ever before—pulling her straight into an embrace.
Weeping willows gently swayed around them.
The chilly spring breeze rippled softly across the lake's surface.
On this quiet, secluded path—
Tokai Teio held Garden Gale tightly. Although she was slightly shorter, she earnestly reached up to gently stroke Garden Gale's hair. Garden Gale naturally leaned down slightly, letting Teio whisper with a tender smile:
"I'll always be good to you, GG-san… Because we're destined rivals."
We're made for each other.
Never trust anyone else.
The Selas System seemed to reward something again for this intimate hug, having once more crossed a certain bond threshold…
But Garden Gale paid no attention.
She merely stayed nestled in Tokai Teio's embrace—
Listening quietly to her heartbeat.
---
T/N: NO WAYYYY IS SHE GONNA MANIPULATE GARDEN GALE TO ONLY TRUST HER TEIO YOU SLY DOG!!!!