"You're back! Everything was resolved smoothly, right?"
Noticing her seniors had returned, Twilight Sparkle packed away her book and put it back in her bag. In the short time they were delayed, the waiter had already served the dishes they ordered, just waiting for them to return to start eating.
She had sat there watching the whole incident unfold. When she noticed the atmosphere between Sunset Shimmer and that adult pony starting to turn sour, she had originally intended to go over and help, but someone had to stay behind to watch the seats and luggage.
Fortunately, at the critical moment, Aurora arrived back in time and sent the adult pony away with just a few words, letting Twilight Sparkle breathe a sigh of relief.
"It's all been handled. Now let's eat in peace; I'm starving. We'll chat after we're done."
The three of them had checked off three of the M5 in their guidebook on this trip alone, which was an over-achievement for Aurora, not to mention how Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle felt about it.
It was just a shame they wouldn't be able to see Pinkie Pie at the Rock Farm or Rainbow Dash in Cloudsdale today. This big investigation into the Sonic Rainboom was pretty much over, and overall, it had been very successful.
After lunch, Aurora planned to visit a famous "attraction" to check in, and then they would take the train back to Canterlot.
"That pony from earlier was actually connected to the Sonic Rainboom?! Coming to Ponyville was definitely the right choice!"
During dessert after the meal, Sunset Shimmer shared the information she had gathered with Twilight Sparkle.
"By the way, what was that pony's name?"
"..."
"..."
Sunset Shimmer and Aurora froze simultaneously. Aurora recalled the conversation and realized that neither of them had asked for Fluttershy's name.
She couldn't reveal Fluttershy's name now, or else she wouldn't be able to explain how she knew it.
As for Sunset Shimmer, she had been so fired up earlier that she hadn't even thought about it.
"I forgot to ask."
Sunset Shimmer gave an awkward smile.
Since they had forgotten, there was nothing they could do. That cream-colored pony had already walked far away, and they didn't know where she was heading.
But since they were so fated to meet, perhaps there would be another chance in the future, and it wouldn't be too late to ask then.
When it came time to share the cake, Sunset Shimmer noticed there were only two cupcakes in the paper bag. Remembering that Aurora had given hers to Fluttershy earlier, she broke her own cupcake in half and shared it with Aurora.
Twilight Sparkle had wanted to share some of her cake too, but was stopped by Aurora.
"It's fine, Twilight, I don't really like sweets. Sharing with my senior is enough."
She wasn't just being polite; Aurora truly couldn't handle the lethal amount of sugar in Western desserts—it was just too cloying. That's why the cakes she ate were all homemade; she basically never bought them outside.
Buying cupcakes at Sugar Cube Corner was really just a "check-in" activity; it wasn't like Aurora actually liked eating them.
She had even tried to kid herself, thinking, "What if the cakes at Sugar Cube Corner are different?"
But after one bite, she realized she had overthought it.
Aurora quickly took a sip of coffee to wash down the taste.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!