Orange light diffused through the hushed air, the low drumming of rain unnaturally loud.
Even the dim glow filtering through the drizzle lit the row of brown wooden tables beside the window.
'So quiet,'
Gold Legend sat by the window, gazing at the empty bar, and set down her coffee with a soft sigh.
'Exactly why I help out here.'
This atmosphere felt good.
Manhattan Cafe, seated opposite her, spoke calmly.
'So you're complaining that I ruined your peace?' Gold Legend teased.
'...Not at all. This is fine,' Cafe said, lowering her cup without a flicker of expression.
'Hah!' Bored by the unchanging face, Gold Legend let her head drop to the table, cheek to the window, and drifted into a daze.
Ash-grey clouds stretched to the horizon.
The pallid light slipping between them looked almost bright against the gloom.
Raindrops struck the high-rise, slid down the wall with the clinging beads, and spilled to the street.
Umbrellaed pedestrians hurried over the asphalt, splashing through puddles.
'Feels like I've seen this view before,' Gold Legend murmured.
'The first time you came, it was raining like this,' Manhattan Cafe replied, still placid.
'...Right. Before I knew it, running here for coffee after morning training became routine.' Gold Legend straightened, lifted her cup, and took a careful sip.
'...That's a good thing.'
'Is it? Maybe. Anyway, still drinking it black? How can it taste good?' Gold Legend answered absently, eyeing Cafe's cup.
Her keen nose caught the rich aroma; her face scrunched in disgust. Last time Cafe had tricked her into a cup of black coffee—its pure bitterness had nearly killed her on the spot.
'To me, absolutely.' Cafe gazed down at the brew.
The tawny liquid mirrored the bar's orange lights, twin floating specks echoing Manhattan Cafe's golden eyes, overlapping the lingering shadow of someone who resembled her.
'But I don't expect you to like it.' She paused. 'Not everyone needs to.'
'You still conned me into one last time,' Gold Legend protested.
'I never said you couldn't add milk or sugar,' Cafe replied without looking up.
'You really love coffee, huh.' Gold Legend gave a what-can-I-do shrug and shifted topics.
'Children wouldn't understand. Everything reflected in it is swallowed; enveloped by bitterness, its aroma and the faint sweetness that seeps out echo inside you, giving a dream-like feeling. That's coffee's charm.'
'...Are you calling me a child, Cafe?'
That's hardly fair, Miss Cafe.
'Who knows?'
Manhattan Cafe's answer was essentially: sure, whatever.
'Hah... maybe I really am still a kid.' Gold Legend exhaled, leaned back, stared at the ceiling, and went blank.
'...You're never like this. What's wrong?' Cafe lifted her head, surprised.
"Tell me, why do Horse Girls run so desperately?" Gold Legend asked in a weak voice. "I know running is their instinct, and I understand they chase dreams. The way they shine while striving is a sight I'll never forget. But why so desperately? Is it worth it?"
...
Manhattan Cafe was baffled by the sudden monologue, yet she quickly recalled Gold Legend's last race.
"Is it because of that white girl?"
"...Yes." Gold Legend shut her eyes in pain.
"To think you'd be shaken by something like this."
So unlike you.
Manhattan Cafe looked genuinely surprised.
"I just don't get why she'd do that. Is it worth it?"
She has her own dream, her own path—so why, for one race, for a possible victory, pay such a price? Is it worth it?
Gold Legend seemed to ask the Cafe before her, yet also the white Horse Girl who wasn't here.
Gold Legend couldn't fathom that choice; for an active Horse Girl, a year is self-evidently precious, yet she gave it up without hesitation—just because I once said, "Let's run together next time"?
"Perhaps it's faith," Manhattan Cafe answered, lifting her cup for a quiet sip.
She thought of that girl who always smelled of black tea mixed with medicine.
"Faith? A foreign word." Gold Legend knew it wasn't about worshipping gods; that only made her realize how extravagant a thing it was.
"Anyway, talking now is pointless. All I can do is invite her to keep Aenis company. Speaking of which, Cafe, anything interesting lately?"
Gold Legend shook her head and changed the subject.
"Not really. But Christmas is almost here, so fun things are bound to happen." Cafe set down her cup and regained her usual calm.
"Christmas... I'd almost forgotten."
"...Most people don't forget."
"It's not a holiday, and I'm single." Gold Legend shrugged. "Besides, for Horse Girls, the other event matters more."
"Right—the Arima Kinen." Cafe nodded. "This year's is drawing huge attention."
"Well, Oguri Cap is retiring," Gold Legend sighed. She'd long known, yet hearing it from Oguri herself still felt complicated.
"The retirement race of the People's Idol—of course it's big news," Cafe said gravely. "But will she be okay?"
"...Why ask me?"
"Aren't you two dating?" Cafe tilted her head.
"Hah? Who said that? Total rumor!"
"But the papers printed it." Cafe fetched a newspaper from the counter and handed it over.
Gold Legend took it. In bold letters: SHOCK! People's Idol Plans to Marry Her After Retirement! The photo showed Gold Legend pushing cake toward Oguri Cap—clearly snapped through the window.
"...I photograph well." Gold Legend preened.
"Your focus is weird," Cafe deadpanned.
"Just a rumor. Oguri joked about it, but it was only friendly banter—ignore it." Gold Legend waved a hand.
Full of retorts though it was, Cafe wasn't the type to quip, so she let it pass.
"So, how's Oguri Cap?"
"Not sure, but she says she's ready."
"...I see. Will you watch?"
"Of course. I won't miss that race." Gold Legend sounded certain.
"Then watch closely."
"Why the reminder?"
"You're full of questions. This race might give you answers." Cafe finished her coffee. "Time for school."
"...Then I'll wait and see." Gold Legend drained her own cup.
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