Tachyon winced at the volume. "The 'why' isn't the issue. If I decide to go, I'll make it happen. The question is whether it is wise to go. What do you think, Scarlet-kun?"
"Um… first, I need to know why you even want to go, Tachyon-san."
"Ah… now I know how Ms. Akasaka feels. How do I put this? It's a delicate matter involving the Trainer. I suspect something is lurking beneath the surface of his past, and I'm curious. And because I'm curious, I'm also… a bit worried about him. I don't want to divulge details that would hurt his pride, but to put it simply, I need to investigate his home life and his father to understand what's going on. Do you follow?"
"I… think so?" Scarlet nodded uncertainly.
"So," Tachyon continued, "why do you think I'm hesitating?"
"Why? Well… since I don't know the whole story, I can't say for sure… but maybe… because you're embarrassed? I mean, going to a man's house is a big deal."
Tachyon sat in silence, processing the word "embarrassed."
"Anything else?" she asked, staring at the floor. Scarlet tried to think of another reason, but nothing came to her. The silence became heavy.
"Tachyon-san," Scarlet said finally, "you won't think of anything sitting in this dark room. Let's go get some food and change the scenery."
As if on cue, Scarlet's stomach let out a loud rumble. Tachyon looked up.
"You're right. My deadline is tomorrow. I can afford to procrastinate a little longer."
At the cafeteria entrance, Tachyon nearly collided with Tanoue as he was leaving. She swerved and accidentally bumped into a stranger, whom she hurriedly apologized to. The person smiled and forgave her, despite the force of an Uma Musume's tackle.
Embarrassed and not knowing how to handle the kindness, Tachyon turned her frustration on Tanoue. "It's your fault! Jumping out of the shadows like that!"
The stranger, still nearby, looked at the "argument" and smiled knowingly. Everyone at Tracen knew about Agnes Tachyon and her Trainer—and how close they were.
Tachyon continued to grumble like a child. "If the Trainer had just been a second slower coming around that wall..."
Scarlet watched with concern, while Tanoue just chuckled. "Sorry, sorry," he said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Tachyon shook it off. "Are you finished with lunch already?"
"I finished a while ago. You just getting here?"
"Obviously! I'm with Scarlet-kun. …Oh, Scarlet-kun, I'm sorry. I completely forgot you were there."
Scarlet laughed it off, but she looked at Tanoue with a newfound curiosity, wondering what "delicate matter" was haunting him. Tachyon saw the look but said nothing.
"Come, Scarlet-kun! Lunch awaits!"
"Actually," Tanoue interrupted, "mind if I join you? If it's okay with Scarlet-kun, that is."
"You don't need to come," Tachyon snapped, still holding a grudge over the collision.
Scarlet looked between the two and made a decision. "I actually have something I'd like to ask the Trainer. Is it alright if he joins us… Tachyon-san?"
Tachyon couldn't say no to Scarlet. She had a soft spot for her junior. "Fine," she muttered. "I'm starving anyway."
They sat down with their trays. "Sorry, Tachyon-san," Scarlet said. "I know I'm being selfish when I was the one who suggested a change of pace for you."
"It's fine. I wasn't going to get any thinking done here anyway. So, what is it you want to ask my incompetent Trainer?"
Scarlet looked at Tanoue, hesitant. "Go ahead," Tanoue encouraged her. "Whatever's on your mind."
"Trainer-san," Scarlet began, "you and Tachyon-san have the same way of addressing people, don't you?"
Tanoue was caught off guard. "The same? ...Oh, I see. I guess her way of talking just rubbed off on me. I don't usually call people 'you' (kimi) like that, especially girls. …Yeah."
He wasn't sure if that was a good answer, but Scarlet didn't push it. After a moment, she spoke again.
"I… don't think I've hit my 'Peak Phase' (Honkakuka) yet. How does it look to you, Trainer-san?"
"Me? Hmm… I don't think you have. What do you think, Tachyon? You can feel it, right?"
"Indeed," Tachyon said. "It's a restless feeling at first, but you get used to it. Do you feel anything like that?"
Scarlet looked troubled. "In a way, yes… but also no. I just don't know what state I'm in."
"I see. That's why you wanted to talk to my Trainer," Tachyon said.