"And remember–"
"Train until I breathe like a bitch in heat, no?"
"Smart ass."
"Fufufufu~~"
The young man had just explained Gold City's new training menu that she would do in secret. Behind her trainer's back, where only she and the young man know. The supermodel couldn't wait to start training and put the menu to work.
"I'll be going then. You can transfer the money to the usual account."
"Ah! Can you stay for a little bit longer?"
"Is there anything else that you want from me?"
"Ahh… Mmhh… I… I… I…"
"...?"
Gold City hesitated. She knew what she wanted to ask of him, but considering how people answered that request before, she was afraid. Afraid that this young man might be just like the others. Afraid of him saying the same answer as most of them.
No… He is different. Surely he would understand me.
"I… Is there a way for me to improve more?"
"Just follow my menu and you'll—"
"I know. But I want more. Between your trainees and me, which one of us is better?"
"All of you are comparable."
"Exactly! I debuted much earlier than them, and yet we're all at the same level. That doesn't make sense, right? It's not even a year after their debut, and they already improved to my level!! This can't be right!!"
"...please calm down."
Gold City's desperation was clear. She grabbed the young man by his coat and held him grounded so he wouldn't run away from her. Her desperation isn't without a base. If a rookie only needs a year to catch up to you, did you really improve at all? Did you really do anything at all? Are you even trying? That's what Gold City thought. In her eyes, she had basically wasted her life.
For the young man, Gold City is a reminder of just how cruel the world is. She may have started earlier than his team, but his team is filled with talented umas. They were born to run and dominate the racetracks. Even if their trainer wasn't him, they most likely would become a renowned runner and become a boss battle for him.
"Gold City, be patient. You'll—"
"STOP SAYING THAT!!!"
Gold City grabs him and throws the young man to her bed. She quickly straddles him and pins him down.
"PATIENT!! PATIENT!! PATIENT!! I'VE BEEN PATIENT THIS WHOLE TIME!!!"
"Don't worry too much about your time, Gold City. You had just debuted. Be patient. I'm sure you'll be a great runner."
"I appreciate your passion, Gold City, but please be patient. You'll catch up to them soon enough."
"Let's wait a little bit more, okay? Be patient. You had just trained."
"I understand Uma's need to be faster, but you'll destroy yourself if you continue this on. Be patient."
"Be patient. You're not going to succeed if you break yourself."
"SHUT UP!! SHUT UP!! SHUT UP!!"
"Guhk!!"
In her breakdown, Gold City put her hands on the young man's neck and began choking him.
"BE PATIENT!! BE PATIENT BE PATIENT!! UNTIL WHEN DO I NEED TO BE PATIENT?!?! UNTIL I DIE?!?!? I'VE BEEN PATIENT THIS WHOLE TIME!! I'VE BEEN A GOOD GIRL THIS WHOLE TIME!! WHEN WILL THE THREE GODDESSES BLESS ME FOR BEING PATIENT, HUH?!?!? WHEN?! WHEN?!?! WHEN?!?!"
"Kuhk… Gold… City…"
The young man extends his hand to gently touch Gold City's face and wipe the tears flowing down her face.
"Sniffle… Sniffle… When… When will I become a great runner…? Kuh!! Kuh!! I'm tired!! Sniffle… Sniffle… KUH!! I'm FUCKING TIRED!!! I don't want to be patient anymore!! I want to be fast!! I want to run fast!! I'm tired!! I'M TIRED!!"
"Yeah… You must be, huh? Sorry for being insensitive, dear."
*Ding*
[Uma Siren] Lv 1 activated
"Take a deep breath, Gold City. I'll save you."
"Haaah… Fuuuh… Haaaah… Kuhk!! Sniffle… Sniffle… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"
"No. You're right. I'm the one who should be sorry for mocking your spirit."
Gold City crumbled in front of the young man's kindness. Her arms move to wrap the young man in her embrace. She had just hurt the only person who believed in her. That fact alone scared her. She is scared he'll avoid her. She is scared that he will no longer believe in her. She is scared that she'll be alone once again.
"I'm sorry!! I'm so sorry!! Sniffle… WWWAAAAAAAHHHH!!! I'm sorry!!"
"I know. I know you are. I'm also sorry for mocking your youth. As an adult, there's nothing more sinful than putting out the youth in the next generation. I am in the wrong, Gold City."
"I—I—I!!! Please don't leave me!! I'm sorry!! I'm sorry!! I DON'T WANT TO BE ALONE AGAIN!!! PLEASE!!"
"I won't. As a tool, you still have a lot more usage, so I won't leave you alone."
"Thank you!! Sniffle!! Sniffle!! Thank you so much!!"
"Yes… Yes… It's okay, darling. Everything is okay…"
The young man stroked the crying supermodel's hair gently as she let out her frustration onto his chest. He had planned to return quickly after finishing his business here, but it seems that plan is out of the window. He's going to spend the night with his little secret.