"Mmmhh… Mmhhnng… MMMmhhhhh!!! Uuuuhhh…"
Gold City woke up to a bright sky outside. Since it's the weekend, her sleep didn't get interrupted by her alarm, and since she is in her apartment, she didn't get interrupted by her roommate.
"Uuhh…"
*Crackle* *Crackle* *Ssssshhhh*
"Hm? Sniff… Hmmm?"
Gold City was confused as hell. She is hearing and smelling something being cooked. She normally doesn't hear this particular sound just after she wakes up, so of course, it confuses the supermodel until she remembers last night.
"Ah… AH!!!"
The umamusume quickly leaped from her bed and ran into the main room. With all her might, she pushes the door open.
"Again, you're going to break the door if you keep opening it like that."
"..."
"Morning."
"Mor…ning…"
The young man is currently cooking Gold City a loving breakfast. The perfect mix of flavor and vitamins. Something the girl would devour in a heartbeat.
"Do you like coffee or tea?"
"Is juice available?"
"So that's your faction, huh?"
The supermodel groggily walked and sat at the dinner table. Her eyes never left the young man as he finished making the morning's breakfast.
"I assume you never had this kind of breakfast since you're not a morning person."
"I rarely do…"
The supermodel looks at the table where multitudes of dishes are served. Omelette, miso soup, fresh carrots, steaming white rice, cooked fillet fish, and fresh-squeezed apple juice. Not even Tracen could serve her a breakfast like this. All of these have those homely feelings a dish would have if it were made by someone who loves you.
"Thank you for the food."
Gold City begins dissecting the fish first, removing the little bones before putting a piece of it in her mouth. The meat instantly breaks down the moment it touches her tongue, smothering Gold City's taste buds in a rich, fishy taste that is both salty and sweet.
"Mmmhh~~ Sweet."
"If you want more sweetness, then use the soy sauce. I only use the amount that fits my mouth."
"No. This is perfect. Our mouths fit each other."
Tasting the wonderful fish, Gold City couldn't contain herself and tasted more of the young man's cooking. The warm miso soup would clear a sore throat. Omelette with vegetables mixed amongst it to balance the vitamins. A fresh carrot full of water. The steaming rice that doesn't require much effort to chew. The fresh apple juice gives a small bit of natural sugar.
Everything was just right.
"This is way better than anything the cafeteria has served me."
"Those were food to fed hundred of umamusumes. Don't expect them to have the same quality as the food I specifically made for you. Not even the world's greatest chef can make a hundred-portions food and keep the quality."
"For me… huh…"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing… Thank you for the food. That's all."
"No need. It's the least I can do for crashing at your place last night."
Last night, huh…
Gold City's eyes slowly wander to the young man's neck. The neck she choked in her frustration. The neck of the only person who believes in her dream. The neck that is currently being decorated with black bruises from her ownfingers.
"I'm—"
"I'll cover it. It'll heal, so don't worry."
"That still doesn't change the fact that I tried to kill you. That's unacceptable."
"I was running into a field of landmines. It's my stupidity that almost got me killed."
"No! I'm the one who is at fault! You were right. I was being impatient. I would've destroyed myself if I overdid it."
"Agree to disagree. I'm stupid for trying to put out your youthful spirit. I should've harnessed it for my own good instead of being a weak bastard."
"Sigh… You're one hell of a man, aren't you?"
"You should stick with senior Muyaku if you want a proper man."
"No. Did you not read my shirt? I love you."
"That's what all girls say until their hearts get broken. And then they throw the responsibility on anyone else but them when the signs are so clear."
"Fufufufu~~~ At least let me make it up to you somehow."
"You think about that. In the meantime, I had an idea about a way to help you. I can ask for a joint training session with Senior Muyaku. That way, I can also oversee yours while also training mine."
"Hmm… That could work."
"I'll submit the proposal next Monday. You have to train on your own until then."
The young man prepared himself to leave Gold City's apartment, which confused the supermodel.
"Where are you going?"
"I still have work to do."
"On the weekends? Do you not have some time to rest?"
"Don't worry about me. I know how to take care of myself."
"Hey, hypocrite. Didn't you warn me not to overwork myself? Can you not say the same thing for yourself?"
"... It's just this one time."
"Liar. What is it that you're working on? I'll help you."
"No need. I—"
"Shut up and tell me."
Gold City quickly rushes to the young man and grabs his arm. In doing so, he dropped several sheets of paper from his bag. Gold City feels familiar when looking at the sheets. They resemble dress concept drawings, even though they're extremely rough, and look more like child drawings.
"Race wear designs…? You made this?"
"No, those are my trainees' creations. They're stupid, I know. I'm going to design them a new one."
"Are you going early for this?"
"Yes, what's wrong?"
"Let me help you! I can help you design racewear for your trainees."
"..."
The young man mulled over his options. He knows how his trainees' race wears are supposed to look, so he doesn't necessarily need Gold City's help. But he doesn't know if his trainees would just accept it if he said he was the only one who designed it. If Gold City stamps her name on it, it might help psychologically with his trainees.
"Consider it as an early payment for the joint training."
"Fine… I'll return here after taking a bath. Go get yourself ready."
"Will do, dear."