Following Agnes' instructions, the girl took a seat on the bed.
The warm-toned room carried a faint, delicate fragrance.
Pulling over a chair, Flora sat down facing the girl.
"Do you want to ask about my past?"
She spoke first.
"Even if I asked, you wouldn't tell me—just like Tachyon said, right?" Flora replied.
Indeed, that was exactly the case.
Wearing this mask meant the girl was now a blank slate, taking on a completely new identity.
Aside from Agnes Tachyon and Manhattan Cafe, she wouldn't let anyone know who was hidden beneath the mask.
Not even Agnes Tachyon's mother.
"So I don't want to ask questions that lead nowhere."
Sitting across from the girl, Flora looked at her calmly.
Red eyes met gold, and soon Flora spoke again: "As I thought… your gaze really resembles hers…"
"What do you mean?"
"Is this our first time meeting?" she asked.
"Yes, without a doubt."
After a brief moment of surprise, the girl nodded.
This face had just been crafted by Agnes Tachyon—how could it have been seen before? Even if someone had seen it, it would have been someone who looked very similar, not her.
Right now, I am not a ghost, nor am I Sunday Silence. I am a new human being without even a name, freshly born.
So we could not have met before.
"I see…"
Hearing the girl's answer, Flora showed a trace of sadness.
To be honest, that expression didn't suit her.
The girl narrowed her eyes.
"Why do you feel like we've met before?"
"Just a feeling."
"That's hardly a reason."
"True." She smiled slightly. "Actually… I've been looking for someone."
Flora gazed out the window. It was autumn, and the scene outside was one of withering leaves and bleakness.
"Someone very important to me."
"You think I resemble that person?"
"Mhm."
"In what way?"
She shook her head, unable to answer.
"It's funny, really. During the time I spent with her, I didn't even know her name."
She didn't know the other's family background, nor her past experiences. They had just met by chance, and some things happened.
That was all—an ordinary encounter, yet Flora came to regard her as the most important presence in her life.
Looking back now, she could hardly remember what the other looked like.
Too much time had passed, so much that those memories had blurred among the trivialities of life.
It even made Flora wonder whether it had all been a beautiful daydream she once had outside.
Back then, she was about the same age as Agnes Tachyon.
Now, in the blink of an eye, over twenty years had gone by.
"Did something happen between you and her?"
"If I had to say… maybe it was just that under her encouragement, I accomplished a few things."
"Such as?"
"Such as becoming the most famous Uma Musume of that era. How's that?"
Flora smiled.
"Then she really did something remarkable."
"Right… I think so too. Just hearing her voice was enough to lift my spirits…" Flora slowly clenched her hand, as if reliving those moments again.
"And then, she left."
"Mhm." In an instant, the light faded from Flora's eyes.
She left, without even a word of goodbye.
Just as even the most beautiful dreams must eventually end, the most magical period of Flora's life vanished along with her disappearance.
Races, endless races.
She thought that by building her reputation through her own strength, she could draw the other back to her side.
But unfortunately, in the end, Flora never saw that person again—
As if from beginning to end, she had never existed in this world at all.
"The feeling you give me really is similar to hers—your gaze, the way you speak. But… of course, back then, you hadn't even been born. How could it be you? I'm really… getting confused."
Wearing a self-mocking smile, Flora leaned forward and gently stroked the girl's face.
"I've always fantasized about seeing her one more time."
"If you could see her again, what would you want to say?" the girl asked.
"That…" Flora hesitated.
"Hard to put into words?"
"Haha, I'm an old auntie now. Some words just can't be spoken anymore."
But… yes, if there really was a chance in this lifetime to see her again…
She'd probably shout out decisively, like a young person would.
Things like 'Don't go—' or 'Stay by my side.'
Just thinking about it was enough to make her blush.
"Sorry for making you listen to all my rambling." Her face relaxed into a relieved smile, as if she had finally unburdened her heart.
Time hadn't left its mark on her face—she still looked as young as ever. But family affairs and business dealings had completely changed what was once a pure heart.
Was this alright?
The girl glanced at the mirror on the bedside table, reflecting her own face—
A face no different from Manhattan Cafe's, impossible to fully conceal even with the mask.
'This is fine.'
Softly parting her lips, she seemed to say this to the girl.
"Well, now that the small talk is over, let's get to the main topic. Do you want to enter Tracen Academy?"
Finally shifting the subject, Flora began discussing business.
"Yes."
"Can you tell me your reason?"
"I hope to have a temporary place to settle."
"You're troubled by housing?"
"You could say that."
"In that case, I have a few job positions here—both meals and lodging included…"
"I can't leave Tracen," the girl shook her head.
"Is there something very important to you inside?"
"Mhm…" She nodded. "There's someone very important to me there."
Such familiar words…
Flora's pupils trembled almost imperceptibly.
--+--
"No matter what…"
"No matter what."
--+--
After a moment of silence, Flora spoke slowly: "I understand. What kind of position do you think suits you? Teacher, assistant? Or perhaps…"
"You agree?"
"You already know the answer. You're a friend brought by my daughter, and besides…"
She felt she couldn't refuse the other anyway.
"Trainee," the girl replied. "I think I still have some skill in training, though I wouldn't call myself an expert. A full trainer is too high—the staff trainee role fits best."
"Staff trainee… I see."
Flora stood up.
"I'll arrange an internal exam to help you enter Tracen. But the trainer you'll be assigned to will depend on your exam results. How does that sound?"
"No problem."
This already exceeded her expectations.
"Well then…" She came over and hugged the girl, as if transferring her longing for that person onto her.
"Good luck."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.