"I'm sorry, Admire Vega, my heart already belongs to someone else."
"Belongs to someone… But, I can't live without you!"
"I understand, and so I'm sorry…"
"Wait, don't go!"
Admire Vega reached out her hand.
Yet, no matter how she stretched, she couldn't reach the figure drifting further and further away.
Standing behind Admire Vega, a girl who bore a striking resemblance to her wore an indescribable expression.
Admire Vega's younger sister.
She hadn't expected things to end like this either.
Why…
Why! Did our mother have to go and steal Big Sis's girlfriend!
What kind of situation is this? It was all settled that Manhattan Cafe would be given to Big Sis, why did she suddenly change her mind?
Well, okay, it wasn't officially settled, that was just her own wishful thinking.
But those two were so perfectly suited for each other, there's no reason to refuse!
Could it be that Big Sis did something wrong?
Watching her sister tormented by nightmares of heartbreak every day, the younger sister couldn't help but sigh.
No good, I have to fight for Big Sis one more time.
Thinking this, the younger sister ran out of Admire Vega's dream.
--+--
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains onto the soft bedding. Admire Vega's brow twitched lightly, she let out a soft groan, and opened her eyes.
"Good morning, Vega…"
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Curren Chan, who had also just woken up, greeted her.
"Good morning," Admire Vega responded gloomily, the scenes from her dream echoing incessantly in her mind.
She had been abandoned by Manhattan Cafe.
No… This wasn't just a dream.
She really had been abandoned.
In that race, Admire Vega had come in last.
Pathetic, right? Shamefully confessing to Manhattan Cafe, only to end up not even in second or third place.
She became the one at the very bottom.
Yet that wasn't even the hardest part for Admire Vega to accept.
When the race ended, that mysterious person who suddenly appeared confessed their feelings to Manhattan Cafe.
And those feelings… were reciprocated.
The moment she saw the two embrace, Admire Vega felt the world spin.
A crushing sense of abandonment overwhelmed her.
That should have been her!
But Manhattan Cafe's actions had made it clear who the true victor was.
Admire Vega had already forgotten how she returned to her dorm, or how she fell asleep. It was as if everything around her had ceased to matter.
For days, she drifted in a daze.
The ray of light that had begun to melt the icy fortress around her heart vanished along with Manhattan Cafe's departure.
The one being she could pin her hopes on had resolutely left her behind.
Now, Admire Vega and Manhattan Cafe were nothing to each other.
Was this fate?
A laughable, utterly mocking fate.
The whispers and rumors about her and Manhattan Cafe dissipated after the race, vanishing with the emergence of the victor. She returned to her usual, inconspicuous days.
The difference was, a few new labels now followed her.
'The loser in the love competition,' 'The desperate night raid that ended in such a miserable result,' and 'The defeated heroine from a TV drama.'
The image solidified overnight made her classmates look at her with pity in their eyes, their tones careful and exceedingly gentle when they spoke.
No, please… When you act like that, it just makes me remember this unbearable memory! I'm begging you, just let me be…
Admire Vega pleaded incessantly in her heart.
"Did Vega not sleep well?"
Seeing Admire Vega sitting on the bed, motionless as a doll, lost in thought, Curren Chan asked with concern.
"Ah… It's nothing. Maybe my blood sugar's a bit low, feeling a little lightheaded."
"I see." Curren Chan blinked. "If Vega has something on your mind, you can tell me, you know? I'll definitely help you sort it out!"
"Mm, I know." Admire Vega smiled in response to Curren Chan's earnest promise.
She always offered encouragement when Admire Vega was at her lowest. She was truly grateful to her.
"I'm going to go out for a little walk, to relax…"
"This early?"
"It's quieter earlier."
"Is that so? Well, see you later, Vega."
Waving to Admire Vega, who had dressed and was leaving the room, Curren Chan watched the door slowly close.
As I thought, Vega still hasn't recovered from the pain of her broken heart.
Just who was that person who took Manhattan Cafe away?
Leaving the dorm, Admire Vega didn't head to her usual quiet spots like the riverbank or park. Instead, she found herself on the shopping street.
Looking at the street, usually only this bustling on rest days, Admire Vega clasped her hands behind her back and quietly walked in.
Being alone made the feeling of abandoned loneliness far more intense than usual, something her current heart couldn't possibly bear.
That's why she had come here.
The noise and clamor would scatter her desolate mood.
She wandered aimlessly.
"Hmm? This isn't bad… Feels like it'd make a good gift, but this one's nice too…"
"A lovely young lady! Is there anything you're looking for?"
"Shopkeeper, everything is wonderful. It's so hard to choose."
"Haha, you have a good eye, miss! Is it for someone, perhaps?"
"For a friend."
"A boyfriend? If so, I'd suggest…"
"Ahaha… You've got it wrong. It's for a female friend."
"Oh, oh, I see! Then how about this—"
A familiar voice caught Admire Vega's attention.
Following the sound, she saw a short-haired girl in a crisp white shirt and black jacket.
Golden earrings glittered brilliantly, and gem-like blue eyes carefully examined the handicrafts before her.
"Fuji Kiseki…"
Admire Vega uttered the name involuntarily.
An ear twitched slightly. Amid the noisy environment, the girl keenly caught that faint sound.
Turning around, she saw Admire Vega standing not far behind her.
"Vega. What a surprise, running into you here."
Somewhat taken aback, Fuji Kiseki put down the craft in her hand and walked over quickly.
"Shopping?" Fuji Kiseki asked.
She had thought Admire Vega and shopping malls were two completely separate entities that never met.
Who knew she had a taste for shopping too.
"Just taking a walk," Admire Vega replied.
"A walk?"
In this noisy shopping district?
Well, everyone has their own quirks. Maybe Admire Vega's seemingly quiet personality actually enjoyed lively places.
"But your timing is perfect."
Fuji Kiseki said:
"There's something I wanted to ask of you."
"Me?" Admire Vega blinked.
"Mm." Fuji Kiseki nodded, her expression rather troubled. "Actually, I have a friend who helped me a great deal. To express my gratitude, I want to give her a gift."
"I got carried away in the moment and promised her a proper present, but I don't really know what I should get. Are more expensive things better?"
Fuji Kiseki rested her chin on her hand.
Even if you ask me, I wouldn't know…
Admire Vega thought inwardly.
I've never given anyone a gift, never even expressed…
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck through Admire Vega's mind.
Her previously frozen train of thought shattered in an instant.
Admire Vega understood.
That's right… She had never given anything to anyone.
Not even to Manhattan Cafe.
Feelings require giving.
Whether it's love, or gratitude, it's all the same.
Feelings that only exist as words, without any action, how could they ever bear fruit?
"Vega doesn't know either? Picking gifts really isn't easy, huh." Fuji Kiseki sighed. "Sorry to bother you, Vega."
"Let me help you too…" she spoke up.
"Let me help as well. Two people choosing is better than one."
"Oh?" Fuji Kiseki's eyes widened slightly.
It was rare for the other to be so proactive.
"You're willing to give me suggestions? That's a huge help, Vega."
"It's nothing."
After all, thanks to Fuji Kiseki's unintentional prompting, Admire Vega realized that maybe she hadn't completely lost her chance.
She would express her feelings to that person once more.
Success or failure rested on this attempt.
"Well then, let's find a gift that will make the Trainee-san happy."
"Trainee-san?"
"Ah, that's right, Vega doesn't know. My trainer recently recruited a new trainee. She's a very lovely girl."
"A trainee under Trainer Toujou… She must be quite capable."
"Unexpectedly thoughtful and perceptive. She even managed to resolve the issue that was troubling Narita Brian. Very reliable, makes you want to get along with her."
"To be praised so highly by Dorm Head Fuji Kiseki…"
Wait…
Narita Brian?
The Narita Brian who lost the race.
Could it be she was troubled by heartbreak too, just like me?
And resolving her troubles means…
Admire Vega narrowed her eyes.
Perhaps things weren't as simple as they seemed.
--+--
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.