When they arrived at the cafeteria, it was still a sea of people. Though thirty minutes had passed since the lunch rush began, the crowd showed no signs of thinning. The facility was vast and the kitchen staff numerous, but even they struggled to keep pace with the voracious appetites of growing Uma Musume. Tachyon was usually no exception, yet today, her tray looked uncharacteristically light.
Tanoue, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. "Not much of an appetite today?"
Tachyon glanced down at her tray, then looked back at her trainer with a flicker of surprise. "Appetite? It's… perhaps a bit lower than usual, but nothing worth noting. A mere margin of error."
"…I see. Sorry."
Tanoue moved to close the conversation, but Tachyon narrowed her eyes in a mock display of pique.
"What's with the 'sorry'? Don't tell me you're trying to settle the score from our little spat earlier. I won't have it. I've always disliked men who try to gloss things over."
Tanoue met her gaze with a look of pure bewilderment. Tachyon suddenly broke into a grin.
"A joke, a joke! You really do make the most marvelous faces, my friend. You're quite fun to toy with."
Behind them, Manhattan Cafe let out a sharp, pointed cough. When they turned, she was standing there with a look of utter irritation, lightly shaking a can of coffee.
"The coffee is becoming cloying," she muttered.
Having had their conversation interrupted by Cafe's dry commentary, the two fell silent. The three of them began the tedious search for a place to sit.
They eventually settled for a table by the wall, the furthest point from the serving counters. Tachyon and Cafe sat side-by-side, while Tanoue took the seat opposite Cafe. To be honest, sitting directly across from Tachyon felt like stepping into a lion's den, so he opted for the safety of the diagonal seat. Cafe noticed his hesitation and gave a small, judgmental furrow of her brow.
Tanoue remained a ghost at the table, refraining from the conversation. Since Tachyon was the only one talking, it wasn't so much a dialogue as it was her monologue directed at Cafe. Eventually, she pivoted to a specific topic.
"Cafe, Cafe. Tell me, what do you think of this racing silk?"
Tachyon spread the lapels of her white lab coat. Cafe took a slow, deliberate swallow of her coffee, eyed the outfit for a few seconds, and then spoke.
"I think... surely something more could have been done with it."
"You too? Honestly... My Trainer and I had quite the row about it this morning. He claims it 'fails to hide what ought to be hidden.'"
Tachyon spoke without the slightest hint of reserve, even with Tanoue sitting right there. She did, however, keep a sly eye on him to gauge his reaction. Tanoue wanted to protest, but he lacked the energy; he simply waited for Cafe to respond.
"…It is certainly quite scandalous," Cafe agreed. "Just tights? Have you lost your mind?"
"What?! Tights are basically trousers! And I'm wearing undergarments beneath them, aren't I? Just like you, Cafe!"
That comment caught Cafe off guard. She shot a quick, embarrassed glance toward Tanoue before snapping back at Tachyon.
"There is a man present, and I have absolutely no intention of discussing my personal attire. It's this lack of tact that caused the fight with your Trainer, isn't it?"
"It was a 'dispute.'"
"You just called it a 'fight' a moment ago. Besides, there's no difference. If you continue to talk back to me, I'm leaving. My coffee is finished anyway."
Cafe made a move to stand, leaving Tachyon behind. Tachyon reflexively reached out and clung to her sleeve.
"Wait, don't go! If it's just the two of us, I won't know what to talk to him about!"
"Talk about whatever you like," Cafe said, shaking Tachyon's arm off.
"But you said you'd only leave if I talked back!" Tachyon shouted at Cafe's retreating back.
Before exiting the cafeteria, Cafe looked back once. She gave a small, satisfied huff of her nose—as if to say serves you right—and vanished. Tachyon was left staring at her large plate of curry, which she hadn't even touched because she'd been too busy talking.
"Oh dear," Tachyon murmured. "I got so carried away with the conversation that I forgot to eat. Now that I've had a bite, my appetite has vanished entirely."
Tanoue, having already finished his meal, watched her. Tachyon began to listlessly move the curry with her spoon, occasionally distracted, staring at the utensil as if it were a strange specimen. The cafeteria was nearly empty; they had maybe five minutes left. Tachyon wasn't even close to finishing.
"Want me to help?" Tanoue asked suddenly.
Tachyon's eyes lit up with immediate delight.
"I was waiting for those words! You were so quiet, I was just about to give up and leave the rest."
"Right. But… I've already eaten my fill, so I can't finish all of it. You have to keep eating too, okay?"
"Oh, gladly! A simple request."
Tachyon moved to slide the plate to the center of the table, but Tanoue shook his head and pushed it back toward her side. He stood up and moved his seat so he was sitting directly in front of her. Seeing Tachyon's bored expression transform into a bright, beaming smile made Tanoue feel a twinge of happiness.
Yes, he thought. She looks best when she's smiling like that.
They continued to eat in silence, yet the atmosphere was warm. Tachyon's eating speed increased exponentially. In the end, she polished off three-quarters of the plate, while Tanoue handled the rest. By the time the "Closing Soon" announcement echoed through the hall, they had finished every bite.
As they carried their trays to the return station, Tachyon spoke softly.
"…So, the 'just tights' look really is a problem, then?"
Tanoue didn't answer with words. He simply shifted his gaze toward her. Their eyes met.
"In your opinion, it's unacceptable?"
Tanoue gave a firm nod.
"Hmm… perhaps I'll try wearing a skirt over them. You'd prefer that, wouldn't you?"
Tanoue hesitated to respond to such a direct question, but since it was the truth, he gave a reluctant nod. Tachyon burst into laughter.
"That reaction! How fascinating. Is that a 'typical Japanese hesitation,' or are you truly that conflicted about voicing your own desires? Which is it?"
Tanoue looked at her, once again bewildered.
"…I see you're not in a talkative mood. Yawn… all that food has made me quite drowsy. Let's go back to the Trainer's room. I need a nap."
"What about your afternoon classes?" Tanoue asked in a low voice.