"Hehe, it's so great that the bookstore has this book."
Ardan happily took a book down from the shelf.
"Oh, did you find it?"
Legend poked her head out from the other end of the bookshelf.
"Yeah, I found it. Thank you for coming with me, Legend."
Ardan smiled radiantly.
"It's nothing, I don't have anything to do anyway."
Legend walked over and waved her hand.
"You don't have to comfort me, you know. Legend is the Acting President now, right?"
Ardan said softly.
But I'm really very free right now.
Legend opened her mouth, but still didn't say those words out loud.
After resolving the core funding issue, the three actual power-holders of Tracen Academy immediately began discussing plans.
Over the course of a few days, they discussed and produced a large stack of documents.
Gold Legend, who had jumped on the bandwagon halfway through, was clueless about these plans and couldn't offer any suggestions, so she could only act as a heartless stamping machine.
Perhaps this useless blonde thing was too much of an eyesore. The three high-level executives put their heads together and immediately threw Legend—who was nominally the Acting President but effectively a stamping tool—out of the office.
They called it "giving you time off."
It was effectively being kicked out.
When she wanted to go back to training, she was told by her Trainer that since she had just finished a race, she needed rest, and it wouldn't be good if she developed issues due to fatigue.
Look at me, full of life and energy, and say that again?
Legend almost grabbed the Trainer by the collar at that moment.
But then she thought about it—the Trainer was also concerned about her. With no other choice, she had to obediently rest.
Then Legend became lost.
What should I do?
It was fine at the beginning, curling up in the dormitory playing games, but she got bored within two days.
Her friends all had their own things to do, so it wasn't good to disturb them. You know, even her roommate, Mr. C.B., didn't know what kind of stimulation she received, but she spent all day lingering at the training grounds, leaving Legend feeling like a lonely old person.
As for studying, that was even worse. She learned fast anyway, and if she focused too much and got addicted, that wouldn't be good.
It wasn't suitable for her to make too much progress right now, in all aspects.
Out of boredom, Legend even went to the police station twice, just to find someone to chat with.
Under these circumstances, Ardan's invitation was like sweet rain after a long drought, nourishing Legend's inner world.
For this, Legend even specifically asked Gold City for a full hair care treatment before the appointment.
What is "main wife" treatment? (Leans back.jpg)
"Hmm?'Standard Chinese'? Ardan, are you planning to learn Chinese?"
Legend looked at the book in Ardan's hand and asked.
"Eh? Legend, can you read this?"
Ardan looked down at the book in her hand; the characters on it were undoubtedly pure Hanzi.
"I know a little?"
To tell the truth, that's my native language.
"I see. Legend, you are truly knowledgeable."
Ardan praised.
"Is it because of Invincible?"
Legend asked.
"That's part of the reason too," Ardan nodded. "My older brother once vowed to travel the world, but when he was in China, he suddenly chose to get married and settle down."
Ever since then, I've been very interested in that country.
"I see. That's nice. If you need it, I can teach you."
Legend said with a smile.
"Legend, do you also know Mandarin?"
"Just at a level where I can communicate."
"That's amazing. I once self-studied some Chinese, but it's nowhere near the level where I can communicate."
Ardan praised.
Legend's nose was practically in the air.
"Yosh, since the goal has been accomplished, let's go."
Ardan said with a smile.
"Since we're already here, shouldn't we buy something else?" Legend looked up and scanned her surroundings.
"It's already evening now. Is there anything you want to buy, Legend?" Ardan asked curiously.
"Huh? I don't."
The books I want are always delivered directly to me.
"Then I guess there isn't anything... Hmm? What's this?"
Ardan walked past Legend, went to another bookshelf, and picked up a book.
"What is it? 'Princess on a White Horse and the Ghost Prince'?"
What a strange book title.
Come to think of it, what the heck is a Princess on a White Horse? Is it Prince Charming?
Legend leaned in and scratched her head.
"I didn't expect this book to be here..."
"Ardan, have you read it?"
"It's a fairy tale I read when I was a child. It's said to be adapted from a comedy based on Romeo and Juliet."
Ardan gently stroked the cover, a nostalgic smile on her lips.
"What kind of story is it?"
Legend asked.
"The story is about a distressed white-haired Uma Musume princess who enters an abandoned castle while on the run, where she meets a prince who has turned into a ghost, and the two of them go on a romantic adventure together."
This sounds like a happy-ending story. What does it have to do with Romeo and Juliet?
"What I like most about this story is the scene where the prince and princess make their vows."
Ignoring Legend's rich desire to retort, Ardan continued on her own.
"After being warned by a nun who came to exorcise them that 'humans and ghosts follow different paths,' the two, determined to love each other, made vows to one another."
Ardan said with a dreamy look in her eyes: "In the twilight sunset, the prince knelt on one knee and made a vow to the princess: 'Even if death separates us, we will never be apart.' Then, as proof of their vow, the two embraced and kissed~"
What a cliché plot!
"What a romantic plot."
"Right? I really like this story. The ending, too—their love transcended life and death, moving the gods. The prince came back to life, and finally, witnessed by angels, the two got married in the castle and lived happily ever after."
Mejiro Ardan said with a look of yearning.
Such a cliché ending.
"What a classic ending."
Gold Legend suppressed the urge to retort and clapped with a smile.
Turning to look at Gold Legend, Mejiro Ardan suddenly had an idea. She stepped forward, raised her hand, and performed a wall-slam on Gold Legend.
The two locked eyes at an extremely close distance.
Mejiro Ardan could clearly see Gold Legend's amethyst-like eyes.
"What's wrong?"
Gold Legend asked calmly.
"...Ugh!" Mejiro Ardan puffed out her cheeks. "Gold Legend, do you have no thoughts at all about our current position?"
"?"
Gold Legend tilted her head, blinked, and then seemed to realize something.
"I understand."
She reached out and pulled Mejiro Ardan into her embrace.
"!!!"
Mejiro Ardan's face turned bright red instantly.
"Does Mejiro Ardan want to be closer to me?"
As she spoke, Gold Legend gently rubbed her cheek against Mejiro Ardan's.
"I'm right here."
"!@￥%￥..."
Mejiro Ardan was speechless. She reached out to hold Gold Legend's shoulders, pushed her away, and began to take deep breaths.
Gold Legend looked at Mejiro Ardan with a mischievous smile, saying nothing.
"...Geez, Gold Legend, you actually teased me!"
After calming down from the deep breaths, Mejiro Ardan said coquettishly.
"It was Mejiro Ardan who teased me first," Gold Legend retorted.
"Seriously... Hm?" Mejiro Ardan wanted to complain more, but suddenly noticed Gold Legend's hair. "Gold Legend, your hair..."
"Hm? Ah, just some highlights. Pretty nice, right?" Gold Legend said proudly.
"...It is."
It doesn't really look like it...
Mejiro Ardan looked at Gold Legend but decided not to say anything more.
"By the way, why did you start wanting to learn Chinese again, Mejiro Ardan?"
Gold Legend changed the subject.
"Mm, ah... to tell you the truth, it's for the future."
Mejiro Ardan noticed Gold Legend's awkward transition but didn't call her out on it.
"The future?"
"Mm, I plan to go to White Horse Temple for further studies after I retire."
This meant that Mejiro Ardan intended to leave Japan.
Gold Legend cast a surprised look at Mejiro Ardan.
"Further studies?"
"Mm..." Mejiro Ardan lowered her head, and her expression was unclear.
"Why so sudden?" Gold Legend asked.
"...Because I still want to keep moving forward."
Mejiro Ardan still remembered Gold Legend's figure at the Kikuka Sho.
Under the bright moonlight of the night sky, she seemed to wander alone in another world.
The moment she crossed the finish line, the strength and beauty she displayed were scenery that she herself could not reach.
She couldn't speak up; she couldn't even utter a word to her as she disappeared into the blooming petals.
She was too beautiful.
Unreachable, and therefore dazzling.
Then, Oguri Cap's calm commentary echoed in her ears.
Unlike herself, who was completely unable to move, Oguri Cap's words were filled with excitement and joy.
Unlike her, Oguri Cap was the one standing at the same height as Gold Legend.
But Mejiro Ardan was unwilling to accept this!
Even though she had already secured a position by her side, even though she was right next to her.
But, why?
Why was it so far away?
Is it really okay to go on like this?
She couldn't help but think this.
Is it really okay to just be lost in Gold Legend's gentleness?
Mejiro Ardan, of course, knew that Gold Legend didn't care about these things.
But Mejiro Ardan didn't want that.
Only an equal relationship can be called love.
Mejiro Ardan wanted to be worthy of Gold Legend's love.
Thus, Mejiro Ardan made up her mind.
However, such an approach was undoubtedly a sign of distrust; to put it more severely, it could even be called betrayal.
But, even if she were blamed for it, she decided to continue on this path.
"I see... Then, do your best."
"Eh?"
The anticipated blame did not come.
"When do you plan to leave, Mejiro Ardan? I'll throw a party for you then..."
"Gold Legend, aren't you mad at me?" Mejiro Ardan asked blankly.
"Hm? Mad about what?" Gold Legend asked, puzzled.
"I decided to go for further studies on my own, and I might be gone for years, without even consulting you all..."
"Why would you need to consult? That's Mejiro Ardan's own decision, right?"
"..."
Mejiro Ardan fell silent.
"I have never wanted anyone to stop their progress for me. That goes for Mejiro Ardan, too."
"I'm sorry..."
"Don't apologize. Everyone in this world should do what they want to do, and not waste the beautiful years bestowed by the heavens." Gold Legend reached out and pressed her finger against Mejiro Ardan's lips. "Mejiro Ardan making up her mind to walk her own path is a good thing, isn't it?"
"...Mm."
An indescribable emotion welled up in Mejiro Ardan's heart, and tears couldn't help but fall.
"Don't make that face. How about a smile?" Gold Legend said.
Mejiro Ardan looked up and saw Gold Legend's smile, as always.
The warm sunset shone in from the windowsill, hitting her beautiful golden hair and smiling face, bathing them in beautiful colors.
"Ah, right." Gold Legend glanced at the sunset outside the window and suddenly thought of something.
She knelt on one knee and extended a hand: "I swear to the princess..."
"...!" Shocked, watching Gold Legend kneeling before her, Mejiro Ardan broke into a smile through her tears. "I'm not a princess on a white horse..."
She gently placed a hand on Gold Legend's extended hand: "I swear to the prince..."
"Even if death separates us, we will never be apart."
"How about that? Still worried?" Standing up, Gold Legend winked playfully.
Mejiro Ardan didn't answer; she threw herself into Gold Legend's arms.
Wrapping her arms around Gold Legend's neck, Mejiro Ardan looked up and kissed Gold Legend.
"!!!" Gold Legend's eyes widened in shock, completely unable to move.
"..." The kiss lasted for several minutes, then Mejiro Ardan took a step back.
Whether it was the sunset or some other reason, her cheeks were bright red.
Without a word, Mejiro Ardan turned around and ran out of the bookstore without looking back.
Leaving Gold Legend alone, unable to move, standing there at a loss.
---------------------------------
I hope you enjoy this fanfiction! If you're having fun and want to read 30 chapters in advance, feel free to check out my Patreon: patreon.com/TLScarlet
Your support means a lot so if you like the story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone.