Chapter Text
Spring was a dream. Warm breezes, fresh blossoms, and strawberry-themed accessories practically justified their own fashion line. But for Curren Chan, spring also meant nonstop racing, student obligations, and—until recently—a very moody roommate.
Thankfully, after their riverside heart-to-heart, Ayabe-chan had started to change. Sure, she still had her gloomy spells, but now she paid attention to her hair—sometimes twice a day! And she even let out a few snarky remarks when Curren flirted with vendors during their outings. Progress!
Charity-chan’s visit had to wait until her spring break, though, and Ayabe-chan was a teensy bit stressed about that. But at least now Curren could throw jokes at her without getting frostbite in return.
Still, life at Tracen was busy, and one night, somewhere between idol poses and snack tasting, Curren remembered something tragic:
She forgot her laundry.
“Aagh!” she gasped dramatically in her dorm room. “Not the spring pajamas!”
Luckily, the laundry room was still part of the dorm complex, so there was no rule-breaking involved. But the hallways were dim, and night vision wasn’t exactly a skill Umadols were known for. Curren tiptoed softly—being cute meant respecting people’s sleep, after all—but just as she reached her last turn on the way —
BAM❗
“Ouch!” she yelped, rubbing her forehead. “Hope it won’t bruise. Bruises are not cute.”
She glanced up, blinking against the hallway gloom. Long black coat, long black hair, and a pair of glowing gold eyes that seemed to float before a face emerged from the dark.
Manhattan Cafe.
She looked like a lost forest spirit from a ghost story. In the near-total darkness, the only thing visible had been the gleam of her golden eyes. They looked like cute buttons!
“I know you're friends with Hishi Akebono,” Cafe said in a low, flat tone. “But I didn't expect you to be as clumsy as she is.”
Curren puffed her cheeks. “Excuse me! Clumsiness can be very cute! Also, it’s not my fault—Umas aren’t nocturnal. I couldn’t see anything! Are you okay, Cafe-chan?”
“I’m fine,” Cafe added coolly. “Bumps like that are nothing with stamina like mine.”
She paused.
“…My friend suggested I guide you next time. If your vision’s that poor.”
Curren blinked. “Friend?”
She glanced down the hallway. They were the only ones. She was partially blind but she would notice a third figure.
Curren gasped.
Is this one of those invisible friends?!
Like the ones she’d seen on spooky variety shows, the kind that lingered in the shadows and whispered secrets under the full moon?
Suddenly her fatigue was gone—replaced by full-on adventure mode.
“Well then! Don’t mind if I do!” she chirped. “What’s your friend’s name? I should introduce myself, obviously. It’s only polite that Cute Curren Chan makes a proper entrance!”
Laundry? Hardly a priority right now.
She had just collided with mystery itself—and Curren wasn’t about to turn down a night of supernatural sparkle.✨
End of Part 1