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"Thanks, come again" she lazily shouted across the cafe.
She idly sways her tail while wiping down the counter. Dressed in a red and green checkered apron and her hair tied back into one ponytail instead of her two pigtails, Nice Nature was working a odd shift at a family friend's cafe. She wanted to help out the older couple that ran the place, fondly remembering the times she was given hot chocolate with extra marshmallows with a wink and a smile as a little kid. It was only fair to pay them back and man the cafe while they were searching for new holiday recipes.
Besides, Most of her fellow students would rather be anywhere than a part time job, on the field, hanging out with their friends, studying or napping in the dorm; but for Nice Nature, this was a nice break from training and racing. She liked being around everyone, but the quiet alongside the odd passerby checking it out with the regulars picking up their usual was a needed change of pace.
As she was putting away some older desserts to either be given to friends or thrown out later, she noticed a very familiar warm brown hair tied with a bright pink ribbon peeking out behind a poster taped to the window. A familar hair color that she wish she didn't know all too well.
Nice Nature didn't dislike Teio at all, in fact, she was a warm sun and a bundle of positivity even in the worst case scenarios. Like, for example, breaking her leg about three times now in the exact same place, being denied the chance for the Kikuka Sho, and losing in the Spring Tenno Sho. Despite everything, Nature hasn't really seen her despair or get too upset about it, tacking race after race with the same excitement people adored her for. She, probably like most people, admired that about her, the tenacity and determination to keep going despite everything. Teio was a shining star, blinding everyone including Nice Nature. She couldn't hope to stand at the same level as her, that was way too much for someone like her.
She stopped her daydreaming as the bell rang in Ms. Tokai Teio, humming a cheery tune while pushing open the door.
She walked around the store with starry eyes and a gentle smile, Nature just watched her as she expertly moved to the cafe's counter with her crutches. She supposed it was a decent skill to pick up after typically career ending injuries. Though, when Teio's eyes met hers, her face flashed a whole different emotion. Fear? Worry? Nature hoped it wasn't disgust.
As quickly it came, it left with a strained smile and those same eyes looking past Nice Nature. "Hey Natie! Didn't know you worked here!"
She couldn't help but scrunch her ears at 'Natie', "Just helping out the people that own this place. Old family friends."
"Mn! You guys have the honey milk right?"
"Yeah, how do you like it?"
"Extra Honey and Extra Sweet!" Teio glanced over at the glass display case of the sweets, "Oh! And one of those strawberry shortcakes too!"
Nature just nodded and got the order in, Teio paid and sat down at one of the booths. Though, it was an odd pick for someone like her, it was so far away from the window, the sun, or really much to look at in that spot, not many people wanted to sit there most of the time if they were sticking around.
As she went back into the kitchen, the sudden expression change hung over her head. As a spectator, it would be rude of her to wonder, but why was she here of all places? Nature had an idea of what grade 1 training was like, and it's a lot of work. Most of the time, she would be training and working out with the others much later than the late afternoon. Getting done when the sun started to set, tired and just wanting to relax for awhile. For a prospective racer who was the spitting image of the student council president, Teio at least be with the rest of her teammates. There have been stories of her still intently watching others run while she was on medical leave, so for her to be in a homely cafe was… strange to say the least.
Nature took a quick glance over to Teio, idly scrolling through her phone. Though from her slight frown and lazy glances, it couldn't have been for fun. She looked back to the drink and cake, all they needed was just some finishing touches and Teio could be served and on her way. Something nagged at Nature, it wasn't her place to sit and chat with such a bright star, but she couldn't just leave her alone like this. She was a side character to the main people of her season, she probably shouldn't even bother or entertain the idea. But… Nice Nature would hate it more if she just ignored someone like that.
So, she cut herself a slice of strawberry shortcake, made herself a little tea latte, placed all four items on the serving tray and walked out to Teio.
"Ah, uh Teio?" She called out as she walked toward the booth, tail between her legs. "Do you mind if I take my break with you?"
Teio looked up and shook her head no, sitting herself down across from her. Still just scrolling away on her phone as she handed Teio her drink and cake.
"So, uh, Teio?" she asked picking up her latte. "What brought you to this street?"
She set her phone down and tapped at the sides of her honey drink, "I was just walking around, and I found a few shops and wanted to stop in for a treat."
"Ah, I see…" That wasn't the answer Nature was looking for, but to Teio, she's an aquantiance at best. So it's no wonder why she didn't say much more.
The air was uncomfortably still before Nature spoke up again, "It's so early in the day, you having a break day?"
"Well…" Oh great she pried way too much. "Can't really do much with my leg right now, and…."
Everything was much too quiet again, though it just made Nature wonder just how she felt about all this. A weird thought from a spectator's role, but the only thing that Nature heard about this star's feeling was through rumors, interviews, and catching her light in the training facilities. It wasn't until now, when she was sitting right across from her, dull and seeming mentally stranded, that she truly wonder Teio's feelings.
Nature took a sip of her latte and said "I hear something from my at the bar and here, it's easier to share feelings with someone you don't know as well."
Teio's ears perked up "But I know you! We run in the same races together!"
"Yeah but," her own ears fold a little. "We don't do much else together, really. I don't really know your likes or what you do outside of training. So, it doesn't really matter what I think."
Teio hunched her shoulders, almost shrinking herself down a little before talking again. "I think it does, at least a little bit."
"Ah, nevermind that." Nature completely forgotten how her habits make other feel. "Still, what's on your mind."
Teio looked around a little before speaking. "I… I don't know if I can run anymore. Not just with my leg but, with everything."
Nature's ears perked up as she leaned forward while Teio continued to talk, "I haven't… I haven't trained in awhile, I haven't ran with anyone in months, I haven't even been on the turf in ages."
Tears started to form at the corners of her eyes, "I tried to at least help my team out, to watch them run, maybe imagine what I would do. But, I know how everyone looks at me. I know that I disappointed them, I know that I ruined their hopes and dreams."
"The worst part isn't even getting to race anymore, though" Sobs croaked out, struggling with even basic syllables. "It's seeing everyone go past me while they run. And when they see me, I know that all they see is what I could've been. What I would've done if I was just like Prez or anyone else."
She gripped on tighter to her cup. "I want to keep running, I want to do things like McQueen or Prez or Daiwa or even you! But I feel so- so-"
Teio let go and buried her head into her arms on the table, quiet sobs muffled underneath. Nature's heart ached at the sight, she knew well that they weren't friends, but it hurt seeing such a bright star crumple right in front of her. She was an idiot to assume that it didn't get to her after her injuries and all the races she didn't compete in because of it. Though she did doubt whether anything that would come out of her mouth would be useful to a double crown winner, what advice could she even give as someone who only ever had bronze medals in her room?
Maybe though, she didn't need to say anything. Maybe all she needed to do was just reach across the table and listen to her. Not to the heir to the Emperor's throne, or the double crown winner, or even the one who 'just could've been legendary'. But to Tokai Teio, the lonely girl sitting in a cafe with shattered dreams much too large and a body just too fragile.
Nature reached over and gently took one of Teio's fingers from her folded arms, as if her hand was a life ring, Teio grasped Nature's hand, it was a little rough, but not by much compared to Nature's, who often helped out with all kinds of things from lifting boxes to working in the kitchen during her years. They shared a silence together, a much more comfortable lull than from earlier.
"Natie?" Teio perked up, voice wavering. "I wanna ask for something."
She couldn't control the twitch in her ears, but they still rose to attention from Teio's despair. "Yeah?"
"Can I have a hug?"
Nice Nature let go of Teio's hand in surprise to cover her rapidly blushing face with her own. Her? Really?! Out of everyone in Teio's shining group, Daiwa, Vodka, Gold Ship, even the legendary stayer McQueen, she wanted one from her… Oh pull it together Nature, this isn't about you!
Nature mustered up whatever she had inside of herself and sat next to Tokai Teio, her teary eyes followed her every step over to the other side of the booth. Then, all Nature had to do was open up her arms for Teio to fall right into them, burying her face in Nice Nature's shoulder as her tiny body shook with her sobs. Balling her fists into Nature's clothes while Nature pulled her in tighter. Holding her like this, even in these circumstances, was comfortable and more importantly showed how small she was. The whole world on this poor girl's shoulders.
They sat there for awhile, however long Teio needed to finally steady her breathing and for her tears to slow down. When she pulled away, her eyes were a little red but drying up as her ears were in a half folded state.
"Thanks Natie." Teio's tail patted against the seat while she wiped away her tears. "You're really comfortable."
Nature felt her cheeks heat up again, "Ah- thanks? Just, y'know, doing what I can here."
Teio turned back to her drink and cake while kicking her legs. "I appreciate it, a lot." she said shooting her a smile
Nature couldn't stop her tail from swishing about behind her, luckily it was well hidden, but it still made her a little embarrassed. Such a nice expression, that wasn't for the cameras, or her trainer, or her friends, but for Nice Nature. She wouldn't admit it to anyone else, but it made her feel warm inside.
"mmmmm!!!" Teio intterupted Nature's thoughts, "This is really good!"
"Oh! Thanks." Her tail moves a little faster. "I think they picked up the recipe from that one truck, but it's been so long that it developed into their own thing."
"Oh! Y'know…"
Teio and Nature talked a little more about other things besides training while finally eating. Strangely, it mostly consisted of Teio asking about Nature and her life instead about her own. She supposed that there wasn't much to know about Teio that wasn't blatantly obvious of was stated in an interview or two, plus most of Teio's time was spent training, training she can't do anymore. Nature would take the mantle of being Teio's attention if it would make her feel better.
They talked for awhile until a notification came up on Teio's phone, she quickly scanned over it and sighed. "Ah, my trainer wants me for something."
"You seem pretty disappointed about that."
"Because I don't wanna! I wanna talk more!"
"Well, urm…" She couldn't lie and say that the feeling wasn't mutual, but a main charater like Teio shouldn't spend so much time with someone like her. Less her unremarkable nature rubs off on Teio. "I still think you should go anyway."
"Hmph! Fine." Teio pouted, puffing up her cheeks.
They both stood up and Nature cleaned off the table, getting the empty drinks and plates onto a serving tray.
"Oh! Oh! One last thing!" Teio looked at her with starry eyes and a strange new vigor.
"What is it-"
Nature had to move the tray above her head to make sure she didn't drop the contents while Teio rushed in for a hug. Nature just awkardly froze in place, not really sure if she should hug her back or stay there while Teio held on tighter with and exarrerated 'mmmmmmm!!'
Though, before she could make her move Teio pulled away and started to tap her feet and run to the door.
"See you soon Natie!!!" Teio shouted as the door closed with a hasty ring of the bell.
Nature couldn't do anything but just stand there dumbfounded for a few seconds. This would be ridicoulys to assume, but the affection made her silly mind think that her and Teio could be good friends. She didn't mind the idea, but she had to be realistic with herself as well. It was more of a 'right place, right time' than anything more.
She finshed up cleaning her and Teio's spot and made her way back to the cash register in the front. Hoping she could make up for the lost time that was spent with Teio, as no one at the counter would make anyone think the place was closed for today.
As she waited again, a stray thought came across her mind.
She could get used to the nickname 'Natie'. It had a good ring to it.