Flake Got Silly :3

Manhattan Cafe sat at the school cafeteria, alone at one of the tables. Unfortunately for her, Tachyon was nowhere to be seen, and Yukino Bijin had already sat next to Gold City at a fully occupied table. Cafe, of course, didn't mind all too much. She grew used to being alone, slowly finding comfort in those moments.

Meanwhile, at the other side of the cafeteria, Symboli Rudolf searched for an available seat. She knew from experience that sitting next to most students would frighten them, which is why she oftentimes sat alone or with a trainer. However, her eyes slowly fixated on a lone, black-haired Umausume sitting in silence. She had seen this uma a few times before, but hadn't spoken to her once, let alone learned her name.

"What kind of Emperor would I be if I didn't know my subjects?" - Rudolf thought, slowly approaching the lonesome Uma. - "Excuse me, could I sit here?" - She asked, looking down at the girl. She, in return gazed up at Rudolf with confusion. Though her stare felt cold, Rudolf could tell she meant no harm.

"...Sure." - Cafe murmured, taking another bite of her meal as Rudolf sat besides her.

"Thank you. I've seen you a few times around the academy, most oftentimes alone or accompanied by Agnes Tachyon." - She said, giving a warm smile as she grabbed her food. - "Though, I'm afraid I don't know your name."

"...Manhattan Cafe..." - Cafe responded, looking at Rudolf for a moment to scan her face and body. Despite being known as The Emperor, she seemed slightly less horrifying than how Cafe imagined her.

"I see... It's a pleasure to meet you, Manhattan Cafe." - Rudolf greeted, reaching her hand out to Cafe, now glad to know her name. Cafe hesitated, slowly reaching her hand out to Rudolf and gently shaking it.

"...Thank you." - She replied, before quietly returning to her meal. For a while, the two ate in silence. Cafe wondered what business Rudolf had with her, but before she could come up with an answer, Rudolf spoke again.

"I hope my sudden intrusion doesn't bother you all too much. Truly, I don't mean to disturb you." - Rudolf commented. She worried that Cafe may have tensed up from Rudolf taking a seat with her.

"...It's fine." - She quietly reassured, yet again gazing at Rudolf. Before she could reply, Cafe asked a question. - "Then, why did you sit here? I think there are other available seats."

"Ah, well, I thought it could be nice to have some company during a meal." - Rudolf answered, looking at Cafe with an honest smile. - "Plus, you're an Umamusume with whom I haven't spoken much. As The Emperor, it is both my duty and pleasure to learn more about all students, as long as they give me the chance." - She continued, a small smile growing on her face. Cafe, in return, stared at Rudolf with an odd, almost confused look.

"...I see." - Cafe nodded in return, taking a moment to think about what Rudolf said, still eating. She found it odd for someone to approach her like this, of her own free will. Though strange, it was a nice change of pace.

"It's honestly nice to meet new people like this... I guess it's a good idea to enjoy someone's presence in the... Manhattan Cafeteria" - Rudolf joked, giggling under her breath as she made a pun by pure instincts, realizing it may have been a bad idea. As she turned her head back to cafe, she found her staring dead into Rudolf's eyes. - "Ah- I apologize if that pun-" - She added, before quickly noticing a small smile on Cafe's face. Thinking about it, this was the first time Rudolf had seen Cafe's smile.

"...Hehe..." - She chuckled under her breath. Addmitedly, the pun wasn't the best, but Cafe found the gesture rather sweet. Rudolf was rather shocked by this reaction, and before she could say something, Cafe spoke a bit more. - "For an Emperor, you are rather sweet."

It was a dark, rainy afternoon. Just an hour before curfew, Manhattan Cafe managed to sneak out of the school without anyone noticing, letting her finally enjoy some time for herself. She entered a nearby cafe, and took her usual order - a simple black coffee, before sitting down at one of the tables and leaning against the window. She listened intently to the sound of dropplets hitting the glass and the smooth music coming out of the speakers, sighing as she took a sip from her mug, the strong aroma washing over her body as she drank. Though this peace was pleasant, she found comfort in knowing she wasn't quite alone.

...

"...Hm, I suppose it's quite nice... Yes." - She answered her friend's question, putting her mug down and leaning her head on her palm - "After such a long day of training... Sometimes... All I need is some refreshment..." - She added as her friend smiled.

...

"...Yes, it's been a good day... I'm thankful for my trainer, their help with today's training might really improve my performance..." - She whispered, taking another sip. She usually spoke rather quietly, but she knew her friend always heard what she had to say, even when no one else cared to listen - "Ah, that hit the spot..."

...

"...Hm, maybe? I guess I've grown to enjoy their presence, considering how good they are at their job..." - She answered in a slight uncertainty, as her tail gently swayed from side to side.

...

"...Don't even bring her up..." - Cafe groaned, getting slightly upset at the sheer mention of her rival's name as her ears spiked up. For once, she had a moment of peace to herself, and she wanted to make the most of it.

...

"...Honestly I don't know either." - She sighed, taking another sip and turning her head to the window -"I guess I just wish she wasn't constantly bothering me... Using me for her little 'experiments' or whatever..." - She added

...

"...I guess you're right..." - She muttered, taking another sip, almost already being done with her coffee, looking back at the window as her tail's movement slowed down, with a soft gleam in her eyes

...

"...Hehe, I guess that's fair enough..." - She giggled at her friend's comment. Somehow, her friend always knew just how to comfort her. Though, it made sense, after all the two have known each other for as long as either of them could remember.