In the world of science, we rely on computers for research, use physics formulas to make judgments, and debate everything until a logical conclusion is reached.
But the truth might not be so clear-cut. Human perspective is narrow, filled with bias; we only see what we're willing to accept.
And now, as Mu Xuan—or rather, Sunday Serenity—observed the world again in the form of a soul, he realized that the azure-blue planet was nothing but a shackle binding the flesh.
There's always someone better, skies beyond skies.
Beyond this world, there are other worlds.
Uma Musume—horse girls—possess bodies similar to humans, yet also bear equine traits, like those long ears on their heads and the tails swishing behind their hips. To Sunday Serenity, who was originally human, these features felt awkward, like suddenly growing an extra finger—even if you could sense it, normal logic made it hard to control.
But even setting those aside, Uma Musume could live perfectly ordinary lives.
Listening to Sunday Silence's explanations, Sunday Serenity began to understand her situation. This world was similar to the one she knew, except it lacked an animal called the "horse," and had instead a race known as "Uma Musume."
"My poor worldview…"
"Heh, you're making quite the amusing face." Sunday Silence lifted a hand and tapped the mirror glass with a knock-knock-knock. "Next, we're heading outside. I'll show you a whole new world."
"Outside? You mean I can actually go out?"
"Naturally. Now that you're a ghost, you're no longer bound by your physical body."
This was way too liberating.
How many people rack their brains, endure exhaustion, force a smile while clinking glasses at banquets—all just to win their boss's favor, hoping to scrape together some assets someday and gain a little more freedom.
Little did they know that only by abandoning everything could one truly become unshackled.
"Let's go, my other half."
She stretched out her hand, and another mirror rose from the ground.
"Your other half?"
"Of course. Right now, you are Sunday Silence, and so am I. Calling my own name feels awkward, so 'other half' will do."
"Ha…"
As if quite pleased with her decision, the girl nodded repeatedly.
Before her, the rising snow-white mirror surface reflected no image of herself. Instead, it showed a bustling street corner, pedestrians hurrying to and fro.
"Pass through this door, and you'll reach the outside world."
The voice sounded by her ear. Turning, she found nothing around. Without the mirror's reflection, she couldn't see the girl's figure, but intuition told her Sunday Silence was nearby.
"Understood." Nodding, she reached out and touched the mirror surface. Like disturbing still pond water, ripples spread from her fingertip.
Suppressing her unease, Sunday Serenity stepped through.
HONK—!
Her vision blurred white. Suddenly, everything grew loud and chaotic—the blare of a car horn flashed by, a spring-soft breeze brushed her cheeks. When her sight cleared, Sunday Serenity found herself in the very scene she'd glimpsed earlier.
The distinctive sights of a bustling city filled her view: pot-bellied, balding middle-aged men, office workers in tight ties and glasses, laid-back new interns—all rushing along like an express train of corporate drones on the Sanzu River, thick with tension.
Sunday Serenity had appeared right in front of a clothing store display window.
Amid the crowd of black-suited figures hurrying back and forth, no one noticed the petite black-clad girl materialize out of nowhere.
Thank goodness.
Sunday Serenity breathed a sigh of relief. She'd half-expected to be surrounded like some rare oddity and photographed like crazy.
"Ordinary people can't see you," said the reflection of Sunday Silence in the shop window.
Even outside that strange space, she could still see her in mirrors—it gave Sunday Serenity a sense of reassurance.
Being completely unfamiliar with this city, having someone to explain things was helpful.
Well…
To be precise, not "someone"—a ghost.
"They really can't see me?"
"You're a ghost now. Normally, regular people can't perceive ghosts."
"I see…"
Though called a ghost, Sunday Serenity didn't feel particularly different. Her hands and feet still had normal sensation; touching fabric, she could feel its texture. Even when nervous or scared, she could feel her 'heart' pounding away.
Truth be told, Sunday Serenity had imagined ghosts as beings free from worldly desires, like wisps of white mist, maybe with glowing eyes, floating aimlessly without wants.
At most, those with too much resentment before death might retain a shred of emotion, becoming destructive spirits.
But now it seemed the so-called ghosts of this world weren't too different from living people—at least in terms of senses and consciousness, they retained their human-like form.
"So can I walk through walls?"
Sunday Serenity moved slowly, her black silk-gloved fingers touching the wall. The sensation was cold and hard; her body didn't pass through.
"You can pass through reflective surfaces like mirrors and glass, but not rough surfaces like walls or the ground. Otherwise, you'd have already sunk straight to the earth's core."
Sunday Silence dismissed her unrealistic notion.
"Touching a mirror can return you to the original world, but compared to there, the outside is far more interesting."
"True enough."
The bizarre scenery inside would drive anyone mad.
"Now follow me. I'll take you somewhere fun."
With that, Sunday Serenity felt her hand being grasped. Even invisible, Sunday Silence had a way of touching her. Could she also interact with this world?
Keeping the thought to herself, the two ghosts arrived before a large gate with red walls. Several characters were neatly arranged beside the entrance:
[Japan Uma Musume Training Center Academy]
It seemed to be class time. The gate was open, and students in blue-and-white uniforms were streaming into the campus.
That's when Sunday Serenity noticed: without exception, these students had the same ears and tails as her. In other words, they were all Uma Musume.
"An academy focused on training Uma Musume. Also known as Tracen Academy."
"Training Uma Musume? Training for what?"
"You'll understand once we're inside."
"Is my outfit going to be okay?"
"Don't worry. No one can see you anyway."
Even so, entering a special place like a school in unusual clothing still felt uncomfortable.
But no one spoke to her, no one even glanced her way. Maybe it was true, as Sunday Silence said—ordinary people couldn't perceive her existence.
With that, Sunday Serenity mustered her courage and walked calmly among the students, blending into the school crowd.
"Good morning, Ms. Hayakawa."
"Good morning, Silence Suzuka. It's such a lovely day."
At the gate stood a woman in a green uniform and a matching green round hat, hands clasped politely in front of her, greeting students as they passed.
"You can't see me… You can't see me…"
Muttering under her breath, Sunday Serenity kept her head down, trying to slip past this woman who looked very approachable.
"Good morning, Manhattan Cafe."
The voice sounded right beside her. Judging from the direction, it seemed to be addressed to her.
Raising her head slightly, Sunday Serenity met a pair of jewel-like green eyes looking directly at her.
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T/N: Similar to the other dropped translation, in order to prevent any immersion break from Mu Xuan due to no other clarification regarding his origins, his name will now be Sunday Serenity to create a distinction between her and Sunday Silence.
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.