Contrary to what you might expect, the world's mainstream entertainment isn't video games.
On holidays, office workers, cooped up and desperate for a break, flock to the local racetrack to watch the races between the Uma Musume.
But these girls are far more than just ears and tails.
Their abilities defy modern science. From birth, their physical prowess surpasses that of ordinary adults, granting them strength a normal person could hardly match.
By the time they reach adulthood, this gap widens even further.
An Uma Musume in her prime possesses three to five times the strength of an average person, capable of lifting objects weighing hundreds of kilograms with ease.
But the races aren't just a simple contest of brute force; it's not about who's strongest.
People have created a highly entertaining spectacle around the Uma Musume.
[The Twinkle Series]
A hugely popular sport operated by an organization called URA, consisting of two parts: 'The Official Race' and 'The Winner's Stage'.
Similar to foot racing, the Uma Musume compete by running. The victors then take to the Winner's Stage to perform.
In short, it's a sport that combines athletics with idol culture, famous worldwide. And Tracen Academy is the institution dedicated to training these Uma Musume.
"No wonder they only recruit Uma Musume. A regular person would be completely exhausted. All that running, singing, and dancing… they'd need more than two lives to keep up."
"This body now is no different from an Uma Musume's. Can you feel the distinction from being human?"
"It's incredibly light and agile. I thought it was because I was a ghost."
"Ordinary Uma Musume feel the same way."
"That's practically superhuman."
With just a push from her legs, she could leap several meters into the air.
"Yet the limits of an Uma Musume extend far beyond that." The window reflected the image of Sunday Silence, arms crossed. "It's merely that human records stop there."
In the hallway, black leather boots fitted with horseshoes struck the marble floor with a clear, sharp 'clack'.
"We're almost there. Stay here during class hours."
To avoid further trouble—like being bumped into by a late Uma Musume or getting friendly but probing questions from enthusiastic staff—Sunday Silence decided to take her to an empty classroom to kill time.
There was another, more important reason. She'd noticed it earlier but hadn't had the chance to ask amidst everything else.
Everyone who encountered her called her 'Manhattan Cafe'.
With a sharp 'swish', the classroom door slid open automatically, Sunday Silence's voice coming from the doorway.
"This way."
She gestured.
Depending on her position, the voice Sunday Serenity heard seemed to come from different directions.
But it seemed only she could hear it. When talking to others, even if Sunday Silence spoke right beside her, it wouldn't attract their attention.
Stepping into the classroom, a strange sensation washed over her.
Her eyes were drawn to a dim, yellowish astral-shaped desk lamp slowly rotating on a rustic wooden table. Curtains painted with starry sky patterns covered the windows, the sunlight piercing through the galaxy to cast dim blue flowers upon the floor.
The walls were adorned with bizarre, imaginative patterns; blue and purple murals resembling a dreamscape shimmered under the light.
The entire room exuded a fairy-tale-like mystique.
"It seems someone beat us here."
Sunday Silence made a displeased sound. In the corner of the room stood several mist-like shadowy figures.
From these shadows, Sunday Serenity sensed an aura similar to her own.
Ghosts. More than one.
"Get out. There's no place for you here."
Sunday Silence issued an eviction notice without a shred of courtesy, her tone full of annoyance.
As if pushed by an unseen force, the misty ghosts stretched their forms and drifted toward Sunday Serenity.
Even as one of their kind, she couldn't help but feel the urge to retreat.
These things are a bit creepy…
In the sealed room, a howling wind sound followed the ghosts' path. From within their blurred figures came a sharp, piercing gaze that felt like needles on her back, as if she were being watched by a wild beast, making Sunday Serenity deeply uneasy.
Thwump—!
Just as the ghost drew nearer, a large hole suddenly burst open in its body. A black substance defied gravity, floating in the air before slowly dissipating under the dim light.
"Leave this place." Sunday Silence delivered an ultimatum.
The ghost halted, as if considering its options. Then it slowly detoured around Sunday Serenity, almost like it was avoiding something, and left the room. Immediately, the other ghosts lurking in the shadows followed suit.
The strange atmosphere in the room finally vanished.
"The darker the corner, the more you'll find these guys lurking."
"Are ghosts... really that common?"
"Yep, they're everywhere. Especially the weaker ones; they're more widespread. Practically every household has a few hiding in it."
"I-I see. By the way, what did you do just now?"
"Punched it."
So it was physical exorcism. Wait, no, she's a ghost too. So it's spectral violence.
"Is that alright? Won't it, like, come back for revenge or something…"
"Most ghosts have no emotions. No joy, no anger, no sorrow, no hate. Sometimes you can talk to them, and they'll even answer, but every word they say is completely devoid of feeling. It's utterly boring."
A ghost like Sunday Silence, with such strong subjective will, was exceptionally rare.
Closing the classroom door, Sunday Serenity sat on the sofa, leaning against a cushion also covered in starry sky patterns.
"This is Manhattan Cafe's room."
The spot beside her dipped slightly as the girl spoke by her ear.
"Manhattan Cafe…" She'd heard this name more than once.
"Do we look that alike?"
"When you see her, it will be like looking at my reflection in a mirror."
That's beyond just 'alike'...
"Cafe has the strongest spiritual sensitivity of all the Uma Musume. She can even see the weakest ghosts."
"That must be tough…" Sunday Serenity could already imagine the other girl's childhood, being pointed at by parents, teachers, and classmates.
"Did you two know each other for a long time?"
"A very long time. From the moment she opened her eyes, the first person she saw wasn't her parents, but me."
Sunday Silence had accompanied her through her entire childhood, even after coming to Tracen Academy. Manhattan Cafe became an Uma Musume, yet the bond between them remained unchanged.
This made Sunday Serenity, who now inhabited Sunday Silence's spirit, feel a pang of guilt. She had essentially taken over this person's most important friend.
"I know what you're thinking. Don't waste energy on pointless self-blame. The current situation is far more interesting than I ever anticipated. Let me tell you, I'm thrilled. Right now, I feel like I've been reborn, absolutely delighted."
"Is that so…" Whether it was true or not, Sunday Silence's words dispelled the rising sense of guilt in Sunday Serenity's heart.
"In that case, I'll also consider Manhattan Cafe a 'friend,' just like you do."
A pleased hum escaped the girl's nose.
"Can you tell me what I should do?"
"It's simple. Just remember one thing." The white porcelain coffee cup on the table reflected Sunday Silence's form. She raised a finger, her tone resolute.
"If you don't want to 'consume' her."
—then never, ever let her see your face.
--+--
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.