Hmm, I see. The Central Association has already prepared their defenses.
This was within the young girl's expectations. If they remained unresponsive to such provocation, then the entire URA ought to be disbanded.
Before the race, after the race, or precisely at the starting moment—those were the only opportunities the Central Association could possibly interfere with the race. Once the runners burst from the starting gates and enter the track, the Central Association absolutely cannot intervene until the race is over.
Unless they want to tear off all pretenses entirely. To forcibly send people onto the track to seize someone, right under the gaze of these 170,000 pairs of eyes and countless viewers watching from their screens.
If they did that, the very meaning of the Central Association would fundamentally change.
They would no longer be providing a stage for dreams. Instead, they'd become a thoroughly authoritarian organization, brazenly interfering with the race, completely indifferent to their own impact on the competition.
Anyone with half a brain wouldn't dare do such a thing. The enraged spectators would raze the entire Central Association to the ground.
They have to stand from the perspective of the spectators and the Uma Musume, taking measures that appear legitimate.
The process also has to seem reasonable, which prevents the Central Association from making any overt, large-scale moves.
In other words, they absolutely will not interfere during the race itself, or do anything outside the bounds of the competition.
Her face was reflected in the mirror that rose from the ground.
Manhattan Cafe was using the small mirror she carried with her, communicating via her innate powerful intuition with the girl within the mysterious space.
"I understand the situation now."
They've concluded that I won't emerge from inside the starting gate, so they've concentrated a large number of staff just outside the gates. This way, they can surround and block me the moment the race begins.
Even if the encirclement fails, they'd be able to observe my method of appearance from extremely close range.
The reason I managed to enter the racecourse smoothly those previous times was entirely because these staff members were completely unprepared beforehand, simply following the procedure of pushing us into the gates before retreating to the sidelines.
For the average spectator, they'd probably just find this crowd of people standing near the gates obtrusive.
But for the Central Association, trading this minor, non-impactful interference for the withdrawal of the black Uma Musume...
No, even short of forcing a withdrawal, merely discovering her secret would be an immensely worthwhile deal for them.
An action that seems crude and barbaric is actually the most effective method for dealing with a ghost.
It's true. If they form a human wall outside the gates, she might not be able to get through.
Even if she could force her way through the crowd, the burns sustained from contact with living souls might prevent her from lasting until the end of the race.
One could say the Central Association, almost by accident, has made a ruthless move.
But that doesn't mean there's no way to counter it.
The girl pondered.
It's actually quite simple. She just needs to dash out at a speed difficult for the eye to perceive.
The closer the distance, the harder it is to observe a high-speed moving object.
If an Uma Musume flashes past someone's eyes at top speed, the naked eye simply can't clearly make out the imagery from those few fleeting milliseconds.
But this creates another problem.
It's impossible to reach an Uma Musume's top speed from the starting dash alone.
Even Sunday Silence needs a short distance to accelerate.
Starting at full speed is itself an impossibility for an Uma Musume.
So, waiting at the gate exit for it to open like the other competitors, as she did before, is no longer feasible.
She needs to get a running start within that space, only bursting out of the gate once she's built up her speed.
That way, she can evade the sight of those staff members.
But if she does that, the race conditions become unequal...
A different starting position. A different starting time.
This option isn't the optimal solution.
After conveying her thoughts to Cafe, the other party fell silent for a moment.
"Is that the only way?" she asked.
Clearly, Cafe also felt this wasn't a particularly good solution.
"For now, it's the only way."
It doesn't require external aids, and has the highest success rate and feasibility.
"I see..."
"If you don't mind, could you explain it to me?"
Agnes Tachyon's voice cut in.
Standing nearby, watching Manhattan Cafe mutter to herself while looking into the mirror, Agnes Tachyon finally couldn't hold back.
If she didn't know the identity of the black Uma Musume, she'd suspect Cafe had developed a split personality.
Their conversation was like encrypted code, impossible to hear. Even peeking at the mirror, it only reflected the blue sky and Cafe's own face.
"Although I had my suspicions before, about how a ghost might appear and disappear... I never imagined it would be through this method."
Resting her chin on a pale finger, Agnes Tachyon revealed a deeply interested smile.
"Just how does one stuff a physical body into the spaceless surface of a mirror? Could it be that the substance possesses the ability to enter a higher-dimensional space? Or does relying on light reflection generate some kind of antispace-like realm of antimatter?"
"This is truly a research topic worth digging into... Ah, my apologies. Whenever the topic involves 'Friend'-san, my thoughts can't help but run away with me. So, please continue with the previous topic. What was the method 'Friend'-san came up with?"
Manhattan Cafe gave a rough description.
Agnes Tachyon lowered her head, thinking seriously.
She had left her research lab to watch the race with the purpose of recording data on the other party's track performance.
If they really proceeded as described, the data would inevitably have deviations.
"In that case, how about listening to my idea?"
Brushing against the pocket on her skirt, Agnes Tachyon found another answer.
"However, I'll need someone's help."
Her dark red, lightless eyes fixed on Manhattan Cafe.
A shiver ran down Cafe's spine. She suddenly had a bad feeling.
--+--
Bam!—!
With the unfurling of a banner, a girl with an earring and short brown hair, who had a boyish charm, tied a headband with 'Go For It' embroidered on it around her head.
The banner she held high read, "Senpai, Strong! Invincible—!".
Unlike others' banners, hers used a black background with white lettering, making it exceptionally eye-catching.
"Do we really have to do this, Vodka...?"
Beside the girl, Special Week voiced her timid concerns.
"Of course we do! We're among the few who know the truth! Sirius Symboli-senpai also said 'Senpai' is undoubtedly a powerful runner! As her kouhai, it's only natural we demand justice for her!"
Looking across the entire venue, a banner like Vodka's was the only one of its kind. It felt utterly out of place with all the others.
While it didn't explicitly say 'Black Ghost' or 'Black Uma Musume', the color of the banner alone drew displeased looks from the surrounding spectators.
What's going on? Why does it suddenly feel like we're opposing the whole world? Special Week gripped the pole Vodka handed her to support the banner, trying to hide behind it.
"Always doing such foolish things..."
Though she complained, her roommate Daiwa Scarlet stayed right beside her.
"If you don't like it, you can leave."
"Don't misunderstand. I just can't stand these people who don't know the truth yet just follow the crowd."
"Is that so, you..."
Gripping the Central pole, the three of them raised the banner high, positioning it at the very top of the spectator stands, as if to plant it at the summit of the racetrack itself.
--+--
"Heh..."
"President Rudolf?"
In the viewing room, Symboli Rudolf let out a soft laugh.
"Ah, it's nothing." She shook her head, her gaze shifting from the black banner directly opposite to the racecourse below.
As the announcer's booming voice filled the air, the Autumn [Tenno Sho] officially commenced.
--+--
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.