—The Black Phantom from the warning letter has appeared!
Someone shouted, and above the spectator stands, all eyes were drawn upward simultaneously.
In an instant, throughout the entire racecourse, communication devices buzzed from the collars of multiple 'spectators.'
Numerous 'staff' gathered near the starting gate displayed astonishing speed, leaping onto the spectator stands and nimbly dashing through the aisles.
They were all Uma Musume disguised as staff members, professionally trained, their movements crisp and efficient. In less than ten seconds, they had navigated the crowded stands and closed in on the target.
Clearly, the Black figure hadn't anticipated their speed. Just as the girl turned to flee—
"Don't you dare run—!"
With a leap like a fielder making a catch, an Uma Musume tackled her to the ground.
"I've got her!" the Uma Musume yelled, pinning the girl's hands behind her back.
Others arrived in quick succession, but before they could take further action, exclamations of surprise erupted from the racetrack.
"Over there… She's on the track!"
While everyone's attention was fixed on the spectator stands, the familiar Black figure had already appeared on the course.
"What…!?"
The Uma Musume's eyes widened in disbelief as they stared down at the girl pinned beneath them.
Though she still had long Black hair, her original Black coat had somehow changed into the blue-and-white uniform of Tracen Academy.
Biting her red lip lightly, the girl looked timid and frightened, a far cry from her earlier imposing demeanor.
What the hell… What's going on here!?
Why are there two Black Uma Musume?
No! The one on the track is the real deal!
They were furious.
How could we have mistaken this one? She was completely in black just now, identical to the Black Phantom from the warning letter! Why did she change color after we caught her?!
Was I seeing things? But surely not everyone was hallucinating!
"U-um…" the girl beneath them spoke up.
"I was just looking for my classmates… What are you all doing?" she said, her voice utterly clueless and innocent.
No, this can't be a coincidence!
Just this morning, the Central association had implemented a strategy to intercept the Black Uma Musume at the gates, and now someone shows up causing trouble? However you look at it, it doesn't add up.
Just as they were about to question the girl further, a familiar, teasing voice rang out above them.
"Well, well, if it isn't Cafe? We agreed to meet here, so what's all this about?"
Agnes Tachyon approached, wearing her usual, perpetually mocking smile.
"What's going on? Who are these people, and why are they pinning you down?" she asked in a lightly amused tone.
"Agnes Tachyon…" Manhattan Cafe's expression was far from pleased.
This was the plan she came up with? Have me disguise myself as the 'friend' to lure them away?
Even if it was risky, Cafe had been willing to go all out for her 'friend.' But seeing Agnes Tachyon's smug, smiling face made her blood boil—she couldn't shake the feeling she was being played.
Agnes Tachyon stepped closer.
"I'm not sure what misunderstanding has occurred here, but could you please release my friend?"
She continued, "We're students here under Symboli Rudolf's instructions to observe and learn. What's the meaning of holding my friend down like this?"
"'Symboli Rudolf'… The 'Emperor'…" The Uma Musume restraining Cafe flinched at the name.
Everyone knew her—the Uma Musume known as the 'Emperor,' who maintained close ties with Central.
"We're students of Tracen. And this behavior of yours is infringing on my friend's personal freedom, you know."
Agnes Tachyon pointed at their hands, still holding Cafe down.
Hearing the gasps from the spectator stands and catching a glimpse of the Black figure now racing on the track, the 'staff' tasked by Central to stop the Black Uma Musume clicked their tongues in frustration and released their grip.
"We will be reporting this to Central," one of them said, narrowing her eyes at Agnes Tachyon.
"By all means, go ahead. We'll also be demanding an explanation from Central as to why they're detaining students who are just here to watch the races normally." Agnes Tachyon showed no fear.
Under the bewildered stares of the surrounding spectators, the group of Uma Musume left the scene.
Rubbing her sore arms, Manhattan Cafe stood up and brushed the dust from her skirt.
"Are you okay?" Agnes Tachyon asked.
Manhattan Cafe turned her head away, refusing to look at her.
"What a perfect plan. Using the special pigment I whipped up in my spare time, we fooled everyone. No one figured out how 'Friend' managed to appear on the track. She gets to race, and we get to collect data as usual. A win-win situation, if you ask me. How wonderful," Agnes Tachyon said, her voice utterly unapologetic.
Manhattan Cafe felt a surge of irritation. "How can you be so careless…? Aren't you afraid our connection will be exposed?"
If they really reported this to Central, both she and Agnes Tachyon would undoubtedly fall under suspicion.
"Relax, I'll handle the fallout. Just act as you normally would."
Cafe couldn't fathom what lay hidden behind those dull, dark red eyes.
"Agnes Tachyon… what are you really trying to do?"
Hearing this, Agnes Tachyon smiled meaningfully.
"You'll find out in time. Don't worry, for you and your 'Friend,' it might not be a bad thing—"
She's just doing this for an experiment, plain and simple.
Everything is just part of the experiment.
Agnes Tachyon's gaze shifted to the racetrack.
Come on, 'Friend'… What surprises will you have in store for me today?
--+--
"She's appeared after all! The Uma Musume signed as the Black Phantom! Once again, she's on the track—!"the commentator shouted, slapping the table.
She had noticed the commotion in the spectator stands, but the events on the track demanded more attention.
She'd been instructed beforehand: if the interception failed, she should proceed with the commentary as normal, mentioning the black figure without hesitation, and simply wait for the race to conclude.
I knew it.
Catching sight of the abruptly appearing black figure, Narita Brian's lips curved into a smile.
You said you'd appear on the track, and so you have. Nothing can hold you back!
Near the inner edge of the track, Tamamo Cross's mouth fell open slightly, a hint of surprise in her heart.
This was the first time she had felt the other's presence on the track from such close range.
It's unbelievable.
The one responsible for plunging the entire racecourse into darkness is right here!
But… what's going on?
Tamamo Cross narrowed her eyes.
The feeling the other gave her was different from before.
Every previous appearance, this Black Specter had exuded an intense feeling of oppression—like a starving lion or tiger, standing beside you as a predator, making the very air feel chilling to breathe.
But now, that aggressive aura was gone. She seemed almost ordinary, her presence faint.
Clearly, it wasn't just Tamamo Cross. Sirius Symboli, Oguri Cap, Narita Brian, and others who had previously confronted the Black Uma Musume felt the same way.
The Black Uma Musume's momentum had changed.
It was much weaker than before.
That once-proud, unyielding spirit had vanished without a trace.
Why?
Tamamo Cross was puzzled, and so were the others.
But soon, they found the reason.
"This is no place for you!!"
"Get off the track—!"
"Cheating your way in, how dare you think you deserve to win!?"
"Get out!!"
A chorus of unpleasant shouts rose one after another.
Instead of cheers or excitement, the Uma Musume was met with a wave of boos and insults.
Since the inception of the [Twinkle Series], this was the first time such vehement heckling had erupted during a race.
Even when a hugely popular Uma Musume finished far behind, such a thing would never happen.
Victory and defeat were commonplace for Uma Musume.
These bodies entrusted with dreams would one day return to the earth.
Everyone understood this, and the audience was usually forgiving.
They might lament an Uma Musume's failure, but they would never condemn her for it.
Yet now, the unbelievable was happening!
Listening to the curses aimed at the Black Uma Musume and the sarcastic cheers for other Uma Musume to win, the competitors running on the track fell into a heavy silence.
This… was not the stage they wanted.
Perhaps this was the reason the Black Uma Musume's aura had been weakened so noticibly.
Curses and hostility.
There were no supporters for her here.
Only an endless sea of 'enemies.'
--+--
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.