A short while later, in a quiet corner beneath the trees, two people and a ghost sat facing each other, each wearing vastly different expressions.
After the initial chaos settled, they'd calmed down, introduced themselves properly, and briefly exchanged stories.
Kitahara Sota explained that he was Agnes Tachyon's trainer.
Manhattan Cafe politely introduced herself as well, noting that she'd heard Tachyon mention him—a kindhearted trainer—and expressed happiness at meeting him.
And then there was the "friend"—
She introduced herself as Sunday Silence, the ghost who'd been by Cafe's side since childhood.
As for how she'd become a ghost, or her life before—Sunday Silence had no memory at all, aside from her name. The earliest thing she remembered was opening her eyes to see a young Manhattan Cafe.
From that moment onward, they'd remained inseparable. Through kindergarten, elementary school, and even entering Tracen Academy.
They'd spent years searching for anyone else who could perceive Sunday Silence's existence.
Urban legends, ghost stories, spiritual mediums—they'd tried everything. Nothing had worked.
In fact, Cafe's friendship with Agnes Tachyon started precisely because she'd heard Tachyon was a notorious mad scientist, and hoped Tachyon might create a potion that would let others see Sunday Silence.
Unfortunately, despite Tachyon's tireless experimentation, no potion ever succeeded. But during their failed attempts, Tachyon and Cafe gradually became genuine friends.
Over time, Cafe and Sunday Silence had all but given up on their search. After all, Tachyon was already the strangest person they knew—if even she couldn't manage it, surely no one else could.
Besides, they'd gradually adapted to their isolated existence.
At first, Cafe had felt sadness and frustration because no one believed in Sunday Silence, and she had struggled with loneliness. But eventually, she grew comfortable in their quiet world, especially after finding friendship with Tachyon, who herself was a fellow outsider.
As for Sunday Silence, she'd once felt guilty for frightening away Cafe's potential friends, even considering leaving. But Cafe had earnestly asked her to stay, and from then on, Sunday Silence had wholeheartedly supported her. She even kept trying to help Cafe make new friends, though they'd yet to succeed.
And now, just as they'd finally begun giving up, Kitahara appeared.
Here, right in front of them, was someone who could not only see but even touch Sunday Silence.
Upon realizing this, Cafe's eyes immediately lit up, her tail flicking excitedly behind her.
As for Sunday Silence herself, she practically wanted to glue herself to Kitahara, desperate to savor this previously impossible sensation.
Since the moment she'd gained consciousness, Sunday Silence had never been able to touch anyone or anything—not even Cafe. She'd always hovered just slightly off the ground, never truly touching the earth. Ordinary objects simply passed through her like mist.
Yet the instant Kitahara touched her, she felt a warm, genuine contact for the very first time. An instinctive desire awoke inside her, compelling her to hold tightly onto his hand, craving more of that warmth and sensation.
What ordinary beings took for granted, to her was nothing short of miraculous.
Unlike the shy and reserved Cafe, Sunday Silence's personality was incredibly bold and unrestrained. After all, she existed in a world where nothing responded to her, no matter what she did or said—such a situation hardly nurtured normal inhibitions.
In fact, if not for Cafe's calming presence, Sunday Silence might have already turned into a wandering spirit, playfully frightening passersby. Although unable to physically interact with the world, she still emanated an eerie aura, enough to unsettle anyone who accidentally passed through her invisible form.
For someone like Sunday Silence, embarrassment simply didn't exist. If not for considering Cafe's feelings, she'd likely have latched onto Kitahara permanently right then and there.
And Manhattan Cafe…
After hearing Tachyon repeatedly boast about Kitahara, coupled with his ability to see and touch Sunday Silence without any fear or disgust, Cafe had already begun plotting ways to join his team.
Meanwhile, even Kitahara himself seriously considered inviting Manhattan Cafe to join.
He had genuine interest in Sunday Silence—not just from a research standpoint, but because the concept of a ghostly companion intrigued him deeply.
However, Cafe currently had only two meaningful companions: Agnes Tachyon and Sunday Silence. Tachyon had already moved in with Kitahara. If he now took Sunday Silence as well, it would leave Cafe utterly alone, which felt terribly unfair.
Plus, though Sunday Silence seemed eager to join him—practically broadcasting "take me away!"—she clearly didn't want to abandon Cafe. If he invited Sunday Silence, Cafe would inevitably come as a package deal.
But there was no rush. They'd just met, after all. Immediately extending an invitation wasn't appropriate, especially since he still had pressing matters with Black Forest. Even if Cafe joined, he currently lacked the time to give her proper attention, much less study Sunday Silence thoroughly.
Thus, Kitahara decided to put it aside for now, instead casually inviting Cafe to visit Tachyon in his dorm.
Cafe eagerly agreed. She'd originally been wandering around because Tachyon had been absent recently, and Sunday Silence had wanted to cheer her up with a walk. Now, knowing Kitahara could actually interact with Sunday Silence, she naturally seized the opportunity.
With plans quickly settled, the three (?) set off back toward Kitahara's dormitory.
Yet, as they approached, Sunday Silence abruptly halted, grabbing Cafe's arm, her expression turning grim.
"What's wrong?" Kitahara asked, noticing their sudden hesitation.
Sunday Silence frowned, silently pointing toward Kitahara's dormitory.
"Your office…is that one, isn't it?"
Due to certain uncomfortable truths, trainer dormitories doubled as offices—which was why Kitahara had confidently invited Cafe in the first place.
Kitahara followed her gaze, confirming she'd identified the correct building, and nodded.
"That's right. Is there a problem?"
"No wonder…" Sunday Silence murmured softly.
Normally, since Cafe and Tachyon were practically joined at the hip, Kitahara should have encountered Cafe countless times already. But oddly enough, whenever Kitahara came to visit Tachyon, Cafe would inevitably vanish moments beforehand.
This wasn't Cafe's doing, but rather Sunday Silence's heightened spiritual awareness. She'd sensed an overwhelmingly dangerous presence approaching from afar, always pulling Cafe away at the last second.
And now, that terrifying presence waited silently inside Kitahara's dorm.
Listening to Sunday Silence's explanation, Kitahara pondered carefully, struggling to think of anyone terrifying who usually accompanied him but had stayed behind today—
Wait.
Someone who usually followed him, but hadn't today…
He rubbed his chin, uncertain.
"You couldn't possibly mean…Eclipse?"
"Eclipse…?" Sunday Silence frowned, the name oddly familiar yet elusive. "Who is that?"
"She's sort of like a kid I raised," Kitahara explained. "Currently my tantou, with a pretty odd personality. She loves dressing all in black, so I think she'd get along great with Cafe."
Seeing Sunday Silence still looked wary, he quickly added,
"If you're uncomfortable, how about I bring her out first, and you can meet her here briefly?"
"…Alright," Sunday Silence reluctantly agreed.
Without hesitation, Kitahara went inside, explained the situation to Eclipse, and led her outside to meet Cafe and Sunday Silence.
When the groups finally approached each other, Cafe and Sunday Silence each wore vastly different expressions.
Cafe's eyes brightened immediately upon seeing Eclipse, sensing a kindred spirit in the quiet, black-clad figure.
I wonder if she likes coffee…
But Sunday Silence's eyes widened in sheer horror at Eclipse's approach.
What the hell is this thing?!
Due to her spiritual form, Sunday Silence perceived far more than most beings. Auras? Spiritual cores? She had no idea what to call it—but whatever Eclipse possessed vastly surpassed anything she'd ever witnessed. Dark, oppressive, overwhelmingly powerful, laced subtly with madness and distortion.
Unlike Nice Nature, however, Eclipse controlled this aura perfectly, hiding it beneath an impassive façade. Only a being like Sunday Silence could detect it.
But most horrifying was the gaping hole Sunday Silence perceived at Eclipse's spiritual heart—ragged, twisted, as if something monstrous had torn it out.
Although not a physical injury, Sunday Silence knew immediately that something about Eclipse was deeply wrong.
As Sunday Silence stared, Eclipse slowly turned toward her, calmly asking,
"Is something wrong? Am I strange?"
"N-no…just…"
Sunday Silence answered instinctively before a chill of realization overtook her.
"Wait—you can see me?"
"Yes," Eclipse replied serenely. "Sota explained about you. Miss Sunday Silence, I'm Eclipse. Nice to meet you."
Though Eclipse spoke calmly, a surge of primal fear overwhelmed Sunday Silence, as if a predator had just locked onto her.
Just then, a cool feminine voice whispered clearly in her ear:
Little Eclipse doesn't want someone worrying. Pretend you saw nothing, understood?
Confused but instinctively obedient, Sunday Silence nodded.
Instantly, the oppressive dread vanished.
Unaware of what had just transpired, Kitahara cheerfully watched Eclipse and Cafe interact, pleased to see Eclipse gradually opening up.
With introductions done and Sunday Silence outwardly recovered, Kitahara led everyone inside.
Upon entering, Sunday Silence's eyelid twitched anxiously.
One, two, three, four…
Counting herself and Cafe, there were now nine Uma Musume gathered—each emitting peculiar spiritual signatures.
Every single one here was a monster!
And all their attention instantly locked onto Kitahara the moment he entered, revealing intentions that made Sunday Silence's fur stand on end.
Kitahara caught her troubled glance, tilting his head innocently.
"What's wrong?"
"You…"
She began to say something before recalling the earlier warning. Swallowing her words, she changed course.
"Your place is… livelier than expected…"
Kitahara smiled warmly, nodding without complaint.
"They're all good kids—energetic, yes, but very considerate."
"Ah…is that so…"
Sunday Silence forced a smile, inwardly sighing deeply.
Good kids, huh?
Whatever else she'd planned could wait.
First things first—let's just make sure he survives.