"It's true, I saw it with my own eyes!"
In the office, an excited voice leaked through the crack in the door. The journalist thrust the photos he had taken in front of his superior, gesturing animatedly as he spoke.
"Right by the river, I saw it myself. That black Uma Musume vanished right on the river's surface."
He produced a photo that looked like it was taken with a dirty lens, pointing at a dark smudge on it.
"This is the black Uma Musume the Central Association has been working so hard to find. And I realized, she didn't just dive into the water or hide beneath the surface. I saw her feet disappear into the water, and then her body followed. It was like sugar or salt dissolving—utterly undetectable. You understand what I'm saying?"
Getting more worked up, he slammed his hand on the desk, making the editor-in-chief across from him sweat nervously.
"I understand, I understand, Mr. Fujii. You've made yourself perfectly clear."
The editor picked up the submitted photo, studying it repeatedly, but he couldn't make out any distinct figure in it.
He'd also heard the rumors that this particular Uma Musume couldn't be captured on film. During the live broadcast of the race, he'd seen the camera following what looked like a misty, blurred shape.
Honestly, even now, he found it hard to believe that this Uma Musume was the so-called 'ghost' people were talking about.
Back when he was just a regular reporter, he'd tried his hand at creating so-called 'paranormal photos' himself.
Like sticking a piece of black tape on his finger and wiggling it during a video shoot to create the illusion of a dark shadow flitting across the lens.
Or hiding a speaker in the woods, playing simulated monster cries, while he shook the camera wildly in every direction, making it seem like he was fleeing in panic, all to fabricate a story about being chased by a terrifying creature.
His career advancement, you could say, was largely built on such fabricated fake news designed to grab headlines.
So when journalist Fujii Senosuke showed up with his 'paranormal' photos, the editor's first instinct was, 'Someone's trying to pass off fake news for a paycheck.'
And Fujii hadn't just taken one photo. There were over a dozen, scattered shots, all from the riverbank. The black shadow in them varied slightly, suggesting a rapid-fire sequence taken from one spot.
"Reporter Fujii," the editor said, placing the photos back on the desk, his tone grave. "Actually, before you brought these in, quite a few people had already sent photos to the newspaper's mailbox."
"Others have found her already?" Fujii's brow furrowed.
"That's right. And not just one or two."
As he spoke, the editor retrieved photo after photo from the wastebasket beside his desk, each featuring various kinds of black shadows.
Some were simply shadows cast by objects blocking the sun. Others were clearly taken by sprinkling black dust in the air—techniques so crude any experienced photographer could spot them a mile away.
Some even went so far as to paint their entire bodies black and stand with their backs to the camera.
Looking at this pile of so-called 'paranormal photos' the newspaper had received, Fujii was momentarily stunned.
"I understand, Reporter Fujii, your dedication to getting the scoop on Uma Musume news. But this is the situation now. Anyone with a phone or a camera can take a photo of the 'black Uma Musume.'"
You didn't even need professional skills; someone could look at a picture of a black sponge and spin a whole fantastical story about it.
The editor also knew full well that the Central Association would never intentionally create such a spectacle during a live broadcast of the [Japan Derby]. Perhaps that Uma Musume truly had something special about her.
But facts were facts.
If they published a headline like, 'Black Uma Musune from Shocking [Japan Derby] Spotted at Riverbank,' not only would they be torn apart by public outrage the next day, but they'd also be buried under a mountain of low-quality photos sent in by every crank in the city.
So, whether it was real or not, they simply couldn't publish this kind of story.
Right now, everyone was waiting.
All the news media were waiting.
Waiting for the black Uma Musume to appear on the racetrack again, for the storm to erupt once more.
Until then, the media could only focus on criticizing the Central Association for its incompetence.
Although, even that story was losing steam as time passed.
The 'Central' Association, rooted in the Uma Musume world for over a hundred years, wouldn't have its foundations shaken by this single incident. Furthermore, its staff were continuously working to suppress the hype surrounding the black Uma Musume from the [Japan Derby].
They kept emphasizing Narita Brian's overwhelming victory and the winners of subsequent races, trying to use these stories to cover up their own failure.
In short, they were systematically reducing discussion about the 'black Uma Musume,' striving to make her disappear from public view.
Understanding the situation now, the journalist clenched his fist.
"I see," he said. "But I won't give up. Whether it's obstacles from the Central Association or disbelief from others, I will find that black Uma Musume."
"Fujii..."
"Because I saw it in her!"
He thumped his chest. "That ability, worthy of the history books! That unknown—"
Black Phantom!
--+--
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Trainer Musaka."
Oguri Cap, having just finished lunch, arrived at Tracen Academy's training field and spotted the trainer waving to her from a distance.
"No rush, I just got here myself," said the man who looked to be in his sixties, wearing a felt hat and round sunglasses. He tapped his cane and began walking with Oguri Cap as he spoke.
"Although the class schedule is the same as at Kasamatsu Tracen, the locations can be quite different. Sometimes it's not on the training field; we might need to go to the indoor gym."
"I see..."
She nodded, following Trainer Musaka as he surveyed the grounds.
It was far more expansive than Kasamatsu Tracen, with excellent visibility. The soil was well-maintained, feeling good underfoot.
Not only that, the cafeteria here was tasty and offered enough food to fill her up, which pleased Oguri Cap immensely.
This was a world completely different from local racing.
"There have been Uma Musume who transferred here from local circuits before, but most of them struggled to adapt to life here."
A very important reason was the vast gap in ability between local Uma Musume and those in the central circuit. This led to these Uma Musume suffering major setbacks during races, often unable to perform even at seventy percent of their usual level. Unable to win, they ultimately, regrettably, chose to drop out.
And there was another reason.
"Tracen is a school of 'monsters.' Symboli Rudolf, Mr. C.B., Maruzensky, Sirius Symboli, Narita Brian... countless 'monsters' gather here."
"Monsters..."
"That's right." Trainer Musaka stopped. Standing before them was an Uma Musume with long blue hair.
"Yo~"
She raised a hand in greeting and walked over. "You must be Oguri Cap. I've heard about you from Fuji Kiseki. It's a shame you weren't assigned to Miho Dorm. I thought we'd be adding a new member."
Oguri Cap nodded blankly.
Trainer Musaka introduced her. "This will be your opponent today. A former G1 champion, known as the 'Heroine of Justice,' a truly strong runner—Hishi Amazon."
--+--
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.