"First time meeting—or rather, we've lost count by now, haven't we? But for convenience, let's just call it our first meeting."
In the dimly lit room, Agnes Tachyon, clad in a white lab coat, greeted the girl standing before her.
Golden eyes, long black hair—though her face was partly hidden by a mask, her posture and the angle she stood at made it clear: this was the same 'Manhattan Cafe' she had spoken to in her room not long ago.
"What's going on here?"
The girl didn't understand why Manhattan Cafe had suddenly brought her to Tachyon's lab.
Though it was only separated from Cafe's room by a curtain, this place felt like a biohazard zone sealed off by warning tape. Step inside carelessly, and whether you'd walk out intact was anyone's guess.
Why come here today, of all days?
"Agnes Tachyon… her character may be awful, but… her research skills are beyond doubt. I want her to examine the changes in your body."
"Hah~ hah~ hah! Exactly right." Without denying her own poor character, Agnes let out a rhythmic laugh.
"I've actually had this idea for a while—how should one study something that can't be seen or touched?"
After several encounters with so-called paranormal phenomena, Tachyon had begun to suspect that ghosts might simply be some form of unknown science—phenomena operating according to unverified laws and principles.
But with current instruments, it was nearly impossible to analyze them.
In the past, restless and driven, Tachyon had conducted numerous experiments trying to prove the existence of something unobservable.
Of course, the results were far from satisfying. Just as she was hitting a wall, the black ghost appeared.
Overjoyed, she quietly observed that shadowy figure on the racetrack, recording data from the sidelines.
She never expected how strikingly similar it would look to Manhattan Cafe—so much so that even sitting face to face, it was hard to tell them apart.
She knew about its connection to Cafe, and that this was the 'friend' Cafe had often spoken of.
Many times, Tachyon had considered revealing the truth and asking for its cooperation.
But in the end, she held back.
The reason was simple: Agnes Tachyon wanted to see just how far Cafe's 'friend' could go.
Perhaps within her lay the key to unlocking the ultimate speed for Uma Musume.
So Tachyon watched silently from the sidelines, allowing the situation to escalate step by step, until it swept through the entire racing world.
But now, she could no longer stand by.
The severity of the situation had even driven Manhattan Cafe to wish she could turn back time and start over.
That simply wouldn't do.
If something happened to Cafe, the experiments would have to stop.
To ensure her research could proceed, she had to restore Cafe's stability.
So Tachyon made a proposal: the fact that this once invisible, untouchable being had taken physical form must have a cause.
And I happen to have the skills to find that cause.
If you don't mind, let me examine your 'friend's' body. I'll give you an answer—how about it?
After some thought, Manhattan Cafe eventually agreed to Tachyon's proposal.
To let her examine the 'friend's' body.
She also wanted to know why her 'friend' had ended up like this.
If she couldn't get an answer from the 'friend' herself, then Agnes Tachyon was the only option.
Of course, Cafe wasn't exactly comfortable with the idea.
To lay her 'friend' bare before Tachyon…
"Let Agnes Tachyon run tests…?"
The girl's eyes widened.
Are you sure you're not throwing me into the lion's den?
Aren't you afraid she'll slice me up for samples?!
"Don't worry, I'll be right here watching. I won't let her do anything out of line."
"Tut-tut, Cafe, I am a professional, you know. Especially when it comes to physical exams—it's not my first time."
Once, she'd even sent out fake notices to the whole school, claiming there was a mandatory afternoon check-up. Then she posed as medical staff, giving full examinations to the students who showed up, all to collect bodily data.
This woman would do anything for research, constantly skating the thin edge of ethical limits.
Even though she was asking for Tachyon's help, Manhattan Cafe didn't trust her much.
But aside from a hospital, this was the only feasible option.
If she wanted to uncover the truth without being discovered…
The only person around her who could manage that was Agnes Tachyon.
"No matter. If Cafe stays and watches, she might even develop a taste for research—get completely absorbed in the thrill of it."
"I would not."
Faced with Cafe's firm refusal, Agnes Tachyon let out another cheerful laugh and turned her gaze to the girl.
"Then right this way, Cafe's 'friend.' We can save the pleasantries for later—research comes first."
"Cafe?"
The girl couldn't help but call out again.
Are you sure about this? Handing me over to Agnes Tachyon as a lab rat?
Hearing her 'friend's' call, Manhattan Cafe clenched her fists, her expression pained.
But still—even ghosts don't change without a reason.
"I want… to find the cause."
By normal logic, when something unusual happens to your body, even without clear symptoms, you should get it checked.
Truth be told, even though she could see her now, Manhattan Cafe still didn't understand what a ghost truly was.
So she wanted to take a step forward.
To understand the essence of her 'friend' more deeply.
"Can she really figure it out?"
The girl was making one last attempt to resist.
She felt like she was being led to the gallows—and by Cafe's own hand.
"'Can she really figure it out'—so if there might be no result, we shouldn't even try?" Agnes Tachyon cut in.
"As a researcher, you have to hold that mindset before every experiment. Even if you don't get the result you want, you must carry out the process thoroughly."
"Because no one knows where a new path might lead."
The meaning of research lies in finding that one correct answer amid endless failures.
Manhattan Cafe's dark, wine-red eyes met hers.
"Agnes Tachyon will lie without a hint of guilt, but when it comes to science—she doesn't deceive."
Hearing both their tones, the girl's last resistance crumbled.
Wearing a resigned expression, she nodded.
"I understand. If you're this determined to figure out my body…"
Agnes Tachyon's eyes widened slightly.
"Excellent. Then I'll be counting on you to be my little lab rat."
Seating the girl down, Tachyon clipped a sensor to her finger and began the tests.
"First, heart rate. How does a ghost's body differ from a human's… Hmm?"
The screen showed a flatline. Tachyon let out a soft sound of surprise.
"No heartbeat. Then body temperature—"
The number in the lower right corner was slightly below room temperature—nowhere near a normal human's reading.
The corners of her mouth lifted uncontrollably, and a rare, genuine smile spread across Agnes Tachyon's face.
This… could be an existence beyond biology.
Ghosts and souls, strictly speaking, aren't merely products of subjective idealism.
There are plenty of scientific theories that speculate about them.
Able to interact with objects, physically present—it might even relate to quantum states and dimensions.
For now, Agnes Tachyon settled on a simpler explanation. She preferred to think of it as energy itself.
In other words—a conceptual entity with physical form.
--+--
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.