According to the original plan, once everything settled down, Manhattan Cafe would have been able to return to a normal life.
But things didn't go as expected.
Due to the appearance of the mysterious figure known as 'Friend', the students' fervent discussions were reignited.
Countless people swarmed in, hearts full of gossip, asking her about the other's identity.
Of course, Cafe didn't reveal anything about her, constantly deflecting their questions.
This only added to the mysterious aura surrounding 'Friend's' identity.
The students speculated wildly: who was that masked person, and why was Cafe so unwilling to disclose her identity?
Could she be a young lady from some prominent family, or perhaps a celebrity, wearing the mask to hide her face from the public?
Besides, her attire didn't look like that of a Tracen Academy student; she was likely an outsider.
And that opened up an even wider field of possibilities!
In short, the more outrageous the guess, the more excited people became.
Now, the rumors about Cafe shifted from her ambiguous relationships with many to the question of who her true partner really was.
It was like jumping from one troublesome situation right into another.
The only difference was that the person entangled had changed from the likes of Narita Brian and the others to Cafe herself.
It was awful.
Still, all things considered, the outcome wasn't all bad.
And the reason Cafe could come to this conclusion was Agnes Tachyon.
Yes, who would have thought that Cafe would one day receive good news from Agnes Tachyon's mouth—news so thrilling it kept her up all night, tossing and turning.
"Well, Cafe, you're here fast," Tachyon greeted as she entered the research lab.
"Is that thing you mentioned real?"
Dispensing with small talk, Manhattan Cafe went straight to the point.
"Of course it is. Haven't you already experienced it? You can touch Miss 'Friend's' body normally, and what's more, so can I. That's proof enough of how successful the experiment is."
The clothing designed to block spiritual fluctuations could protect 'Friend's' soul from harm.
Now, Tachyon was preparing for the final step of the experiment.
To completely isolate 'Friend' from other people.
That's right, Tachyon intended to create a container similar to a human shell, one that could protect the soul within.
Namely, the items on her desk.
Gloves that perfectly mimicked the texture of skin, and a disguise mask.
Usually, such items were hard to obtain through regular channels and came with a hefty price tag. But Tachyon, using her family connections and under the pretext of an experiment, had managed to acquire them.
After all, clothes couldn't cover the entire body; arms and cheeks were bound to be exposed. Even while dressed, 'Friend' still faced the risk of being touched.
The hardened mask wasn't a long-term solution either.
So, to achieve complete protection, the most perfect method was naturally to wrap every part of her in a layer of isolation.
Just like human flesh.
Into these custom-made items, Tachyon had incorporated her own researched blocking material, providing the same protective effect as the clothing.
To achieve this, Tachyon had no idea how many manufacturers she had approached before finding one willing to accept such a difficult procedure.
Inserting such a high-density substance into an already complex manufacturing process, while maintaining a near-human skin tone and a softness indistinguishable from real skin—
It was practically forcing them to make a technological breakthrough, creating this absurd and impractical thing for Tachyon.
Fortunately, after paying a staggering six-figure sum and promising to personally guide and help solve various problems in the process, the mask was finally completed.
A mask covering the face, neck, shoulders—all areas that would be exposed when wearing clothes.
For the hands, gloves extending to the forearms were made, offering protection even when sleeves were rolled up.
The joints were thinned out for flexibility, ensuring minimal resistance when bending.
As for hair, it didn't need to be complicated; a simple wig would suffice.
Including the clothing, producing all these items had taken Tachyon nearly two months.
It was a massive undertaking, draining her physically, mentally, financially, and temporally.
But it didn't matter anymore.
Because her research had finally succeeded!
Looking at the thin layer of the mask, Tachyon couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
Who would have thought such a small thing would become her proudest research achievement.
"Miss 'Friend', go ahead and try it on," Tachyon said, handing the mask to the girl.
"To avoid another mix-up like before, where Cafe and you got confused, I made some alterations to the facial model," she reminded 'Friend'.
"Facial model?"
"Mhm, I introduced differentiating features based on your original face. So when you put on the mask and look in the mirror, you might not recognize yourself."
Of course, Tachyon wasn't just being extra.
Cafe's problems also stemmed from 'Friend's' actions.
Her resemblance to Cafe was so strong that even Tachyon could mistake them.
Although 'Friend' always wore a mask when with Cafe, the best way to keep Cafe out of troublesome misunderstandings was naturally to change 'Friend's' appearance.
To completely separate her and Cafe into two distinct individuals!
Originally, Tachyon hadn't planned to waste much time sculpting the face, but she had promised to help solve Cafe's problems.
So she had to put in a bit more effort.
"Agnes Tachyon…"
"Hm? What is it, Cafe?"
"That…"
The effort Tachyon had put in for 'Friend' surpassed everyone else's.
A simple 'thank you' was utterly insufficient to express her gratitude.
But to do something beyond thanking her… Cafe didn't know what.
That's why she hesitated.
"What's this," Tachyon smiled faintly.
"Are you worried 'Friend' might be recognized? You can rest assured. The mask produced by that manufacturer is practically a work of art. No one would see through it," Tachyon introduced proudly.
That's not what I meant to say…
"And—" she let out her signature grin.
"With this method, if 'Friend' can be touched by others, the experiments we can conduct will multiply! Just thinking about it is exciting! What research projects will come next… Well, no matter what we do, we must protect the subject first… Ah, sorry Cafe, what were you about to say?"
"Nothing…"
As expected, someone like Agnes Tachyon doesn't deserve thanks!
Well, if that's what she thinks, it's a big help.
She didn't want Cafe looking at her with that kind of gaze.
Turning her head, Tachyon said to the girl, "Well then, Miss 'Friend', go ahead and change. I'll keep an eye on Cafe here, make sure she doesn't peek."
"Hey, I have no such intention."
"Really?"
"I do know when not to…"
Gently stroking the gloves and mask, indistinguishable from human skin, a slight ripple passed through the girl's eyes.
A disguise mask that could change her appearance?
She had encountered such things before.
Once worn, it felt as if even one's true heart could be wrapped up along with it.
"I'll go try it on now."
Nodding, the girl lifted the heavy curtain and entered Cafe's half of the room.
Removing her face mask, she slowly fitted the disguise mask over her face.
A cool sensation trickled from her skin up to her brain.
It was like being covered by a cool stream of water, spreading from her forehead to her cheeks, flowing from her cheeks down her neck, and finally disappearing at her shoulders.
There was no strange feeling; it seemed to fit her as if made for her.
Sliding her hands into the gloves, her skin making full contact, the girl then changed into that set of black clothing.
The very outfit Tachyon had left in Cafe's room.
That day, she had planned to just grab any clothes to make do, then rush to the track to get Cafe.
But as if her movements had been predicted long ago, a neatly folded black coat lay on Cafe's desk, with a thoughtful note attached.
'If you're going, wear this.'
Signed, Agnes Tachyon.
Her every move had been anticipated in advance…
Agnes Tachyon, her foresight was simply beyond normal reasoning.
After changing into the coat, the girl stood before the mirror.
In the reflection, a girl with snow-like skin and delicate features gazed back at her through calm, golden eyes.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 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.