"How do I look?"
The girl stepped out, now fully changed. Agnes Tachyon had thoughtfully provided a wig to complete the transformation.
Smooth, reed-colored hair cascaded down to her waist, shimmering in harmony with her golden eyes.
With slight adjustments to her facial contours and a full set of long trousers and a top—a distinctly masculine style—her entire aura underwent a dramatic, earth-shifting change.
"Wow…"
Even Tachyon couldn't help parting her lips in a soft exclamation of awe.
"Looks pretty good. Kind of like an idol or a model now. Definitely can't be linked to Cafe anymore. This way, there shouldn't be any more misunderstandings in the future. Don't you think, Ca—...Cafe?"
She glanced back and found Manhattan Cafe slumped over the desk, palm pressed to her chest, breathing heavily and muttering incessantly, "She's my 'Friend'... She's my 'Friend'..."
Her voice trembled with each word.
Cafe... What on earth am I going to do with you?
Tachyon raised a slender eyebrow slightly.
Leaving the deeply blushing Cafe to her flustered state, Tachyon pulled out her phone and—click—snapped a photo of the girl.
"Mhm, just as I thought." Tachyon nodded, looking at the picture on the screen.
"With the electromagnetic waves from your body completely shielded, the phone can capture you normally now."
Whether light waves, sound waves, or electromagnetic waves, they were all essentially forms of material motion.
The reason cameras and such couldn't photograph the girl was because of the waves she emitted—the camera's sensors couldn't receive them properly.
The distorted light waves manifested in photos as an indistinct, shadowy blur.
Once Tachyon fully blocked these emissions, the camera worked just fine.
Though the girl had disguised herself many times before, she'd never been able to hide her electromagnetic emissions.
Anyone could just pull out a phone, snap a few pictures, and uncover her true form.
Tachyon suspected quite a few people already used this method to track the girl down.
Given the special nature of her identity, Tachyon had no intention of letting more people learn the girl's true nature.
So this mask and outfit were also a means of protection.
From now on, no one would be able to locate her through a camera.
How ironic…
A ghost who once came and went without a trace now needed to disguise herself as human for protection.
"Does it feel strange at all?" Tachyon asked, putting her phone away.
"Not at all." The girl shook her head.
If anything, she felt more at ease.
A few months had been enough to get used to wearing skirts, but she still preferred trousers—they gave her a nostalgic sense of returning to the past.
"That's good then."
It seemed blocking the outgoing electromagnetic signals didn't affect her physically.
"Your hand." Tachyon spoke up. "Give me your hand."
Not sure what Tachyon intended, the girl obediently extended her hand.
Tachyon immediately grasped it, their fingers interlocking, palms pressed tightly together.
The girl's eyes widened slightly.
This was the first time she'd had such intimate contact with anyone other than Cafe.
The warmth from Tachyon's palm seeped through the thin glove, reaching the girl's skin.
Although the material blocked electromagnetic waves, it felt more like an ultra-thin formal glove, clinging closely to the skin.
She could feel the temperature and a faint sense of touch.
"Mhm, both the texture and softness are indistinguishable from a human hand. This way, even if someone touches you, they won't grow suspicious…"
"Agnes Tachyon! Wh-what are you doing!?"
Manhattan Cafe, who had just managed to calm her racing heart, looked up to see Tachyon interlocking fingers with her 'Friend.' Her mind went blank with a boom, and she shot up from her seat.
"Testing, of course. Checking for any flaws."
"T-testing… Oh, right. Of course. What's wrong with me? Making a fuss over nothing…"
Realizing her own lapse in composure, Manhattan Cafe pressed a hand to her forehead.
For a moment just then, an intense jealousy had surged within her—she'd nearly shouted, 'My 'Friend' belongs to me!'
Possessiveness.
Since when had she developed such strong possessive feelings towards 'Friend'?
She didn't even want others to touch her.
What's happening to me…
As Manhattan Cafe sank into self-doubt, Tachyon continued her tests.
The long top and trousers covered her body well; the gloves and mask concealed exposed areas.
The wig handled her hair, and earmuffs hid her ears.
Only one part remained uncovered.
The girl's tail.
A long, black horsetail extended through a hole in the trousers, swaying instinctively back and forth.
Like her skin and muscles, it couldn't be touched by humans.
Not that anyone would be reckless enough to pull a Uma Musume's tail, but exceptions existed. Improbable didn't mean impossible.
Moreover, if her tail appeared blurred in photos, it would still raise suspicions—though less so than a full-body shadow. It might just be dismissed as a lens focusing issue.
But since they were doing this, they might as well do it right.
Clothing that could cover the tail and maintain consistency…
Tachyon's eyes shifted.
Then, she spotted the lab coat she'd taken off and casually tossed onto the table earlier.
Wasn't this the perfect solution right here?
Tachyon picked it up.
"'Friend,' I assume you won't mind wearing my clothes?"
"At this point, would I even refuse?"
"Heh."
Taking the coat from Tachyon, the girl slipped it on.
Two starkly contrasting colors blended together without the slightest discord.
"Only this kind of clothing really gives a sense of security, doesn't it?"
Pulling the lapels snug, the girl nodded in satisfaction.
Whether it was a trench coat or a lab coat, that feeling of it flowing behind you was essential.
"Can I take that as an endorsement of the experiment? Haha… just joking. I'm glad you like it," Tachyon said.
The preparations were now mostly complete.
From today onward, 'Friend' would vanish completely from Tracen Academy. The ghostly figure would be no more.
Just one last step remained.
"Giving you a plausible identity."
Tachyon rested her chin in her hand.
"'Friend,' have you ever taught anyone anything?"
Her dark red eyes fixed on this newly born girl.
"Taught anyone…?"
"Mhm. Basic subjects—geography, national studies, that sort of thing. Or maybe something else, like running training."
"'Friend' knows how to train. She helps me every night."
Manhattan Cafe, having finally emerged from her daze, spoke up.
"And 'Friend's' training ability… isn't inferior to a trainer's."
She had repeatedly helped Cafe identify and solve problems, offering immense support.
Even Cafe's own trainer had been somewhat incredulous at her progress.
So 'Friend's' capabilities were beyond doubt.
"That simplifies things."
Tachyon nodded.
"I know someone who can help you secure a legitimate identity at Tracen."
"Someone?"
"Mhm. I can't guarantee it'll work, but I'll do my very best."
"Someone at the school?" Cafe asked.
"No. More like… someone from my family."
Someone from Agnes Tachyon's family…
At that, Cafe already had her answer.
A prominent figure in the Uma Musume world, closely connected with the central association and Tracen's upper echelons.
Agnes Tachyon's mother: Agnes Flora.
--+--
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.