"The students here have quite diverse hobbies..."
"Even for Uma Musume, it's not like their heads are filled only with races. So, what do you think? Not bad, right?"
At the edge of Tracen Academy's grounds, in a secluded, empty spot away from the crowds, over a dozen canvases of various sizes were displayed on wooden stands.
They depicted all sorts of tiny, detailed creatures—flowers, birds, insects, fish, and more.
It was clear the exhibition's organizer had observed them all with great care.
The young girl nodded in response to Green Grass.
At least it was better than just sitting around like a fool.
But it wasn't that much better. Isolated from the crowds, the place was so quiet you could hear the birds chirping.
She moved slowly, step by step, looking at each image—the kind usually ignored without a second thought. Apart from being scenes people didn't often notice, she didn't find anything particularly special about these paintings.
They certainly didn't seem worthy of being exhibited in such an out-of-the-way corner.
Maybe that's just the unique flair of Tracen students, she thought.
As she mused, the girl unconsciously came to a stop before one particular painting.
A race?
Completely different from the others, this one depicted a race.
The viewpoint was from the spectator stands.
What caught her eye was how all the spectators were blurred into indistinct smudges of paint, and even the competing racers were just roughly sketched with a few casual brushstrokes.
Amidst it all, only one figure—a girl in black, leading the pack—was painted with meticulous care, vivid and lifelike.
Even standing outside the frame, you could almost hear the sound of her feet skimming the ground.
"This is..."
The girl leaned in closer.
"That one was painted by Aston."
A voice as gentle as a breeze spoke up from behind.
A girl with a rather large crown-like hair accessory, chestnut-brown short hair, and yellowish-green eyes had approached.
"The [Mainichi Okan] race," she explained, bending down slightly. "This captures the moment right before the finish line."
"It's impressive you could memorize such a brief moment in such detail."
The girl, who looked quite soft-spoken, blinked. "Because Aston's eyes are the world's camera. They preserve everything she experiences, completely and perfectly."
"Hah... Then why is only this person painted in detail, while everyone else is just brushed over?"
"Do you want the truth, or a polite lie?"
She offered a faint, yet elusive smile as she posed the question.
"?"
What kind of odd choice was that? Were artistic types these days all so peculiar?
"The truth, then." Humoring her strange preference, the girl answered.
"Because there's no need to record them," the girl who called herself 'Aston' replied. "Every one of them has their own lens. TV programs, recordings, photos—they'll all be imprinted there."
Standing beside the girl, she continued softly, "But not this person."
"There isn't a single lens in the world that can capture her figure. Can't be photographed, can't be recorded. She's like a gust of wind—you can feel she's been through, but you can never quite catch her."
Her slender finger gently traced the painted figure.
"How sad, isn't it? This person can't leave her own mark on the world."
"So you painted her?"
"Mhm."
She nodded.
The girl stood still before the canvas.
"How pointless..."
"Eh?"
"This method of trying to record someone through a painting... it's utterly pointless."
The girl let out a dismissive sniff.
'I don't need to deliberately tell people my name. Because one day, everyone will be following in my footsteps. So don't write my name on it!'
The echo of a remembered voice rang in her ears.
The girl placed a hand over her chest.
"A 'mark' isn't some physical thing. It can transcend the body, time, even space. Even if you're in some unknown world, the most precious, the most valuable things will still remain, preserved deep within the soul."
Her golden eyes fixed on Aston.
"I've always believed that the body will eventually age and die, turning into mere soil, returning to the earth."
But the death of the body doesn't mean the end.
Memory, personality—all that makes a person who they are—merge into one.
"That's right. The fundamental essence of a person is their will."
That eternal, unyielding will, deeply rooted and entwined within the soul.
Our bodies are renewing themselves every minute, every second. In just six or seven years, every part of us is completely replaced.
If we define existence by the physical body, then the 'me' of one second and the 'me' of the next would be two different people.
This obsession with the physical form... it's just wishful thinking, foolish beyond belief.
Only when a person's will vanishes does that person cease to exist.
"What you've done here only captures the surface. Even if you remember her appearance, what meaning does it hold?"
The girl looked at the painting.
"Her body may become a symbol, but her will—there will always be those who follow it. Past, present, and future, she'll be like the morning star, shining in the twilight, as the sun sets and silence falls, guiding people, declaring to the world—"
She turned back, meeting the other girl's gaze, and slowly spoke the words:
"'I am the Apex.'"
Wide-eyed, the girl who called herself 'Aston' clenched her fists.
"Aston Machan. My name is Aston Machan. May I ask your name?"
With an indescribably complex look in her eyes, Aston Machan watched the girl.
"You want to know my name..." After a brief moment of thought, she threw the other girl's own words back at her. "Do you want the real name, or an alias?"
Clearly not expecting that response, Aston Machan was taken aback for a second. But soon, a smile returned to her lips.
"Then, please tell me your alias. I apologize for my rudeness earlier."
"Manhattan Cafe," the girl replied.
"Manhattan Cafe..." Aston repeated the name, then nodded. "I'll remember it. 'Manhattan Cafe.' You're a remarkable person."
"Is everything alright?"
Green Grass, who had been captivated by the landscape paintings, walked over upon hearing the two girls talking.
"It's nothing, senpai," the girl shook her head. "Is there anywhere else you'd like to go, senpai?"
"There is! Will you come with me?!"
"I wouldn't mind looking around a bit more..."
"Great! Let's go check out other places then!"
Green Grass happily pointed the way.
Watching the two depart, Aston Machan suddenly called out.
"'Manhattan Cafe'! About that painting!" she shouted. "The truth is, I was so focused on her, I forgot what everyone else looked like! That's why I just dashed the colors in for the others—!"
That was the 'polite lie' she hadn't voiced earlier.
Waving a hand to show she understood, the two girls disappeared from view.
Aston Machan remained where she was.
A will that transcends time and space?
Not a bad idea.
Manhattan Cafe... I wonder, can my lens capture your true name?
--+--
"Reading here, Silence Suzuka?"
Manhattan Cafe had initially intended just to say hello and leave, but under the other's inviting gaze, she reluctantly took a seat beside her.
"Mhm. I don't really like that noisy atmosphere."
Silence Suzuka brushed a strand of her hair back as she replied.
"Being in a crowd... it's not just the body, but even your heart can't find peace. That's the feeling, right?"
"Just as I thought. You understand, Cafe." As if finding a kindred spirit, Silence Suzuka smiled.
They were both the type who preferred quiet solitude, and it was partly because of this that she got along so well with the other girl.
However...
"I heard you joined the student council, Cafe?"
That was something Silence Suzuka hadn't expected.
From what she knew of Cafe, she wouldn't voluntarily take on unnecessary responsibilities.
"Should I say I've joined, or haven't...?"
She felt conflicted.
It seemed like everyone around them assumed she was already a member of the student council.
Cafe hadn't originally had any interest in the student council, but in this kind of atmosphere, it was hard to refuse.
Just as Cafe was unsure how to respond, the rapid tap-tap-tap of footsteps approached from not far away.
"Hello—!"
An exuberant Uma Musume came running over.
--+--
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.