"You mean…your friend disappeared?"
"Yes, Song. Do you have any ideas?"
Gotham Song frowned, genuinely caught off guard by the news.
This morning, waking unusually late from beside a still-sleeping Neo Universe, she found, equally unusually, no Donna-san waking her. It was sort of a tradition around her—usually diligent, but allowed freedom at least on the day after a race.
After stepping out briefly for water and breakfast, she'd bumped into Manhattan Cafe at her door. After quietly leaving bread and eggs for Neo, she'd followed her elder sister into another room—only to hear the words she now struggled to respond to.
What do you mean, your friend disappeared?
Friend… meaning that troublesome Old Ghost #1, Sunday Silence?
Gotham Song's brows shot up. For a moment, she had no idea what to say.
She never imagined she'd hear something like this from Cafe-neesan—but knowing her sister, Cafe would never lie. Song was absolutely sure of that.
So, if Old Ghost #1 was truly gone, then… what had happened?
Gotham Song suddenly remembered yesterday at the finish line, the silently mouthed words Sunday Silence had given her, like a farewell blessing:
I'm leaving, little one. Will you miss me?
She had clearly seen the color slowly draining from Sunday Silence's body. Her aura had gradually dispersed, fading like smoke until a gust of wind scattered her completely away.
At the time, Song just thought it was another elaborate prank. Sunday Silence absolutely would do something like that—indeed, the odds of her doing exactly that were extremely high.
Especially with how she phrased it—it was even more suspicious…!
Yet now, carefully reconsidering Old Ghost #1's personality and habits—if she really were going to vanish completely, she might deliberately play into Gotham Song's expectations, using exactly such a vague goodbye to create maximum entertainment for herself, right?!
In other words, perhaps—maybe—Old Ghost #1 might have genuinely died?!
The moment Song realized that, her first reaction wasn't panic or seriousness. She didn't even pause to reflect.
She just roared furiously in her mind:
Sunday Silence… I—I'm gonna bite you alive!
No, seriously—if Old Ghost #1 hadn't always been so deeply addicted to pranks, always seeking entertainment first and treating Gotham Song as a dress-up doll at every chance—if not for all that, Song would have clearly recognized that moment for what it was.
At least then, she could have properly said goodbye!!!
Old Ghost #1, seen this way, really was rotten to the core. Regardless of the truth, maybe she'd laugh hysterically whether she lived or died, wouldn't she?
Gotham Song became surprisingly furious!
Yet, as rage burned through her mind, cold logic gradually cooled her down again. Taking deep breaths, she calmed herself.
"A-anyway, Cafe-neesan… didn't your friend always disappear to go play before? Is something different this time?"
"Yes… Even when she left before, I could still feel her presence somewhere. But now, for the first time… I can't feel anything."
One reason Gotham Song hadn't thought Sunday Silence had truly vanished was that Cafe-neesan wasn't always with Old Ghost #1. Ever since Sunday Silence had met Gotham Song, she regularly came running here, attracted by this new and interesting "toy."
And there'd been countless times before—one day, two days, three, even four—when Cafe had shown no special worry.
So Song, until that moment, had been half-convinced things weren't too serious.
But after hearing Cafe's words, she reluctantly abandoned the idea that Old Ghost #1 was just faking her disappearance for fun.
Cafe-neesan had never worried before precisely because she'd always been able to sense Old Ghost #1's presence somewhere. Now, if Cafe herself couldn't feel her, maybe Old Ghost #1…
Possibly—maybe—really had vanished completely.
Gotham Song felt she should have been deeply sad, but in reality?
When the realization truly settled in, her young face only stiffened. Strangely, no sadness came at all. The youthful Uma Musume desperately tried to squeeze out even a single tear, struggling to deliver at least some emotion appropriate for the moment.
Yet, despite her best efforts, no tears appeared. Instead, all she could manage was a distorted expression—not so much sad as frightening.
"S-Song…?"
"It's nothing. I'm just—just unsure what face to make. Anyway, Cafe-neesan, do you have any way of searching for her?"
But even so, Gotham Song couldn't accept Sunday Silence just vanishing from her life. After all, Old Ghost #1 was still deeply important to her—otherwise, why would she tolerate being treated like a living dress-up doll all this time?
Yet, under Gotham Song's hopeful gaze, Cafe could only lightly shake her head.
She had no idea how to find Sunday Silence. In fact, that was precisely why she'd come looking for Gotham Song in the first place.
When lost and helpless, Cafe's subconscious had naturally guided her toward the person she felt closest to—the one who might actually help.
But in the end, neither of them had any ideas.
Realizing this, Gotham Song quickly took Cafe-neesan's hand before she could fully register Song's own expression. Hiding her conflicted face behind this gesture, she quickly began thinking about what exactly she could do.
"A-anyway, Cafe-neesan, go rest for now. I think I've got a lead on finding your friend. Can you wait until I check?"
"You're sure you don't need me…? Alright. I'll wait for your news."
Cafe clearly wanted to search together, but after sensing her younger sister's firm tone, she obediently accepted Song's request.
Her little sister had always been reassuring. Even though Cafe felt reluctant, as an elder sister she didn't want to burden Song further.
Still, Cafe turned back frequently, only leaving once she'd confirmed Song's decisive nod.
And once Gotham Song finally confirmed Cafe had truly gone, she collapsed exhausted onto the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling, falling into deep confusion.
I said all that, but how on earth am I supposed to find Old Ghost #1?
What an utterly hopeless question…
What to do now?
Song began seriously analyzing any useful information. Even now, deep down, she believed Old Ghost #1 hadn't truly vanished. It was most likely another prank from Sunday Silence.
But the key issue was—
Gotham Song had no way to drag that awful old ghost out, stomping her down to say, "If you keep playing weird, elaborate tricks, I'll kick you hard in the stomach!"
This was the real problem. How could she confirm Sunday Silence's existence now?
Suddenly, Gotham Song had an excellent idea. Usually, for a prank, given Sunday Silence's personality, wouldn't she want to watch from the closest possible position?
After all, she was literally a ghost.
If she wanted to hide, then of course those looking would have no way to confirm her existence.
If that was true—then around the person being pranked, Gotham Song herself—was Sunday Silence currently hiding nearby, watching excitedly, waiting for more?
When Cafe-neesan had come seeking her, had Old Ghost #1 secretly laughed herself silly?
It was hardly foolproof, but Gotham Song currently had no other ideas. She might as well trust intuition and give it a try.
Better than sitting around doing nothing, consumed by despair, right?
Determined, Gotham Song suddenly curled up into a helpless pose, speaking softly in a despairing voice:
"Sigh…if I can't find Old Ghost #1, what should I do? I don't want to disappoint Cafe-neesan…"
Silence. Only electronic hums and occasional wind rustling against the window filled the room.
No reaction. Well, she'd just keep trying then, right?
Song considered the lack of reaction normal. Old Ghost #1 was notoriously patient.
The show had to continue. Song wildly ruffled her hair into a chaotic silver mess, then knelt weakly on the floor, mustering up the most tragic expression possible.
"I beg you, Silence… at least don't vanish without saying goodbye."
"I really would miss you…"
Would I truly miss her? Maybe a little. After all, we had a bond—!
Her words actually made her nose sting.
"Hahaha—pffft…hahaha!!"
A noise?
Song lifted her head sharply, ears twitching, listening closely. The laughter grew louder and wilder, more shameless and unrestrained. She pinpointed its source:
Exactly where she'd been sitting moments ago…!
Aha, Old Ghost #1, I found you at last. Take my—Song's Flying Tackle—!
The silver-haired girl fiercely lunged toward the laughing black demon. But instinctively, remembering painful past attempts, she raised her hands protectively at the last moment.
She'd tried this many times before, always crashing painfully into walls or floors, never once truly touching Sunday Silence. All those "touches" had simply been the ghost controlling distances carefully, never truly embracing Gotham Song tightly.
Yet now, with powerful emotions and elbows raised defensively, Gotham Song actually reached point-blank range.
With eyes covered, she didn't see the rare expression of genuine panic appearing on Sunday Silence's face.
"Gua…!!!"
"Songcchi, are you trying to murder me?!"
Cold… Wait, I didn't hit the sofa?
Confused, Gotham Song opened her eyes—and clearly saw the unfamiliar look of pain and panic on Sunday Silence's face.
What was happening exactly?
Apparently, she'd performed not a flying tackle—but a flying elbow strike instead…?
Wait, wait, wait—I can elbow-strike Sunday Silence now?
Still stunned, Song kicked off her slippers, experimentally pressing her sock-clad foot against Sunday Silence's thigh.
Cold, but clearly not the sofa's texture… actual skin?!
"I-I surrender…! Can we negotiate?"
"At this point? Keep dreaming!!"
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T/N: HUUUUUUUUUUH SHES ALIVE??
-cchi is a nickname thingie im trying it out instead of little one (LMAO FORGOT ABOUT THIS)