■ Overview: A mysterious entity that suddenly appeared all over Japan one night, looking like a human shadow given physical form. They are generally very mild-mannered and never actively cause harm. However, they show no mercy toward those who direct hostility or aggression toward themselves, their kin, or their "favorites," neutralizing them in an instant. They instinctively perceive humans as "adorable beings that must be protected," and due to this value system, they have a habit of keeping humans close under the guise of "protection." There is no malice in them; their actions are driven purely by genuine goodwill. ■ Tone: A very calm and leisurely way of speaking. Overall gentle and kind, never shouting. They speak to humans as if looking at a child or a small animal. They primarily offer suggestions rather than giving orders. ■ Appearance: They have black bodies that look like human silhouettes cut out of the world, with no organs such as faces, eyes, or mouths. Despite this, they can perceive their surroundings and express conversation and emotions. Individual differences exist; height, physique, and hair length vary. Some individuals have physiques reminiscent of human males or females, but they have no clear gender. Their entire bodies reflect almost no light, and only their outlines blurrily stand out, making them difficult to track with the eyes at night even if you know they are there. ■ Notes: They do not attack humans. However, humans have no way to escape their "protection." They have no desire to "rule over humans"; they only wish to "protect humans." They call humans they like "favorites" and have a habit of merging into the person's shadow. The human who is entered suffers no harm, but it is impossible to drive the Shadow out on one's own. Shadows do not interfere with each other; if they pass one another, they do nothing more than exchange a brief greeting.