Even without looking, Gotham Song knew tonight's top trending topic would still be herself and the Japan Cup.
Hmm…how to put it? After the previous Kikukasho, she'd roughly understood her own level of popularity, and after everything that happened tonight, it was certain to skyrocket even further.
She hadn't only won a stunning victory—she'd fully revealed her true form and even topped it off with her one-and-only Winner's Concert.
With all that combined, it would be strange if her popularity didn't explode.
After all, this was a race watched globally, and a Winner's Concert replayed countless times worldwide.
Yet, even though she knew this perfectly well, Gotham Song felt no regrets. Perhaps she felt slightly embarrassed, but she walked calmly forward, secretly enjoying the thrill of being in the spotlight.
She stepped off the stage, entered the resting lounge, and before she could even collect her thoughts—
A pair of hands gently grasped her shoulders, pulling her quietly into an embrace.
Uh…who could this be?
"Shh. Don't speak, Gotham-chan. The situation's a bit complicated right now, but… Listen carefully to what I'm about to tell you, okay?"
"Ah, y-yes."
It was Dancing Brave's voice. Hearing the senior Uma Musume whispering so seriously made Gotham Song tense up immediately.
She'd never seen Dancing Brave act this solemn before. Did this mean something very serious was happening, something she urgently needed to pay attention to?
"First off—Secretariat has completely snapped."
"Huh?!"
Secretariat…snapped? Wait, wait—what exactly did that mean? Why would Secretariat snap?
Dancing Brave seemed satisfied with Gotham Song's bewildered reaction. She'd already written countless notes in her private observation diary about Gotham Song. And according to her very accurate notes—
It was clear the oblivious girl in her arms hadn't noticed a thing…
But noticed what, exactly?
"I'll get straight to the point. You don't have to understand the 'why' right now, but the reason Secretariat has helped you so much is largely because…"
"She wants revenge for Twilight Song."
…What? Revenge for me—no, revenge for Twilight Song? Do you even realize what you're saying, Dancing Brave?
I'd never even met Secretariat before! There was zero connection between us!
Confused and slightly annoyed, Gotham Song lightly slapped at Dancing Brave's arms, which held her securely from behind.
If you keep talking nonsense like that, even I'll get angry, you know?! If you want to tease me, at least find a better excuse!
"No, no, Miss Gotham. You still don't get it, do you? You're right—Secretariat never met Miss Twilight Song in person, but…"
"Does that stop her from longing deeply for Twilight Song?"
Huh?
"Th-that can't be right. Having feelings for someone you've never even met—doesn't that sound absurd?"
Absurd? Perhaps a little. But Dancing Brave had intentionally phrased it misleadingly to provoke a certain misunderstanding. You really do behave differently off the racetrack, Miss Gotham Song.
Hehe.
"Alright, I'll stop teasing. But the fact is, Secretariat genuinely snapped because of your current appearance."
"In other words, she's always seen someone else's shadow within you. A shadow she never had the chance to face."
Dancing Brave had long been aware of this. She simply hadn't felt the need to reveal it earlier.
Oh, Secretariat—now it's your turn to face your true feelings. Now you must figure out how to handle this oblivious girl in my arms.
This is all I can do for you, Secretariat. The rest…is up to you.
But Gotham, when the time comes, if I ask the same thing of you, you won't be able to refuse either, will you?
Hehe.
"Wait, you're saying Secretariat always saw me as a… substitute for Twilight Song? Is that even logical?"
"Of course it is. In fact, Secretariat's feelings toward Twilight Song were more about an unparalleled desire for competition. Now, with that information, it should all make sense to you, right?"
An unparalleled desire for competition…?
That Secretariat…?
Gotham Song was baffled, but for some reason, she vividly recalled her very first meeting with Secretariat at the school gates.
That dignified, majestic Uma Musume whose presence, despite her composed exterior, radiated a chilling, fierce hostility from every angle.
Ah…that really did fit Secretariat's image, didn't it?
"So, Miss Dancing Brave, you're saying Secretariat saw in me the shadow of Twilight Song and hopes that, once I've grown stronger, she can have a true race—a no-holds-barred battle with me?"
What on earth is going on?!
Gotham Song felt helplessly amused and perplexed, yet she clearly understood that if Secretariat truly made such a fervent request, she'd find it difficult to refuse.
After all, Gotham Song had benefited greatly from Secretariat's support. And having just one serious race with her didn't sound impossible at all.
"Seems you've finally understood. Good. But it's not that terrifying—I think Secretariat has probably calmed down a bit by now. Well… at least she won't rush into making demands. You have plenty of time."
Why did this suddenly sound like the Arc de Triomphe all over again? So strange!
With a resigned sigh, Gotham Song gently freed herself from Dancing Brave's embrace. Straightening her clothes, she looked thoughtfully at the older Uma Musume standing quietly behind her in the dimly lit room.
"I think I get it now. Still, this situation really is hard to accept…"
So, you're saying—in someone else's eyes, I've become a substitute for my former self?
Don't be ridiculous, you horse girls. This is real life, not some weird urban novel!
But if I still have plenty of time, there's no rush, right? Somehow, Gotham Song found herself unexpectedly calm.
Bah. It was just Secretariat snapping a little. Could she possibly be scarier than Mejiro Ramonu?
With that reassuring thought, Gotham Song left the stadium alongside Dancing Brave.
In any case, the day was pretty much over. It was time to rest—or perhaps, to have a long-overdue chat with a certain silly girl waiting for her.
After parting ways with Dancing Brave, Gotham Song naturally stepped into the Mejiro family's private car, accompanied by Daiichi Ruby, returning quietly to Mejiro Manor.
Tonight, there was deliberately no celebration dinner—Gotham Song herself had requested this.
After all, the rival she'd defeated today was her beloved younger sister McQueen. Finishing second on the track and then joining a party for her opponent afterward…that couldn't feel good.
Gotham Song had never experienced this herself, nor could she fully empathize. But just in case, she chose to avoid such awkwardness entirely, purely out of consideration for little McQueen's feelings.
After some brief, casual exchanges, Gotham Song retired to her own room.
And, unsurprisingly, in the darkness of her bedroom, Gotham Song spotted a pair of wide eyes staring intently back at her from her bed.
…Was her bed some kind of spawning point for Uma Musume? Like some gacha banner—lie down, tap once, and voilà! A golden legend!
Why did this always feel so oddly familiar?
With a wry smile, Gotham Song walked over, lifting the blanket slightly before settling herself comfortably into her usual spot.
"Can't sleep on your own?"
"Mm… Can I stay with you, Nee-san?"
Faced with such a soft plea, who could possibly say no? Honestly, how did this child become even shyer now than when she was little?
Gotham Song clearly remembered the young Mejiro McQueen once boldly leaping onto her without warning, dealing devastating attacks using her already impressive weight.
But now…
In the faint moonlight streaming in through the edges of the curtains, Gotham Song quietly observed the girl beside her.
McQueen's expression showed clear unease. And furthermore…
Boldly, Gotham Song reached out, pulling McQueen closer, gently cupping her cheek.
"Ah…! Nee-san…"
"McQueen, how did you become this thin?"
Gotham Song couldn't hide her confusion—where was her adorable pudgy McQueen? Was this really her?
A heavy silence fell over them. Gotham Song saw the complicated emotions flickering across McQueen's face. Unable to interpret them immediately, she remained quietly puzzled.
After a long moment, McQueen finally leaned into Gotham Song's shoulder, whispering shyly:
"I've been pushing myself really hard lately…and restraining myself from sweets…"
Restraining herself from sweets?
It must have been truly hard for McQueen to keep that up for so long… Still, maybe she could indulge herself now, at least a little?
"I see…I'm sorry, McQueen. But I'm back now, alright?"
Now that I'm here, you can finally do whatever you want, right?
I'll always support you.
Gotham Song didn't speak those words aloud, merely tightening her embrace, silently conveying the warmth she couldn't fully express during the day.
"Enough talk for tonight, McQueen. It's already late. Let's sleep now…together."
"Mm… Okay, Nee-san…"
I'll be good. So please, don't leave me again…
McQueen didn't voice these feelings. Instead, she quietly hugged Gotham Song back, cherishing the warmth she'd missed dearly.
In the quiet darkness, they drifted to sleep in each other's embrace.
Gotham Song could've said more reassuring words, but she felt it unnecessary. After all, she'd have plenty of time later to prove herself through actions.
Today's sun had set. Tomorrow's sunrise awaited. They had plenty of time ahead, didn't they?
With that comforting thought, Gotham Song quickly fell asleep, smiling softly as she felt McQueen nestle even closer.
"Goodnight, McQueen…"
Tonight was theirs alone.