When Gotham Song awoke the next morning, her first sensation was suffocation.
And the cause?
Mejiro McQueen was clinging to her so tightly that any attempt to escape felt impossible. The firm press of that embrace made breathing difficult, an unrelenting confinement squeezing against her chest.
But then there was the psychological blow from the other side—where Treve clung just as closely.
Er… Treve's hugging me from behind…? Ha ha, I must've overslept. This has to be a dream. Yeah, definitely a dream.
Thinking this, Gotham Song squeezed her eyes shut, trying to flee back into the dreamscape where Phantom Ruka waited—the elusive shadow she had been desperately trying, and failing, to tame.
That child was just like a stray cat. No matter how Gotham Song pleaded or coaxed, Phantom Ruka stubbornly refused to speak. She didn't hiss or threaten; she simply rejected all interaction.
Gotham Song didn't know how long she'd tried. She just kept holding onto her, never loosening her embrace. But Phantom Ruka remained resolutely resistant till the very end.
Ah, so this is how tough parenting can be… If only every child could be as obedient as McQueen.
Anyway, I'll try reaching out to Phantom Ruka again. Maybe this time will work. Anything's better than facing a ridiculous dream where Treve cuddles me, right? Haha…
But… this was a dream, right? It had to be a dream!
Who are you kidding, you idiot?! Stop running away from reality and this sudden absurd situation!
With a frustrated shout in her heart, Gotham Song finally opened her eyes—utterly unable to drift back to sleep. She glanced down at Mejiro McQueen, still nestled sweetly against her chest, then turned to see Treve sleeping soundly on her other side, lips slightly parted and glistening with drool.
Treve… your sleeping posture is genuinely intolerable.
Calm down, calm down. It was curious why her junior, who openly admired her, would wake up next to her in bed. But now wasn't the time to puzzle out the why. The immediate concern was…
How should I explain this if these two wake up right now?
McQueen probably wouldn't be too bothered; she'd merely be curious about Treve's identity. And Treve… Treve wouldn't react badly either, right?
She glanced toward the door, which stood conspicuously ajar, clearly left open by someone who'd sneaked in during the night.
Gotham Song couldn't imagine Treve as the type to launch a nighttime assault. The filly admired her deeply, but given her poor sleeping habits and sloppy appearance, the real reason for her unexpected presence quickly became obvious.
Treve must've sleepwalked here last night, huh?
Ridiculous, but considering it was Treve, perhaps not too absurd. It was clearly the only rational explanation.
Or at least, that's what Gotham Song kept repeating to herself to make it believable. But after rationalizing the situation, her initial panic subsided considerably.
Initially, the sudden absurdity had left her speechless. But now, well… she'd regained some composure.
Rather than worry about that, perhaps the greater fear was that someone might casually stroll past her open bedroom door and glimpse this scene… but that couldn't possibly happen, right?
Speaking of which, it was incredibly bright outside already. What time was it anyway…?
Gotham Song had no intention of pushing Treve away. After all…
Everyone knows that pushing someone away requires hands. Maybe not both hands, but at least one usable hand, right?
But currently, what was her situation?
Simply put, Mejiro McQueen and Treve, one on each side, had completely immobilized Gotham Song's arms.
She couldn't move—not even a little.
In such a hopeless predicament, Gotham Song could only stare helplessly at the ceiling, until finally a pair of hands appeared in her world, ruthlessly beginning to pry away Treve's unrelenting grip.
Hands…? Wait, wait—whose hands?!
It couldn't possibly be mine, pinned down as they are.
Hesitantly, Gotham Song turned her head slightly and saw—
Ah, yes. Whenever the morning sun rose, she always appeared by her bedside, didn't she?
It was Gentildonna.
Yet Gentildonna wore an indescribably complicated expression. Without even bothering to communicate, she grasped Treve's wrists and forcefully began tugging—
Deep asleep, Treve's face twisted into discomfort, instinctively resisting the sudden force.
But her resistance was futile. Gentildonna's strength was terrifying. Even Gotham Song could feel Treve trembling. Gentildonna, relentless and unyielding, methodically broke apart Treve's seemingly unbreakable hold.
Just as Gotham Song wondered if Treve might finally awaken, a soft murmur sounded from her other side.
Turning toward the sound, Gotham Song saw Mejiro McQueen's eyes fluttering open.
The freshly awakened Uma Musume was still somewhat confused. Instinctively, she pressed closer to Gotham Song until their cheeks brushed. Only then did McQueen's eyes widen suddenly, as if she'd realized something alarming.
What exactly did McQueen see?
Gentildonna was fully dressed, clearly having come over after waking up, but Treve…
You couldn't even call what Treve wore pajamas. At best, it barely qualified as underwear, preserving the minimal decency.
So, how did McQueen respond?
Her face instantly hardened. She silently released Gotham Song's arm, propped herself up, and grabbed Treve's other arm, joining Gentildonna's efforts.
Wait, McQueen, your [Zone] is activating?!
Why are you suddenly so worked up?!
Frozen in shock, Gotham Song stared blankly at the ceiling. With McQueen joining the battle, Treve's hopeless struggle was completely crushed. Treve's eyes shot open wide as she helplessly watched Gotham Song drift further and further away.
Noooooo! I've been pretending to sleep all this time, dammit!!
After that, chaos ensued. As for what kind of expressions Gentildonna and McQueen wore afterward…
Gotham Song had no desire to recall. Her first action after getting out of bed was to lead the group toward a certain room she'd never imagined she'd visit herself.
The Mejiro family manor was expansive, and for various reasons, they'd installed discreet surveillance equipment in less private areas long ago.
It was at this moment that Gotham Song was endlessly grateful she knew about this arrangement.
Thank you, Ramonu-neesan!
Her gratitude toward Mejiro Ramonu was at an all-time high.
After painstakingly combing through the nighttime footage, Gotham Song finally spotted, around 1 or 2 AM, a sleepy Treve stumbling groggily from her guest room, leaning against the wall as she moved.
Hmm…
Like a zombie, she staggered forward, barely able to support herself against the walls.
What happened afterward was easy enough to imagine, right?
With Gotham Song staring at the monitor, McQueen glaring at Treve, Haya Of Stars also staring intently at Treve, and even Found raising her fists ominously towards Treve, the entire chain of events became crystal clear.
Treve—the overly free-spirited French Uma Musume—had somehow managed to stir up trouble on her very first night at Mejiro Manor.
She had sleepwalked from her own guest room straight into Gotham Song's bed!
Honestly, the behavior was utterly absurd. But considering Treve's notoriously chaotic lifestyle—according to Found, she'd already turned her assigned guest room into a complete disaster within hours of arriving—it seemed bizarrely plausible.
Ah, this really does seem like something Treve would do, doesn't it?
It was with such thoughts that Gotham Song finally relaxed.
"I'm so sorry, Gotham-senpai! I'll never do it again, absolutely never!"
After the video was shut off, Gotham Song turned to see Treve, surrounded by a three-sided assault squad, obediently kneeling behind her, head lowered meekly, sporting an obvious bump from being smacked.
Pfft… So even Treve can behave this obediently, huh?
Gotham Song couldn't help but smile slightly. Truthfully, she hadn't been particularly angry from the start. Though McQueen's mood was clearly far less forgiving, Gotham Song responded by gently taking hold of her younger sister's hand, squeezing reassuringly.
"It's okay, it's okay. This isn't your fault. Anyway, I'm really not upset. Besides, after all this fuss, I'm sure nobody's had breakfast yet, right?"
"Come on, let's go eat. It's just a little incident—I honestly don't mind."
As Gotham Song took the initiative, Found's eyes softened gratefully. But in the next instant, Found mercilessly dragged Treve up, continuing her severe scolding and disciplining. Gotham Song, having no way to intervene, could only silently offer a prayer.
I hope she'll be okay…
Taking along Haya Of Stars, who had come to investigate, Gotham Song gently pulled along a visibly sulking McQueen towards the dining hall. There, she unexpectedly found Mejiro Ramonu and Mejiro Ardan sitting harmoniously together for once.
"Song... Just say the word. Or… is it not necessary?"
Eh? Ramonu-san, your opening line is really catching me off guard here! Wait, wait, wait. Last time it was the British Uma Musume, this time it's the French?
The previous 'culprit' is still right here, you know!
Gotham Song turned towards Haya Of Stars, still holding her other hand, only to receive a firm nod of approval.
Don't worry, Song-sama. If you wish to punish her, I'll even call my sister over right now to witness it.
She deserves it, after all!
What on earth is going on here?! Ardan-neesan, save me! If this keeps up, Treve might not return home as Treve—but as 'Treve-chan' instead!
Gotham Song turned desperately towards Mejiro Ardan, only to find her elder sister elegantly holding her teacup handle, gently stirring the steaming tea like the pendulum of a clock.
She said nothing, yet somehow conveyed everything clearly.
Without a complete reconciliation, Ardan-neesan was calmly drinking tea next to Ramonu-san!
Treve-chan... Treve! At this rate, nobody can save you!
Hurriedly shaking her head to indicate that she didn't feel wronged at all, Gotham Song finally convinced Ramonu-neesan, who simply nodded quietly, choosing not to press the matter further.
Seizing this opportunity, Gotham Song quickly guided the two little ones behind her toward the table, almost afraid Ramonu-neesan might change her mind.
However, just as she sat down, Gotham Song met the eyes of her now officially recognized cousin seated directly opposite—Manhattan Cafe.
Old Ghost #1… Get out of my cousin right this instant!
[How unfair! I'm actually beside you right now. That's your cousin sitting there—believe it or not, that's the truth.]
Gotham Song jolted in surprise and quickly averted her eyes.
Even my Cafe-neesan is angry?! Has this entire world gone mad?!
"Song, perhaps you should eat something first? Otherwise, breakfast time will soon pass you by."
Amid this strange atmosphere, someone who finally eased Gotham Song's burden appeared. Daiichi Ruby approached gracefully, gently placing a tray before her, offering a soft, soothing smile.
Ruby… you really are the best!!
"But Song, next time, remember to lock your door at night, okay?"
"Y-yes! Absolutely, I definitely will!"
If I could remember something like that, of course I'd lock it!
Satisfied with Gotham Song's assurance, Ruby returned quietly to her own seat. Gotham Song then cautiously looked around, clearly noticing the fiery stare from Old Ghost #2—Secretariat—as well as Dancing Brave, who seemed to be smiling at some happy thought.
And also…
The oddly intent gaze from Neo Universe.
How exactly should she describe that look?
Resentful, puzzled, peculiar, and somehow… eager?
Neo Universe! Are you planning to betray me too?!
Furiously biting into her bread, Gotham Song had never felt so mentally exhausted before. This morning, she decided, was even more burdensome than running the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
At the same time, she remained utterly baffled.
All this fuss, just because a silly filly sleepwalked into her bed and cuddled up overnight? She couldn't grasp why everyone reacted so strongly.
Could it be that, somehow, Treve had committed an offense on the same level as that troublesome playboy, Astronomer?
She truly couldn't understand it!