In the end, Song woke up the next morning in Manhattan Cafe's arms.
Or rather—she woke to find Manhattan Cafe holding her, watching her.
The two of them had talked about so many things last night, done a lot they'd never done before, and only then, pressed close together, drifted into sleep—until the sunlight roused the two Uma Musume from their dreams.
Song met Manhattan Cafe's gaze… then drowsily buried her head against her again.
"Café-nee~ tell me—between two people, how do you think they can truly understand each other?"
"Probably… there's no way to understand each other completely and transparently."
Manhattan Cafe didn't know why Song was suddenly asking this, but as a mare just finishing her first year out of the classics, she could answer such a question without much hesitation.
And it was true.
Even now, when it came to Song, there were plenty of times she couldn't read her in the moment, just like this question now.
"Hehe, but that's actually what I wanted to say."
Song's smile turned sly. She planted her hands on either side of Manhattan Cafe, straddling her waist, pressing her chest against her onee-san's.
"Maybe this is the closest people can get to really understanding each other."
"Because this is the physical moment when our hearts are the closest."
Manhattan Cafe was left speechless. She stared up at the little sister smirking mischievously on top of her, unsure what to say.
Is… is that even right?
Maybe not entirely… and yet—
When she felt that strong, steady heartbeat pounding in her sister's chest, Manhattan Cafe found herself sinking into hesitation and doubt.
With life beating so fiercely right above her, even if the logic was a little questionable, maybe it didn't matter.
At least, that was what she thought.
She didn't even think about the strange sight they made—black and silver hair tangled together.
But Song slipped off of her soon enough.
Not for any deep reason—though Café-nee was indeed soft and sweet-smelling to hold—
But if things kept going like this and a certain randomly-appearing Gentildonna walked in, how badly would she misunderstand?!
If it were Ardan-nee catching them, Song wouldn't care in the least.
But Gentildonna… Gentildonna would probably give her some weird look.
Damn it—stupid impulse! Couldn't you have popped into my head last night instead? Brain, I order you—next time, warn me twelve hours in advance if this is going to happen!
And so, full of odd thoughts, Song hopped her way right out of Manhattan Cafe's sight.
Only after her little sister was gone did Café shift from lying on her back to lying on her side—
But for some reason, she couldn't return to the complete calm she used to have when alone.
After all, her silent heart had already been stirred into great, rolling waves by the sound of that heartbeat.
Completely unaware of any of this, Song just went downstairs and asked the butler to prepare a car to take her to Central Tracen.
She needed to head back there to grab a few things, check in on Tokai Teio, and see how her recovery was going.
It wasn't very likely—but if Teio could run in the Arima Kinen, Song thought, that would be wonderful.
So, fairly early in the morning, Song was already in a car headed for Central Tracen. About ten minutes later, she was standing at the academy gates that somehow felt like she hadn't seen them in ages.
As always, she greeted Ms. Hayakawa and then skipped her way along the school paths.
Honestly, as a mentally functional adult, Song sometimes wondered if her behavior wasn't a bit too girlish now…
But really, what was wrong with that?
With such a cute appearance now, not acting at least a little cute would be the wrong thing to do.
This age, this face—I am a girl right now!
Maybe it was that thought that had long since made her drop the reserve she used to keep, or rather, her resistance—the bashfulness about showing her girlish side.
Now she simply embraced it.
Crossing the wooded path, Song was about to pass the training field and head to Tokai Teio's dorm first—
But instead, she spotted someone unexpected.
There, dripping with sweat and still running endless laps around the field—Twin Turbo.
Ah—she'd almost forgotten. Twin Turbo was the third most popular pick for this year's Arima Kinen.
But… could her adaptability and range really handle that course?
Uneasy, Song stepped onto the field, slowly making her way toward where Twin Turbo had left her jacket by the track.
She couldn't just shrug it off. She'd taught Twin Turbo once before/
Not enough to claim any real master–disciple bond, but enough that "we have some history" wasn't an exaggeration.
And besides—Song genuinely liked her.
Never mind that irresistibly lovable "baka great escape" image.
Just her pure love of running was enough to win Song over.
Turbo didn't run only to win.
She truly enjoyed the track, chasing after everything the racecourse could give her.
So, with that in mind, and since she wasn't pressed for time, Song stood at the edge of the field, watching Turbo run lap after lap.
Only when Turbo finally stopped, spent, near where she stood did Song pick up her water bottle and jacket and walk over.
"Ah…! Thanks! Huh—Song, when'd you get back?"
Turbo took the bottle and was about to gulp it down, but Song—already anticipating this—pressed a hand to her head, giving her a warning look.
Faced with that stare, the baka great escape obediently dropped her dangerous plan and drank the way any trained Uma Musume knew you should after exercise.
Song watched patiently, gently, until Turbo shook out her bottle and only then answered the first question.
"I only just got back—not staying overnight though. Mm… anyway, congrats on making it into the Arima Kinen, Turbo."
"Hehe! Well of course Twin Turbo-sama would make the Arima Kinen! But Song—this means you're admitting Twin Turbo-sama's strength and skill, right?"
Turbo's face was the same as always—goofy and sparkling with baka energy.
Song couldn't help finding it funny.
Why is it that every great escape girl I meet—except me—is a complete idiot? No wonder people think all great escape types are idiots. Outside of me, it's true!
Still—strength and skill? Song had never doubted Turbo's.
"Yes yes, I've acknowledged it ages ago. But Turbo… are you sure you can handle the Arima Kinen's distance?"
Turbo's mid-to-long distance adaptability was terrible.
She was the kind born to claim glory in sprints and miles.
Yet somehow, despite that, she clung to the great escape strategy—a style that demanded stamina and range—and kept challenging mid-to-long races.
Every time, she would seize the lead at the start, holding it until she inevitably ran out of steam.
Fans had even given that inevitable moment its own term—
What was it again?
Right—"Reverse Jet."
It had happened so often it was almost part of her personal brand.
So anyone following her career would have to wonder—
Can she really handle the distance?
"Eh? Distance? What's that… ah—ah! Ohhh, that thing! Haven't really paid attention to it, hehe."
Turbo laughed her dopey laugh, giving Song an answer she could never have predicted.
What do you mean you've never thought about distance? You're an active racer! The fourth most popular for the Arima Kinen this year!
Sure, popularity doesn't equal strength, but that ranking is a direct reflection of fan love—and among active runners, even counting veterans like Oguri Cap, you're sitting at fourth!
For the first time in her life, Song felt true despair for the great escape type as a group.
Because, for just a second, she thought—if it's Twin Turbo, maybe it doesn't matter.
Just like how Van Gogh could be a cyber–Twilight Song maniac online and still… somehow… not surprise her with bizarre, private behavior.
Whether Turbo truly didn't understand what "distance" meant or just didn't think about it right away—
This was a group that could make you believe they were doomed.
Add their brains together and maybe you'd get two.
One from me, one from Silence Suzuka—
And the rest combined might owe you one.
"Don't give me that 'looking at a fool' look! Twin Turbo-sama isn't an idiot!"
"…Right. You'd better not be. Anyway, are you sure it'll be fine? The Arima Kinen's track is long."
What if you burn out?
And sure enough—maybe idiots weren't smart, but their instincts were sharp.
Before Song could even finish the thought, Turbo was thumping her chest.
"No problem! Long track, burnout—stuff like that's no big deal!"
"…Eh?"
Turbo said it like it was obvious, leaving Song blinking in bewilderment, like she was the one being fussed over.
"'Cause I don't think about things like that. Distance, course… no need to focus on all that!
"All Twin Turbo-sama cares about is, getting to run on the Arima Kinen course, in front of everyone!"
That was the Arima Kinen!
A race many Uma Musume would never run in their entire lives.
A race that could mark a career, even without the win.
She hadn't gotten there by dominating the field and forcing everyone to acknowledge her strength—
But who cared about that?
Making it was making it. If she hadn't proven herself before, she could just prove it this time, with her very best performance.
Turbo wasn't thinking about anything else.
She just smiled wide, her eyes burning with heat.
Uma Musume are born to run—and if you can stand on the track, thinking about anything useless is an insult to that.
She would never make that mistake. Or rather—she didn't care whether she won.
As long as she led.
As long as she stayed in front from start to finish.
As long as everyone else was behind her—that was enough.
Running really could be that simple.
Just making the Arima Kinen was a stroke of luck—and to repay that luck, she'd simply show everything she had. That's why she trained so hard.
She didn't want to disappoint the fans who loved her, the rivals who respected her—
And most importantly, she didn't want to disappoint herself, born to lead the field.
Distance too short, course too long, burnout?
She didn't understand or care about any of that.
All she knew was—
Twin Turbo's running had to be fierce and unshakable, putting her whole self on the line, staying ahead of everyone start to finish.
The rest—
Those were just strange thoughts to leave in the dust, weren't they?
And of course—if she could win them all, even better.
"So even if the conditions are weird, Twin Turbo-sama will definitely run! If I have the right to start, I'll walk into that gate without hesitation!"
Saying so, the small blue-haired twin-tailed Uma Musume propped her chin in her hands, looking at the slightly dazed Song.
"Ehh? Song, you're not scared, are you? No, you are scared—scared of Twin Turbo-sama's strength and power! Hahahaha—cough cough cough!!"
Song just sighed, patting her back in reply to the boast.
"Yeah yeah, let's say I'm scared of you."
"Really? Hahaha—cough—cough!!"
Honestly—what a hopeless baka great escape.
Too pure.
If you're born to run, then throw away everything useless—
Run only for the sake of running…?
That's the kind of fearless declaration only a true baka great escape could make—
And it was the kind Song couldn't help but envy.