"You really didn't have to accept her, Song."
"It's not like I had much choice. Anyway, I already agreed, and she said she'd wait for me at school. Can't we just worry about it later, Cafe-neesan?"
Manhattan Cafe glanced helplessly at Gotham Song beside her, letting out a gentle sigh.
Well, since it had already been agreed upon, there wasn't much more to discuss. Besides, that Gentildonna-san certainly seemed much more normal than Mejiro Ramonu.
"Song, did you get taller?"
"Eh? Really?!"
To clarify emphatically—extremely emphatically—Gotham Song's delighted reaction wasn't because she particularly cared about her height. It was just that she'd had enough of constantly needing to look slightly upwards at others.
So, upon hearing that she might've grown taller, she couldn't help but feel unreasonably thrilled.
[Cafe's right. You've indeed grown taller—around four centimeters or so?]
Sunday Silence sounded slightly uncertain, but even so, it clearly confirmed Gotham Song's noticeable growth.
"Could it be because of maturation...? That's the only reason I can think of."
[But hadn't you already matured once before? Back when you weren't yet called Gotham Song.]
Gotham Song obediently allowed Manhattan Cafe to measure her height. Because she wasn't allowed to stand freely yet, she clung tightly to Cafe, letting her cousin use a measuring tape.
Normally, this method would be highly inaccurate, but with Manhattan Cafe involved, accuracy was guaranteed—
—Thanks to Sunday Silence invisibly holding the measuring tape perfectly straight.
Maybe not? Or rather… well, whatever—I honestly don't know if I'd fully matured back then. But does it matter? I'm not Twilight Song anymore, after all.
[You really are a carefree one.]
"You've definitely grown taller, Song—around four centimeters. Shouldn't you come down now?"
"No way. I'm staying right here, hugging Cafe-neesan!"
After all, I already died once. How could I not be carefree?
As Gotham Song thought this, she suddenly felt Manhattan Cafe's arms wrap gently but firmly around her waist.
Perhaps it was Song's casual attitude—or her carefree exchanges with Sunday Silence—that sparked something in Cafe. Or perhaps it was simply a desire to care for her.
Either way, faced with Gotham Song's rare moment of childish clinginess, Manhattan Cafe's response was—
—To hold Song close and lie down together on the bed.
"You really leave me no choice…"
Wait, how did it turn into this situation?! Gotham Song panicked for a moment, but quickly relaxed.
There was nothing to be embarrassed about, right? This was her own cousin. Sure, Cafe wasn't exactly soft, but she smelled nice. So what was wrong with hugging her tightly?
"Why do I feel like I'm destined to spend these days stuck in bed? I don't want that!"
"It probably won't be much longer. But is it really that boring to stay in bed?"
Gotham Song nodded firmly, staring gloomily at her dangling feet.
Honestly, an Uma Musume's physique was resilient enough that such minor abrasions should heal within a day or two. But knowing those around her, Gotham Song suspected she'd still be forcibly confined to bed even after fully recovering.
What should I do? Gotham Song had no answers, only meeting Manhattan Cafe's bright, uncertain gaze, realizing her cousin was equally at a loss.
Indeed, Cafe had no idea what to do either, so finally, as the elder, she quietly murmured:
"I'm sorry, Song. I also can't think of anything we can do."
"Pfft—it's okay. If we both can't think of anything…"
Then what should they do?
Gotham Song tightened her embrace, stubbornly refusing to let go as she pressed closer to Manhattan Cafe.
"…Then let's just stay stuck together like this."
...
Gotham Song's stay at Daiichi Ruby's residence lasted far longer than anticipated. It wasn't that she'd forgotten to leave, but rather that every time she declared herself healed and ready to walk around, someone inevitably appeared to force her back into bed.
Mejiro Ardan, Manhattan Cafe, Daiichi Ruby—even Symboli Rudolf had done it!
None of them were innocent! Couldn't they at least come up with better excuses?!
What kind of reasoning was, "Even if you've healed, you haven't truly healed—you still need more rest and observation"?!
In the end, Gotham Song escaped her "sickbed" only thanks to two curious veteran Legendaries who visited and intervened. Thus, she finally returned to school—and the racetrack—on September 25th.
In just over ten days, it would be time for this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
This year's Arc had actually garnered considerable attention in Japan, and for good reason: this was the rematch of last year's runner-up—Special Week—against the European legend, Found.
Well, admittedly, Special Week's popularity wasn't the only reason the race had captivated Japan. True, she was extremely popular, but…
The real reason Japanese fans were utterly absorbed was something else entirely.
This was Japan's best-ever chance to finally conquer the cursed Arc! For the first time ever, victory was within reach! Go for it, Special Week! Victory would make her a national hero, and losing…?
Impossible! The invincible Special Week couldn't possibly lose to someone like Found, right?!
Regarding this fervent atmosphere, Dancing Brave—an expert on the Arc—commented:
"True, Special Week does have a good chance against Found, but… Have these people completely forgotten another Uma Musume? Aren't they being a bit too arrogant?"
Gotham Song, having set down her phone, clearly understood exactly whom Dancing Brave was referring to.
After all, this was someone she knew personally: Silic—the daring frontrunner Uma Musume she'd encountered at Dancing Brave's home.
"So, will this year's Arc come down to Silic and Special Week?"
Gotham Song asked curiously, meeting Dancing Brave's cryptic smile.
Dancing Brave leaned closer conspiratorially, whispering into Gotham Song's ear:
"Have you considered why Silic even dares to chase Twilight Song's footsteps?"
Why does Silic dare chase my footsteps...? Wait—is Dancing Brave implying Silic also has the potential to become a Legendary Uma Musume herself?
If Dancing Brave believed that, then Special Week's chances of victory this year were suddenly looking slim.
"Speaking of Silic, did you know she plans to challenge Twilight Song at the Dream Cup? Any thoughts?"
"Challenge Twilight Song at the Dream Cup…? Wait, since when? I didn't hear anything about this."
Dancing Brave shrugged casually, placing aside her notes.
Currently, she and Gotham Song were seated with Secretariat in the two veterans' private lounge, finalizing plans for the upcoming events.
Well, "finalizing" might be an exaggeration, as it resembled a tea party more than anything else. Dancing Brave had already finished the bulk of the documentation beforehand; Secretariat merely needed to check and finalize details.
And Gotham Song?
She'd initially thought being summoned meant something important, but now she realized her primary role seemed to be decorative—a tea-drinking mascot.
Well…that's fine, I guess. Totally fine.
"A few days ago, Silic felt she was in peak condition. After hearing about the Dream Cup, she immediately decided that's where she would challenge Twilight Song," Dancing Brave concluded casually. "Of course, assuming Twilight Song actually competes…she definitely will, right?"
Right? Will she? Wait—would she?
Unable to answer, Gotham Song smiled stiffly under Dancing Brave's probing stare, awkwardly glancing toward Secretariat, who had just set down her pen.
"Oh, that's an intriguing topic. But I must remind you both—Dancing Brave, Gotham Song-san—the Dream Cup hasn't been officially announced yet."
Secretariat seemed amused by the discussion, causing Gotham Song further discomfort. Yet she couldn't think of any suitable distractions.
"So, when do you think would be appropriate to announce the Dream Cup? I'd love your input."
The Dream Cup's date was already set—traditionally held the day after next year's Breeders' Cup Turf. However, the announcement timing itself had not yet been finalized.
Usually, academy directors received advance notice. Secretariat, currently influential and highly regarded, had significant say over when to announce it.
Certainly not Akikawa Yayoi!
"Maybe announce it near the end of this racing season? Perhaps after the Japan Cup, or at least before year-end," Dancing Brave suggested casually. Participants already knew roughly when it would take place, so this announcement was primarily for the fans to plan their schedules.
Secretariat considered this and swiftly wrote down a date.
December 24th.
"A Christmas gift for everyone. And speaking of the Dream Cup—I plan to run myself. You will too, right, Dancing Brave? And…"
Secretariat's gaze locked meaningfully onto Gotham Song. "You'll want to race against Twilight Song, won't you? To show the world whether Caesar's strength or Augustus's majesty prevails."
Her tone held rare playfulness, but Gotham Song felt increasingly trapped.
Race against Twilight Song? If I run, how can Twilight Song run too? Wait—she can't even participate whether I run or not!
Internally panicking, Gotham Song forced a hopeful expression:
"I-I look forward to it. Yes, I want to prove myself."
"Pfft—"
"Dancing Brave? What are you laughing about?" Secretariat asked suspiciously.
"Nothing. Just thought of something amusing. Still, I'd love another exhilarating race against Twilight Song."
Dancing Brave smiled provocatively at Secretariat—flaunting how much closer she was to Twilight Song compared to Secretariat's absolute zero.
Secretariat pretended not to notice her friend's antics, instead addressing Gotham Song's nervousness directly.
"Song-san? Is something the matter? Anything you'd like to say?"
"N-no, nothing at all. It's just… surprising to see you're so interested in Twilight Song."
Secretariat raised an eyebrow, slowly placing her teacup down.
"Interested? No—it's something far deeper."
Secretariat's grin widened, shark-like teeth revealed as her tongue darted between them hungrily.
"If you've never seen her race, Song-san, it's impossible to fully grasp. Twilight Song was so powerful, mesmerizing, utterly suffocating…"
"Not racing against her is my greatest regret. Had I not retired before that Arc, still in peak condition like Dancing Brave, perhaps I would've challenged her myself."
"Was she really… that incredible?"
Gotham Song glanced nervously at Dancing Brave, whose silence spoke volumes, then faced Secretariat again anxiously.
"Incredible? That's putting it mildly, Song-san. Fine—let me be blunt and share a long-held regret."
"Soon, it might finally come true—"
"To chase Twilight Song on the track!"
Secretariat breathed heavily, her grin savage.
"I want to tear apart her footsteps…or be trampled beneath them."
Tear apart? Or be trampled?
Eeeeeek—!!
Gotham Song almost screamed aloud!