Meeting Shunbun improved Gotham Song's mood significantly.
Although truthfully, she'd felt quite annoyed upon seeing Kitasan Black at first.
I mean, come on—my kouhai is already deep into her maturation, and mine hasn't even fully finished yet?!
Unable to let it go, Gotham Song secretly slipped back to Central Tracen the day after her track inspection, while Tokai Teio was busy with test runs, to consult Agnes Tachyon. The answer Tachyon gave her was utterly depressing:
Her maturation was actually nearly complete. The medication's effects were weakening, and she would need increased doses for the final one or two months.
But what truly made Gotham Song furious wasn't the medicine—it was what Tachyon said first.
What do you mean my maturation is almost over?! I've only grown four or five centimeters at most—only four or five centimeters!
We're talking about height here! Not some other weird measurement!
Damn it.
Was she really doomed to live as a shorty forever, as she'd already grown accustomed to these past years?
Feeling melancholic, Gotham Song channeled her frustration into her upcoming race preparations.
Of course, in her spare time, she also asked Dancing Brave for guidance and reading material about training younger Uma Musume.
Although she wasn't entirely sure if Shunbun would actually appear again, Gotham Song was convinced that such a sweet and sincere filly wouldn't break her promise. Besides, Kitasan was also an obedient child… Thus, after each day's training, and before falling asleep, she'd study these materials on how trainers coached young Uma Musume.
In short, during these last few days leading up to the Kikuka Sho, Gotham Song had completely relaxed.
She only did enough training to maintain her form, not pushing herself at all.
When others asked, she explained casually, "If you push yourself too hard right before the race and end up in worse condition, wouldn't that be counterproductive? The smartest move is to keep doing basic training, stay relaxed, and ensure you're at your absolute best when the race comes."
Thus, Gotham Song remained calm and composed.
But Tokai Teio…she seemed possessed.
It wasn't difficult to understand Teio's intense behavior. After all, her opponent was none other than Gotham Song herself.
The same Gotham Song who had displayed extraordinary performances overseas. Though she didn't utterly crush Astronomer, she'd still managed to pull ahead decisively in their one-on-one battle.
Moreover, after Teio's unexpected setback during the Japanese Derby, claiming it hadn't affected her would be a blatant lie. Determined, Teio doubled her efforts, desperate to recover the lost ground.
Gotham Song could only watch helplessly.
Overtraining like this will only worsen her condition, right? But in this situation, as her greatest rival, what could Gotham possibly say?
Even after consulting Symboli Rudolf, the student council president gave her a helpless response after attempting to dissuade Teio:
"Tokai Teio seems to have become obsessed with defeating you. So, Gotham, your only responsibility now is to answer her resolve on the track."
"Don't concern yourself with anything else about her right now."
Not concern myself with Tokai Teio? Really, such difficult words…
But with Symboli Rudolf herself saying so, what else could Gotham Song do?
She could only nod silently, picking up her ceremonial scepter on the morning of the race.
To be honest, Gotham Song had pondered deeply about what kind of performance she should display during this first true confrontation with Teio.
Now, she had finally made up her mind:
Since you desire an all-out, thrilling battle, Teio, I'll show you a seriousness far beyond what I showed even Astronomer.
You fool—you always give me such troublesome challenges.
The streets leading to the track were naturally crowded with people, but when Gotham Song passed through, the entire crowd fell into a heavy silence.
Everyone lining the road simply stared mutely at the Demon King marching silently through their ranks, without any cheering or booing.
Gotham Song was certain she had supporters in the crowd. Although she didn't see her banners today, she was—as always—the second-most popular entrant in the race.
This alone demonstrated that her popularity among Japanese fans wasn't poor at all, perhaps only slightly behind Teio's. But popularity didn't equal audible support on the track itself.
Truly, these fans are so contradictory…
Just as she shook her head in mild frustration, Gotham Song turned the final corner and stopped in surprise.
Because Kitasan Black was standing right there.
Of course, Kitasan proudly held up Tokai Teio's merchandise.
But Gotham Song's eyes quickly settled on the smaller figure next to Kitasan.
Little Shunbun was holding up a small drawing, evidently handmade, depicting what seemed to be Gotham Song crossing the finish line in colored pencil.
Ah, right—I almost forgot. For various bizarre reasons, official Gotham Song merchandise is almost impossible to buy. Looks like Shunbun couldn't find any merchandise either.
So instead, she drew this herself?
Seriously, this child…
Gotham Song halted, walked directly toward Shunbun, and gently tousled the little girl's hair.
"This one… it's me, isn't it, Bun-chan?"
"I couldn't buy Gotham-oneesan's merch…so I drew this myself. Onee-san, please do your best in today's race."
The child spoke in her usual shy, quiet tone, but those simple words filled Gotham Song with warmth and strength.
Do my best? Ha…no one ever really worries I might lose a race, do they? Of course not—but even so, this pure-hearted support means the world to me.
I gratefully accept your support, Shunbun.
"By the way, Bun-chan—when I cross the finish line…if you cheer loud enough for me to see clearly, how about I give you this?"
Gotham Song pointed to a decorative medal pinned proudly to her racing outfit. She'd just made a small promise to her very first true fan.
"I'll cheer loudly!"
"Then, I'll look forward to it. I promise I'll let you witness—"
The moment Gotham Song dominates the entire racetrack!
The two hooked their little fingers together, forming what, for a child, might be the strongest possible promise.
With that done, the Demon King straightened her outfit, breathed deeply, and stepped forward, a slight smirk on her lips.
Seems I have another reason to deny the wishes of the crowd here today. Ah, my apologies, dear spectators—
I'm about to make a bit of noise.
It seemed Kitasan and Shunbun had chosen a spot close to the entrance tunnel, probably planning to quickly move toward the spectator seats after cheering. Gotham Song smiled to herself at their eagerness as her scepter clicked rhythmically against the ground, guiding her into the waiting room.
After briefly resting her eyes, Tokai Teio appeared, escorted by Symboli Rudolf and Mejiro Ramonu.
Wait—Mejiro Ramonu? Was she really here for Teio?
Gotham Song thought not, especially since Ramonu entered first, immediately locking eyes with her.
Ah, there you are, Gotham-san.
Before Gotham Song could fully process Ramonu's intent, the tall, intimidating Uma Musume was already kneeling gently in front of her. Surprisingly tenderly, Ramonu carefully adjusted and checked Gotham Song's appearance before the grand entrance.
She asked nothing unusual—only genuinely concerned about Gotham Song's readiness and physical state.
Gotham Song, deeply unsettled by such sincere care, hesitated uncertainly about what exactly Ramonu intended.
"Am I that scary?"
"Um, n-no, not really."
Ramonu's sudden question whisked Gotham Song back to their warm, distant first meeting years ago, causing a strange pang in her heart.
Only now did Gotham Song realize this was a long-overdue reply—words left unanswered until this very moment, across the vast distance of time.
Time really had a way of sneaking nostalgic melancholy into the most unexpected moments. Ramonu smiled faintly, hiding nothing of her own complicated emotions.
"I see, I'm not scary after all… If only she had said that to me."
Though Ramonu secretly felt joyful, for the sake of teasing her dear rebellious sister, she pretended it was a sad thought about Ruka.
Sure enough, a fleeting guilt crossed Gotham Song's face, amusing Ramonu even further.
If it bothers you that much, why not return sooner? If you return, stay. If you haven't planned to return yet…
Ah, if Ramonu were truly a bad older sister, perhaps now would be the perfect moment to sweep the filly into her arms and carry her off somewhere.
Fortunately, I'm not so terrifying.
Finally, Ramonu gently pinched Gotham Song's cheek and pushed her toward the exit.
"It's race time. Quit overthinking things. Straighten up, and go seize your victory."
Take the Kikuka Sho. Complete your Classic Triple Crown.
Even if very few people know it's you beneath that mask, isn't that exactly the honor you've been chasing?
"Oh, um, okay… I'm off, Ramonu-nee."
"Mm, go ahead. I'll be watching you."
Gotham Song's mind buzzed slightly. Somehow, whenever she was alone with Ramonu, she turned into a helpless doll—strange, but not unpleasant.
Still, she couldn't shake off a subtle suspicion:
Does Ramonu-nee know something…? Argh! If only I could read minds!
Confused, Gotham Song quickly made her choice:
Forget it—focus on the race!
Nothing mattered more right now. This was a victory Ramonu expected, one she'd promised Shunbun, the duel Teio awaited eagerly—a Kikuka Sho that Twilight Song had never gotten the chance to win.
Stepping onto the track she'd never previously set foot upon, Gotham Song's heart surged with conflicting emotions. Occasionally, she'd wondered what life might have been like if her original body hadn't failed her.
Maybe she would've just been a regular, carefree Uma Musume at Mejiro Manor, living a quiet, ordinary life.
Ironically, I suppose I should thank my unhealthy past. Without it, "Twilight Song" would never have become world-famous.
Ah, what a complicated gift and curse…
Turning toward Tokai Teio, Gotham Song smiled softly.
Right now, her rival practically burned with determination.
Teio spoke fiercely:
"An undefeated Triple Crown has always been my dream. Gotham—even against you, I will win!"
Smiling challengingly, Gotham Song answered calmly yet defiantly:
"If you really think you can—then come and try."
But catching me, Tokai Teio?
That's simply impossible.