After returning home, Gotham Song felt somehow uneasy.
That strange tension between Mejiro Ardan and Neo Universe still hadn't faded. Gotham Song could more or less guess Neo Universe's reason for acting that way. If it were the original her, perhaps she wouldn't have noticed something like this at all.
Ah, no, or rather—perhaps Gotham Song from before had deliberately chosen not to think about it…?
After all, what Neo Universe had revealed earlier was far too explosive. Even if Gotham Song herself didn't mind, it wasn't as though it had no impact at all, and that made her wonder:
What kind of feelings exactly did Neo Universe hold for her?
Was it really…that kind of feeling after all? Could it be—the second one after Daiichi Ruby and Vernal-chan?!
Though, if she really thought about it, Neo Universe was actually the first in every meaningful sense. But due to various complications, by the time Gotham Song genuinely realized it, Neo Universe had somehow become the one who came afterward…
Ugh, what's with this bizarre turn of events?
Gotham Song felt somewhat lost in her current situation. In the end, she had still pulled away Neo Universe, who was nearly baring teeth at her own big sister, before retreating to her own room.
Hmm…and as for Mejiro McQueen?
After returning, Mejiro McQueen reverted to her completely bewildered state, thoroughly subdued by Mejiro Ardan.
"Neo-chan? Are you alright…?"
"Why would you ask that, Song?"
Gotham Song was even still wearing that dress from earlier—! But, well, this was Gotham Song after all. Eventually, Neo Universe sat down beside the person she liked, her feelings restless but obedient as she was gently embraced.
"I just feel like you aren't very happy… Ah, Neo-chan, could you help me unzip this? It's too weird to keep wearing this dress after getting home."
After all, it was a formal gown; it was utterly inconvenient for casual home life—
Neo Universe responded with a muffled hum, but her hands moved quickly and honestly. When Gotham Song pulled her hair aside, exposing her smooth back, Neo Universe's fingers had already settled on Gotham Song's shoulders. The not-very-long zipper smoothly slid down in one go.
Released completely from the confines of the dress, Gotham Song lightly dashed into her dressing room, soon returning dressed in a much more familiar, cozy outfit—
Something perhaps a bit unusual: a fluffy pajama onesie, like a giant cat plushie.
Having shed her human facade for this animal disguise, Gotham Song became notably lively. Under Neo Universe's unwavering gaze, she approached slowly.
So, how would Gotham Song choose to launch her attack this time?
Neo Universe wondered curiously, her ears twitching slightly. Her eyes sparkled intensely, fixed firmly on Gotham Song.
Not much time passed, actually. Though Gotham Song's steps were small and light, she quickly reached Neo Universe's side, launching a shameless frontal sneak attack—
"Gotham Song Flying Pounce! Bean Sprout~!"
Gotham Song's voice drew out long and playful, but even longer was Neo Universe's embrace as she wrapped her arms around the Uma Musume who'd landed on top of her.
Golden hair spread completely beneath her, mingling with Gotham Song's equally brilliant silver strands. Neo Universe instinctively reached out, embracing Gotham Song tightly.
Only when her back was pressed firmly against the bed did Neo Universe finally realize something:
Wasn't Gotham Song being a little too bold right now?
She must have done it unintentionally—or rather, hadn't realized just how suggestive this position actually was. After the simple tackle, Neo Universe found her legs, initially pressed tightly together, easily parted by a knee wedging in between. Her previously airtight defenses were effortlessly broken by that fragrant and adorable Gotham Song, who had captured her gaze entirely.
Or rather, only Gotham Song could break through so effortlessly.
Gotham Song's knees were planted firmly on the bed, her body lightly, teasingly rubbing against Neo Universe.
The only pity was that Gotham Song's plush pajamas were far too thick and loose, completely blocking the warmth and touch that skin-to-skin contact would have brought.
But still… Song is so close to me now.
Neo Universe could clearly feel Gotham Song's breath gently brushing against her cheek—a sensation quite different from cuddling at night. After all, this was an entirely new context, an interaction that undeniably had "warmth"—
"Actually, I'm very happy, you know?"
"What…? Why is Song feeling happy?"
However, Gotham Song suddenly said something Neo Universe couldn't quite understand. Neo Universe furrowed her brow in confusion, gazing at the Uma Musume in front of her, and finally caught that distinctly sly smile on Gotham Song's face.
"Because Neo-chan has finally started showing her true feelings openly, right? Totally different from before."
"Totally different from before…?"
Neo Universe blankly repeated Gotham Song's words, momentarily unable to grasp their meaning.
What did she mean by openly showing her feelings now? And how exactly was that completely different from before?
"Hmmm—Neo-chan from before always seemed distracted, like something more important than yourself kept pulling you along. It felt like you were constantly holding yourself back."
Gotham Song sprawled across Neo Universe, but quickly slid from her roommate's embrace. She turned to lie on her side, facing Neo Universe, who had also turned towards her, eyes glittering with curiosity and anticipation.
"Neo-chan from back then…always seemed unable to truly smile, always carrying heavy burdens while moving forward. Something like that must've been really, really exhausting, right?"
Gotham Song thought carefully, ultimately finding this as the best way she could describe it.
After all, how much hardship and how many tears must Neo Universe have experienced?
It was something Gotham Song simply couldn't imagine. Thus, when she saw the Neo Universe from back then, all she could do was show as much gentleness as possible—and it stopped at that.
She didn't know how to restore Neo Universe to a state before she experienced those hardships. She wasn't capable of that, either.
But right now…this was a good opportunity, wasn't it—?
Would the old Neo-chan have displayed such intense hostility toward Mejiro Ardan out of personal feelings?
Definitely not. The old Neo-chan would have buried her own emotions, prioritizing Gotham Song's need to dispel the gloom hanging over the Mejiros, and would never have let her feelings show—
So, this kind of behavior and turn of events was absolutely a good thing, right?
"It wasn't exhausting at all… Nothing like that…"
Neo Universe stubbornly argued, though those were just empty words.
Because her body had long since reached out on its own, desperately craving the warmth of Gotham Song's embrace.
"Mm-hmm, nothing like that then, Neo-chan. But…if you ever feel like it later, you can come closer, you know?"
"My electric waves."
In the end, it was Gotham Song who actively closed the gap between them, whispering softly into her roommate's ear, arms wrapping gently around Neo Universe's slender waist.
Neo Universe's body shuddered intensely for an instant—but in the very next moment, she took a deep breath, desperately cooling herself down…
If only it were actually possible to cool down right now!!!
In the end, Neo Universe somehow managed to keep her emotions from bursting out right then—but as for her heartbeat sounding like rolling thunder, such a thing was already beyond control.
"S-Song…Song…I-I just want to know one thing."
Neo Universe's voice was trembling, yet her tone remained utterly firm. There was something she had to confirm right here, right now, no matter what.
If she didn't get an answer, Neo Universe probably wouldn't be able to sleep properly tonight, would she?
"What is it, Neo-chan?"
Gotham Song, who had already curled Neo Universe into her arms like a ball, naturally had no hesitation or reluctance. After all, what was there she couldn't say to Neo Universe?
If she wanted to ask—if she wanted to know—then Gotham Song would simply tell her.
"That dress—no, that whole shopping trip—it wasn't specifically to buy clothes with Ardan-san and then secretly do something that we didn't know about, right?"
Huh?
Gotham Song furrowed her brows slightly, utterly not expecting Neo Universe to ask a question like this.
She hadn't even asked exactly what Gotham Song and Mejiro Ardan had secretly done together?!
Neo Universe, you're really too kind, I'm literally crying.
But, well, how should she answer this? No matter how she replied, wouldn't it somehow sound weird from the bottom of one's heart…?
Firstly, had she gone shopping specifically to buy clothes and dance with Ardan-nee?
Of course not!
Gotham Song only just now remembered something she'd completely forgotten until this moment…!
Her original reason for going to the mall had been to buy games!!
So, how exactly had things turned into this? She'd returned to New York once again, her body no longer burdened by anything, but just where had things gone wrong?
Well, even leaving aside that forgotten initial purpose, Gotham Song privately doing something with Ardan-nee was still an accident within accidents, wasn't it?
After all, originally, Gotham Song bought that evening gown not to have something happen with her big sister, but for someone across the ocean—
That dress was intended for dancing with Ruby, but no matter how she looked at it, hadn't her big sister completely hijacked the situation?!
She couldn't quite place why, but it still felt slightly off. Nevertheless, Gotham Song strengthened her resolve because of this realization.
Under Neo Universe's earnest gaze, Gotham Song nodded seriously and firmly, giving a particularly formal reply.
"Of course not. Everything that happened afterward was…an accident? Anyway, I really didn't think things would turn out like that later."
Neo Universe nodded, and as if she wanted to stop thinking entirely, she gently pressed her cheek against Gotham Song's chest, then spoke her final words softer than ever before.
"I see, that's good, then. I'm not angry at all, Song. Really not."
You're just a little jealous, right?
The corner of Gotham Song's mouth twitched. Naturally, she didn't voice this thought, just helplessly stroking her roommate's hair and softly humming an unknown tune.
"Right, of course, I know. After all, my Neo-chan is the cutest, most considerate Uma Musume in the whole world—even mysterious cosmic waves can't compare, right?"
Absolutely incomparable.
"I'll try my best… As long as that's what Song hopes for…"
...
It was very, very late before Gotham Song finally escaped Neo Universe's embrace.
But well, this wasn't because Neo Universe had temporarily become satisfied from cuddling Gotham Song. Rather, Gotham Song deeply suspected that her roommate would never find any limits to exploring this particular field.
The real reason Neo Universe unwillingly let go was a phone call.
Gotham Song climbed out from the warm embrace and pressed the answer button. Immediately, she heard a particularly familiar voice.
Of course, it wasn't someone from across the Atlantic Ocean in America, where night was just falling, but a voice belonging to Gotham Song's close friends—where it was just around early morning.
And the true reason Gotham Song called it particularly familiar was simple—she had talked with the owner of this voice just today.
"Ahahaha, I knew I'd forgotten something! Miss Song, could I trouble you with something?"
"Oh—but let me say this first, it's perfectly fine if you refuse. Or, perhaps after you see it yourself, you can decide if you want to agree?"
What kind of thing was this, making it sound so mysterious…?
Gotham Song frowned slightly, puzzled, but in the end replied softly.
"A-alright, I'll think about it, Miss Seabiscuit. Go ahead…?"
"There's, hmm…a child who's somewhat troubling? If, after meeting her, Miss Gotham Song feels confident about it, could I entrust her training to you? Honestly, I have my doubts too, but this request comes directly from Secretariat."
"She said, if Miss Song agrees, you'll definitely be able to bring out that child's potential."
Me? Secretariat's idea? What's going on here?
Gotham Song was still a bit dazed, but ultimately decided to agree for now—well, agree to at least go see her first. As for whether to accept the responsibility, she'd think about that later.
"I see. Then, I'll trouble you, Miss Song. As for where to find her…well, she's probably at the hospital, the New York Central Hospital. I'll send you the exact room number later."
"Wait, hospital room? Is this child hospitalized?"
"You…you'll understand everything once you've seen her."
The corner of Gotham Song's mouth twitched again. What do you mean, I'll understand everything once I've seen her…? Ah, whatever, since she'd already put it like this, she'd see for herself later.
"Then, could you at least tell me her name?"
"Oh, of course, that's no problem at all. That child's name is—"
"Flightline."