"What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing. I just thought of something funny."
Thought of something funny? What you actually thought of must be how Twilight Song just got openly questioned about not being good at dirt racing, right?!
Gotham Song glared daggers at Secretariat, who was struggling to keep a straight face, then bared her sharp little canine teeth in warning, flashing her weapons like a threat.
Keep laughing and I'll bite you for real!
Seeing her on the verge of throwing a tantrum, Secretariat very naturally shut her mouth. A moment ago she'd been struggling, now she was suddenly calm as a pond.
Ordinarily, no one would act like this—especially not right after winning the highest award, still in their brand-new Racing Outfit. But she was Gotham Song. With Secretariat… all bets were off.
Respect still had to be shown, of course. Not to maintain Secretariat's dignity, but to protect the dignity of this occasionally ridiculous overgrown child standing beside her. After all, what if, in front of the entire audience, Gotham Song lunged at her, clamped down with those sharp teeth?
How would that be explained if word got out…? Then again, so what if it couldn't be explained? And if a few strange rumors spread… maybe that wouldn't be so bad. Hm. Should I give her another little push, provoke her just a bit more?
Secretariat sank into deep thought. But the chance slipped by. Gotham Song's anger, like flowing water, quickly ebbed. Seeing Old Bastard No. 2 go silent, as if bowing to her authority, she gave a little huff and forgot her earlier impulse. Skipping a few steps, she bounded toward the other horse girls.
Naturally, the first to react were her two sisters. For some reason, Mejiro Ardan and Manhattan Cafe reached out at the same time—left and right—to catch her mid-pounce. Then came Vernal Equinox, ears twitching, brimming with energy as she drew closer.
Incidentally, Neo Universe also seemed about to step in—but whether by chance or not, the two sisters neatly blocked her path.
It was an odd, sudden little moment. Caught off guard, Neo Universe's ears drooped visibly.
But Gotham Song, thanks to her angle, never noticed Neo Universe's expression…
"Trainer…!"
That was Vernal's voice. After their bond had been formally established, her way of addressing Gotham Song had shifted—from "Gotham-neechan," already intimate enough—to simply "Trainer."
Direct, clear, impossible to mistake. And when paired with Vernal's usually calm, yet deeply emotional voice, it was strangely addictive to hear.
But every time Gotham Song heard it, she had to remind herself: I'm her trainer. I have to treat everything seriously, as a trainer should.
"What is it, Vernal-chan? Did you want to say something?"
"I want to win the same award as Trainer."
The same award as me…? She means today's Voice of the People?
Well, of course. An honor that heavy, received under so many watching eyes—no Uma Musume could resist. But could a Japanese horse girl ever take America's Voice of the People? Even if Vernal was truly strong…
"It's possible, Song. If Vernal really has the strength, it can be done."
"Eh? Ardan-neesan, Japanese horse girls can win too?"
Once Gotham Song had truly accepted the role of Vernal's trainer, that airheaded little filly had, in effect, become a new mistress of Mejiro Manor.
All the Mejiro horses called her "Vernal-chan." Even the servants treated her like a young lady of the house. Strange as it felt, Gotham Song now fully understood why.
This is the world of Uma Musume, through and through.
"Normally, the Voice of the People prioritizes American-borns. But if that year's crop of Americans fail to convince anyone, then foreign horse girls are included."
So, while it was a popularity contest first, if the domestic results were too unsightly, they wouldn't even open voting—so as not to embarrass themselves. Something like that.
Gotham Song glanced at Ardan, and saw her smiling confirmation.
Reluctantly releasing Gotham Song from their double embrace, Mejiro Ardan turned her encouraging gaze toward Vernal.
"But it's no simple thing, Vernal-chan. It means you'd have to challenge the brightest star in all of America that year—on your own."
Defeat all of America, single-hooved—!
Otherwise, the only hope would be that every American horse girl that year put up pitiful records.
"I… want to try!"
"I want to win the same award as Trainer."
Vernal's eyes shone, dazzling with a resolve that made everyone around her feel it deep in their bones.
"When that day comes… I want Trainer to present the award to me."
Like Secretariat did for me just now? Gotham Song froze. Then, after a pause, she smiled softly, scooping Vernal into her arms and pressing cheek to cheek.
"Of course, Vernal-chan. I'll crown you myself, and declare your strength to the whole world."
Manhattan Cafe twitched at the corner of her lips. As an elder sister, watching her sibling show such tenderness and reliability to another horse girl left her oddly unsettled. Still, since it was clearly a good thing, she kept silent.
Mejiro McQueen, however, blinked, puffing her cheeks…
I'm a little jealous of that kid. Wait—why does she feel more and more dangerous the more I think about it…?
Vernal… is she an enemy?
Her gaze sharpened. Yet she couldn't say a word. After all, weren't there already plenty of dangerous girls around? Satono Diamond, with her uncanny ways… Treve, that terrifying foreign rival…
No. As long as these threats exist, the danger remains. I can never go back to the girl I was—the one who thought sweets were the only thing that mattered.
That innocent McQueen was dead. In her place stood a new one—harder, sharper, invincible.
But Gotham Song knew nothing of this inner shift. She was too busy marveling at something else:
Compared to the last time I hugged her like this… isn't Vernal-chan a bit bigger now?
Illusion? Strange…
"So… it's a promise?"
Her tone carried such earnest hope, and Gotham Song felt a surge of excitement. It was the first time Vernal had spoken to her so firmly.
A promise, huh? Of course!
"Yes. Our promise!"
Hooking pinkies with her, Gotham Song sealed it.
Their playful, jealous chatter was interrupted not by the elevator ride home—but by a stranger.
"May I trouble you for a few minutes, Miss Gotham Song? Just a few. We have… business matters you might find interesting."
A middle-aged woman in a suit, with faint lines of age carefully hidden under professional grooming. She had chosen her moment perfectly, stepping in during a lull.
Gotham Song accepted the business card with mild puzzlement, murmuring the title written there:
"American SpeedTech Co., Food Safety and Fitness Consultant…?"
It took her a moment to parse the meaning. Then she recalled what Seabiscuit had once told her.
So soon? The protein-and-fitness crowd already sniffing her out, right when her popularity was peaking?
Clearly, they'd been waiting for this chance. Today's Voice of the People had been their green light.
Perhaps they'd had such ideas long ago, back in Twilight Song's era—just never the right opening.
Interesting…
"And what kind of business are we talking about, Ms. Consultant? My time is precious. Could you keep it short?"
From the start, Gotham Song seized control of the exchange.
The woman, surprised, didn't falter. She'd dealt with many Uma Musume, especially Americans. Calmly, she nodded and gave the briefest pitch:
"Simply put, our company wishes to build a deep partnership with you, Miss Gotham Song. By making you our ambassador, we aim to raise the competitive level of Uma Musume across America and the world. Our offer is generous—and not a flat buyout fee, but revenue-sharing from future sales."
"What are your thoughts?"
My thoughts? Honestly, I couldn't care less. Is that something I can even say?
Truth was, Gotham Song wasn't short of money. Not in the slightest. Between prize purses and her place at Mejiro Manor, she was set for life.
Especially after Mejiro Ramonu had quietly transferred to her all the frozen winnings that once belonged to Twilight Song.
A massive sum, accumulated over years.
So no, she wasn't tempted. But since she'd promised Seabiscuit, she gave a small nod.
"Raising the world's competitive level, hm? Interesting. If I have time, I'll hear more in person. But today… this isn't really the place for business, is it?"
"Quite right, Miss Song. Then we'll look forward to your visit. Wishing you a pleasant evening."
She nodded curtly, withholding any excess courtesy. Only once the woman left did Gotham Song let her distaste show openly.
Raising the level of Uma Musume? By what means? A steady stream of bad news, no doubt. Some people always dress their filth in noble words.
She glanced left and right. Seeing no one else around, she turned to her sisters.
Of course, Ardan and Cafe would never object to any of her thoughts. The ones who worried most were Neo Universe and McQueen, watching from the side.
"Ah, it's fine. They can't do anything to me. Hm… when the time comes, you two come with me. Maybe I'll call Donna too."
So Gotham Song decided.
After all, among the horse girls connected to her, who was the strongest in a fight?
Not herself—her scrawny arms and legs might beat up ten humans, but against other Uma Musume? Not a chance.
Obviously, it was Donna. Unless… maybe Kitasan Black? Wait, between Kitasan and Donna, who would win…?
Her mind wandered off into strange directions, and she still hadn't found an answer by the time she left the elevator and got into the car. Finally, she sighed and gave up. It was a question with no solution—just endless curiosity.
"In that case, let me contact Gentildonna and Secretariat, work out the logistics for you, Song."
"Eh…? Then I'll leave it to you, Ardan-neesan!"
Phew. Ardan-neesan really is so reliable, so capable…!
---
T/N: was gonna update earlier but got lazy, so im just doing 4 chapters for today's update, should be an update tomorrow too maybe 4 maybe not
Hello. I'm Enkidu.
Before you start… thank you for coming this far. Stories are strange things—once they leave the hand that wrote them, they become part of the world, like water joining a river. If this chapter keeps you company for even a moment, I think that is worth something.
If you'd like to support the translator (only if you truly want to), you can find them at patreon.com/wisetl. Early access is included as a small bonus. Also—starting tomorrow, there will be a 25% discount code for 12 days, lasting until the end of Christmas.
And if you enjoy a clear exchange—rewards are simple here: Every 100 Powerstones = 1 Bonus Chapter
(100ps = 1 chapter, 200ps = 2 chapters, 300ps = 3 chapters, and so on.)
If you'd rather talk than simply read, you can also join the translator's Discord: discord.gg/wisetl. It's easier to share thoughts when you're not speaking into the void.
That is all. Please enjoy the chapter.
guys say thank you to enkidu or i kill you