By the time they returned home, it was actually quite late already, and the moment the car stopped, Flightline, visibly uncomfortable, seemed intent on making a swift exit.
Although Gotham Song was somewhat curious about Flightline's odd behavior, she ultimately had no intention of intervening or persuading her to stay—after all, Flightline came and went as she pleased; there was no real reason to stop her.
But then, something unexpected happened: Donna, who had remained silently in the driver's seat until just now, suddenly reached over, yanked Flightline right out of the car, and dragged her straight into the house. Gotham Song was so stunned by this bizarre scene that it took her several full seconds to react, finally trailing behind a cursing Flightline and stepping into the house herself.
"Donna...?"
"It's nothing, Trainer. I just wanted to remind you not to forget something else."
Something else…? Wait, wait—why did Donna just call me Trainer?!
Momentarily baffled, Gotham Song looked questioningly toward Mejiro Ardan, who had evidently been waiting patiently, even thoughtfully placing a cup of tea in front of her. But strangely enough, her big-sister figure showed no hint of surprise.
It was as if she'd anticipated this exact scenario…?
Hey!
Did all of you secretly slip into some worldline that I know nothing about? This kind of joke isn't funny at all, you know?!
However, perhaps because Gotham Song's confusion was far too obvious, Flightline—still bristling indignantly, though easily restrained by Donna—begrudgingly mumbled out the reason behind the current situation.
Come to think of it, it was truly strange: Flightline, standing two meters tall, was somehow effortlessly subdued by Donna? Could it be that Donna was literally a "super-horse" in every sense of the word?
"Trainer," Flightline grumbled, "you remember, don't you? Back at that company, you said both me and this…muscle monster over here were Uma Musume on your team. Have you already forgotten, Miss Song?"
"Oh—oh, that. Wasn't that just something we made up to fool her back then, Donna…?"
Wait, Donna doesn't seriously want to join my team, right? That's so weird!
Gotham Song couldn't quite wrap her head around it, scratching her hair in confusion and looking over toward Donna, who still said nothing and continued firmly pinning Flightline. However, Neo Universe quietly came up from the side, presenting a tablet screen displaying something Gotham Song had never imagined she'd see:
[Team: Eternal Beat]
[Members: Gotham Song (Trainer), Vernal Equinox (Main), Donna (Uma Musume), Flightline (Uma Musume)]
…?
Eh? What's going on here? Did I actually form a team? And my team has four people already? That's really strange—why would something like this even happen?
Gotham Song fell silent, seriously considering if she might have developed sleepwalking habits and somehow done all this unconsciously.
Neo Universe seized this chance to quietly slip beside Gotham Song, revealing an ultra-secret chat log on the tablet screen.
[Secretariat-Never-Admits-Defeat]: Was it Miss Song who took Flightline and Miss Donna there? Ah, I see. Regarding this document and notification, please show it to Miss Gotham Song afterward, Miss Neo Universe.
[Secretariat-Never-Admits-Defeat]: She'll definitely love it.
[The International Uma Musume Racing Committee has received and approved the application to form Team "Eternal Beat." Registered members: Vernal Equinox (Main), Flightline (Uma Musume), Donna (Uma Musume), Gotham Song (Trainer).]
[Approved by: Seabiscuit.]
[Secretariat-Never-Admits-Defeat]: No need to thank me, Miss Song.
"No need to thank me?" "No need to thank me," your Three Goddesses'... afhiahsfqi!!
Gotham Song gritted her teeth—how could she still fail to see what's going on here? Secretariat had clearly abused her powers to submit and approve the application directly!
If that isn't abusing authority, what is?! It is abuse! Right? It's totally abuse, isn't it?! Old Bastard No. 2, I'm impeaching you!!
Wait, no—why is even Seabiscuit dragged into this mess? You…you…you're Old Bastard No. 4!!
Gotham Song felt a headache coming on, but even with all this revealed, she still couldn't quite grasp why Secretariat would do something like this. Was there really any need for it…? She remembered the team name clearly—it was the one and only song she'd performed during a Winner's Concert. But why did Secretariat stuff Donna in as well?
Oh, right—and Flightline! That's your foster daughter, Old Bastard No. 3! Even tigers don't eat their own cubs!
You're even crueler than a tiger, damn it!
"It's pretty easy to understand, right, Song? Did you forget? Miss Donna certainly didn't start calling you Trainer only after seeing this message, right?"
Beside her, Mejiro Ardan smiled helplessly yet indulgently, gently pinching her little sister's cheek as she explained why all this had happened.
So that means…?
"That means you must've already said something back there, didn't you?"
"About your relationship with these two."
Manhattan Cafe, leisurely sipping her coffee, joined in smoothly, snatching away Ardan's right to continue the explanation. It was hard to say if this counted as friendly rivalry or subtle scheming.
"So why do you think this happened, Song?"
"W-well obviously, it's because…"
Only after Mejiro Ardan released her cheek did Gotham Song truly realize—team information was publicly searchable?!
In other words, Secretariat had anticipated exactly this sort of situation and conveniently patched it up ahead of time.
Secretariat, you bastard… You really thought of everything, didn't you!
Gotham Song was left speechless. Indeed, if some staff member randomly checked later on and discovered Donna and Flightline were actually unrelated strangers, it would become awkward to explain. Thus, Secretariat's move had actually helped her out. Thinking of this made Gotham Song sigh deeply. Putting her own feelings aside, there was still another matter she needed to handle first.
"Oh, I see. Well, Donna, and Flightline-san, this is probably just temporary anyway. After everything settles down later, if either of you wants to leave the team, that's totally fine—"
"I won't be leaving the team."
Yet as soon as Gotham Song finished speaking, Donna immediately expressed her stance, firm and resolute, leaving Gotham Song once again stunned by the swiftness and decisiveness of it all.
Then Donna calmly stated her reason—
"I can't imagine what a Uma Musume stronger than you would even look like, Miss Song. Just like I can't imagine a Trainer more capable or experienced than you. So please—let me remain on your team."
Please, let me stay beside you, who stands at the pinnacle.
Ah...so Donna was like this, huh? After a brief pause, Gotham Song had no choice but to nod gently in resignation, conveying her acceptance. How should she describe it, though?
"I understand, Donna. Rest assured—I'll always be the strongest."
Whether as an Uma Musume or a Trainer, if your feelings shine so brightly, then I, too, should sparkle like a jewel, shouldn't I?
"So, what about your opinion, Flightline-san?"
"At least for now…I won't quit. Tsk. Secretariat probably anticipated all of this the moment she told me."
Who knows, Secretariat might have submitted the application days ago already...! That manipulative lunatic who's always plotting something.
Yet Flightline had to admit, there was genuinely no way she'd back out. After all, it was her own choice to witness it all firsthand. Joining Gotham Song's team might irk her somewhat, but—
But objectively speaking, this choice was inevitable, undeniable—a shameful yet openly plotted scheme by Secretariat, once again targeting her directly.
And besides...what kind of Trainer was Gotham Song really like? She seemed pretty strong. Perhaps staying might help her achieve the pure, ultimate speed she sought. Maybe unexpectedly possible?
Flightline didn't know why she'd even thought of that, but compared to that vague notion, another feeling was much clearer in her mind:
From today onward, I'll be an Uma Musume with a team and a Trainer. And since you've agreed to let me join, Miss Gotham Song, surely you don't think I'd easily quit when you no longer need me, right?
I'm going to correct that bizarre perception of yours—as if your whole understanding of Uma Musume is completely off!
I, Flightline, have joined your team. There's no logic in someone else kicking me out!
The atmosphere reached a surprising unanimity. Gotham Song noticed Flightline's ears shifting from gentle swaying to violent flicking, before sharply pinning back, as if she'd made some important decision.
Unable to decipher Flightline's ear radar at all, Gotham Song could only try hard to understand. But Vernal Equinox, standing quietly beside them, seemed to grasp something instantly. She hopped slightly, tiptoed to hug Donna softly, then hugged Flightline as well.
Uh... Under Gotham Song's attentive gaze, Flightline, who had looked so angry moments before, visibly wilted. But Vernal Equinox's combo attack wasn't over yet; stopping in front of Flightline, she bowed deeply, earnestly:
"Please guide me well from now on, Flightline-senpai."
Then she repeated the same action toward Donna.
Donna, clearly long accustomed to Vernal-chan's affection, showed no reaction—but Flightline fell straight into a confused debuff caused by the small Uma Musume's devastatingly cute attack.
Gotham Song secretly snickered, giving Vernal-chan a big thumbs-up in her heart. As expected of my favorite little Uma.
Neo Universe quietly observed, waiting until Flightline's fighting spirit had been completely extinguished by this spring breeze, before sliding her tablet to the next screen, showing yet another issue:
"Then, Song. The Dubai World Cup has sent you an invitation, hoping you can participate this year as one of the top favorites."
"Huh...? Dubai World Cup? Me?"
Gotham Song was puzzled—but not by the invitation itself. Rather—
Dubai World Cup? What's that?
"The Dubai World Cup is probably the most famous race in the world, Song. Or rather, it's Dubai World Cup day—a series of prestigious races held around that time."
"Oh, is that right...? Which specific race invited me?"
Neo Universe hesitated, unsure how to answer clearly.
"All of them."
"All of them?!"
"Yes, all of them. The organizers' meaning is…as long as it's you, Miss Song, you're welcome to freely choose whichever race you'd like."
…?
Am I actually that famous? For the first time, Gotham Song clearly understood the advantages of popularity, though she quickly fell into a moment of hesitation. Should she go and participate or not?
"You want to compete in the Breeders' Cup, don't you, Song? If that's the case, the Dubai World Cup has the most suitable prize money. In other words, you can treat it as a preparatory battle for the Breeders' Cup."
Eh...? So it was like that? Then it sounded pretty worthwhile indeed.
"Also, Song—"
This time it wasn't Neo Universe who spoke, but Manhattan Cafe, who calmly added:
"That child, Vernal-chan, also mentioned wanting the Voice of the People award, didn't she? Then the Dubai World Cup would become a necessary challenge."
In other words, if Gotham Song participated, it would grant Vernal Equinox a unique, unparalleled advantage that other Trainers absolutely couldn't match:
"My Trainer really participated in the Dubai World Cup—and she even won!"
Ugh!
Gotham Song could already picture Vernal-chan casually stating this terrifying fact without a hint of boasting, calm as always.
Fine. Looks like there's no way around it now. Regardless of the reason, I have no choice but to...
Fight!
Gotham Song rubbed Vernal Equinox's little head gently, then nodded decisively to Neo Universe.
"All right. It seems now I have no choice but to head out. Send a reply to them, Neo—tell them that wherever the stakes are highest, Gotham Song will dominate the track."
Heh. Actually feels pretty good.
Neo Universe nodded, then swiped again on the screen.
There's still more?!
"One more thing, Song."
"W-what now?"
How many things could possibly happen in a single day?!
"This happened yesterday afternoon. Miss Seabiscuit told you about it, right? Regarding that silver-haired 'Song' from yesterday afternoon—I've found the relevant footage."
As expected of Neo Universe, Gotham Song thought. The information-gathering ability was impeccable; the video displayed on the tablet was crystal-clear. After watching for a moment, even Gotham Song had to admit something:
The person on-screen really looked exactly like her. If one ignored slight differences in size and body shape, they'd practically be identical!
Still, that Uma Musume wearing Gotham Song's racing outfit only resembled her closely in mannerisms—there were subtle physical differences, after all—
"See? It's clearly someone else. Definitely not me—just a really accurate cosplayer, right?"
Gotham Song quickly made this judgment. Neo Universe completely agreed, nodding deeply.
If this was a cosplay of Twilight Song, then it was truly perfect—so perfect it might even pressure the original. But if it were Gotham Song herself—
Then it was true that only their mannerisms matched perfectly. Physically, they absolutely did not—
On this one point, Neo Universe was confident she wouldn't lose to anyone.
That woman—
Is definitely, absolutely, unquestionably not Gotham Song. Their figures aren't remotely alike. It's completely impossible.
Neo Universe had already thoroughly checked every inch!!
Absolutely not...!!