"So that's how it is. Then, I suppose we should prepare a set of daily necessities for Ruby-san in Mejiro Manor as well?"
"Ah… y-yes, probably…?"
Gotham Song had no idea why, but looking at Mejiro Ramonu, who wore her usual serene expression, utterly unreadable, she felt waves of chills running through her heart.
After returning from Daiichi Ruby's home, the first thing Gotham Song saw was Ramonu, waiting for her at the entrance. Clearly, her elder sister had been deliberately waiting there. After briefly asking what exactly had happened, they swiftly moved into their current topic.
How should I describe the current atmosphere… Um, should I start praying for Ruby now?
"Actually, it seems the preparations were already taken care of, weren't they?"
"Oh? Well, that's good."
She definitely remembers something like this, right?!
Although very subtle, lasting only for a brief moment, Ramonu nodded slightly and her lips curled gently after hearing Gotham Song's response. Clearly, she was very satisfied. But as for why she was pleased, Gotham Song couldn't grasp the reason at all.
Just why is she happy…?
"I'm happy because you've paid attention to such minor details. It means you've grown a lot, Song. As your sister, of course, I'd feel proud about this, wouldn't I?"
"Ah… y-yes…"
What else can I say? She could only nod—nod very deeply. Indeed, even though she wasn't the eldest, Gotham Song understood this feeling exceptionally well, especially after repeatedly witnessing Mejiro McQueen's changes right before her eyes.
An elder sister is exactly the type who feels happy over those small, special moments of growth from their younger siblings, even if those moments aren't at the heart of the topic. Especially a sister who acts like a mother… Wait, wait! Why did my thoughts wander here?!
But why did Ramonu-nee suddenly bring up this subject? Obviously, it's because of some very clear reason, right?! Especially since Gotham Song just came back from Daiichi Ruby's home. At this delicate timing, why Ramonu suddenly acted like this—it couldn't be more obvious!
If it were the old Gotham Song who knew nothing about this world, she'd probably think this was just ordinary concern between sisters. But now…
Though she still believed things wouldn't escalate into anything too terrifying between sisters, even if Ramonu didn't have those particular thoughts, at the very least, it was probably about reminding her to be restrained and cautious, right?
Then, how should she answer here?
"Don't rush, Song. No matter what, don't rush. You must never hastily answer questions posed to you. After all, there's nothing urgent enough that you have to respond right away after hearing it, isn't that right?"
Yet Ramonu interrupted Gotham Song's attempt to reply. Instead, she leaned in very close, gently cupping her younger sister's cheeks, and then softly gave something that rarely occurred, yet was happening right now—
A sister's guidance.
This… this feels a bit too close… So what exactly is this situation?
Gotham Song was completely and utterly stalled by confusion, unable to form any effective thoughts for a while.
"You really are as dense as ever, Song. However, as your elder sister, there are still things I must tell you ahead of time."
"As I just mentioned, no one can demand an immediate answer from someone of Mejiro Manor. Having ample time to think is your rightful privilege, Song."
How could someone from Mejiro Manor endure even a shred of injustice?
Mejiro Ramonu absolutely wouldn't allow such a thing to happen—not something she could see, nor something she couldn't. If someone tried, then she'd bet her name of Ramonu—every Uma Musume here would tear them completely apart.
So, just like this topic, what exactly was Gotham Song now fully equipped with?
"You really can't hide anything from Onee-san… Geez, one after another, is my expression really that easy to read?!"
Gotham Song puffed her cheeks, looking at the Uma Musume before her in apparent dissatisfaction. She even widened her eyes, openly showing her displeasure.
Yet Ramonu didn't give a direct answer to this reaction.
What could she say? An elder sister could never lie to her younger sibling, right?
"In short, Song, no matter what choices you face, if you genuinely feel unsure, then just take your time enjoying the luxury of choosing. It's not like you'll lose everything by not immediately deciding, right?"
But isn't saying something like that simply arrogance?
"It absolutely is arrogance, Song. You're always forgetting one thing—you're a proud member of Mejiro Manor. Beyond that, you're an era itself, an embodiment of an age. Even leaving aside the glory you've already achieved, right now, you're a signal of a brand-new era beginning."
"If someone who opened up two great eras, who reached the pinnacle of glory, doesn't have the right to be arrogant, then who in this world could possibly have that right, Song?"
Mejiro Ramonu seemed greatly amused, pinching Gotham Song's cheek softly and pulling it gently.
"Since you're called the Demon Lord of the racetrack, then enjoy the privileges that come with such glory and power even more boldly. After all, Gotham Song would never lose to anyone. That's something your sister firmly believes in…"
Mejiro Ramonu clearly saw it—or rather, she could clearly sense the faint confusion hidden within Gotham Song's eyes. As her elder sister, how could she just stand by and do nothing?
However, Gotham Song, standing before Ramonu, felt deeply surprised instead.
If Ruby had merely said she didn't find this kind of behavior excessive, then Ramonu's attitude undoubtedly pushed things a step further.
Even if there were excessive elements involved, so what? Was Gotham Song, as someone truly strong, some pitiful creature who had no room to make such choices?
That probably was the feeling and description, right? Yet again, such a matter completely shook Gotham Song's entire worldview regarding the world of Uma Musume. And it was only at this very moment she truly realized one thing clearly.
Why was it that Twilight Song's reputation had become so terrible in Japan back then, and yet…
Yet, why had so many younger Uma Musume, who never witnessed Twilight Song themselves, become her most devoted and fanatic supporters instead?
Because of her strength and her glory.
Even if Twilight Song no longer existed in that world, her legend circulated worldwide—that rainy day, that Great Escape victory. It was a victory so glorious that no Uma Musume enthusiast could fail to know about it!
The logic was simple: the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe itself was already one of the greatest races globally. An Uma Musume who won the Arc would naturally have her name recorded prominently in history—even if she had only this single triumph.
Let alone Twilight Song, who possessed two insane national Triple Crowns and another Triple Crown on top of that—achieving supreme glory across both dirt and turf.
Because of that, countless people effortlessly turned their eyes toward this incomparably powerful Uma Musume. Because she was strong, because she was invincible, because of her miraculous runs, and because of her tragic, incomplete beauty.
Such stories naturally became legendary, perfectly demonstrating just how overwhelmingly dominant Twilight Song truly had been.
Precisely because of this, despite a terribly hostile public opinion environment, Twilight Song's followers in Japan never decreased—in fact, their numbers only grew greater!
Until Gotham Song appeared, completely overturning that originally negative public sentiment up until today. But thinking about it now, even without Gotham Song, wouldn't Twilight Song's reputation eventually have reversed at some future point?
And that was exactly the most terrifying, most powerful point about the truly strong—they transcend eras and time, crossing boundaries between different generations. As long as that strength remained seen and discussed by everyone, that radiant brilliance and indomitable pride would continue to shine brilliantly.
If only I could have a showdown with such an opponent. If only I could've been Twilight Song myself. Such thoughts spiraled, becoming simple yearning.
And the people driven by this yearning were, in a sense, truly entitled to their pride.
If everyone directs their gaze towards you, and all those people are your fans, then, as the strong one in their eyes, wouldn't it be a betrayal to show cowardice?
Uma Musume is cruel—or rather, horse racing, competition itself, is cruel. Over a dozen competitors in a race, yet only one can take first place. Among countless classic-year Uma Musume each year, there can only ever be one who achieves the Triple Crown!
That's just how frighteningly cruel being an Uma Musume is.
At this very moment, Gotham Song finally and thoroughly understood the true nature of competition in this world.
Or perhaps, only after continuously crushing everyone else beneath her feet, did she finally project herself through Mejiro Ramonu's harshness onto those constantly oppressed Uma Musume, only at this moment understanding clearly—
Just how exhausting looking upward is... My neck really hurts.
But fortunately, it seems I'm always the one being looked up to.
Thinking carefully, Ruby has mentioned it several times already. Song, what exactly is your title?
Augustus Returned, Demon Lord of the Racetrack—someone everyone must gaze upward toward, someone who surely has a seat reserved when talking about the strongest Uma Musume of all time.
If I lowered my head, would everyone else have to stare straight into the center of the earth?
"I-I'll try my best. As Gotham Song, as the Demon Lord of the Racetrack..."
Uma Musume? Aren't the strong supposed to firmly crush the weak beneath their feet?
If you want to defeat me, then come face me head-on. Fairly and squarely—try stepping over the obstacles in your path. Otherwise, the glory of victory will remain mine alone to savor.
Mejiro Ramonu nodded in satisfaction, releasing Gotham Song's cheeks as if finally having resolved something weighing on her heart. Truthfully, whether or not Gotham Song would choose Daiichi Ruby wasn't something she particularly cared about.
This was Gotham Song's choice—just as there existed something called a strong person's pride, of course, as a sister, she too carried this pride. If she had to use her position to pry, inquire, or manipulate to achieve her desired outcome, how could that count as upright or honorable?
Mejiro Ramonu had her own pride as well, and she wouldn't use weak methods to achieve victory...
That would amount to admitting defeat!
"Very good. Maintain this mood and mindset, because my little sister is among the rare few in the entire world—a strong one whose very name makes others consider withdrawing from competition."
For Uma Musume, "withdrawing from a race" was truly a distant concept. At least for Mejiro Ramonu, she'd only seen it mentioned once—in a book.
It was a record from many years ago, from the days before Eclipse retired. The book described how whenever Eclipse announced participation in a race, almost all competitors would consider withdrawing to preserve their strength, leaving only a very small number willing to run.
For spectators, races at that time became exceptionally dull, because only two or three Uma Musume would be running. Often, after the winner crossed the finish line, the audience would still have to wait quite a while before the "close-following" second-place Uma Musume appeared.
Of course, mentioning such things didn't mean all races Gotham Song entered would have massive numbers withdrawing—though something like this happening was still within Mejiro Ramonu's expectations.
However, since Song had just finished the Dubai World Cup, this scenario hadn't truly occurred yet. It was only when chatting casually with Symboli Rudolf that Ramonu heard that a few younger Uma Musume were already beginning to harbor such feelings, prompting these thoughts.
Song has already grown into such a powerful existence—it was truly time for her to understand what the so-called "mentality of the strong" meant.
When participating in any race, you should have the mindset: "All of you are mere challengers." Isn't that right? After all, my little sister...
...Is powerful enough to make the entire world tremble, powerful enough to be compared with that Uma Musume from history.
You must understand: Song's professional career had only just officially begun. Her older-horse year hadn't even ended, yet she was already chasing after the radiance of the so-called "Sun" from history. Something like this—
How could something like this not make Mejiro Ramonu, as an elder sister, feel joyful and proud?
Such was the pride and sentiment that belonged exclusively to an elder sister.
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