Gotham Song could roughly guess the feelings behind Mejiro Ramonu's question.
In fact, if she placed herself in her elder sister's shoes, Ramonu's restraint so far had been admirable, hadn't it?
Even after Manhattan Cafe had bluntly shut her down earlier, Ramonu had merely fallen silent, considering her next move rather than impulsively doing something foolish.
Mejiro Ramonu wasn't being unreasonable—she genuinely couldn't find a convincing justification or position, leaving her feeling cornered.
Only after Gotham Song herself spoke up did Ramonu feel freed from that awkward predicament, leading her to ask the current question.
But… How long would she continue running? It was something Gotham Song hadn't really thought about.
Her attitude toward racing had always been casual—maybe too casual.
Even after all her victories and achievements, Gotham Song still didn't view running as an indispensable part of her life.
Up to this point, she simply saw herself as a fortunate ordinary person who happened to become an Uma Musume, rather than an Uma Musume burdened with a human past.
After the Japan Cup, perhaps she wouldn't feel strongly compelled to keep racing?
Ah, but I did promise Shunbun and Kitasan I'd teach them how to run. Maybe, after her Classic year ended, she'd slip into a semi-retirement mode starting from her first Senior season.
At the very least, she hadn't found any deeper reason to keep running.
"I don't really know, but I haven't seriously thought about retirement yet. Besides, during my Senior season, there are kids I've promised I'd run alongside."
But even then, it'd just be a semi-retirement. After all, Treve and Haya Of Stars—those cute juniors who admired her—were eagerly anticipating racing against Gotham Song on the track.
She wasn't the type to break promises to juniors.
Mejiro Ramonu showed no objection; she simply nodded gently and informed Gotham Song that rooms at Mejiro Manor had already been prepared for her—and for everyone currently around her bedside.
Afterward, the young mistress of Mejiro Manor reluctantly allowed herself to be dragged away once again by various troublesome duties.
Yet before leaving, Ramonu—for the first time since their falling-out—bluntly made a request of Mejiro Ardan.
She said, "Don't let Song out of your sight, not even for a moment. Even if you rest, do it right here in this room."
Mejiro Ardan replied simply with a reassuring smile. After all, she'd already planned to do just that.
Did this mean Ramonu had finally reconciled with Ardan? Had the sisters' relationship suddenly returned to how it used to be?
Not exactly.
In truth, Ramonu and Ardan would never fully agree on what had driven them apart initially. But now… everything else seemed insignificant.
Because Gotham Song was finally back, wasn't she?
Gotham Song sighed helplessly. How could she not understand her two older sisters' thoughts?
Yet she couldn't really object. After all, this type of unconditional, heavy love—family members worriedly hovering over her—wasn't suffocating, exactly.
No, what really troubled Gotham Song was another practical issue entirely.
Are there even enough beds in this room?
Why did she suddenly wonder about this?
Because, surrounding Gotham Song's bedside, were currently four Uma Musume whose eyes glittered unsettlingly!
If Ardan-san wasn't allowed to leave the room, then naturally Daiichi Ruby, Neo Universe, and even Manhattan Cafe wouldn't be willing to leave either, right?
Gotham Song shot Secretariat a desperate look for help, only to receive an oddly encouraging glance in return.
What the hell! Wait, that look of yours is way too suspicious!
Speechless, Gotham Song finally surrendered her attempts at thinking clearly, especially when Dancing Brave couldn't stop chuckling quietly from across the room.
In the end, she decided to give up on understanding altogether.
Thinking about these things was exhausting. Patients have the absolute right to laze around!
But though Gotham Song was content to give up, some others desperately wished she'd remain idle from now on.
Who exactly?
Gotham Song stared silently at the screen of her phone, unlocked and held up by Neo Universe, and saw the message URA had sent her from their official social media account.
[Respected Gotham Song-san, you've clearly proven your strength on the racetrack. We humbly request: Could you withdraw from participating in the upcoming Japan Cup? We promise you'll still receive everything you'd have earned by competing.]
[Please give this your sincere consideration. We await your response.]
[Incidentally, if you'd prefer a face-to-face discussion, we're willing to visit your hospital room at your convenience.]
This marked the very first official communication between URA and Gotham Song—even including her previous life as Twilight Song, this was unprecedented.
How should she even respond?
Staring at that official account badge, Gotham Song felt profoundly amused by the sheer irony. She read it three or four times, watched silently as Neo Universe opened the sender's profile multiple times, and then finally, with contempt, Gotham Song smiled sarcastically.
"Well, isn't this perfectly URA's style? How hilarious! So, Miss Song, what do you think about it?"
Before she realized it, Secretariat had approached and stood beside her, clearly reading the message on her phone, laughing openly with undisguised scorn.
Was this apology sincere?
Absolutely not!
Anyone present, even just from glancing at the comments section earlier, could see this clearly.
Right now, URA wasn't just being mocked—it was under siege from all Japanese netizens and observers around the world, being torn apart by endless ridicule.
It was far crazier now than during Twilight Song's era!
If previously the world had mocked URA, now they openly demanded in unison—
URA, get out of Uma Musume racing!
Could such a message, sent in this climate, genuinely reflect an earnest surrender or apology?
No. This was clearly a trap—an assassination of Gotham Song's reputation, meant to isolate her from everyone supporting her!
Why?
First, Gotham Song had already officially declared she'd run in the Japan Cup—every fan supporting her cause knew that clearly.
If she accepted URA's terms now and withdrew, what would her fans think?
Some might assume she had valid health reasons. But the majority—currently excitedly storming the gates—would likely feel betrayed:
"We're still fighting to the death—Your Majesty, why surrender first?"
Gotham Song would inevitably appear to have stabbed her own supporters in the back, utterly destroying her image and fanbase!
Clearly, URA's intentions here were utterly malicious.
"No, actually, they could later leak this conversation anonymously to stir up trouble," Secretariat added quietly, pointing out an even scarier scenario.
At worst, URA would be mocked as cowards—but when hadn't they been mocked? They wouldn't care about such trivialities. Gotham Song, however, would be undeniably branded as a traitor.
The entire fury currently aimed at URA would rebound squarely onto her.
"So, you're definitely not considering accepting this, right, Song?" Dancing Brave finally chimed in calmly from her seat, typing away leisurely on her phone, seemingly recording events with quiet amusement.
Without hesitation, Gotham Song replied decisively:
"Of course I wouldn't. But… how exactly should I respond?"
What reply could clearly convey how ridiculous URA's proposal was?
Gotham Song fell silent briefly, but Secretariat's grin grew wider and more sinister.
"Isn't it obvious? Leave it to me, Miss Song?"
"Oh—well, alright. I'll trust you with it then, Secretariat-san."
Secretariat took Gotham Song's phone from Neo Universe, aimed the front-facing camera at herself, and promptly pressed the shutter.
With a crisp camera click, a photo of Secretariat's fierce grin—full of disdainful mockery and silent warning—abruptly appeared in the URA-Gotham Song private chat.
Everyone, except Dancing Brave, witnessed in silence as—
Just three or four seconds later, the message status switched to "read."
Gotham Song sighed, genuinely hoping whoever received that photo at URA remained mentally intact.
Well done, Secretariat-san!
Thoroughly satisfied, Secretariat casually pulled up a chair beside Gotham Song, observing quietly as the conversation around her continued.
"But Miss Song," Secretariat softly asked, "our original plan's basically completed now, isn't it? The only thing left is the Japan Cup itself."
She peered into Gotham Song's eyes with a curious glint.
"Is it only because of our promise that you refuse URA's deal?"
"Well… partly. Not entirely."
Gotham Song hesitated slightly, then finally answered honestly:
"It's because I've promised many people that we'd face each other in the Japan Cup."
Oguri Cap, whom she'd promised first; Tokai Teio, who couldn't run anymore but was certainly watching closely, expecting her victory…
And now there was also that phantom she'd become aware of—
Gotham Song wasn't foolish; she clearly understood her real opponent wasn't Ramonu, but rather Mejiro McQueen and the phantom within her, that Twilight Song born from miracles she herself had inspired.
The phantom Twilight Song was surely awaiting this race, eager to surpass Gotham Song once and for all.
As for Mejiro McQueen herself?
Gotham Song wasn't entirely certain why McQueen chose the Japan Cup, but one thing was clear: having made her decision, McQueen eagerly anticipated their showdown.
Therefore, it wasn't only about Secretariat's promise, nor simply about Oguri Cap and Twilight Song. It was fate itself compelling her forward.
"There's also an important rival… someone I absolutely must face and defeat at the Japan Cup," she concluded firmly.
Secretariat's lips curled in satisfaction.
"Perfect. Then go seize your victory. I'll await you at the Dream Cup."
Gotham Song stared back fiercely, eyes blazing.
After all, wasn't she already a legend herself?
I'm ready to accept your challenge.