What kind of weather suits the finale of a legend best?
A clear, dazzling day, filled with sweetness in the air as heroes unsheathe their weapons? Or something gloomier, the kind of weather Gotham Song herself had fought through before?
When she pulled back the curtains and glimpsed the overcast sky, Gotham Song felt an odd sense of déjà vu.
Don't tell me it's going to rain again today…? Probably not—this isn't the Arc, after all.
She lowered her gaze from the clouds, noticing people already lining the streets below, even though the race wouldn't begin for another hour or two.
After washing up, Gotham Song slowly slipped out of her nightgown and, with deliberate slowness, began to put on her racing outfit.
Just as she was about to finish, a gentle knock sounded at the door. Mejiro Ramonu entered, quietly taking over the final touches herself.
"You know, I've wondered many times—if I'd helped you dress for the Arc back then, would I have remembered a little more clearly?"
It was a curious sensation. When she had still been Twilight Song, Ramonu had often been present, yet somehow detached—always nearby in case of trouble, but never fully beside her.
Back then, Gotham Song had belonged mostly to Mejiro Ardan. Even on the day of the Arc, Ardan had been the one assisting her.
But today, at this Japan Cup, the privilege belonged exclusively—and undeniably—to Mejiro Ramonu.
Gotham Song didn't reply immediately. Instead, she silently lowered her head, allowing Ramonu to gather her flowing hair and carefully bind it with ribbons.
Mejiro Ramonu gently placed the moon and stars atop Gotham Song's head.
"That time…it was my fault."
"Shh." Gotham Song shook her head lightly. "I wouldn't blame you for something like that. Besides, I made mistakes too, didn't I?"
Ramonu's mistake had been failing to fully support Gotham Song's wishes. At least, that's what Ramonu herself wholeheartedly believed.
"…Mm."
"Alright, don't look so gloomy. Today's the day we finally put it all behind us. You've been preparing for this for so long, haven't you?"
Lastly, Ramonu gently placed the ceremonial half-cape upon Gotham Song's shoulder, then picked up the staff from the corner of the room.
"This is your greatest and most glorious race. Don't worry about anything else—just do whatever your heart desires. This time, I'll support you unconditionally."
"Even if I might end up doing something foolish?"
Ramonu pressed the staff firmly into Gotham Song's hand, opening the door to the hallway outside.
"Isn't putting up with your occasional foolishness part of my job as your sister? Go."
Go and claim your victory.
Gotham Song didn't respond verbally. Instead, as she stepped out, she tenderly lifted Ramonu's hand and pressed a kiss to the back of her sister's palm.
Then she vanished down the hallway, footsteps fading quietly into the distance.
"That girl…always doing things that leave me speechless."
Her room wasn't particularly high up, so Gotham Song skipped the elevator, quickly descending the stairs to the lobby. The moment she stepped out of the building, she heard something entirely unfamiliar yet deeply personal.
It was her first time experiencing it in this world—the eager, joyful cheers of fans gathered to watch her march proudly toward the racecourse.
They even had cheering merchandise already…
Actually, URA hadn't officially produced any of Gotham Song's merchandise yet, but—
Symboli Rudolf had intervened.
Without official permission—but with the combined strength of Mejiro Manor and others—Rudolf had somehow manufactured Gotham Song merchandise.
Though, for some inexplicable reason, Gotham Song felt the chibi dolls of herself seemed a little dumb-looking…
Holding her head high like an emperor reviewing her troops, Gotham Song desperately suppressed laughter as she passed by rows of her overly-adorable merchandise.
Step by step she advanced, until finally, when the racetrack was in clear sight, Gotham Song noticed a strange empty space within the crowd.
Was there a reason fans deliberately avoided that spot?
Apparently so—
Because right in the center of that vacuum stood someone who absolutely shouldn't have been there.
"Teio…? Didn't I clearly tell you to stay and rest at the hospital? Why won't you listen?"
"Hehe…" Tokai Teio chuckled nervously.
Handing her ceremonial staff temporarily to the quiet Vernal Equinox, Gotham Song reached out, grabbing Tokai Teio's cheeks and pulling fiercely in frustration.
Her eternal rival, who had clearly been told just last night—multiple times—to rest properly and not push herself by coming out to watch the race live, had blatantly disregarded her warnings. Here she was, seated defiantly in a wheelchair.
Since you won't listen, Teio, I'll just have to punish you in front of everyone by pinching your cheeks!
Although Gotham Song felt oddly aware of the many cameras around her capturing this scene—right now, she was simply too frustrated to care. She needed to express her dissatisfaction clearly.
Realizing her mistake, Teio raised her hands in surrender.
"I…I'm sowwy!"
Only after thoroughly reddening Teio's cheeks did Gotham Song finally relent, sighing as she took hold of the wheelchair and began slowly pushing her forward.
"Honestly, what if something had happened?"
"But still, Teio really wanted to come and see you—see you racing at your absolute, absolute best."
Tokai Teio wanted to witness this personally, to see it all unfold right before her eyes.
Ever since the Kikuka Sho—especially alone in her hospital room—Teio had often wondered about something important:
What exactly was she to Gotham Song? Two rivals who began their relationship as adversaries… How exactly did Gotham Song see her now?
Teio wasn't sure of the answer, nor did she dare ask directly. But even without explicit confirmation, she knew one thing for certain:
Gotham Song truly cared about her, about Tokai Teio as her rival.
Running was her passion, but the person who'd given her courage to run again was none other than this awkward, earnest rival behind her.
Hey—what exactly does a rival mean for an Uma Musume, anyway?
"Song…don't worry about me. It's just a fracture. I'll overcome this for sure."
"What's with that, all of a sudden?"
Gotham Song looked down at Teio, puzzled by the sudden shift in her tone.
"Hehe, I just wanted to say it clearly. Pain and fractures can't defeat the Great Teio, right? I've overcome it once already—but this time, I'll overcome it on my own."
Injuries and setbacks were crippling for an Uma Musume. Yet Tokai Teio genuinely no longer feared them.
Because hiding from her weakness, afraid to try anything, would mean achieving nothing. Tokai Teio was the unbreakable emperor, a genius capable of overcoming failure itself. Even if fractures were destined to come, if the beauty awaiting afterward could be witnessed alongside Gotham Song—
Then even countless fractures could be conquered.
After all, someone had promised to be her legs whenever she fell. Someone would reach out, pulling her back from the brink.
Someone who—perhaps without realizing it herself—gave Teio something deeper and far more intense than mere admiration from fans.
Tokai Teio was someone truly cherished by Gotham Song.
"So, Song, make sure you win today. I want to see you at your absolute strongest. And afterward…I'll chase you down for real."
Teio finally turned her head, eyes glinting mischievously.
"You'd better not cry when you lose to me later!"
"Well, now I'll have to push myself even harder, just to leave you speechless."
With a gentle tap on Teio's forehead, Gotham Song reclaimed her staff from Vernal Equinox.
"I'm heading to the track. Vernal-chan, can I leave Teio in your care?"
Since Teio was already here, worrying further was pointless.
Honestly…you troublesome bunch never let me relax.
Glancing back one final time, she saw Teio proudly displaying the same stars-and-moon hair decoration tied to her long black hair.
That's our promise.
If that's the case…
Then Gotham Song had yet another reason to run today at her absolute purest—her truest running style. They'd better not be surprised by what they see.
Recalling Agnes Tachyon's final warnings, Gotham Song shook them off entirely.
She was done hesitating over pointless concerns. After all, wasn't her greatest joy and deepest passion precisely the purest style of running—free from all hesitation and distractions?
Gotham Song took a deep breath, then confidently strode toward the entrance.
Oddly, even at this serious moment, she suddenly recalled something amusing:
Twilight Song was actually quite popular in various online novel communities. Among the fanfiction she'd glimpsed, there were old grandpas, cheat systems, even reincarnations directly into Twilight Song herself, complete with ridiculous powers.
If she truly became legendary after today's race, wouldn't all those writers of her derivative fanfiction be thoroughly ruined?
Gotham Song quietly smiled to herself in the dark tunnel leading onto the field.
Without stopping in the waiting room, she stepped directly toward the gate, gripping Secretariat's staff tightly, gazing out at the packed stands filled with anticipation.
Would today's finish line be silent, devoid of cheers for Gotham Song once again?
Probably not. But part of her suddenly longed for that silent atmosphere—had those brief, quiet moments truly reshaped her?
Lost in thought, Gotham Song suddenly faced a ghostly figure ahead.
Not Sunday Silence—but Phantom Ruka.
The phantom had clearly been waiting there for a long time. Mejiro McQueen stood silently nearby, while Phantom Ruka stared straight ahead, eagerly awaiting Gotham Song's arrival.
"I'll beat you today—completely and utterly! I'll make sure everyone sees clearly that I surpassed you!"
I'll become stronger than you!
Stronger than herself… Phantom Ruka often behaved childishly, desperately competing for attention.
But if such a challenge had been made, it must be answered.
"If you think you can, come and fight."
Come and challenge me—the true demon of the racetrack.
Phantom Ruka…do you really think you're worthy?
Gotham Song spoke no more, simply watching the phantom vanish.
In the darkness, her eyes gleamed crimson.
If you dare challenge me so boldly… You'd better not bore me.
Now, Japan Cup—are you ready for Gotham Song's arrival?
Or perhaps…you prefer another name entirely?