"Who would've guessed it? Gotham Song, known as a late-stage chaser, is the first out of the gates?!"
As soon as the gate lights flashed green, Mejiro McQueen launched forward, feeling as though her performance exceeded any previous attempt.
Yet despite that, despite choosing the runaway tactic to seize this heaven-sent victory, she'd fallen behind from the very start?!
Mejiro McQueen instinctively glanced ahead at the rival who was outpacing her—her body enveloped in blazing crimson flames.
And perhaps it was just an illusion, but Mejiro McQueen clearly saw strands of silver blooming through that jet-black hair, spreading gently like ink diffusing into water…
Is this a trick of the sunlight?
Wait, Mejiro McQueen, what are you even thinking right now? What's the real priority here?
It's to catch up, prove your strength, and seize victory in this race!
Banishing her stray thoughts, Mejiro McQueen lowered her stance and pushed her body to its absolute limits.
I have my own reasons why I absolutely can't lose this race, Gotham Song… I must defeat you.
Whoever it may be, if winning means learning something about Ruka-oneesama… even if the Three Goddesses themselves stand in my way, I'll step forward!
A strange glow ignited around Mejiro McQueen as well, but her aura was an unfathomable darkness beneath the blazing sun.
The power from the phantom Twilight Song fully surged forth within Mejiro McQueen, and with this shift, her speed surged ferociously.
"As expected, Mejiro McQueen is catching up! But the lead still belongs to Gotham Song, who's chosen the runaway tactic! What a sight—I've never seen this before. And… doesn't it look familiar, somehow?"
"Indeed. It's like a replay showing a legendary Uma Musume at the front of the pack. And is it just me, or is there something strange about Gotham Song's hair color…?! Wait! Mejiro McQueen's accelerating again! Does she plan to snatch the lead right at the start and dominate the race all the way through?"
"But can McQueen's stamina really withstand such a fierce burst of speed from the outset?!"
Can I sustain this? I've never tried something like this before—but right now, I just need to keep running!
[If you keep chasing like this, you won't hold out.]
Mejiro McQueen ignored the whisper that only she could hear. She simply ran—faster, even faster—pushing beyond the long-held limit she'd always known.
Mejiro McQueen wasn't built for runaway tactics. She had no natural physique for it. Yet she'd always persisted, tirelessly improving herself. It was because of this relentless effort that she achieved results far beyond her inherent adaptability.
And now, as she desperately chased, an instinct screamed within her: if she fails to catch that distant back in front of her now…
Then she'll miss her chance forever to learn anything about Twilight Song. Chase after her. Go forward. Keep pushing, burning away life itself if needed to catch up.
Even if it's just for an instant, I want to grab hold of her hand, interlace our fingers, and never let go again for the rest of my life…!
Mejiro McQueen didn't know why she felt so intensely. But being an emotional creature, an Uma Musume whose feelings had long overflowed, she refused to endure any longer—
She exploded forward!
"Mejiro McQueen! Here it is again, appearing once more! The phenomenon that shocked the world during the Ruka Stakes—the [Zone] so powerful that even humans could visibly perceive it! Only three such cases in history!"
"To think I'd witness this again—Mejiro McQueen's accelerating further! That darkness is her absolute refusal to acknowledge defeat! Even now, she's pushing forward, closing in behind Gotham Song!"
Catching up, huh? That's the furthest and yet closest description possible, isn't it? What will happen in the moments that follow?
Will Mejiro McQueen chase her down completely, and then they'll run shoulder-to-shoulder into the latter half of the race?
But, McQueen!
I've already said I'll use my absolute fullest strength, holding nothing back. Even if you're right behind me, I won't hide an ounce of power. If you want to catch me, you'll need even greater determination!
Let me see your growth.
Allow me to fulfill that long-forgotten promise.
Here on the racetrack, we'll both be entirely unrestrained—
As though destined, as though the curtain rises on an epic tale. And now…
My engine is about to burst into overdrive![
[Let the curtain rise—here begins the legendary story!]
The entire world seemed to plunge into absolute silence—or rather, into that nostalgic, gray-white moment where time itself ceased to flow.
This was actually only the second time Gotham Song had fully unleashed her true Zone. The last time she'd erupted like this was at the final stretch of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, when she'd surpassed even light, racing through her last moments.
And now…
In that suspended instant when the world froze in place, Gotham Song forced her body to its absolute limit. Then, like space itself folded beneath her feet, she launched herself forward from that moment of absolute stillness.
Flames of red and silver entwined fiercely around her feet, her body, her hair—pulled taut by her extreme speed into shimmering trails of brilliance, radiant and dazzling.
Gotham Song, huh…?
No.
It was Twilight Song.
It was Twilight Song's racing style—refined to its utmost limit—returning once more to this world!
"My goodness, Gotham Song has responded to Mejiro McQueen's challenge! What an overwhelming [Zone], what fierce intensity! Even seated here, I can feel it clearly. And… just what is this sight? Gotham Song's black hair has turned silver, it's as though, it's as if…"
"As if the Uma Musume we all know so well has returned to the track once more! It's just like that unforgettable race at the Arc!"
Only this time, unfortunately, it was cloudy without any rain.
Yet despite that, everyone in the stands felt a faint mist, an illusion that ought to have existed.
All eyes turned toward the front of the racetrack, locked onto that roaring, blazing form soaring impossibly low to the ground.
Every Uma Musume fan would instantly recognize her. There could be no second guess—it was that fleeting meteor who had appeared for a brief year in history!
"Gotham Song! Gotham Song!"
"Go! Claim your victory!"
Cheering rose and fell like waves, spontaneous yet powerful enough to shake the earth itself.
In that moment, Gotham Song fully revealed the meaning of absolute strength, racing without restraint.
Yet through Mejiro McQueen's eyes, it appeared differently.
Within that burning Zone, she saw something else entirely, a sight that made it impossible to look away.
Silver—silver strands flowing freely at the ends of that dancing hair… Silver?!
Mejiro McQueen suddenly felt everything become absurdly clear.
Hadn't Gotham Song always acted somewhat strange toward her? That hesitant way she tried to approach, those incomprehensible words spoken before—
"Do you truly wish to understand my feelings, no matter what?"
Do you really want to know, no matter what?!
Then right now… I'll prove it to you. I'll show you exactly how far I'll go just to chase after you!
You already knew, didn't you, Phantom?
[Only slightly earlier than you. Enough talking—if you waste more time…]
We won't have another chance, will we?
Mejiro McQueen was unwilling—truly unwilling—but what else could she do? If it was Ruka-onee-sama, even if McQueen had jumped the gate prematurely, she probably still couldn't win.
In Mejiro McQueen's world, only one absolute truth existed:
Twilight Song was the strongest Uma Musume in existence.
Under that premise, Mejiro McQueen herself never once truly believed from the depths of her heart that she could ever defeat Twilight Song.
All she'd ever wanted was one simple thing…
Mejiro McQueen wanted a chance—to run alongside Twilight Song, even if only in one race, even if only for one fleeting instant. Even if it wasn't truly herself, but someone named "Mejiro McQueen"…!
That little Uma Musume who once leaped into Twilight Song's embrace after only two strides—that naive little sister who knew nothing back then—wanted desperately to reclaim even the briefest of moments.
She wanted to run beside Twilight Song. She wanted to remain at Twilight Song's side.
And now, at this instant of imminent defeat, at this moment when she was about to be left behind…
At this very second, when her heart ached so intensely it threatened to stop beating—Mejiro McQueen fulfilled the promise she'd long refused.
Our goals are aligned, at least on the surface, aren't they?
Then do whatever you like. Even if you use my body to run on this track, take it all if you wish.
As long as it lets me chase after her…
As long as it lets me overcome yesterday's regrets, reaching out toward that shining figure. Do whatever you please.
Then take it—my everything—if this is the price to fulfill my wish.
[You should've decided sooner… But if she's our opponent… I suppose I'll have to burn as well.]
Phantom Twilight Song's voice turned hoarse, clearly trembling. She too gazed toward the far-off shadow ahead, baring a fierce smile.
I finally found you. Finally, there's a chance. Finally, I can…
Catch you, and then show you my strength, my pain, everything I couldn't obtain… Everything I…
Wanted you to grant me.
Well then—shall we begin round two?
"It seems Mejiro McQueen can't continue her challenge… My god! Does she really still have strength and resolve left to accelerate further?"
Strength and resolve? I have as much as I need! You commentators would never understand, would you? My entire existence is solely to chase down that bastard who left me behind!
For that purpose, my own existence means nothing. None of it matters. I'll burn it all…
My life was created for this very moment. My consciousness only opened its eyes because of this!
[A sprint beyond time, through a rainy night!]
"She's actually launching another attack?! Mejiro McQueen's [Zone] is causing an actual storm! My goodness, I'd never imagined a [Zone] could be this overwhelming! She's catching up—she's challenging Twili—Gotham Song head-on, openly and honorably!"
"Can she actually catch her?! With the race barely past its halfway point, with this Japan Cup just beginning, is victory about to be decided right here and now?!"
Rain began to fall at last.
Even Gotham Song, fully immersed, briefly lost focus, genuinely startled.
But this sudden rain wouldn't change the track conditions. At least by the time the race ended, it would remain in good shape.
Still, the environment momentarily took her back to those only two rain-soaked races she'd ever run. The Arc—a memory Gotham Song might never forget in her lifetime.
Then the phantom born at the Arc, now chasing from behind… is she pursuing my yesterday?
Gotham Song hesitated for only the briefest moment, and then gave the most direct response possible:
Not even Death can catch me. Yesterday? Don't waste my time. Even if you're the "me" from the past, even if you've resolved yourself to catch up to me as I am now…
You're still unworthy!
Gotham Song's steps landed firmly, kicking up dirt, forging forward into a future beyond anyone's sight.
This world itself is too narrow when I truly run. Forget yesterday and forget accidents.
You'll never catch me.
Never, ever!
A savage, unreasonable laugh spread across Gotham Song's usually composed face. Her speed surged even higher, wild and ruthless, as if to tear through every obstacle ahead, shattering any pursuer's will to continue.
Like an irrational beast defying every law of physics, her path had no end in sight—
Even the Three Goddesses would now bow their heads to the fully unleashed Gotham Song!
"Can anyone truly catch Gotham Song?! Mejiro McQueen is already performing at a world-class… no, historical level! Yet now, even now…!"
"And yet, the gap between them isn't shrinking—not at all! Gotham Song maintains her absolute lead. In fact, the gap is widening—unbelievably, still widening…!"
"Mejiro McQueen… is being left far behind…!"