When the legendary past intersects with the present, what kind of brilliance will burst forth?
This was a question without a clear answer, wasn't it?
Yet Gotham Song felt she now knew the answer with absolute clarity.
Why?
Because she herself had become a legend bridging past and present, stepping from a darkness devoid of hope onto a stage just as shrouded in shadow, under the gaze of countless eyes.
Yet it was precisely in this darkness that Gotham Song clearly saw the brilliance she herself had brought into being.
It was the endless, almost overwhelming sea of fans stretching out beneath the stage.
They raised glowsticks high overhead, illuminating the darkness with colors dazzling and vibrant.
When the legendary past and the present finally met, what colors did they weave together?
All the colors in existence, beautiful beyond imagination—shimmering, synchronized, breathing in rhythm, illuminating the entire world.
These colors belonged to people touched by Gotham Song's racing—people who felt surprise or awe, who found renewed hope, who summoned courage, or perhaps simply enjoyed a happier mood for a moment.
All of them had now gathered here, awaiting Gotham Song's next step.
"Honestly, as the Winner's Concert of the Japan Cup, what song should I sing?"
"I've hesitated over it for a very, very long time."
It truly had been a long, long hesitation. Even back when she was still Twilight Song, Gotham Song had complicated feelings about the Winner's Concert.
She wasn't exactly longing for it, but she'd always been curious. She wondered what sights the Winner's Concert stage might offer, what kind of feelings and heartbeats she'd experience.
But back then, she simply hadn't had the time—and besides, her singing had been truly terrible.
Twilight Song's voice was naturally ethereal and beautiful, but was relying solely on the beauty of her voice to sing on stage enough? Wouldn't that be too embarrassing?
Gotham Song had often thought this way.
Therefore, even in her previous life as Twilight Song, she'd never stood on the Winner's Concert stage—she'd even given up practicing singing altogether, due to her lack of time and wavering resolve.
But now—now that those black strands had once again taken on the brilliant silver hue that had once shone like moonlight, now that Gotham Song had received another chance to walk this earth…
She finally had the leeway to stand on stage, to feel the trembling as she prepared to sing under everyone's gaze—even if only once.
So, why not seize this opportunity?
"To be honest, I've always wondered what scenery I'd see on the Winner's Concert stage, what emotions I'd experience there. But back then, I chose to give it up."
"Now, though, I finally have this chance. Yet I still haven't answered the question—what song should I choose?"
"I think, if I'm only going to step onto this stage once, then I must make this single moment of brilliance an unforgettable sight, etched deeply into everyone's hearts."
Hehe, sorry, everyone—I'm pretty selfish, aren't I? To step onto the Winner's Concert stage just this once, yet to want you all to remember my voice for the rest of your lives…
It felt strangely familiar, just like when she'd first come into this world.
Opening her eyes, thrust onto the racetrack before she'd even breathed properly, facing only one year left to live before she'd fully felt the world's beauty—burning herself desperately in fear and urgency, wishing to become an eternal shooting star in everyone's memories.
This felt just as reckless, just as selfish.
She wanted this melody, this beat, to remain forever in the world, to claim the most dazzling memories from everyone who heard it—
Since she'd won the Japan Cup, and was the Uma Musume everyone adored, she'd unhesitatingly take advantage of this small privilege. I want… to be selfish!
"So, everyone, let us experience it together now—this beat transcending time and history, merging past and present, witnessed by countless shining stars—"
"Everlasting Beats."
Gotham Song closed her eyes. She no longer spoke, simply breathing deeply, feeling the pleasantly cool breeze in the night.
Wind flowed gently from afar, softly lifting the edges of her pale gray skirt and the shawl on her shoulders.
Wind always carried messages from distant places. It was the one thing in this world that would never cease—forever dispersing, blowing, gathering, traveling from one distant horizon to another, always endlessly.
Doesn't that sound romantic?
Perhaps the wind brushing past you right now carried information from the very instant the planet was born, flowing continuously since that distant past, endlessly reshaping itself, now reaching your side with whispers from the farthest reaches of time.
Perhaps, within the breeze that stirred right now, there was the scent of rain from that time, and the gazes of all those who once watched.
This wind would surely carry this very moment toward a distant future, whispering softly to everyone, even those unaware.
As the gentle notes of a piano filled the air, chandeliers above her head gradually began to glow faintly, accompanying the solo piano notes.
In that brief interval, Gotham Song lifted the microphone.
In the end, her dancing wasn't particularly good—she herself found it rather embarrassing—so this might have been an imperfect performance to some.
Yet… this was absolutely the best Gotham Song had to offer at this point.
Under everyone's expectant gazes, she sang out the very first notes of her song.
"As though guided through invisible hands, I crossed the wilderness…"
The wilderness, hardships—weren't they the same? They were the greatest obstacles in this epic journey called life. But now, Gotham Song had crossed it all to stand here.
Her song continued, and as the first verse drew to a close, pre-recorded harmonies began playing softly.
These harmonies came from each of the Uma Musume connected deeply with Gotham Song—Neo Universe, Daiichi Ruby, Manhattan Cafe, Ramonu, Ardan, Tokai Teio, Oguri Cap, and even Secretariat, Dancing Brave, and Symboli Rudolf—so many more voices blended beautifully together.
They were all part of this moment's melody, companions in Gotham Song's journey through life.
"Racing through this beautiful world, within everyone's hearts beating rapidly…"
What was by my side all this time? It was everyone, and…
"Countless souls stepping forward together with me."
Alongside every witness here today.
"May moments like this extend to the end of the future, holding wishes surpassing any era…"
"Everlasting BEATS."
How long would this song last?
Not long, of course. This was just a Winner's Concert, after all. But!
Its melody would surely linger for a long, long time—because this was Gotham Song's sincere cry from the heart. It was her gratitude toward everyone, her heartfelt declaration to this world, and…
Something she desperately wished everyone to hear about herself.
This was something she had to convey clearly, especially to the fans who'd supported her all this way.
As Twilight Song, as Gotham Song, she would never truly reveal every secret directly. But if expressed gently in this manner—
Perhaps not many people would fully grasp her feelings, but that didn't matter!
Could she convince herself of that?
Of course, she could.
Because…
I won't run away.
"A shining figure after distant time…"
"Even if she hasn't crossed millions of years."
Thinking about it now, perhaps the name "Twilight Song" would eventually fade from memory after decades or centuries. But Gotham Song no longer feared being forgotten.
Not at this very instant, because now, she was at the very center of the world.
"But if it can be entrusted to tomorrow, I'll cherish today fully—"
"I'll treat this dearly cherished second life as the very meaning of my existence!"
Let this miracle from an unknown source mark a new beginning, passing everything from the past to the present, stepping warmly and gently toward tomorrow.
This was a celebration—the moment Twilight Song fully bid farewell to this world. Yet simultaneously…
It was Gotham Song's true rebirth.
"As though embarking on an epic journey to distant lands,"
"With fate and conviction placed upon infinite stakes!"
Gotham Song raised her hand, responding to fans waving glowsticks below—as if answering their feelings directly. Actually, wasn't that precisely what it was?
She had taken this stage for everyone, yet simultaneously, everyone had allowed her to sing here.
Together, she and everyone else shone brilliantly—in this stage, this world, this story.
Each and every one of them was a shining star.
"Let us race endlessly through this infinite time, conveying every feeling from our hearts!"
Gotham Song took a deep breath, and then… she sang out the final lines of the song.
Would this conclude tonight's sudden and fleeting performance? Of course it would. But Gotham Song doubted anyone would feel regretful.
Her journey as an Uma Musume had a long road ahead. True, activating her Zone twice was impossible to ignore—but there was still the Arima Kinen, her Classics year's final race, and plenty more in the future. She'd promised those youngsters she'd race with them!
Even beyond retirement, she might choose to become a trainer, embarking on a new path. After all, Bun-chan was simply too cute to leave alone.
Today was merely one day's ending. Tomorrow, another race awaited.
Ah, though there probably won't be a Winner's Concert next time… hehe.
"Now that I've found it once again, I'll cherish it forever—"
"Taking this fleeting life as my entire meaning for existence."
"As though embarking on a majestic journey toward distant horizons, staking fate and conviction!"
How wonderful to have walked this path—to have so many supporters, so many who cared deeply, so many who openly expressed their love for Gotham Song. She no longer knew what her expression was like, but it didn't matter.
After all…
I'm no longer afraid.