Dubai truly is a magical country.
On one hand, its abundant resources stem from a favorable geographical location and natural conditions, generating massive revenue. On the other, the fact that its actual period of rapid development has been incredibly short.
All in all, Dubai is a fantastical country from any angle you look at it. Still, there's one undeniable truth everyone must admit:
Dubai is developed—exceedingly developed, in every possible sense of the word.
When stepping out from Dubai International Airport into this unfamiliar city, even Gotham Song, who's long been accustomed to the dazzling prosperity of Tokyo and New York, had to concede that Dubai's lavishness surpassed even her wildest imagination.
Not that she had much time to marvel, since an Uma Musume leaning casually against a street railing near the airport had already raised her hand, waving in greeting.
Dancing Brave, who Gotham Song hadn't seen in a while, had replaced her usual attire—reminiscent of refined European nobility—with something far more modern, mature, and stylish.
How should she describe this?
It felt like seeing an elegant noblewoman suddenly turning into a younger sister freshly graduated from adolescence. Well… even if in every sense, this woman was still Old Bastard No. 3!
"Yo, it hasn't been that long, has it? Or was my current look such a surprise, Song?"
Clearly anticipating Gotham Song's reaction, Dancing Brave quietly stepped forward, playfully poking Gotham Song's cheek with a faintly teasing smile, like she was toying with some rare creature.
But Gotham Song, having fully expected this, swiftly tilted her head back, deftly dodging the incoming finger.
"Of course not! Why would I care what you're wearing? Anyway, let's get in the car first. We'll go check into the arranged hotel."
Gotham Song didn't seem particularly tired—after all, in both past and present lives combined, she'd gotten more than used to flying around. But there was someone else in their party who was very different in this regard.
Was it Vernal Equinox, that literal child, the youngest Uma Musume?
Actually… no.
Well, putting it this way might be both funny and confusing, maybe even absurd—but it was definitely true.
Who was the one practically melting from airsickness?
Not Vernal Equinox.
Not Mejiro McQueen either.
But…
Flightline.
The tallest Uma Musume in every sense, the second strongest in the group, that two-meter mountain of muscle—
She was actually the one most severely affected by airsickness?
This fact had left Gotham Song torn between amusement and helplessness. It wasn't until they'd boarded the plane that she fully understood why Secretariat had insisted that she pack extra airsickness pills, or even some sleeping medication.
Was Secretariat mocking Gotham Song's supposed low tolerance for flights? Certainly not. Secretariat knew very well that apart from getting so bored that she occasionally played pranks on her companions, Gotham Song had absolutely no discomfort whatsoever with flying.
At the time, Gotham Song had even been baffled by Secretariat's strange advice. But once aboard—no, once seated—she'd finally, completely understood.
Initially, Gotham Song had intended to quietly enjoy her first-class cabin. Thanks to her comfortable financial situation, even when traveling alone she'd always booked first-class tickets, let alone for something as prestigious as the Dubai World Cup. The event organizers had generously covered all their flight expenses.
It was practically as if they'd booked out the entire first-class section.
However, trouble arose as soon as Flightline boarded. Initially seated at a more distant seat, Flightline had anxiously, repeatedly asked to swap with Neo Universe, who'd taken the seat next to Gotham Song. Perhaps Flightline's face had been too deathly pale, or her obvious anxiety had been too contagious—so Neo Universe, after some deliberation, had given up her spot under Gotham Song's incredulous gaze.
At that point, there were still a few minutes before takeoff. Flightline, after sitting down, had behaved completely unlike her usual self—desperately trying to maintain a constant dialogue with Gotham Song in an attempt to distract from her barely contained terror.
They weren't even airborne yet.
But when the plane began vibrating, when the wheels accelerated wildly, leaving the earth, as this marvel of technology roared skyward, Flightline suddenly went eerily silent beside Gotham Song.
A quick glance confirmed one clear fact: Flightline's eyes had completely died.
She'd totally lost responsiveness.
Understanding this, Gotham Song quietly instructed the flight attendant to have hot water ready at all times, awaiting the moment Flightline's strength completely collapsed—so she could give her the items Secretariat had specially instructed Gotham Song to bring along.
Sure enough, within ten minutes after takeoff, Flightline's complexion turned alarmingly strange. Thankfully, airsickness bags were standard even beyond first-class cabins, letting everyone breathe a sigh of relief.
From then on, the utterly lifeless-eyed, heavily medicated Flightline became the group's object of collective indulgence.
Ah, this kid really does feel like an actual child at times like this… was roughly Gotham Song's sentiment.
Yet, Gotham Song quickly grasped why Neo Universe had so readily given up the seat next to her to Flightline.
It was a long flight—after all, they were flying nonstop from New York to Dubai, meaning a long stretch of boredom. While Gotham Song was leisurely reading Van Gogh's novel, a warm body had brazenly nestled itself into her arms—
And even snatched her seatbelt, buckling both of them together.
Yup. Neo Universe.
So you'd been planning this from the very moment you gave up your seat, huh?!
But Gotham Song was helplessly indulgent regarding things like this. What could she say? As long as her roommate was happy, she didn't really mind.
In short, the flight was filled with strange yet oddly commonplace occurrences. For example, not long after Neo Universe left Gotham Song's embrace, Mejiro Ardan, from across the aisle, openly invited Gotham Song to her own seat.
Or when Donna passed by Flightline, openly and brazenly mocking the airsick weakling.
Anyway… poor Flightline. All these stories started because of you…!
Repent!
Gotham Song grew vaguely weary just recalling these scenes, so much so that by the time they'd landed, she was feeling mentally drained from the absurdities of the journey.
Thus, when Dancing Brave had asked her at the airport, Gotham Song's immediate response had been: let's hurry back to the hotel and rest.
Dancing Brave seemed mildly surprised by the answer but said nothing further. Instead, she glanced understandingly at Flightline, who looked half-dead, and led Gotham Song and the others onto transportation.
Dancing Brave naturally had a driver's license. Although the event organizers had offered chauffeurs, she'd declined, instead opting to bring Gotham Song and her group onto public transit—the subway.
It was only then that Dancing Brave finally found the chance to talk training matters with her younger half-protégé.
"Seems Donna and Flightline have officially joined your team, huh? Oh, Flightline I know very well—Secretariat has complained plenty to me about her."
"You knew? Then what did you say at the time?"
Dancing Brave smiled mysteriously, shifting slightly further away from Gotham Song.
"I told Secretariat that it was an unsolvable problem for her. There's only one Uma Musume in this world who can help Flightline unleash her full potential and overcome her current bottleneck. You know exactly who that is."
Gotham Song smiled faintly, raising a fist towards Dancing Brave as if seeking her answer through playful intimidation.
So, Secretariat didn't actually think I was suitable—this was actually your scheme?!
Fine, fine, you think moving away is gonna help you? Take this fist!
Gotham Song lunged forward dramatically, but strangely, Dancing Brave's expression turned subtly enigmatic, staring back with a look that clearly read: "Are you serious right now?"
Am I serious? Of course I'm serious!
"What's with that look?"
"What look do you expect? Did you forget where we are right now?"
Where were they? In Dubai… On Dubai's subway…?
Gotham Song's entire body locked up instantly in sheer embarrassment. Glancing around, she realized people were already watching them from a distance, their gazes curious and… gleeful.
Some were even eyeing Mejiro McQueen, entirely oblivious nearby.
Realizing this scene, if leaked, would spark yet another fan pairing frenzy, Gotham Song hurriedly returned to her seat. Still annoyed, she shot back what she believed to be a fierce glare at Dancing Brave.
Don't think this is over, you! Just wait till we're back at the hotel!
…Strange. Why do their stares suddenly seem even stranger?
And why is this Old Bastard grinning so oddly?
Gotham Song couldn't figure it out. Peeking again, she noticed even more stares now fixed inexplicably on Mejiro McQueen—this was definitely abnormal!
Something unknown to me must've happened…
Wait, could it be…
Her and McQueen?
Thinking this, Gotham Song quickly took out her phone, opening a certain bookmarked website:
[Gotham Song CP Fan Logistics Headquarters]
Sure enough, clicking open the discussion board, she immediately found new gossip:
[New Gotham Song × Dancing Brave content just dropped! See, I always knew this teacher-student relationship wasn't normal. Teehee~]
Top comments included gems like:
[Wow, lovers' quarrel?! Dancing Brave-san is such a husband…]
And:
[Noooo! McQueen-san is literally right there—this is betrayal! Betrayal!!]
Gotham Song suddenly knew precisely how to describe her mood—
Tamamo's sake… this cursed CP actually exists!