The path to saving the world was astonishingly simple…
Alright, upon stepping into Snack Street, Gotham Song realized with deep regret that she'd arrived too late.
All the familiar shop signs along the street had changed, entirely replaced by names Gotham Song had never seen before.
Well… specifically, she meant the buffet restaurants, not all the eateries.
After all, no matter how mature Uma Musume might appear, they never mistreated themselves when it came to food and physical well-being. Coupled with the fact that most Uma Musume at Central Tracen Academy were essentially children at heart, these cute, innocent fillies would never neglect their taste buds. Whenever they weren't training or resting, they'd wander off to Snack Street, providing stable business for the surrounding shops.
Thus, the small snack shops that sold items individually remained perfectly fine.
Then, exactly what had vanished into thin air?
It was…the buffet restaurants.
It seemed that in the end, those kind-hearted owners hadn't been able to bring themselves to stick up signs reading "Special Week and Oguri Cap Forbidden Entry," choosing instead to heroically sacrifice themselves entirely.
Namu-san, what a brutal battlefield indeed.
After offering her highest respects to those noble store owners, Gotham Song leisurely walked down Snack Street with Neo Universe, taking in the scenery and enjoying this rare moment of freedom.
But how to describe it…?
Actually, Gotham Song had once chatted with some restaurant owners about this very topic, and the answers she received were quite unexpected.
None of those restaurant owners were short on money at all. After so many years of operating near Central Tracen, if they weren't exactly rolling in cash, they'd certainly made enough to live comfortably. In fact, a few of them were at the age where retirement or returning home to enjoy their later years was already an option.
Yet they stayed—purely because seeing batch after batch of young Uma Musume year after year genuinely warmed their hearts. It was about that happiness, not about worrying if they'd be eaten into poverty.
Although, strictly speaking, Oguri Cap might actually be capable of causing such a disaster. But honestly, if it was Oguri Cap, a few of those owners might secretly be delighted.
After all, that was the beloved Oguri Cap they'd adored for so long…!
That was roughly how things stood.
When Oguri Cap entered their stores, it wasn't the fear of going bankrupt that worried them. Instead, they panicked at the thought that they might fail to serve their idol adequately—a peculiar and entirely unexpected reason.
Hence, seeing the buffet shops closed down filled Gotham Song with nothing more than helpless resignation, lacking any deeper emotional turmoil.
Besides, when she'd previously asked Oguri Cap herself about what she'd do if that ever happened, that gray-haired dummy had answered earnestly: "I'd absolutely compensate them." Remembering this, there really wasn't much to worry about anymore.
After wandering aimlessly around Snack Street for quite a while, Gotham Song finally took Neo Universe's hand and casually strolled back toward the school gates just before noon.
Only, at this moment, Gotham Song encountered someone unexpected.
Silence Suzuka appeared before her, alongside Special Week.
Special Week… Now, there was an especially memorable name. Or perhaps Special Week had been something like a guide, back when Gotham Song's understanding of this world was still quite shallow?
At any rate, Gotham Song went up to greet them.
But that was really all there was to it. Silence Suzuka seemed delighted by Gotham Song's appearance, looking almost eager to engage—but Gotham Song didn't offer much response beyond some simple pleasantries. Afterward, they each continued on to their original destinations.
Entering the academy, Gotham Song didn't wait long outside the Central Student Council's room before spotting the Uma Musume she'd truly been waiting for.
Tokai Teio seemed to be in extremely good spirits, bouncing along cheerfully while holding two cups of drinks in her hands, as if planning to head straight into the student council room to share something delightful.
Noticing this, Gotham Song quietly pulled Neo Universe into a nearby classroom and began stealthily observing from afar.
What exactly was Tokai Teio holding?
With such a cheerful look on her face, and carrying drinks for two, who was she going to find in the student council room, and what did she intend to do?
Gotham Song thought she might be wrong, though being mistaken seemed unlikely. But even if she was wrong, she could just pretend this moment never happened, right?
With this mindset, Gotham Song watched Tokai Teio enter the student council room, then stealthily approached and pressed her ear to the door…
She clearly heard a forced, hesitant reply, accompanied immediately afterward by heavy breathing, as though the speaker faced a life-or-death trial.
Hehehe, even Symboli Rudolf has days like this… How does it feel right now, hmm? How does it feel, Rudolf!
Sure enough, stereotypes exist for a reason. If you guessed according to stereotypes, you'd often coincidentally end up witnessing scenes exactly like this…
She was truly curious now—what kind of expression did Symboli Rudolf have at this moment?
For the record, Gotham Song wasn't someone who enjoyed others' misfortune, nor was she unhinged. Again, she wasn't a weirdo, truly not a weirdo… but still… Symboli Rudolf could actually show such a delicious expression?
Pushing open the door, Gotham Song saw clearly the bewildered Tokai Teio turning toward her, and on the opposite side, Symboli Rudolf, who—finally free from being stared at directly—had slightly stuck out her tongue as if desperately tasting the air for relief.
Hmm, looks like today's winner is once again the adorable kouhai Tokai Teio…
Why did Gotham Song feel that, if these two ever had an argument, Tokai Teio's method of punishment might be a super-double-strength honey drink… or perhaps this was a subtle way of signaling a rare desire for reconciliation?
If you truly want to make up with Teio-sama, then obediently drink it all down… Uwah!
Gotham Song herself had no idea why such a terrifying and disturbing thought would enter her head, but while she was still lost in thought, Tokai Teio had already leaped across the room, throwing herself directly into Gotham Song's arms.
Immediately afterward came an embrace so enthusiastic it bordered on passionate.
"Song! You came back to Central Tracen!"
"Ahh—okay, okay, Teio, let go already. I can hardly breathe."
Maybe not overly enthusiastic—or rather, fanatical—considering Gotham Song had returned to Central once before after coming back to Japan. But even so, Tokai Teio's hug remained extremely tight, clearly ecstatic over Gotham Song's return.
This kid, Tokai Teio, reacted exactly this way every single time, didn't she?
However, remembering she was this Tokai Teio, suddenly made it less reassuring… Though there hadn't been any clear signs yet, what if—just what if…
…What if the Tokai Teio right by her side was actually the "abstract version" of Teio?
Geh, just imagining something like that was terrifying enough—Gotham Song didn't dare think further.
It shouldn't… shouldn't be possible, right? After all, she'd never shown anything remotely close to that, and their relationship wasn't intimate enough for such things to occur.
Gotham Song comforted herself this way, finally calming down her racing thoughts. She lightly patted Tokai Teio's shoulder as a hint.
Tokai Teio obediently let go of Gotham Song, returning to her original spot.
"Hehe, Teio-sama has won plenty of first places recently, although there were a few… unexpected incidents. Ah, anyway, did you watch them, Song? Teio-sama's races?"
"Of course I watched. Especially your first race after the New Year—I couldn't believe another incident happened."
Gotham Song usually watched all races involving those close to her, but Tokai Teio was especially worth paying attention to. The reason was rather simple:
Tokai Teio's history with injuries was just too impressively memorable.
Seeing Tokai Teio suffer yet another incident in the very first race of her senior year, landing herself back in the hospital, Gotham Song could only sigh and accept that perhaps these were the trials one must endure to become a true Emperor.
But then, around the time of Gotham Song's Dubai World Cup, Tokai Teio had once again pulled off a miraculous phoenix-like comeback—this time even earlier than Gotham Song's memories indicated she should have. All Gotham Song could think was…
Did her presence, someone outside of the original story, somehow catalyze this growth in Teio-san?
Mm, if that's the case, it's surely a good thing.
Giving up on these thoughts, Gotham Song glanced at Symboli Rudolf, who had now recovered and was calmly resting her chin on one hand, as if nothing had happened, maintaining her usual noble and aloof demeanor.
Hehe, this one's still more amusing… no, rather, still the more dignified option. But, Rudolf-senpai, you don't think posing like this means I'll forget everything I saw earlier, do you?
Even though she regrettably hadn't gotten the chance to snap a picture, every detail of that moment was perfectly etched into Gotham Song's memory.
That adorable expression.
Gotham Song's gaze gradually filled with playful malice. Symboli Rudolf noticeably frowned, then cleared her throat softly. Obviously, she was aware Gotham Song had clearly witnessed everything, so she awkwardly searched for an appropriate subject to shift the conversation.
Who would want someone constantly reminding them with probing eyes of an embarrassing scene they'd just experienced?!
"By the way, Song, even if you don't want to be the Student Council President, how about at least joining in name? If you don't participate at all, it really makes things difficult for us on the council."
The Central Tracen Student Council was comprised exclusively of Uma Musume with exceptional talent and reputation. Though rarely mentioned, figures like Oguri Cap—or indeed, any Uma Musume who held prominence within the racing world—inevitably joined while studying at Central Tracen.
This was Symboli Rudolf formally extending an invitation to Gotham Song:
Yes, you're an Uma Musume from America, and yes, you're part of the International Committee, but you're still technically a student of Central Tracen, correct?
In that case, it was only natural to invite her, even if only nominally, right?
It made perfect sense. Gotham Song nodded; it wasn't a big deal and was definitely within the range of acceptability.
After all, there was an informal yet openly acknowledged rule at Central: if someone joined the Student Council in name only, they'd never be considered a candidate for Student Council President.
In other words, Gotham Song would simply have her name on the list, not truly entering into student council affairs. Just a name, very casually.
"I'll think it over and give you an answer later, Rudolf-san."
"Very well. Then, how long do you plan on staying this time?"
Seeing her topic-shift succeed, Symboli Rudolf visibly relaxed, smoothly asking another question that Tokai Teio also seemed very interested in.
"How long, huh… probably until Gentildonna's races temporarily finish, or maybe after I handle some other matters… Definitely before the Breeders' Cup?"
Gotham Song was genuinely uncertain. She herself was somewhat confused about how long she'd stay, but at least she'd given a rough, definite timeframe.
After all, she absolutely intended to follow Gentildonna's races closely—she was, after all, Gotham Song's very first Uma Musume trainee. Or rather, whenever any of her own trainees raced, Gotham Song always put forth her utmost effort.
As for after Gentildonna finished racing, Gotham Song would probably need to start preparing for the Breeders' Cup, wouldn't she?
I'll have to check my schedule again carefully later… Mm.
"I see. Well, can you give me your answer within this week? I'll arrange the necessary formalities promptly. Also—about the URA, and what you plan to do regarding the Japan Cup?"
When Symboli Rudolf asked these questions, she and Gotham Song instantly shifted into a businesslike atmosphere. Actually, the moment Rudolf asked, she was already clearly expressing her stance:
URA was truly damned; in any case, it would soon be dismantled again under pressure from the Symboli and Mejiro families. As for the Japan Cup, when did Gotham Song intend to forgive it?
Indeed, although Gotham Song didn't know much of the details, she knew Mejiro Ramonu-neesan currently wasn't busy handling family affairs so much as tirelessly working toward URA's downfall—and the Symboli family was the same.
Apparently, this had something to do with the advice they'd received from Secretariat: something like, "Uma Musume racing should be controlled by the Uma Musume themselves." Gotham Song didn't quite understand, but she also had no intention of interfering.
However, forgiving the Japan Cup… indeed, the Japan Cup itself was actually quite irrelevant, so Rudolf asking about it made sense.
Gotham Song sank into thought momentarily. She sat quietly, glancing at Neo Universe, then at Tokai Teio, before finally responding:
"I suppose… either when someone beats me in the Japan Cup, or when I retire."
Until then, anyone who tried could keep dreaming!
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