In short, the farce finally ended completely, even though Satono Diamond ultimately followed Gotham Song back to Mejiro Manor—
But Mejiro Ramonu descended like a goddess from above, immediately and indisputably sending both Satono Diamond and Vernal Equinox straight back to their rooms.
This development almost brought Gotham Song to tears of gratitude, and then—and then...
And then, what exactly happened after that?
It was indeed true that Satono Diamond and Vernal Equinox hadn't climbed into Gotham Song's bed. But instead, after Gotham Song had finished washing up, it was Mejiro Ramonu who gently wrapped her arms around Gotham Song's waist, pulling her into a soft embrace as they lay side-by-side on the bed.
Hmm…
So, in the end, things turned out like this instead?
Hmm… Why does it still feel like something's off?!
Gotham Song raised her head to glance at her elder sister, only to find Mejiro Ramonu quietly staring back at her as well.
"Come to think of it, isn't this the first time I've lain down with you like this, Song?"
"…With Ramonu-neesan… it really is the first time, isn't it?!"
In a daze, Gotham Song finally became aware of this fact. Though she often embraced other Uma Musume when sleeping—Neo Universe and Mejiro Ardan being the most frequent—when it came to her own eldest sister, Mejiro Ramonu, it seemed it really had never happened before…?
"You know, even someone like me would occasionally feel jealous about things like this?"
"Is—is that so?"
Just "occasionally," you say, my dear sister? Shouldn't you take a moment to consider your current expression before making such a statement?!
Gotham Song couldn't say it aloud, and perhaps Mejiro Ramonu herself didn't even realize—but as the one being hugged, forced to directly confront that face, Gotham Song could see everything crystal clear…!
Mejiro Ramonu's current expression was dark, intimidating, even somewhat terrifying. Though admittedly there was something rather adorable hidden there, an aura silently saying "hurry and soothe me"—still, after all…
This was Mejiro Ramonu making such a face!
In a certain sense, potentially even scarier than Satono Diamond!
Though after experiencing so many things, Gotham Song was certain she was in a perfectly normal world-line—not a twisted "Trapcen" one, but rather the legitimate "Tracen" reality—but even so…
A tree lives by its bark, a person lives by reputation—when confronted with Mejiro Ramonu's frightening, gloomy expression full of blatant possessiveness, Gotham Song couldn't help but feel at least a little scared.
However, this was still her own eldest sister. Calm down, calm down—if she just thought rationally…
"After all, I'm always flying around the world, right? So isn't it natural that when I'm home, I want to cuddle with my dear sister—?"
"When did you become such a smooth-talker?"
Oh, young Mejiro Ramonu, if you wish to pretend you're not too delighted, please remember not to smile quite so obviously?
Whew, thank goodness. Looks like I safely survived after all. Safe, safe.
"Hehe, but it's all the truth. Why would I ever lie to my own sister?"
Why would I ever lie to my own sister~!
Though Mejiro Ramonu didn't want to outwardly appear too delighted, her subconscious actions—pressing even closer to Gotham Song—betrayed her completely.
Even Ramonu herself was rather surprised by this, since she only became aware of her uncontrollable actions after she'd already moved closer.
Forget it. After all, being next to Song, such reactions were probably natural, weren't they?
My own little sister, always causing me worries, yet somehow radiating this irresistible charm that makes you want to draw closer, stay pressed together, and simply enjoy each other's presence—even if you do nothing else, just being together feels so soothing… Was she a witch in some past medieval life?
Even if she were a witch, she'd still need to be protected properly.
"But Song, aren't you being a bit too soft-hearted?"
"Eh? I don't understand what you mean by that—really don't understand at all~"
Pretending to play dumb, huh…
But that attitude clearly wouldn't work, right? Though Mejiro Ramonu certainly didn't mind repeatedly helping Gotham Song handle scenes like today's, if her younger sister never made a firm decision herself, sooner or later—perhaps when Mejiro Ramonu wasn't around—what if something terrible were to happen?
She absolutely needed Song to realize: being constantly surrounded by juniors' blazing affections, yet remaining unable to find a clear answer, was a thoroughly bad thing.
"Song, listen very carefully. Sooner or later, you must decisively face this situation."
"At the very least, train those two kids properly until they obediently accept your every word."
Whoa, Ramonu-nee-san, didn't you just say something rather terrifying there?!
But after a short silence, Gotham Song quickly gathered her scattered thoughts and adopted a seriously earnest expression.
"I understand, Ramonu-neesan. I just need a bit more time. Just wait a little… nothing unexpected will happen, don't worry."
Nothing unexpected will happen, huh…
Honestly, if anyone else had said that, Mejiro Ramonu absolutely would not believe them. She was that kind of person—always cautious, maintaining a vigilance that would never disappear, no matter the situation.
But it really was incredible. The human heart was truly a mysterious thing… Why say this?
Because that final vigilance, which she always held towards everyone else, had completely vanished the moment Gotham Song asked her sincerely to trust her. Mejiro Ramonu couldn't even find words for rebuttal, only firmly and directly falling silent.
If it's Song who asks me to trust her… then there's no choice but to trust her no matter what, is there? Truly, Song, your words seem to hold magical power.
"Since Song herself has said so, then I have no choice but to trust you completely… I'll look forward to it, you know? To the day Song finally gives a perfect answer."
"Shh, enough talking now—it's already late. Shouldn't we rest now?"
"Ah, yes. You're right… Good night, Ramonu-neesan."
"Mm. Good night, Song."
Since Ramonu-nee-san trusts me this much… I really have no reason to fail, do I? Although, right now, I still don't have any idea how to resolve it…
Her mind wandered restlessly, but eventually Gotham Song fell into a dreamless sleep.
When she awoke, Mejiro Ramonu was already gone, but the corners of the blankets were tucked securely, leaving no gap for even a breath of outside air.
Ramonu-nee-san is always like this—vanishing quietly the moment she wakes up, movements so gentle they never disturb anyone. Though, maybe it's also due to Gotham Song's exceptionally good sleep quality?
In any case, when she finally got up, Gotham Song found Mejiro Ardan already waiting patiently outside her door.
At this moment, her gentle older sister didn't say much; she simply took Song's hand softly and led her toward the dining area.
"I've already sent that Miss Satono back home, you know? Next time you have contact with her, please call me along if possible, Song?"
What's this strange feeling… why does it feel like Diamond-chan has become the common enemy of the entire Mejiro Manor? Weird… Is it just my imagination?
Though she thought this to herself, Gotham Song finally nodded. After all, bringing along her own Ardan-nee-san didn't seem like anything inappropriate anyway.
By the time they reached the dining table downstairs, there were already few people left around. Gentildonna and Vernal Equinox had left early as usual to train. Right now, only a handful remained inside the manor:
Song, Ardan, and Manhattan Cafe.
"Well, well, little brat—I've found something really extraordinary. You'll definitely be curious about this one~!"
Just as Gotham Song sat down, she was confronted by the sudden, aggressive arrival of Old Bastard No. 1—Sunday Silence herself. However, such an introduction was indeed effective enough to fully ignite Gotham Song's curiosity.
Something extraordinary… and something I'll absolutely be curious about? If you say it like that, of course I'm going to be curious. So, what exactly is it?
Seeing Gotham Song's intrigued expression, Sunday Silence merely gave a mysterious smirk.
Notably, after disappearing briefly during the previous Japan Cup incident and then regaining her mobility, it seemed Sunday Silence's ghostly presence had weakened somewhat; now she could be visible to anyone—even those lacking special talents—whenever she wished.
According to her own words, it was because the wish and miracle she'd received from Gotham Song was of exceptionally high quality. In any case, when Sunday Silence flew past in mid-air, Mejiro Ardan was able to clearly see her as well.
Naturally, Ardan had also heard clearly what Sunday Silence had said moments ago.
Actually, within Mejiro Manor, there were still a few people who remained completely unaware of Sunday Silence's existence! According to Miss Ghost herself, wasn't it better this way? Someday, when she felt bored enough, she could pop out and scare them to death…
Truly a ghost with horribly bad taste—that was Sunday Silence.
But no one present seemed particularly bothered by such trivialities. Instead, they followed the path along which Sunday Silence flew back, and their eyes landed on a projected screen that had been conveniently unfolded near the dining area.
The information displayed on the screen immediately aroused Gotham Song's curiosity—in every possible sense.
The content was simple but explosive:
It was a promotional poster for a fan convention in America. But the important part wasn't the convention itself—it was the several "Uma Musume" featured on the poster.
There was one figure Gotham Song had seen before—the existence who had looked suspiciously similar to herself. But aside from her, the rest of the figures…
Without exception, they were all Uma Musume who were supposed to appear in the upcoming Dream Cup—the legendary runners who had already passed away.
But since it was just a fan convention poster, they should merely be some incredibly authentic cosplayers at best, right? Was there really any reason to pay attention?
Yet, upon closer inspection, Gotham Song quickly abandoned that initial assumption, becoming extremely serious.
The reason was simple—
The cosplayer who had previously dressed as her current self had switched roles.
To whom, exactly?
From Gotham Song to Twilight Song—from her current self back to her past.
It was precisely because of this that Gotham Song deeply realized something important—why, when she first saw the cosplayer, had she felt such a strong resemblance, yet something subtly off?
Because from the very start, the figure's appearance was entirely Twilight Song, completely and utterly Twilight Song, without even the tiniest deviation or difference!
Now, after donning Twilight Song's Racing Outfit, the Uma Musume in the image looked exactly like her—not just similar in form, but perfectly in spirit as well. She looked precisely like the unyielding, radiant girl who once walked proudly out from the Arc de Triomphe!
And that was a photo without any trace of editing! Not to mention, this perfectly identical legendary figure wasn't alone—every one of them was the same…!
Except for Eclipse, whose image couldn't be accurately verified due to the era, all the other legendary Uma Musume on the poster—those standing prominently in the center—were precisely the historical figures who would run in the Dream Cup!
"They're really alike… No, rather, apart from Ruka herself, I don't think anyone could produce a photo like that."
Beside her, the equally stunned Mejiro Ardan quietly voiced her thoughts. Hearing this, Gotham Song confirmed her own suspicions even further.
After all, Mejiro Ardan knew her better than anyone. If even Ardan-neesan thought like this, then there was no doubt—the Uma Musume in the promotional image really was Twilight Song herself, who would run in the Dream Cup—the version of herself from the past…
This was the only explanation!
What a terrifying, unsettling reality… The Dream Cup hadn't even begun, yet these figures had already begun stepping into reality?
Gotham Song quickly began to think, cupping her chin in her palms, falling deeply into silence. Within this atmosphere, Mejiro Ardan quietly approached and stood gently beside her.
"Do you remember what I said before, Song? Maybe directly confronting her is actually the better choice?"
Words spoken by Mejiro Ardan herself… Indeed, since she was truly standing right here, perhaps there wasn't any reason to hesitate at all?
Manhattan Cafe, standing to the side, didn't say anything. She knew this wasn't her moment to speak up. Yet she also moved quietly closer, though in a more direct gesture of support compared to Mejiro Ardan.
She embraced Gotham Song tenderly from behind.
"It's alright, Song. No matter what happens, you'll always be Song. Everything else, no matter what it might be, won't affect me in the slightest."
For Manhattan Cafe, it made no difference whether it was Song or Twilight Song. Because from the very beginning, the person she truly cared about—the person who'd appeared before her—had never once been Twilight Song.
From the very start, Song was just Song!
So just face it bravely, because your older sisters will always stand beside you.
We'll always, always stand beside you.
---
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