Victory was certain of course.
In fact, Gotham Song could have made her move much earlier, easily throwing Sakhee far behind—but precisely because it would've been so effortless, a rare sense of mischievous amusement rose in her heart.
No—perhaps it should be said, in such a fitting scenario, wasn't it perfectly reasonable for her to provide a bit of practical instruction to the younger Uma Musume from her own team who were watching right now?
Gotham Song herself was keenly aware that, compared to naturally born Uma Musume, she—a latecomer halfway into the world of racing—was lacking in many ways.
The most obvious point had been pondered countless times by Dancing Brave, who could only deeply sigh and wonder: Had Gotham Song's incredible talent and overwhelming performance been paid for by sacrificing all intelligence?
In any case, compared to monsters like Haya of Stars, who could genuinely visualize and benefit from meditation training, Gotham Song even lagged behind Donna in tactical racing strategies.
Therefore, what was the most genuinely useful and meaningful thing Trainer Gotham Song could teach the young Uma Musume in her team?
Naturally, it was the immensely rich experience she'd gained from countless battles as a legendary Uma Musume—experience that would make any racer drool with envy…!
Thus, in this specific scenario, what method was the safest, most effective, and most decisive way to conclusively end a race?
Vernal-chan, Donna, Flightline—the three of you are watching closely, right?
Holding tightly onto this idea, Gotham Song had suppressed the urge to suddenly burst forward until exactly the moment when Sakhee glanced back. Only then did she explode into motion.
Actually, in an Uma Musume race, pure speed alone was never the determining factor. Sakhee's interception strategy was a perfect example: if Gotham Song wasn't such a stamina monster, any ordinary racer—even one with incredible speed but limited endurance—would've been stopped cold by Sakhee's tactics, rendering their terrifying speed useless.
Therefore, the correct method was exactly what Gotham Song had just demonstrated—steadily increasing her speed, forcing the blocking Uma Musume to match pace and increase her own stamina drain, then selecting the perfect moment in a bend to find a suitable opportunity to break through.
So—after the breakthrough, what should one do next?
Wasn't it obvious at a glance? The racetrack was wide open, wasn't it?
Then, it's time to launch straight into the sky from here!
"Sakhee still wants to intercept, but it's completely useless! Gotham Song easily tears through her defenses—completely unstoppable! Absolutely unstoppable! Sakhee—Sakhee—Sakhee-san can't block her at all! These strides are too powerful—no Uma Musume can possibly stand before them!"
"If Gotham Song wished, she might even leave every Uma Musume in the entire world behind her!"
"Who else can stop her? Who can possibly stop her now?!"
The one capable of stopping me…simply doesn't exist in this world, right?!
Gotham Song grinned savagely as she flung Sakhee far behind, spreading silver flames across the entire track with each step. From the instant she had decided to run, hadn't this already become a stage for her alone?
As for all the remaining challengers—those reckless fools—why not just disappear directly within these blazing flames!
Those who get in my way—don't ever dare appear before my eyes again.
Gotham Song joyously and indulgently surged forward. No one could come close to her back; no Uma Musume could ever force her into even a hint of distress. No Uma Musume could halt her advance. Amidst this burning desert heat, she'd decisively crushed every pre-race concern about her ability to adapt to dirt racing.
A refreshingly dominating victory, serving as the perfect finale to the day's enthusiastic cheers.
After managing to escape from the post-race interviews, where she had directly denied reporters' inquiries about a Winner's Concert appearance—eliciting disappointed sighs—Gotham Song finally broke free from the disappointed gazes of the lingering crowd.
From their expressions, it was clear these reporters genuinely regretted Gotham Song's decision not to perform at the Winner's Concert. They looked as if they'd traveled all the way to Dubai not only for their jobs but because they sincerely wished to see Gotham Song's race with their own eyes.
In any case, shaking off the strange thoughts filling her head, Gotham Song finally found a moment to enter the preparation room—a place both familiar yet completely unfamiliar to her.
Of course, this was the first time she'd actually come here.
The preparation room was typically a place for Uma Musume who chose to change into their Racing Outfits only after arriving at the track, or for those who'd arrived early to rest briefly. Gotham Song, however, had directly worn her Racing Outfit all the way from her hotel to the track, waiting in the contestants' passage until the start of the race, naturally bypassing this room entirely.
So why, then, did she call the preparation room both familiar and unfamiliar?
Though it was Gotham Song's first time stepping into the preparation room, the people closest to her had long been waiting inside. Given that, it naturally couldn't count as an entirely unfamiliar place, right?
Actually, unlike what many might imagine, the lounge area was always well maintained, without even a trace of dust. Gotham Song could comfortably lean against her big sisters and rest for a bit.
This was infinitely softer and more comfortable than any chair could ever be!
Usually, one would just leave and head straight back to the hotel, but since the race had already ended and they'd come all this way to Dubai, the Uma Musume around her certainly wouldn't coop themselves up in the hotel like before the race started.
Gotham Song had even found time to go and enjoy herself at the water park for an entire afternoon!
So, staying behind in the preparation room now was mostly to discuss what to do next, as well as where to hold a victory celebration dinner tonight.
Nearby, the Uma Musume were already noisily chattering away. Vernal-chan, Mejiro Ardan, and Manhattan Cafe were naturally quiet, while Donna, who never seemed interested in talking much, simply stayed by Gotham Song's side without a word.
Unexpectedly, this time it was Flightline and Mejiro McQueen who started arguing.
Flightline seemed extremely eager to wander Dubai's streets aimlessly, exploring wherever looked interesting, whereas Mejiro McQueen clearly had specific shops she wanted to visit and was desperately trying to convince this unpredictable troublemaker.
However, how could McQueen, trying so hard to maintain the graceful demeanor of a proper young lady, possibly stand up to the street-punk-like Flightline, who didn't care a bit about elegance or decorum?
Especially when Flightline stood two meters tall, radiating an overwhelming presence just by existing!
Damn, how could a young, not-yet-debuted Uma Musume possibly reach two meters tall? Is this even reasonable?!
So, in the end, victory naturally belonged to Mejiro McQueen.
Hey, don't blink—wasn't this the obvious result? After arguing back and forth, the two of them finally settled on a compromise: let the person both of them trusted most in the current situation make the decision. Seeing the argument suddenly aimed her way, Gotham Song was left utterly speechless, so she simply offered a suggestion that instantly crashed both of their brains:
"You two have been arguing for so long—can't we just wander around first? If we find something good, we'll eat there and then get dessert afterward. If not, we can always head directly to McQueen's place for dinner and dessert?"
Needless to say, not only was the perpetually thick-headed Flightline left stunned, but even Mejiro McQueen, whose temper had been thoroughly inflamed by this giant Uma Musume, completely froze on the spot.
"Uh...that makes sense."
"You—Flightline-san, it'd be best if you didn't talk anymore."
Mm, McQueen's face flushed red, and her lips quickly sealed shut. Realizing the embarrassed state of her dear sister, Gotham Song gave a helpless laugh and announced that they should head out, leading this noisy group onto the streets of Dubai.
Dubai was exceedingly modern—or rather, Dubai had become so modernized that even Meydan Racecourse, despite its history, now found itself within the bustling city center. Gotham Song wasn't entirely sure if the world she came from would ever see something like this happen, but in the current era of Uma Musume, it was completely normal.
So, Flightline was left bitterly disappointed when she found none of the mysterious alleyways and hidden eateries she'd been imagining. Surrounded by skyscrapers and modern shopping malls, Flightline's face twisted into an expression of complete dismay.
This totally doesn't match the plot I imagined in my head at all!!
Still, Gotham Song led everyone wandering around for nearly an hour before Flightline finally admitted defeat. At that point, they entered the place Mejiro McQueen had picked out.
Dinner passed quickly, but eating the meal itself wasn't really the highlight. They'd entered just as the sun began setting, yet by the time they left, it was already extremely late—well past when any young filly should've been asleep.
Of course, it wasn't because they'd spent the whole night eating—Gotham Song and the others weren't Oguri Cap from some alternate world. Rather, after dinner ended, they'd leisurely enjoyed desserts with Mejiro McQueen, who seemed utterly absorbed in the sweet experience.
Although—perhaps it was just Gotham Song's imagination, but she couldn't shake the feeling that her beloved sister was developing a distinctly rounder shape?
Ah, forget it. No matter how you look at her, my little sister should still be as sharp as a freshly sharpened blade—turning into a sphere or whatever is clearly impossible, right? Even if she did put on some weight, it wouldn't matter at all—she'd still be utterly adorable.
I'll just keep spoiling her. Not like I can't afford it.
Back at the hotel, sinking into her soft, fluffy bed, Gotham Song didn't even immediately change out of her Racing Outfit.
Though it was undeniably the absolute most comfortable clothing possible for an Uma Musume, after a moment of hesitation, Gotham Song sluggishly rose from the bed, removed her Racing Outfit, and placed it neatly by the door for professional cleaning.
After all, running at high speed in Dubai's intense heat, sweat was unavoidable. She felt certain that if she didn't have it washed before midnight, she'd suddenly transform into some gross, unkempt Uma Musume!
After a quick bath, Gotham Song slipped comfortably into bed, wearing only a thin nightgown. She intended to relax and sort out her plans for the next few days, after which she'd finally drift off to sleep—
Just at that moment, her phone, placed by her bedside, let out a soft notification. Picking it up casually, Gotham Song saw a rather unfamiliar name on the screen.
[Vivlos Loves Big Sis Best!]:Is Big Sis Song already asleep? Hehe, you were so amazing today!!
[Song's Lament]:Hmm? Did Vivlos watch it too? Well then, I'll gladly accept your praise.
The nickname was basically her name—Vivlos. It seemed she still hadn't gone to sleep at this late hour. In truth, Gotham Song had already added Vivlos as a contact earlier, after leaving the water park. She simply hadn't expected the child to reach out now.
Still, unexpectedly receiving admiration and praise from a fan felt incredibly sweet.
[Vivlos Loves Big Sis Best!]:Hehe, um, Big Sis Song... Are you going back to Japan soon? If you are, could we maybe go together?!
[Please!!!]
Three exclamation marks even—clearly, Vivlos very much wanted to travel back with Gotham Song. But thinking about it, the request didn't conflict with her schedule at all.
It was already March now, and what did she have planned for April?
Donna, who'd soon enter her classic year, would be attempting her first graded stakes race—the Oka Sho, the first leg of the Triple Tiara—but Gotham Song herself had nothing particular scheduled before then.
So considering it carefully, she could indeed head back to Japan early. It'd be a good chance to visit her older sister Ramonu, Tokai Teio who was recovering nicely, and perhaps even pay a visit to Ruby's home…
[Song's Lament]:Sure, that shouldn't be a problem at all. When I buy my ticket, I'll go ahead and buy tickets for you guys too. Anyway, tomorrow you can bring your mom and sister over, okay?
Gotham Song naturally had no reason to refuse. In fact, perhaps because Vivlos was simply too adorable and skilled at being spoiled, Gotham Song found herself rather fond of this softhearted filly. Agreeing to such a simple request was perfectly natural.
As for asking Vivlos to bring along Halwa Sweet and the others, it was simply because, as a child, Vivlos probably wouldn't have easy access to all their identification info. Directly contacting Halwa Sweet herself to sort out tickets was probably the most practical approach.
After Gotham Song gave her permission, Vivlos fell briefly silent, then followed up with a rapid-fire series of messages.
Although the messages themselves were many, their chaotic, overly-excited nature clearly expressed the young filly's boundless joy.
After waiting patiently for the excited little filly to finally calm down, Gotham Song promised the pony on the other side of the screen that they'd meet again soon—perhaps even tonight, in their dreams, for yet another adventure at the water park.
Oh, and that last suggestion was Vivlos's idea.