A week after returning to Japan, Gotham Song actually enjoyed a rare stretch of peaceful days.
There shouldn't be any risk at Mejiro Manor, right? Though Satono Diamond had indeed started showing up more frequently, other than her, everyone else remained largely unchanged—this realization made Gotham Song breathe a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, there are some changes, but not too many. At least these emotional monsters called Uma Musume aren't completely uncontrollable. It's probably still within the safe zone.
Probably... Yes, let's just treat it as safe.
Gotham Song didn't want to think deeper about it—no, she didn't dare. She completely skipped past that topic.
But how should it be described? Actually, her everyday life after returning to Japan wasn't all that different from her days back in New York.
Wake up, do daily training, guide Gentildonna, Flightline, and Vernal Equinox's workouts, then finish meals—that sort of thing.
The biggest change in these routines… might actually be Flightline?
At least, after Gotham Song's constant harsh scolding and training, Flightline—who used to frequently fail to finish races, and who'd go berserk whenever Gentildonna even glanced her way, recklessly trying to win through raw, uncontrolled speed—had finally become a bit less impulsive.
Though Flightline still often got herself hurt due to overly aggressive running and refusal to pace herself, it was now at least at an acceptable level.
In other words, Flightline had grown from being Gentildonna's absolute punching bag and toy, to someone who could at least somewhat fight back or, perhaps, had a slight possibility of struggling.
She'd evolved from a super-duper-ultra idiot to just a regular super idiot—no longer shattering at a single touch.
Could this be considered a reason for celebration?
Then, should she laugh about something like that?
At least Gotham Song couldn't laugh—especially when Flightline, who had previously possessed overwhelmingly superior stats, ended up utterly crushed by Vernal Equinox, a late-bloomer who was nearing the completion of her maturation and now towered imposingly. Witnessing such scenes, Gotham Song really couldn't find it in herself to laugh.
Flightline, oh Flightline… is that speed brain of yours completely stuffed with sawdust?! Just who turned you into such a colossal idiot—was it the Three Goddesses? It must've been the Three Goddesses, right?!
All in all, her team was currently caught in a very strange situation. If Flightline could keep her cool and stick to her intended rhythm during training races, she'd be absolutely dominant at shorter distances—but the problem was…
Flightline having a brain might be possible, but Flightline using that brain was nearly impossible. Never mind Gentildonna's provocations—just hearing Vernal Equinox's footsteps approaching from behind was enough to send Flightline into a panicked frenzy, wildly accelerating like a startled animal.
Gotham Song found this situation quite beyond her control, though the more experienced Dancing Brave seemed rather unfazed.
"Flightline is hopeless. The only thing you can do is pull all the fur off this troublesome kitty; only then will she show her true potential."
With Dancing Brave's guidance in mind, Gotham Song intensified Flightline's individual training—but the methods used were utterly inhumane. At least, the mere thought of training made Flightline's face go deathly pale, like Louis XVI marching toward the guillotine.
Gotham Song imposed a strict rule: Flightline was forbidden from running at her maximum speed during training races, restricted instead to only her cruising speed. Even the slightest acceleration would be counted as failure.
There wasn't much need to describe the gruesome details—but the results were undeniably excellent. Flightline even evolved temporarily into a depressive Flightline. Truly, what a joyous occasion.
Still, this was just a desperate measure. Gentildonna didn't need any guidance whatsoever—rather, Gentildonna herself often ended up teaching Gotham Song how to coach other Uma Musume.
After all, this was a mare who firmly believed strength was justice, someone who could easily blaze through any major race entirely on her own—the so-called legendary "fully automatic Uma Musume."
From pre-race preparations to her daily self-disciplined training and meticulous post-race analysis, Gentildonna could do it all perfectly by herself. Thus, Gotham Song often had to forcibly wrestle responsibilities away, pushing Donna into a corner where she only needed to focus on training and racing.
Otherwise, wouldn't it make me look like a totally useless Trainer?!
As for Vernal Equinox, even less attention was needed.
That child was terrifyingly obedient. Once a plan was made, she'd prioritize its completion above all else, then quietly return to Gotham Song's side, waiting silently for further instructions.
Thus, among two remarkably worry-free Uma Musume, Flightline had inevitably become Gotham Song's greatest headache.
Perhaps this was precisely why, despite enduring what could be considered unbearable pain, Flightline still obediently followed Gotham Song's every instruction.
Because she truly was the one who demanded Gotham Song's greatest effort.
It was just that, previously, Flightline had been rough and mistrusting—but after everything she'd witnessed in New York, she now fully understood just how capable, how formidable her Trainer was.
Perhaps there is really only one person capable of taming Flightline? If that's the case, then you'd better hold my reins tightly—no one else can have me, no one else is allowed to take me away…
Yet, amidst this noisy everyday life, two things had finally been decided.
Vernal Equinox would debut next year, while Flightline would return to New York at year's end for her own debut race.
After all, Flightline was clearly better suited to dirt tracks, and Japan simply didn't have such stages for her. Moreover—
The level of competition available in Japan was just too small for the current Flightline. Even now, Gotham Song was well aware:
If Flightline could control her temper on the racecourse, she'd have a genuine chance at victory even if placed directly onto the American Triple Crown stage at this very moment.
This was the level of strength possessed by an Uma Musume who hadn't even officially entered her maiden racing year yet!
Thus, from every conceivable angle, Flightline absolutely should return to America to challenge the Triple Crown.
Still, Gotham Song wasn't spending all her time at Mejiro Manor—she frequently chose to spend nights at Tracen Academy's dormitories.
Never mind that Agnes Tachyon and Tokai Teio were both still there—changing scenery occasionally was also nice. Plus, the dorms were comfortable enough.
Tokai Teio herself was also doing well. Having finally recovered to competition-level fitness, reborn once again from injury, she seemed utterly unchanged from before—her training, her energy, everything about her daily routine remained intensely fulfilling.
Such intensity inevitably made Gotham Song worry whether Tokai Teio's ankle might be injured again, pushing herself so fiercely once more.
Yet when Gotham Song voiced her concerns, Tokai Teio herself was much more open-minded.
"That possibility really can't be avoided, huh? But no matter what, I won't ever stop because of something like that, you know? After all, Teio-sama still has someone she absolutely needs to catch up to!"
Hmm, someone she absolutely needs to catch up to… If it had been a month ago, Gotham Song might've wondered who that could possibly be—but now, she could only awkwardly avert her gaze, dodging Tokai Teio's brilliantly sparkling eyes, eyes shining so intensely they could practically emit sparks.
Who could that person possibly be? Such a mystery…
"Besides, if Teio-sama stopped moving forward just because she was afraid of accidents, she wouldn't be able to call herself 'Teio-sama' anymore, would she? A Teio-sama like that would be so unfamiliar—it'd be scary!"
"So, Song, no matter what, Teio-sama will never stop—never, ever."
Tokai Teio's ankles were undeniably fragile. For an Uma Musume, ankles this fragile brought unparalleled explosive power, but also carried a curse-like vulnerability.
Great strength always comes with risks, doesn't it? But if she refused to use that strength out of fear, would Tokai Teio still be Tokai Teio?
Gotham Song was struck speechless—she couldn't find any way to deny Teio's words. In fact, it was precisely at that moment she found the answer to another lingering doubt in her heart.
Why hadn't Symboli Rudolf ever stopped Tokai Teio, even when she pushed herself beyond her limits?
Because when Tokai Teio had this kind of resolve, there was truly no one who could persuade her to stop.
On that afternoon, at the exact moment she realized this truth, Gotham Song felt she had finally seen clearly the incomparable beauty of Tokai Teio—an Uma Musume who shone brilliantly, transcending injuries and pain. Perhaps as a response, she had earnestly and seriously trained alongside Tokai Teio for the rest of that afternoon.
Still, time steadily moved forward, and soon, another event, long written on Gotham Song's schedule, was finally approaching.
Just what kind of event was it?
Late in the afternoon, as evening drew near, Gotham Song stood in her room, putting on the long gown she'd bought back in New York.
How could her current mood be described? Maybe it was impulse that had driven her to buy this dress back then—at that time, she'd still thought there'd be plenty of time before she'd actually have to wear it.
Yet now, having suddenly realized the appointed day had arrived, she couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
Time truly was both the cheapest and most precious thing of all.
Standing before the mirror, carefully smoothing out her gown and giving a twirl or two to confirm she looked alarmingly beautiful in every possible way, Gotham Song finally felt reassured.
In that brief moment, she picked up her phone, snapped a picture, added her usual tags, and uploaded it to her social media—a part of her daily cosplayer disguise routine.
Only after finishing this trivial task, which seemed to calm her nerves slightly, did Gotham Song take a deep breath, gradually stabilizing her mood and completing her preparations.
If I've already promised, then at this point there's nothing left to fear, right?
Though after rushed practice sessions she still felt her ballroom dancing was horrifyingly bad, ultimately, it was just one dance—if it was just one dance, then there really wasn't anything left to worry about, right?
But just what exactly was it that made Gotham Song treat it with such solemnity and nervousness?
Stepping out of Mejiro Manor's gates, Gotham Song climbed into a waiting black car, sitting anxiously as she waited for the vehicle to reach its destination.
When the car finally came to a halt, Gotham Song clearly saw the true reason behind this evening's journey.
Daiichi Ruby stood waiting at the door, also impeccably dressed. The two girls gently held hands, walking together towards the grand banquet hall.
"I'm sorry for troubling you with this, Song—for making you do this just to help me prove…"
"What are you even talking about? I'm here because I wanted to be, so there's no need to apologize. At least, right now, this is still private time, isn't it?"
Right now, it's still private time—so we can be a bit closer, right? Instead of having to worry about proper etiquette in front of so many people?
Daiichi Ruby certainly caught that meaning clearly, and compared to her usual careful replies, her response was straightforward and far simpler.
Her hand slipped into Gotham Song's, their fingers intertwining fully.
"Anyway, Ruby, can I ask you for a favor?"
"Say it, Song—I'll make sure it happens."
Gotham Song lifted her head, gazing softly at the moon now hanging high in the night sky, a slight smile tugging at her lips.
"Can I entrust the rest of today to you?"
"Of course… Of course you can, Song. I'll gladly accept that time—I'll never let it go to waste."
The grand doors of the banquet hall slowly drew closer into their view. Daiichi Ruby's home truly was unimaginably vast—but even the longest road eventually had its end.
"Ah, but Ruby, there's something I should probably warn you about beforehand."
"What is it…?"
"My dancing is probably still going to be just as terribly awful as usual, you know?"
"Pfft… It's alright. Just like I told you last time—I'll lead you, Song. That's exactly what I should do."
Indeed, this was precisely what Daiichi Ruby should, and would, naturally do.