In the end, Gotham Song reluctantly gave up on her worries—ironically comforted by Agnes Tachyon's own example.
Shouldn't I know this better than anyone else? Comparing tragic stories never ends well, but after all, Twilight Song herself stepped onto the racetrack fully prepared to die.
Of course, she couldn't possibly voice this out loud. Once Manhattan Cafe returned, the cousins concluded their visit and began walking home together.
Unusually, Sunday Silence maintained a somber silence throughout the journey. But considering that she was an actual ghost who'd personally brushed close to death, perhaps Agnes Tachyon's words had touched her more deeply. After all, she had been silently hovering above Gotham Song and Tachyon during their entire conversation.
Returning to their dorm, Gotham Song bid Manhattan Cafe farewell. Neo Universe, who had been patiently waiting, approached and thoughtfully handed Gotham Song her pajamas.
"Agnes Tachyon… she won't be able to run anymore, huh?"
"Yeah… Was it unavoidable?"
Neo Universe paused briefly, then shook her head.
"It wasn't guaranteed after the Satsuki Sho, no. But ultimately, Agnes Tachyon losing her ability to race was probably inevitable. She always gives everything she has on the track."
In truth, most Uma Musume who had made that kind of resolve wouldn't simply accept defeat; they'd sacrifice anything—even their own health—to seize victory. Such was the nature of their determination.
Faced with this harsh reality, what else could Gotham Song say? After finishing her nighttime routine, she climbed into bed, sleep quickly pulling her consciousness away.
"Oh, Song… if you decide to go jogging tomorrow morning, please remember to fix your hair."
Jogging in the morning? That shouldn't happen, right? While Gotham Song certainly trained hard, waking up early was the last thing she'd willingly do in this lifetime.
Still, since Neo Universe specifically mentioned it, she obediently mumbled agreement in her sleepy haze and tried to drift off again.
Neo Universe didn't push further, nor did she crawl into Gotham Song's bed as usual. Instead, she quietly returned to her own bed and curled up silently.
Yet, unusually, Gotham Song hardly managed to sleep at all. She drifted in and out of shallow slumber, never quite falling asleep completely.
After a restless night spent battling her covers to no avail, Gotham Song snapped back to awareness as rays of sunlight streamed brightly onto her face.
Damn, Neo Universe and I forgot to close the curtains!
Groaning, she sat upright with a huge yawn. Seeing Neo Universe still sound asleep, Gotham Song was suddenly struck by a daring impulse.
Maybe… I'll actually go jogging for once?
She must be crazy. By the time Gotham Song realized it, she was already halfway out the door with absolutely no memory of even washing her face.
But at the last moment, the filly in her sportswear rushed back into the bathroom.
Neo Universe reminded me specifically about my hair, so I should at least listen carefully.
As expected, several conspicuous strands of white hair peeked through, lurking in places that were impossible to miss.
Thanks again, Neo Universe.
After promptly eliminating this hidden danger with scissors, Gotham Song felt significantly more awake. Her curiosity stirred again—why had Neo Universe insisted on this precaution?
Was it because she'd encounter someone today? Who could it be?
If it's someone sensitive about hair color… it can't be Ardan-san, right? Or worse, maybe a surprise appearance from Mejiro Ramonu?
No way…
Caught up in wild speculation, Gotham Song descended the stairs and headed towards her familiar grassy field, soon noticing a potential loophole.
Neo Universe had only told her to fix her hair, not avoid going entirely—meaning it wasn't actually dangerous, and meeting whoever it was would probably be okay.
Yet, the moment Gotham Song stepped onto the track and froze on the spot, she regretted her optimism instantly.
Oh… Tokai Teio is also here for morning practice…
Tokai Teio. In a sense, one of the most famous Uma Musume from her previous life—star of the second anime season, a beloved undefeated genius, the unyielding emperor of the track.
But most importantly, the real-life Tokai Teio was Symboli Rudolf's descendant—father and son in racing terms, senior and junior in the Uma Musume universe.
Sound familiar?
Put simply, wherever Tokai Teio appeared, Symboli Rudolf was almost guaranteed to follow—like an overprotective father hovering nearby.
Gotham Song shivered slightly. Facing Rudolf-san, she indeed had to be cautious with her hair.
Thanks again, Neo Universe.
Still… Symboli Rudolf, huh?
She vividly recalled the utterly arrogant Rudolf she had met several times before. Even thinking about her now sent chills down Gotham Song's spine.
After all these years, with even Tokai Teio appearing, has Symboli Rudolf evolved from Emperor Rudolf into Luna yet?
Standing there, hesitating, she suddenly heard footsteps approaching from behind.
"You're… Gotham Song, the transfer student from America, right?"
That familiar yet unexpectedly gentle voice spoke up. Gotham Song turned slowly, craning her head upward.
Sure enough, it was her—Symboli Rudolf herself.
Their gazes locked, and both stood momentarily frozen. Rudolf's expression was unexpectedly tinged with sadness, causing Gotham Song's mind to spiral into confusion.
Wait… Emperor Rudolf, what's with that look?!
"You… truly resemble someone I once knew very well," Rudolf murmured softly.
"Someone important to you, President?" Gotham Song asked hesitantly.
She suddenly had a very bad feeling.
Is the person you're talking about… Twilight Song? Is it… me?
"Yes, extremely important. She promised me that she'd join this academy… but ultimately couldn't. It was my fault."
Your fault? Wait—what exactly did you do wrong? Hold on, I don't understand a word you're saying! Can we try speaking Japanese clearly again?
"Um… I'm sorry for your loss?"
What else could Gotham Song even say? Staring helplessly at Symboli Rudolf, whose ears drooped in uncharacteristic gloom, she couldn't even begin to process this sudden shift.
Rudolf had never done anything wrong toward Twilight Song, right? Surely she wasn't blaming herself just because of that casual promise about conquering the Arc de Triomphe together, right?
Wait, wait—Emperor Rudolf, isn't this change a bit too drastic?!
Once again, Gotham Song felt her entire worldview collapsing around her.
Had she really just been reincarnated after death—or did she somehow transmigrate into a bizarre alternate Uma Musume timeline?
Thanks for asking. I'm at Tracen Academy, and Emperor Rudolf has evolved so much she turned into Sad Luna.
Can we possibly reset this version of Symboli Rudolf?
I still prefer the arrogant, invincible president you used to be… At least you weren't this unnerving.