Tokyo International Airport.
Even at night, this place was still bustling with people. How to describe it? Maybe, if someone with social anxiety came here alone, they'd desperately look around for a box labeled "ripe mangoes" to hide in.
Fortunately, Gotham Song wasn't socially anxious at all. She stood casually by the arrivals gate without any disguise, waiting for the person Secretariat had mentioned.
But, truthfully, this had been a terrible idea—perhaps the worst possible choice she could've made.
Gotham Song had completely forgotten one crucial fact:
She was now notoriously famous.
Famous in the worst way possible.
She hadn't really felt it back near Central Tracen Academy since most Uma Musume there didn't care much about gossip. Life went on normally. But stepping out here, things were entirely different.
Both ordinary people and passing Uma Musume couldn't help but whisper, pointing discreetly at Gotham Song.
Even though they were clearly trying to avoid disturbing her directly, their hushed conversations still inevitably made their way into her twitching ears.
At least people in this world had some basic courtesy and decency.
Gotham Song couldn't even imagine how terrible things would have been if a similarly infamous celebrity appeared so openly in her previous world.
Countless phone cameras would've been pointing at her, surrounded by gawking crowds, and maybe even paparazzi swarming like sharks smelling blood.
Huh, when you put it that way, maybe the Japanese netizens cursing Gotham Song online were actually quite gentle…?
Startled by this bizarre thought, Gotham Song quickly shook it off. People were strange indeed—compared to being physically surrounded, even online insults suddenly felt much kinder.
Still, there was no doubt about it: being stared at by crowds in Tokyo International Airport was incredibly uncomfortable.
It was like sitting on pins and needles.
Gotham Song fervently prayed Dancing Brave's plane would land sooner, so she could finally escape these awkward stares.
After what felt like an eternity, the universe finally responded to Gotham Song's desperate prayers—or rather, she had simply arrived too early, and the flight was now finally on time.
She watched as a new group of passengers disembarked from the plane but didn't immediately spot Dancing Brave among them.
However, her view was clear enough that she quickly noticed the legendary Uma Musume standing inconspicuously by the wall.
Dancing Brave wore a classic British coat, perfectly concealing her tall frame. Her attire, complete with an elegant hat and scarf wrapped neatly around her neck, radiated understated sophistication. Her brown locks framed her face, amplifying the refined air around her.
She wasn't the dazzling kind who drew every eye instantly. Yet, once noticed, she effortlessly captivated attention, emanating a mature, graceful charm.
I definitely didn't notice that on the racetrack. Gotham Song's memories of Dancing Brave were vividly clear, their brief encounter before that race, and how aggressively well-prepared Dancing Brave had been during the competition itself.
Dancing Brave had even been one of the rare Uma Musume who briefly led against Gotham Song—a surprise, given she was famous for her miraculous closing speed.
I'm really curious now. Exactly how does Dancing Brave feel about me…? Maybe I should try probing her.
After that unforgettable Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Dancing Brave had disappeared from public view for a long time.
Yet interest in that race never waned, and when Dancing Brave eventually returned to the spotlight, she openly spoke about what she'd seen, felt, and thought back then. But how much of those televised interviews were genuinely heartfelt?
At least Gotham Song couldn't tell. She could only assume much of it was performative—
After all, she barely knew Dancing Brave!
Precisely because of that unfamiliarity, Gotham Song hesitated to speak first when Dancing Brave approached. She'd mentally rehearsed what to say countless times, but being stared at earlier had completely wiped her mind blank.
The reason was simple—she and Dancing Brave were practically strangers!
So the scene lapsed into awkward silence. While Gotham Song was still fumbling for words, Dancing Brave silently appeared in front of her.
Normally, an outfit like hers would pair perfectly with elegant boots, yet strangely, Dancing Brave wore quiet sneakers, allowing her to glide unnoticed through the dense crowd until she stood right before Gotham Song.
"You really don't have the slightest self-awareness of being famous, do you, Song?"
"Huh...? Um, sorry?"
Alongside these teasing words came Dancing Brave's hat, placed directly atop Gotham Song's head, momentarily blocking her view.
"It's fine. Ready?"
Ready for what…? Gotham Song blinked blankly, but clearly saw Dancing Brave's mischievous smile.
"To run, of course!"
The airport was crowded, but Dancing Brave firmly grabbed Gotham Song's hand, guiding her expertly through gaps between people. Soon, the two Uma Musume vanished from the eyes of onlookers, leaving only their retreating, hand-in-hand figures behind.
Thankfully, both were Uma Musume—Dancing Brave was exceptionally agile, and Gotham Song's petite figure and excellent balance were perfect weapons for slipping swiftly through dense crowds. In no time, Dancing Brave had effortlessly led her toward the baggage claim conveyor belts.
"How are you feeling now?" Dancing Brave asked gently.
"Probably... like I just came back to life," Gotham Song admitted.
Indeed, being stared at earlier had been incredibly uncomfortable, but besides discomfort, she felt something else too.
You people were the ones annoying me first, you know? Twice now. This time, I won't laugh it off.
"Good. Then let's go, Ruka… ah, sorry. You're just too similar to the person I once met. Hmm—I'm probably not the first person who's said that, right?"
"You definitely aren't. Um, it's fine though, I don't mind. But I'm really not her."
I swear, I'm not me! Definitely not! Please believe me!
Dancing Brave clearly wasn't interested in dwelling on the topic. She simply pulled her luggage along, letting Gotham Song lead the way. But the moment Dancing Brave's suitcase touched the ground, the black-haired filly noticed something that immediately caught her attention:
Attached discreetly to Dancing Brave's luggage zipper was a small, somewhat worn doll—clearly handmade rather than mass-produced.
That wasn't the concerning part. The alarming detail was—
That doll was modeled after her.
That was Twilight Song's doll!
Something's definitely wrong here. Why does Dancing Brave have something like this?
Gotham Song vividly recalled that after her death, the URA announced they planned to release merchandise featuring her likeness. However, before even starting the design, Symboli Rudolf and Mejiro Manor had immediately shot down the idea.
So, what was this doll beside Dancing Brave?!
Gotham Song felt her mind crashing again. After a brief silence, Dancing Brave finally noticed her confusion and glanced knowingly at the luggage, smiling gently.
Good grief. Aren't I supposed to be the foreigner here...? Oh well, I suppose I'll treat her like a kid for now.
Dancing Brave felt strangely delighted as she once again took Gotham Song's hand—perhaps because that youthful face reminded her deeply of someone unforgettable?
Dancing Brave didn't deceive herself. Even knowing it wasn't the same person, it was understandable she felt happy about such a similarity.
She'd spent far too little time with Twilight Song—barely knowing her beyond their unforgettable race.
"You must've seen my interview after that Arc. After disappearing from public view, I replayed that race in my mind daily. She was so dazzling—a monster I couldn't catch."
She paused, gently poking the doll with her luggage handle, speaking softly:
"Eventually, I realized memories fade. No matter how hard you try, they always do. So, I carved this myself—the cutest Twilight Song I remembered."
At that, Dancing Brave laughed softly.
"She was terrifyingly unbeatable on the racetrack, yet the result of my carving ended up being this cute little thing. I wonder what expression Twilight Song would make if she ever saw it."
An utterly speechless one, Gotham Song thought. She was genuinely stunned Dancing Brave had such feelings about their past race—and clearly hadn't gotten over it.
Wait, this is weird, isn't it?! We were rivals! Rivals who never talked outside the track!
Why are you making the face of someone remembering her beloved lost sweetheart?!
"Then, those interview comments…"
"Completely sincere. I'm terrible at lying," Dancing Brave confirmed.
Speechless, Gotham Song watched Dancing Brave hail a taxi, even opening the car door for her like guiding a child.
"You know, there was one more thing I didn't say publicly…"
As Dancing Brave sat beside her, golden hair vivid even in the dark cab, she quietly continued:
"Actually, I was utterly determined to defeat Twilight Song. At the track, I thought if I could beat her, even dying right there would be worth it."
"But Twilight Song was even more determined, even more brilliant. If you ever run behind someone like her, you'll understand what I mean. Perhaps you'll become this generation's Twilight Song?"
I don't get it! I definitely won't ever understand that feeling!
Avoiding the topic, Gotham Song finally asked:
"So…where exactly are we going?"
"Oh, Tokyo Racecourse," Dancing Brave replied cheerfully.
"At ten at night…?"
"I want to recreate Twilight Song's legendary Satsuki Sho run. Want to join me?"
I'm going to murder you, Twilight Song—once isn't enough!