One week had passed since Yasuda Kinen.
Yet Gotham Song's popularity continued soaring relentlessly. Even the URA's attitude had shifted noticeably—
Initially, they'd treated her like a dilapidated house, thinking one good kick might knock her down. But now it had evolved into confident ridicule:
Don't worry, everyone. By the next race, this arrogant foreigner will reveal her true colors. Her sprint-specialization luck has run dry; just wait until the mid-distance races!
Gotham Song, are you going to show your face at the Takarazuka Kinen? URA will have good people waiting there to thrash you properly.
Come if you dare—we'll rip out every strand of your hair.
Their stance had morphed from cautious threats into outright mockery, as if someone from the future had assured them of Gotham Song's impending defeat.
And then—then Gotham Song really had the strangest dream.
She dreamed she'd lost the Takarazuka Kinen because her opponents were all kinds of absurd beings.
Well, simply put, it was Eclipse, Secretariat, Sea Bird, the Three Goddesses, Dancing Brave, and countless other unidentifiable Uma Musume.
It wasn't that Gotham Song was weaker. She just hadn't even left the gate before being flattened by tens of thousands of oppressive [Zones]. She literally couldn't move an inch.
Mere mortals below, immortals above; even Takarazuka Kinen is full of gods now? Tamamo Cross, they're cheating again!
She woke up in such a panic that she reflexively grabbed Neo Universe, and both of them tumbled off the bed onto the floor.
Facing Neo Universe's questioning gaze, Gotham Song awkwardly laughed it off with a sheepish "Ahaha."
There's no way I can explain such a ridiculous dream, is there?!
Choosing to keep silent, Gotham Song grabbed her phone to distract herself.
Thankfully, it was already six in the morning. Still early, but at least she didn't have to suffer the embarrassment of trying to sleep again. The phone's screen wouldn't hurt her eyes either, with the lights still off.
However, the first notification she saw instantly erased her lingering gloom, nearly making her burst out laughing.
Why?
Because the tough-talking URA was once again making absolute fools of themselves.
Secretariat had forwarded fresh intel that apparently, the URA was secretly contacting various overseas Uma Musume who ranked above Gotham Song in prize money, trying to recruit at least eight of them for the Japan Cup. The goal? To squeeze Gotham Song out of the qualification list.
The Japan Cup was currently Japan's sole officially recognized international G1 race, which required at least half its entries reserved for foreign contenders, with selection prioritized strictly by accumulated prize money. Anyone ranked ninth or lower could be lawfully excluded at the organizers' discretion.
In other words, URA's grand plan was to effectively sideline Gotham Song by filling the slots with higher-earning overseas Uma Musume, even if that meant handing the championship to someone else.
They might even use that to gloat—Gotham Song? Hah! You couldn't even qualify for the Japan Cup!
Gotham Song had to admit she was genuinely astonished.
Was there really such a bizarre tactic? Hey guys, how did that work out for you?
Well, it turned out Secretariat didn't even need to intervene. The URA's desperate covert recruitment was swiftly and harshly rejected by nearly all the Uma Musume they approached.
A few particularly irritable ones had mocked URA ruthlessly, making them look like complete clowns.
URA, welcome back to Gotham!
Congratulations—you're officially crowned Gotham's newest kings!
What's that? You don't want to come back? No worries—Gotham itself will come to you instead! Don't be shy; it's no big deal.
Come on, face me!
Gotham Song, who'd just been panicking over a weird dream, was now giggling uncontrollably, hugging Neo Universe so tightly that even the reserved filly flushed slightly.
Ah, probably because Gotham Song was squeezing a bit too hard, right? It must be that. Clearly, there was still room to grow—a promising, not-yet-fully-matured little filly. Congratulations!
But since she now knew the URA was taking Japan Cup very seriously—meaning they weren't all complete idiots—it wasn't wise to laugh and ignore it. They'd surely try something else if prize-money-blocking didn't work.
Gotham Song had to respond decisively, thoroughly crushing their delusions.
Stop dreaming. Just obediently accept my torment. It won't hurt—well, at least not me.
But what exactly should she do to preempt URA's next scheme? Just as Gotham Song asked Secretariat, who was still pondering a response, Neo Universe spoke up with a perfect solution.
As expected of a veteran player! Neo Universe, she adored her!
Gotham Song happily rubbed cheeks with Neo Universe.
So, what exactly was this perfect solution?
"You're suggesting the highest-priority entry qualification for the Japan Cup, Neo Universe-san…? Oh—I remember now. That's right. There's absolutely no problem; Song-san can definitely pull this off," Secretariat confirmed confidently.
"Wait, what exactly is this highest-priority qualification?" Gotham Song asked.
Even Secretariat sounded intrigued now, clearly impressed.
Japanese people really knew how to sabotage themselves spectacularly. These massive boomerangs they'd hurled from the past were finally looping back around, striking dead-center.
Highest-priority qualification meant absolute, guaranteed entry regardless of any circumstances, once registered. Such rights varied between races and sometimes didn't exist at all, but they typically involved major international Triple Crown precursor events.
To highlight its global prestige, the Japan Cup had specifically established such a rule:
"Winners of the Irish Champion Stakes, top two finishers in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and the winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf held in the same year enjoy unconditional priority entry."
In other words, Gotham Song just had to win one of these races to completely nullify anything URA attempted.
So, which race would she choose?
"Then—I'll pick the Irish Champion Stakes."
No complicated reasons. She'd already won the Arc and King George VI in her previous life, leaving only the Breeders' Cup and the Irish Champion Stakes as options.
Gotham Song's choice was straightforward: the Irish race sounded cooler.
Indeed, having a good name was crucially important.
Scheduled for September 10th, the Irish Champion Stakes was a top-tier international race that would also grant her exclusive name rights. If she won, she'd permanently become history's sole "Gotham Song." No second person could ever claim that name again.
"Then I'll start arranging your race schedule, Song-san. Ah, your opponent—I believe there's a promising European newcomer this year. An Uma Musume named...Astronomer? Something like that. Anyway, you can ask Dancing Brave-san for details. Have a pleasant morning; talk soon!"
Secretariat cheerfully ended the call without hesitation.
Gotham Song, however, was left slightly puzzled.
Astronomer? The name sounded oddly familiar, but she couldn't immediately place it…
"Neo Universe, do you know this 'Astronomer'?"
"She's strong. Beyond that, I don't really know," Neo Universe admitted, shaking her head. Her knowledge of foreign competitors was limited, after all. Neo Universe cared deeply about only one region—and one person.
In truth, events had already diverged greatly from previous timelines. By now, Gotham Song's true identity usually would've been exposed. But this time—this time might truly succeed!
Neo Universe felt hopeful. Gotham Song, unaware of such thoughts, merely nodded, opening her browser to search: "Uma Musume Astronomer."
Then—
"Scandalous! Playboy Astronomer caught on another date—casually greets reporters to flaunt it?!"
Confusion. Bewilderment. Shock. Gotham Song quietly put down her phone.
Oh. She suddenly remembered who Astronomer was.
Just as Sunday Silence had practically monopolized bloodlines in Japan, who was Europe's equivalent bulldozer?
That infamous playboy—Astronomer.
Wait, wouldn't Astronomer-san possibly target her upon arrival?!
The more she read, the more frightening it became. Not just a few scandals, but countless. And not a single repeat appearance!
Astronomer-san, aren't you still active? Isn't this far too terrifying?!
Gotham Song felt genuine danger approaching—but then again, wasn't worrying about something like this before even meeting a bit too presumptuous?
Whatever. She'd just race and come back—one week tops. She definitely wouldn't get involved, right?
Having calmed herself, Gotham Song dressed and turned to Neo Universe, who looked hesitant.
"What's wrong, Neo Universe…?"
"Oh, nothing. Just wanted to remind you—"
Here it comes! Gotham Song stiffened nervously.
"Against people lacking common sense, refusal isn't always wise. Especially someone like Satono Diamond…"
Wait—why suddenly mention Satono Diamond?! Outsiders couldn't even enter Central Tracen Academy yet, right? Diamond wasn't an Uma Musume yet!
"Song, did you forget? Today's Open Campus Day."
"What—?!"
Gotham Song seriously contemplated hiding in her dorm room all day, but Neo Universe silently shook her head.
Where was Satono Diamond truly terrifying? Even if Gotham Song barricaded herself inside, Diamond could easily slip in, knock softly, and whisper—
"Onee-san, I found you~"
More haunting than Sunday Silence by far!
So, Neo Universe wouldn't even suggest Gotham Song stay indoors, because nowhere on campus was safe today. Outside was even worse, with Satono Diamond roaming free.
No rest allowed today, Song-san.
As Gotham Song cautiously stepped out of her dorm, peeking around anxiously, she sighed in relief.
Safe. Peaceful. Normal.
The footsteps behind her sounded very soft—probably a small child. Just stepping aside casually—
"Are you that interesting Onee-san from that day?"
Huh…?
"Diamond found you~!"
Before Gotham Song could react, a tiny body leaped onto her from behind, causing her heart to nearly explode from fright.
Satono Diamond, don't sneak up like that!
Neo Universe, you really predicted it all perfectly…