Gotham Song fled in defeat.
As soon as training ended, she vanished from Dancing Brave's sight like a gust of wind. She even had the sense that if she'd moved a single step slower, her former rival would've grabbed her shoulder from behind—
Yo~! Long time no see! Let me have a good look at what you've become, shall we? Come now, be a good girl and let Brave-nee check you over!
...Well, perhaps things wouldn't actually become that absurdly abstract, but in any case—Gotham Song was scared!
Yet Dancing Brave had no intention of chasing after her. Instead, she stood calmly where she was, quietly putting away the camera with which she'd recorded Gotham Song's running form.
Hmm, when I get back, perhaps I'll compare these videos with Twilight Song's old race footage, analyzing her style carefully from her debut onward, piece by piece. Let me see clearly…
...And reveal your hidden secrets.
...
By the time Gotham Song returned to Tracen Academy, it was already quite late. After briefly responding to someone's message, she immediately collapsed into bed. Then, rising early the next morning, she dressed quickly and prepared to leave.
Neo Universe had asked what she was up to so early, and Gotham Song's answer had been simple:
"I'm going to pick up Teio from the hospital."
After heading downstairs, stepping out of the campus, and exchanging a cheerful morning greeting with Hayakawa Tazuna, Gotham Song walked briskly toward the nearby affiliated hospital.
On the way, though, she suddenly realized it might seem a bit rude to arrive empty-handed, given the occasion of Tokai Teio's discharge from the hospital.
Thinking this, Gotham Song made a quick detour into the shopping district, eventually choosing two hair ribbons—one black, one white—before finally entering the hospital.
She hadn't even reached Teio's hospital room yet, merely arriving near the elevators, when she spotted Tokai Teio already standing there, clearly having waited impatiently for some time.
Teio seemed visibly dissatisfied with Gotham Song's tardiness. After all, by the time the elevator doors opened, Gotham was already ten minutes behind schedule.
In truth, it wasn't entirely Gotham Song's fault—something unexpected really had occurred.
"The elevator was stuck for a long time, Teio. Sorry about that. Anyway, congratulations on your recovery."
"Hmph… Teio-sama wouldn't get upset over something so trivial! Come on, Gotham, let's go!"
Yeah, let's go.
It truly was astounding how resilient Uma Musume were. Barely three months had passed, and yet Tokai Teio had already regained her full health. While whether she could run at full strength again remained uncertain, at the very least, she could now handle daily tasks independently.
Of course, Teio still needed ongoing rehabilitation to regain her former condition. After being bedridden for so long, it'd definitely take a while for her muscles to fully recover.
Even so, her rapid recovery was already remarkable.
If she'd been human, even a minor fracture would require months of careful healing—"a hundred days to mend bones and tendons," and all that…
Still, this was only the beginning.
Gotham Song hadn't forgotten how Teio's "miraculous revival" would ultimately play out. Earlier that morning, Mejiro Ardan had even stopped by out of concern, offering some thoughtful advice.
Having once faced a similar situation herself, Mejiro Ardan could sense the possible risks ahead for Tokai Teio. Thus, she'd proactively reached out to Gotham Song, arranging things in advance.
Truly, Ardan-nee's thoughtfulness is always a comforting presence.
Still, Gotham decided to wait for a better opportunity to remind Teio of certain things, unwilling to spoil her friend's cheerful mood for now.
Stepping freely out of the hospital after such a long confinement, Tokai Teio's joy was impossible to contain. She was practically skipping down the street, eagerly ready to sprint across the road at a moment's notice.
Of course, Gotham Song sternly forbade such recklessness. Teio might be discharged, but she still needed plenty of time before attempting anything intense.
Teio visibly deflated at the restriction, but thankfully, there seemed to be no deeper mental scars from her injury. Gotham Song felt immense relief seeing her friend's usual energy intact.
As both a close friend and her most ardent "fan," Gotham had absolutely no wish to see Tokai Teio fall into despair.
Walking together through the shopping district, Gotham Song found herself smiling softly at Teio's boundless excitement.
Notably, many passersby cast frequent glances toward Gotham Song. Thankfully, the buffet restaurant owners still smiled warmly at her, despite everything.
The whole situation felt rather amusingly ironic to Gotham, but she quickly dismissed it to focus fully on Teio.
Well, partly because Teio had tightened her grip on Gotham's hand—firmly reminding her that right now was supposed to be all about Teio-sama.
So, Gotham, can't you focus entirely on Teio-sama right now?
Fine—then I'll only look at you.
In a playful impulse, Gotham Song fixed a direct, teasing stare onto Tokai Teio's face. The filly immediately became flustered under the sudden intensity.
W-wait, wait, Teio-sama didn't mean like this! Gotham's gaze is so direct, her eyes reflect nothing but me…
…Why do I feel so strangely happy?
But their playful staring contest didn't last long. After finally regaining her freedom, Teio was naturally eager for something she'd dearly missed during hospitalization:
The delicious offerings of the snack street—especially her beloved honey drink.
She wasted no time diving back into her favorite treat, even eagerly insisting on sharing it with Gotham Song.
A treat this delicious—I could never keep it all to myself!
Unfortunately, Gotham Song's opinion of the honey drink was…not simply disinterested, but outright fearful. Even just the smell made her shiver instinctively.
She'd thought it seemed terrifying enough when seen through a screen, but experiencing it in reality? Teio's honey drink might truly qualify as a dangerous weapon.
Still, Gotham bravely endured. After wandering happily through the shops together, the pair eventually returned, hand-in-hand, to Tracen Academy.
Teio's recovery still had a long road ahead, but her confidence was unshakable. It was merely rehabilitation training—surely nothing that could stop the invincible genius, Tokai Teio.
No difficulty, no enemy, no obstacle—nothing can keep me from racing Gotham again!
Yet something was still puzzling Teio…
"Gotham, I thought you said you weren't interested in the Japanese Triple Crown. Why suddenly aim for the Kikuka Sho?"
Teio vividly remembered their first encounter—on that morning interrupted by Twin Turbo—when Gotham Song had clearly stated her disinterest.
"My reason for entering the Kikuka Sho? Ahaha, well…you see…"
Because in my past life I didn't manage to win it, so this time I want to claim it to satisfy myself. Sorry, Teio…
But saying that aloud would probably get her institutionalized. She had to find another reason…
"Oh! Well, my cousin Cafe won the Kikuka Sho last year, right? So…I guess you could say it's because I admire Cafe-nee, so I want to win the Kikuka Sho too."
Admiring Cafe-nee…that sounded nice. Gotham's admiration, huh…Teio fell silent, her mind stuck repeating those words, unable to shake them away.
Someone as kind and strong as Gotham must have many important people in her life. This feeling was...complicated.
But then again, wouldn't this be a perfect chance to settle things once and for all? On the Kikuka Sho stage, Teio could truly compete against her rival and finally surpass Gotham.
Just thinking about it excited her immensely. Hehe, Gotham, Teio-sama will beat you completely—as the final piece of my undefeated Triple Crown puzzle!
Of course, Teio deeply understood Gotham's overwhelming strength, having watched her phenomenal Yasuda Kinen performance from the hospital. Yet precisely because she understood Gotham's power, Teio's determination was even greater.
You're my ultimate rival, Gotham. So I'll definitely surpass you.
Definitely, absolutely, without question…defeat you!
Upon returning to campus, Teio immediately tried to dash off running again, forcing Gotham Song to invoke Symboli Rudolf's authority just to get the eager filly back into her dorm, leaving her in Mayano Top Gun's capable (if chaotic) hands.
Only after Gotham finally stepped away did she suddenly realize she'd completely forgotten to give Teio the hair ribbons.
Shrugging helplessly, Gotham left the gifts in her room, preparing instead to head to training—but was stopped when she found Mejiro Ardan already waiting near the stairs.
"Teio-san… Is she alright?"
"She's fine. Just like before. Sorry for worrying you, Ardan-san. But I didn't realize you two were that close."
Ardan blinked in surprise, then smiled gently.
"Well…partly, yes. But mostly because she's important to you, Gotham."
Those words startled Gotham into silence.
Were Ardan-nee and I really so close now, even as Gotham Song instead of Twilight Song?
It was unexpected but undeniably comforting. Ardan-nee remained a source of warmth and safety amid the shifting tides of Mejiro Manor.
Gotham smiled warmly, taking Ardan's hand gently.
"Thank you, Ardan-nee. I'm truly happy."
Truly happy… Ardan finally relaxed, quietly leading Gotham forward, her heart filled with complex emotions.
Yet she silently reminded herself once more:
Twilight Song is gone, Ardan. Don't deceive yourself like Ramonu does. That would only bring sadness to everyone.