So, what comes next?
Answer: The Dancing King of Gotham.
This strangely abstract phrase was the first thing that sprang to Gotham Song's mind.
Of course, Dancing Brave couldn't possibly have known her internal musings. The legendary Uma Musume, upon hearing that Gotham Song had accepted Daiichi Ruby's invitation, wasted no time. The very next day she dragged Gotham Song out to purchase a perfectly tailored, form-fitting tailcoat suit.
Seeing that stylish women's suits were surprisingly popular among Uma Musume, Gotham Song suddenly realized just how most of them tended to select their partners.
In fact, even Trainers rarely made the cut. Far more common was for Uma Musume to fall for rivals who'd sparked passion during fierce competitions.
No way! Rivals shouldn't become spouses! Absolutely not!
After purchasing her formal attire, Gotham Song's daily routine changed dramatically.
At least, her training time had noticeably decreased—but this wasn't a big deal.
Her next scheduled race wasn't until the Irish Champion Stakes on September 10th. Considering that the Takarazuka Kinen had just concluded on the fourth Sunday of June, she still had over two months to simply maintain her current form without additional intense training.
One thing at a time, right?
However…
Well, Gotham Song was learning the gentleman's role in ballroom dancing. With no suitable partner readily available, Dancing Brave herself stepped up to assist.
Unfortunately for the veteran legend, this caused her blood pressure to spike dangerously.
If Gotham Song's talent for running was at a thousand percent, then her talent for dancing was…
Absolute zero!
Dancing Brave struggled to believe that this girl, who somehow stepped on her toes twice in a single four-beat rhythm, was the same Uma Musume who effortlessly dominated the racetrack.
In fact, Gotham Song's abysmal dancing skills briefly made her doubt her own instincts.
How can the terrifying legend who corners at top speed, almost skimming the ground with perfect balance, be this terrible at dancing?
Are you truly not Twilight Song, Gotham Song?!
No, no—that doesn't make sense! Even Gotham Song shouldn't have such awful coordination!
Seeking a rational explanation, Dancing Brave desperately attributed the disaster to their height difference.
Yes, that must be it. It absolutely has to be.
Lost in her comforting self-delusion, Dancing Brave continued patiently teaching the utterly hopeless Gotham Song.
Still, as important as dancing was, Dancing Brave didn't forget to update Gotham Song on important news.
Such as news about the first overseas expedition—Miss Shin'ei.
Almost simultaneously with the Takarazuka Kinen, another prominent race had taken place in Europe: the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
While not as renowned to casual fans as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes, or the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, it was still unquestionably prestigious. In terms of prestige, it ranked alongside races such as the Juddmonte International Stakes and Britain's Eclipse Stakes.
Given these comparisons, anyone knowledgeable could appreciate its significance.
As a race reserved for older Uma Musume, it was considered even more challenging.
And despite the polarized atmosphere back home—with people alternately predicting her downfall or proclaiming her divine talent—Shin'ei had decisively secured victory at Saint-Cloud, setting an impressive foundation for her Arc campaign.
Naturally, to preserve her peak form, Shin'ei immediately withdrew from further competitions before the Arc, traveling directly to Paris for dedicated turf training.
Looks like Shin'ei-san might really have a shot at winning the Arc this year… Hmm, can she get revenge against the esteemed family's young lady?
Gotham Song was genuinely curious and applauded Shin'ei's smart decision.
After all, had Shin'ei stuck to her original schedule, they would have met at the Irish Champion Stakes on September 10th.
This works better. If our schedules diverge, I don't mind.
For now, Gotham Song had no interest in chasing the Arc. Securing the Irish Champion Stakes—a race just as prestigious—would be satisfying enough.
Training days flew by, and though Gotham Song's dancing still wasn't outstanding, it had at least improved enough to barely pass muster.
This was an unusually stressful situation for Dancing Brave, who had previously thought there was nothing about Gotham Song that could worry her.
However, while Dancing Brave suffered, Secretariat, who'd called earlier to congratulate Gotham Song on her recent victories, was laughing hysterically.
After all, she wasn't the one teaching Gotham Song. Her dear friend Dancing Brave struggling with this particular chore was immensely entertaining.
Meanwhile, Secretariat reported positive developments from her end. While Dancing Brave agonized over Gotham Song's footwork, two more promising Uma Musume from Japan had announced their intention to race overseas—one targeting Oceania, and the other heading for America's dirt tracks.
As the mastermind behind the overseas program, Secretariat naturally provided them with strong support. In fact, she'd personally coach the Uma Musume competing on dirt—a privilege that would leave most ordinary Uma Musume ecstatic to the point of fainting.
Gotham Song genuinely felt happy for these unknown competitors, distracting herself from Dancing Brave's resentful glare.
Uh… Sorry, but there's nothing more I can do!
Fortunately, Dancing Brave's suffering didn't last. On Tuesday, Mejiro Ardan and Daiichi Ruby unexpectedly visited the dance studio.
Their reactions to Gotham Song's abysmal coordination were entirely different. Mejiro Ardan was an uneasy mix of concern and helpless embarrassment, whereas Daiichi Ruby…
After the initial surprise wore off, Gotham Song caught Ruby subtly smiling.
Was this… a gap moe moment? Perhaps the racetrack's feared demon failing miserably at dance was unexpectedly charming?
With the two young noble ladies taking over as dance partners, Dancing Brave was partly freed from her misery. Their height matched Gotham Song's far better, making practice smoother.
Still, Gotham Song's dance proficiency only barely reached an acceptable level, though Daiichi Ruby kindly reassured her:
"It's alright. It's just one dance, and you're good enough now."
Truthfully, compared to Gotham Song, Daiichi Ruby was practically a dance virtuoso. In Dancing Brave's eyes, Ruby aimed for perfection, but objectively, Gotham Song and Ruby together were more than competent for a private ball.
Especially because Ruby could subtly guide Gotham Song through the gentleman's steps without being obvious—a skill that even Mejiro Ardan openly admired.
They make quite a good pair, don't they? It'd be nice if they actually got together.
Mejiro Ardan found herself naturally adopting the role of Gotham Song's older sister. From an older sibling's perspective, Ruby was essentially perfect:
Polite, sensible, gentle, considerate—and most importantly, clearly wanted something from Gotham Song. Really, what was there to complain about?
After all, this is Gotham Song, not Twilight Song.
With their combined help, Gotham Song's dancing improved quickly. By Friday morning, her anxiety about the evening's ball had significantly eased.
Naturally, Daiichi Ruby didn't pick Gotham Song up personally, as befitted a young noblewoman preparing for an evening event.
Instead, Gotham Song dressed in her tailored evening suit in the dormitory with assistance from Dancing Brave and Mejiro Ardan.
Technically, outsiders like Dancing Brave weren't allowed in the dormitory. But considering her legendary status, the dorm supervisor politely looked the other way.
"Looking good. Don't mess things up tonight, alright?"
Tonight, Gotham Song had become the Uma Musume people worried about. Dancing Brave had finally accepted the bizarre duality—unbeatable demon on the track, utterly helpless outside of it.
Indeed, she'd even considered attending the party herself. But a sudden appearance by a legendary Uma Musume at a private gathering would only cause unnecessary commotion.
Why am I acting like her mother now? I came to Japan to relax and mentor a little girl—this is ridiculous.
Somehow, Dancing Brave started questioning her entire existence.
In any case, due to the private nature of the ball, none of Gotham Song's friends planned to accompany her.
"Ready yet, little one? Don't embarrass yourself," Sunday Silence teased.
I know that much, old hag!
Still, having Sunday Silence nearby was reassuring.
"Probably won't be back tonight. Make sure you've got everything, Song-chan," Agnes Tachyon remarked idly, clearly amused. Gotham Song suspected she'd appeared solely to say this.
Still, Tachyon-san, love you!
After confirming everything was in order, Gotham Song left the dorm under everyone's watchful gaze.
Only after Gotham Song had disappeared down the stairs did Manhattan Cafe, the highest-ranking Uma Musume present, quietly remark:
"Somehow… Song looks unusually cool today."
Indeed, the tailored suit suited her perfectly—if only she were slightly taller.
Outside, Gotham Song waited on the curbside. She glanced at the floating form of Sunday Silence, curiously asking:
Old hag, have you experienced anything like this before? America doesn't really have noble traditions, does it?
[Oh? Of course, though it wasn't as formal as this. Come on, think about what I was most famous for.]
Ah…
In the real horse-racing world, Sunday Silence was famously prolific in passing on his lineage. Here, according to Gotham Song's idle research, Sunday Silence was notorious in American tabloid gossip.
To the point that Astronomer had briefly been nicknamed "Europe's Sunday Silence."
Right. Asking you was clearly a mistake, old hag. You're not just experienced—you're practically a war god.
Watching headlights approaching, Gotham Song shook off her hesitation, casually boarding the waiting car and gazing out the window.
Suddenly, Sunday Silence's reflection appeared clearly in the car's mirror:
"Oh, right, Song—I almost forgot to mention."
"Your dear Cafe… might have realized you can see me."