By now, Gotham Song thought she'd seen everything France had to offer.
Even if she found more unbelievable things about herself, she wouldn't be surprised at this point.
After being humiliated beyond measure for almost an entire evening at the mall—why use the word humiliated?
Because a full tenth of the stores there were dedicated entirely to merchandise of her, and each one was doing unbelievably well!
Could you even imagine such a scenario? So many identical stores, yet all packed full because there were simply too many people buying merch, splitting customer traffic evenly. Could this actually happen anywhere other than some bizarre dream?
Gotham Song didn't understand it; she was absolutely floored.
But that wasn't even the craziest part. The real madness was something Gotham Song never imagined could happen to her—becoming the inspiration for someone else's cosplay.
Ten stores, each with a cosplayer dressed up as her. Some even paired her cosplay with Dancing Brave's, openly selling the CP!
Wait, what the heck is this? Is this still France? Gotham Song felt like the sky kept collapsing over and over again until eventually the Three Goddesses peeked down, smiling sweetly as they whispered to her—
Hey, do you like this future where you're famous, loved, and remembered by everyone?
Wasn't this the dream you once chased, burning your very self in desperate pursuit?
Gotham Song froze in place, uncertain how to react.
Sure, I did want to be remembered—but wasn't that because a certain damned countdown kept telling me I had only one year to live?
If I'd known I could actually win the revival race, would I have done any of that nonsense!?
I would've long since disappeared to some remote spot, idly watching the seconds tick by and happily admiring the good weather!
Three Goddesses, don't tell me you planned this too?
Gotham Song was speechless, utterly stunned by the fact that so many people were cosplaying her.
At least, Uma Musume were all breathtakingly beautiful, which provided some consolation—no disturbing sights of weird knock-offs walking around in public.
But even so, seeing an entire group of "yourself" was really, really weird! So weird that she desperately wished she could go back in time to slap Twilight Song across the face and yell—
Hey, idiot! Stop killing yourself for nothing! There's gonna be a revival race, got it!?
And another thing…
You're part of this cosplay circus too, Dancing Brave. Old thing number three, you could at least have the decency to look embarrassed!
Don't tell me you've betrayed me as well!?
Dancing Brave-san, weren't we the closest and most intimate rivals once!?
Gotham Song stared up at Dancing Brave, only to find that the old thing beside her was openly showing a face full of admiration and support.
Admiration for the cosplay…right? It has to be that—please let it just be that.
I beg you, as long as you're only supporting cosplay, I'll do anything!
Gotham Song genuinely had no idea how to respond anymore. To describe her current mood succinctly…
She'd become completely numb to weirdness after experiencing one absurdity too many.
Ahaha… It's a lovely sunny day today. Even the imaginary sunlight inside the mall feels wonderfully warm, huh.
What happened afterward was a complete blur. Gotham Song's memory skipped ahead, and by the time she came to, she was leaning on Daiichi Ruby's shoulder in a car heading home.
Err, heading to Dancing Brave's home.
She vaguely recalled Ruby's gentle voice comforting her, making her feel slightly better.
But those were the final fragments of her memories from last night. At the edge of her fragmented consciousness, one scene froze clearly:
Dancing Brave casually draping sleepwear bearing Twilight Song's portrait between the seats at the front.
Old thing number three, one day I'll definitely—
In any case, waking up the next morning in bed, held gently by Neo Universe, that was all Gotham Song remembered clearly.
However, something else confused Gotham Song greatly.
Perhaps out of consideration for Daiichi Ruby's feelings? Anyway, Neo Universe had specifically requested the room next to Gotham Song's last night.
And since Neo Universe had taken the initiative, Gotham Song naturally wouldn't object. The two had presumably returned to their own rooms last night.
Which led Gotham Song to the question she now had:
Exactly when—and how—did you get from your room into my bed?
"I came over not long after we returned," Neo Universe replied, perfectly justified. Actually, wasn't this completely normal for the two of them by now?
"If I'm not next to Song-chan, I can't sleep."
Gotham Song nodded half-understandingly.
Well, since Neo Universe said it like that, it's no big deal anyway. Let her hold me. It's hardly the first time this has happened.
Getting out of bed, Gotham Song watched helplessly as Neo Universe opened the window and vanished in a flash, presumably returning to her room to wash up and change.
Gotham Song herself put on her chosen home outfit—a white, lace-embellished dress with ribbons cinched neatly at her waist. It was somewhat daring, with bare shoulders held up by thin straps.
She put down her toothbrush, quickly gathered any strands of hair left on the pillow—though she couldn't actually find any. Maybe Neo Universe had already taken them all away.
Ah, bless you, miraculous Three Goddesses. Thank you, Uma Musume's magical biology. Losing hair would be such a nuisance.
Honestly, if it came down to that, I'd rather shave it all off…!
After double-checking thoroughly, Gotham Song left her room, closing the door behind her.
The first Uma Musume she saw after stepping out was Daiichi Ruby, sitting in the little lounge at the end of the hallway by the staircase, quietly reading a book.
Clearly, she'd been waiting for quite a while.
Hearing Gotham Song's approaching footsteps, Daiichi Ruby—who had changed into a modest but comfortable dress—finally lowered her book, offering a gentle smile as she greeted her:
"Good morning, Song-chan."
"Seems I'm the first one to see you today, aren't I? I'd say that's quite the lovely beginning."
Ruby originally had some errands to take care of, but upon hearing Gotham Song was heading to Paris, she immediately cleared her schedule and managed to catch the same flight.
Hmm—well, opportunities must be seized firmly, or perhaps it was just that Daiichi Ruby felt a bit of urgency herself?
In any case, on her first morning in Paris, Daiichi Ruby had already seized an enormous advantage—and this was only the beginning!
"Oh, good morning, Ruby. Sorry to have kept you waiting."
Gotham Song nodded seriously, then curiously glanced down at the book in Daiichi Ruby's hands.
Hmm... it was Twilight Song's biography.
And notably, it was the relatively serious version, the one with fewer mistakes.
But even now, on the second day, Gotham Song still had this nagging feeling:
For heaven's sake—Twilight Song, are you still chasing me?
However, just as Gotham Song sank into silence, another door opened behind her.
Who was it? Seemed to be Old Thing Number Three's room.
Though something rather "unpleasant" had happened yesterday, Gotham Song still decided it was best to greet her politely. She turned around—
—and immediately felt her face twist horribly.
To summarize briefly: Dancing Brave had bought quite a few things yesterday, one of which had made Gotham Song nearly black out upon first sight—
Those pajamas printed with her own oversized face.
Why bring this up now?
Those were pajamas. This was morning. And this was Dancing Brave.
At this moment, stepping casually out of her room, Dancing Brave was wearing precisely those pajamas.
She was wearing those pajamas!
Gotham Song nearly felt a hysterical scream rising from her throat, yet she forcibly pressed down the collapsing wave of social death overtaking her.
She even began to suspect Dancing Brave had discovered her identity and was deliberately provoking her!
But that idea only flashed through her mind for an instant before she shook it away, telling herself firmly:
No way.
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
Dancing Brave hadn't interacted much with her in daily life. Back in Twilight Song's days, their encounters had been limited strictly to the racetrack, and now—even though interactions had increased—it remained strictly professional.
In other words: Dancing Brave, who exactly do you think you are? Do you even know Twilight Song or Gotham Song at all?
Dancing Brave couldn't possibly know her true self, nor was there evidence confirming her identity.
Moreover, what would Dancing Brave even gain from provoking her like this? Even if Dancing Brave did know who she was, there was no logical reason for such behavior.
Could it really be explained by a ridiculous impulse or mere amusement, devoid of logic?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible!
As adult Uma Musume, they were creatures of reason, guided by logic. Such absurd behavior couldn't possibly appear in someone like Dancing Brave.
Thus, after a flurry of chaotic mental analysis, Gotham Song's embarrassment and rising blood pressure eased slightly into relief.
Good, she thought. This means Dancing Brave is definitely safe.
Gotham Song let out a tiny sigh of relief.
Yet this subtle expression was perfectly captured by Dancing Brave.
Oh, silly child… Did you think the title of tactical genius of the racetrack was for show?
Isn't this one-sided awareness between us also a kind of battlefield?
Dancing Brave had anticipated this reaction entirely—in fact, precisely because she knew exactly how Gotham Song would respond, she dared to go this far.
Not too much, not too little—just enough to test Gotham Song's threshold of embarrassment. And judging by the reaction… ah, the result was absolutely splendid.
Oh, the thought of Secretariat staying up late last night, across the ocean, anxiously discussing this very possibility made Dancing Brave want to laugh aloud even now.
Secretariat, this is why you can't match me, right? Hehe, I'm just taking a slight head-start. As an old friend, surely you wouldn't mind, right?
And even if you do mind, it's pointless—after all, you haven't even caught a hint of the truth yet. My poor friend.
Dancing Brave said nothing, merely gazing steadily at Gotham Song.
Feeling increasingly unsettled under that gaze, Gotham Song took a nervous half-step backward, folding her arms protectively in front of herself as she asked hesitantly:
"W-what's wrong, Dancing Brave-san? Why are you looking at me with such eyes again?"
"Oh, nothing much, Gotham Song. Just that Secretariat asked you to give her a call. Ah, and also, the Hai family from Britain."
Gotham Song blinked, relaxing slightly. So it was official business after all. She'd feared for a moment Dancing Brave might suddenly do something terrifying again.
If it was just business, then it was no big deal.
Though Secretariat requesting a call was understandable—after all, Gotham Song had traveled abroad under the pretext of participating in the Irish Champion Stakes. Secretariat, as the one responsible, would naturally check in on her.
But the Hai family in Britain…? Wait, why would they want to contact her? Did she have any connection with them?
Puzzled, Gotham Song nevertheless picked up the phone and dialed Secretariat's number.
Unexpectedly, the call between two countries with a considerable time difference was picked up instantly, though Secretariat's voice carried evident fatigue.
After a brief, routine check-in confirming Gotham Song's well-being, Secretariat concluded the call without any unusual remarks, merely instructing Gotham Song to rely fully on Dancing Brave should any trouble arise, no need to hold back.
On the other end, Dancing Brave expressed enthusiastic agreement, generously stating their relationship had always been great—after all, Secretariat and Dancing Brave, who were they kidding? They went way back.
This righteous generosity surely could have moved all eighty million Frenchmen.
At any rate, after Secretariat ended the call without further remarks, Gotham Song hung up, turning to Dancing Brave curiously.
"Why exactly is the Hai family waiting for me to contact them? That's just so odd..."
Dancing Brave didn't answer immediately, trying so hard not to laugh that she feared any attempt to speak would break her self-control.
"Ha... Haha... Ahem. It's about Astronomer."
"Why suddenly mention her...?"
Gotham Song frowned, increasingly puzzled.
Astronomer? Wasn't that Uma Musume precisely the reason she'd come to France in the first place?
"Astronomer is currently the head of the Hai family."
"Eh?"
Gotham Song felt a sudden wave of dread.
Could it be the prestigious Hai family was here to arrange a marriage proposal for their Astronomer? That's just outrageous!
"No, no, it's not what you're thinking—"
Dancing Brave finally lost it, barely managing to choke out her last sentence through suppressed laughter:
"Mejiro Ramonu kidnapped Astronomer and informed the Hai family specifically that only your word could get her released."
"Eh!?"