Truthfully speaking, Gotham Song wasn't just happy about this. She was so delighted she didn't even know what to say.
The reason was simple. Gotham Song had gained a fair bit of fame during her debut year.
And why had she become famous back then?
The answer was obvious—it was because of her pretty face.
A face almost indistinguishable from Twilight Song's.
Sure, Gotham Song had gained even more popularity later on due to her rivalry with Tokai Teio and her outstanding Classic performances. But even now, among her fanbase…
A significant number still considered her merely a substitute for Twilight Song.
"A girl who looks just like Twilight Song."
In other words, many fans weren't truly fans of Gotham Song herself. Rather, they liked her only because the person they really adored was no longer around. Even when they did become genuine fans, it was mostly out of nostalgia.
Of course, that didn't apply to everyone. There were still many who genuinely liked her for who she was, or at least liked both equally.
Hmm…
Gotham Song even remembered discovering some inexplicable fan creations online.
How to describe it exactly?
Fanfiction shipping Twilight Song and Gotham Song together.
To be blunt, as both the giver and receiver in every conceivable sense, Gotham Song found such pairings utterly bizarre.
But anyway!
Compared to those who liked Gotham Song purely for herself, there were far, far more fans who entered the fandom because of Twilight Song.
In fact, this was the first time Gotham Song had learned of someone becoming her fan solely because they liked her, without any connection to Twilight Song.
How should she put it?
I'm so touched I might cry…!
So how did Gotham Song respond to Haya City's request?
In the end, she agreed—but she made it clear that she wouldn't visit Britain and meet Haya Of Star within the next two days.
That much was understandable. She'd only landed in Paris yesterday.
She hadn't even been here for a full 24 hours yet—did they expect her to immediately hop on a flight to London?
Previously, she'd done such rushed trips because of race schedules, but there was no such urgency now.
I'll definitely wait a day or two, okay?
Naturally, Gotham Song didn't conceal her thoughts. After explaining her stance, Haya City readily agreed.
However, since Haya Of Star was such a precious fan who genuinely liked her alone, Gotham Song allowed Haya City to tell her directly that she'd be coming to Britain soon.
Haya City visibly relaxed, clearly believing that Gotham Song was the best solution to Haya Of Star's current troubles.
Such obvious expectation made Gotham Song feel a considerable weight on her shoulders.
But precisely because of that expectation, she resolved to treat the matter even more earnestly.
Afterward, Haya City took her leave.
There was, however, a small interlude—Van Gogh.
The young, innocent Uma Musume had clearly different intentions from her older sister. She didn't want to return to London yet.
Instead, she wanted to stay longer in Paris.
And why was that?
Because this was Paris—the Paris of Longchamp, the Paris where Twilight Song eternally rested.
As a runaway-type Uma Musume, Van Gogh had clearly been in an overly excited state ever since landing at the airport.
She'd desperately wanted to properly explore Paris for a long, long time.
In this world, even among fans, there was a hierarchy.
And what did that hierarchy look like?
At the top of Twilight Song's fanbase were the American fans. After all, that was where Twilight Song had been born and raised, and where Secretariat, the legendary Uma Musume who once turned the tides, was based.
Second was France—the land that had witnessed Twilight Song's greatest glory and the place where she was laid to rest.
The rest were all about equal.
Except for Japan. Did that even need explanation?
Van Gogh had been excited beyond reason when Haya City decided to visit Paris. She'd eagerly tagged along, hoping to catch even a glimpse—just a glimpse—of Longchamp Racecourse.
But now, it appeared her elder sister didn't share the same intentions at all.
Realizing this tragic truth, Van Gogh began her desperate performance.
But Haya City, who was obviously pressed for time, could only show confusion.
Haya City had many matters to attend to, and accompanying Van Gogh to Longchamp would eat too deeply into her schedule. However…
If someone else could escort Van Gogh?
Haya City never spoke her thoughts aloud, but her hesitance was easily caught by her younger sister, who immediately understood her meaning.
Van Gogh began staring pleadingly at everyone in the room.
Yet, rejection after rejection followed!
Never mind Daiichi Ruby and Neo Universe—they certainly wouldn't be taking Van Gogh sightseeing.
And Dancing Brave?
She simply looked on encouragingly toward Gotham Song. As for Silic, who might have happily volunteered, she was currently away.
Ultimately, under Dancing Brave's pointed gaze, the responsibility landed squarely on Gotham Song's shoulders.
Under Van Gogh's expectant eyes, saying she wasn't tempted would've been a lie.
But!
Wasn't it a bit too absurd for her to accompany her own fan to visit her own grave at Longchamp Racecourse?!
Driven by that bizarre realization, Gotham Song decisively shook her head.
Sorry, Van Gogh, but this isn't something I can help with.
Thus, their meeting ended dramatically, far from a peaceful goodbye.
Van Gogh's mournful eyes were filled with sorrow.
Can you hear Van Gogh's cries of grief?
Surely you've witnessed Twilight Song crumbling to pieces!
Gotham Song, however, felt no pity. She was simply a cold-hearted, merciless demon lord.
About ten minutes after Van Gogh's departure, Silic appeared at Dancing Brave's gate, greeted only by Gotham Song's peculiar, barely suppressed laughter and curious gaze.
The baffled French Uma Musume tilted her head in confusion. Gotham Song didn't explain anything.
Poor Van Gogh.
After sighing to herself, Gotham Song shifted to routine training. Despite thoughts of taking it easy, Dancing Brave's facilities were excellent, so she joined Neo Universe, Daiichi Ruby, and Silic for practice runs.
Dancing Brave herself even joined for a short while.
Although she could still somewhat compete with the younger generation, it was obvious she was nowhere near her prime anymore.
Realizing that fact, Dancing Brave quickly stopped embarrassing herself, instead jotting notes about everyone else's performance—likely compiling data for her so-called information network.
The day quickly passed, and evening approached when Gotham Song suddenly received a message via Dancing Brave from Mejiro Ramonu:
The person sent from Mejiro Manor had arrived.
Gotham Song was momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected anyone to arrive so soon.
She'd only spoken to Ramonu-san that very morning and learned someone would be coming from Japan, right?
How long had it even been? For this timing to match up, this person must've left immediately after the call, rushing straight to the airport to catch the earliest flight possible. Wasn't this level of efficiency a bit terrifying?
Gotham Song mentally sifted through everyone she knew at Mejiro Manor, calculating who possessed such astonishing execution.
Palmer didn't seem hurried enough for this, and McQueen was probably busy preparing for the Japan Cup. Dober? She was still just a child.
Ramonu-neesan hadn't indicated coming herself either.
So, who else could move this swiftly?
Thinking carefully, perhaps only Ardan-neesan was capable of this decisiveness?
But wasn't the relationship between Ardan-neesan and Ramonu-san incredibly tense right now?
Unable to find a satisfying answer, Gotham Song quickly got into the car heading to Paris Airport.
Thinking too much was pointless—she'd see who it was for herself.
In some ways, Gotham Song truly belonged at Mejiro Manor—her decisiveness matched theirs perfectly.
Incidentally, Silic was driving again.
At Paris Airport, Gotham Song didn't wait long. As the flight announcement sounded, she spotted a familiar figure among the arriving crowd.
And the person walking toward her was exactly who she had guessed, yet still shocking:
It was actually Mejiro Ardan!
Excitedly leaping out of the car, Gotham Song waved energetically, signaling her location.
Seeing Gotham Song's enthusiastic welcome, Mejiro Ardan visibly smiled, carrying only a small bag with minimal belongings.
Together, they returned to Dancing Brave's house.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Gotham Song finally asked:
"Ardan-neesan… Isn't your relationship with Ramonu-san really tense right now?"
"Even I was surprised. Ramonu-neesan contacting me because of you…"
Ardan's instincts told her the situation wasn't so simple. Deep down, she knew Ramonu would never settle for a mere substitute. But why exactly had Ramonu reached out? Just because Gotham resembled Twilight Song?
She didn't voice these complicated thoughts, instead recalling the quiet joy she'd felt when Ramonu called. Despite initial sadness at discussing only business matters, the call had warmed her heart.
They were sisters connected by blood, after all.
And besides, she'd get to see Gotham Song again—the girl who still remained so charming, warm, and thoughtful.
Which was more important? Perhaps both.
Oblivious to Ardan's inner thoughts, Gotham Song pressed forward:
"So, what exactly did Ramonu-san ask you to do here in Paris?"
"What did she ask me to do… Actually, she didn't specify anything."
Indeed, Ramonu hadn't explained clearly. All Ardan knew was that her sister wanted her in Paris.
But knowing even that much was enough.
Ardan's only living bond in Paris now was Gotham Song.
After what happened with Astronomer, Ramonu's intention became obvious:
"Sooner or later, I'll have to release Astronomer, and I don't trust her. You go be Gotham Song's insurance."
Thus, Ardan understood clearly—she would never allow harm to reach Gotham again.
I won't experience that despair a second time.
"So, you're free to do as you like then… What will we do tomorrow?"
"It's late today. Tomorrow, come somewhere with me."
Ardan gazed thoughtfully out the window before continuing softly:
"Longchamp Racecourse."
"Oh, Longchamp? I thought you meant the Arc—Wait, Longchamp!?"
Ardan turned, meeting her gaze warmly but resolutely:
"Would you accompany me to Longchamp Racecourse—the Arc's battleground?"
"Gotham Song."