For whom do your tears fall?
Truthfully, Ardan knew she could deceive herself with countless comforting explanations right now—but she didn't.
Instead, a single thought took hold of Mejiro Ardan's heart:
If Twilight Song were watching her right now, seeing this future unfold before her eyes, would she too cry bitterly from guilt and sorrow?
Ardan imagined this scene vividly—or did she even need to imagine it?
No. It was right there in front of her. All she had to do was replace the black hair before her with white—pure white.
The familiar color she had once cherished, holding those silky strands gently in her own hands.
Until this moment, Ardan had never truly wondered how Twilight Song would feel if she could see the aftermath of her passing—the child who'd always hidden her feelings deep within herself.
First, without a doubt, Twilight Song would feel guilt and remorse.
It was because of her that Mejiro Manor had fallen into its current fractured state. It was because of this tragic, unlucky younger sister that Ardan and Ramonu had become irreconcilably divided.
She'd left behind only a legend, a legacy of glory, and a small grave—nothing else remained but sadness and ruin.
So, if Twilight Song were ever able to return, if such a miracle allowed her to be reborn…
Then, what would be her first step?
Easy. That silly child would definitely return to Japan and try to fix things. She would inevitably appear again at Mejiro Manor, especially in front of her—Mejiro Ardan—or Ramonu-neesan.
How incredibly similar…
Ardan had always denied, always refused to believe that Gotham Song could ever truly be the Uma Musume she'd once known.
How could Gotham Song possibly be Twilight Song?
They were extremely alike, but only on the surface. Yes, even their habits occasionally overlapped, but their personalities were worlds apart.
One was bright, lively, open-hearted, always expressing her true feelings and warmly accepting the kindness of others. The other had been cold, withdrawn, determined to reject affection, desperate not to burden anyone due to her condition—even when someone found their way close to her heart, she'd always tried to avoid causing trouble.
But—were these two personalities really so irreconcilable?
Ardan wasn't entirely sure, but she now understood clearly that Twilight Song's rejection of kindness back then had itself been an act of profound gentleness. Because of her mysterious condition, she hadn't wanted others to form deep bonds with her—she'd been protecting them all along.
And if Twilight Song had never suffered from that illness…
Who might she have become?
What name might she have taken, and under what new identity might she have appeared again?
She would absolutely shed tears of guilt and regret.
My adorable, foolish accomplice who still hasn't quite figured it out—
Gotham Song.
Ardan couldn't be entirely sure yet, of course. But she knew it wasn't mere coincidence that someone who looked exactly like her younger sister could hear her story and react with such genuine, heartfelt sorrow, bursting uncontrollably into tears.
Seeing you like this, how could I ever bring myself to blame you? Besides…
I need you to understand exactly what it is I'm mourning, Twilight Song.
It's an inextinguishable sorrow born of pride.
Ardan rose quietly, stepping forward and pulling the small figure tightly into her embrace, leaving Gotham Song no chance to escape or protest.
"Before I met Twilight Song—before I had even debuted—everyone around me kept saying one thing."
"'Give up, Ardan. You're not suited to being an Uma Musume. It's too dangerous for you.'"
Mejiro Ardan had been born with a curse.
Born into a prestigious family, carrying the hopes and expectations of everyone around her, she'd quickly discovered a cruel truth:
She was a fragile Uma Musume, perhaps never meant for the racetrack.
Her fragility wasn't in her heart or willpower, but in her body—more specifically, her ankles.
"Glass ankles"—a nearly fatal flaw for an Uma Musume. It meant almost certain disaster on the racetrack. For Uma Musume, whose entire lives revolved around racing at high speeds, an ankle fracture could mean sudden, life-threatening failure.
Yet even as people repeatedly discouraged her, Ardan's fragile ankles couldn't weaken her determination. Time passed, and she grew stronger.
Her ankles might never heal, but could mere physical weakness break Mejiro Ardan's resolve?
"But you see, Song-chan, I still stepped onto the track. Do you know what I thought at that moment?"
"I thought—even if it's only for an instant, even if I burn through my life, I belong on that track. I will run."
"Even if these ankles can barely support me, I'll run with pride. Even if just for a fleeting moment, I'll shine brightly on the field."
Uma Musume willingly offered everything for victory and glory—for the sheer thrill of running, didn't they?
"So, when years later, after I'd retired, when I became someone who perhaps should have discouraged others from racing, I met that adorable little fool who said—"
"'I want to keep running. I want glory, even if it burns through my life…!'"
Ardan placed her hand gently on the back of Gotham Song's head, tenderly stroking her, offering comfort through her touch.
Gotham Song was still shaking slightly, struggling to recover from her earlier outburst. Ardan sighed softly.
Really, if you'd shown this vulnerability back then, maybe I would've insisted you never stepped onto the track at all.
"That's why back then, I was proud of her. I've always been proud, and I'll always remain proud of her."
"My sorrow isn't because of loss, or regret, or guilt. It's because such a brave and beautiful child only existed before me for the briefest moment."
"It's sorrow because I can't watch over her as she runs further. It's sorrow born from pride, sorrow that can never be satisfied."
"If possible, I wish she'd never leave me again—never."
Ardan didn't say more. She gently lifted Gotham Song's face, meeting her tearful gaze with profound tenderness. Taking a deep breath, she whispered clearly, almost openly acknowledging it:
"So… if she came back to me again, she wouldn't leave this time, right? Not ever?"
Gotham Song froze, speechless. She stared blankly at the woman holding her with infinite gentleness, offering encouragement without demand.
Would she leave Ardan again—ever?
Actually, even before speaking earlier, Gotham Song had realized something clearly: her disguise before Ardan was probably going to crumble today. After all, comforting Ardan like this would clearly reveal how deeply she was connected to Twilight Song, wouldn't it?
Yet staying silent to preserve that disguise—just passively watching Ardan suffer—was impossible for Gotham Song.
This had always been her mistake, born from her selfish desires. Now that the moment had finally come, she could only give one answer:
I won't run away anymore.
"I…"
"Shh. Think carefully—who exactly are you right now, Song-chan?"
Ardan's gentle expression didn't change as she softly pressed a finger to Gotham Song's lips, saying something that made the girl pause in confusion.
Who exactly…? Wait, isn't this all backwards…?
From Ardan's affectionate gaze, Gotham Song clearly saw certainty. But why was Ardan acting this way? She'd already decided her answer.
She'd wanted to say: I won't leave again. Not ever. Yet…
Did Ardan-neesan not want her to answer like that?
Gotham Song carefully replayed everything Ardan had said:
She'd never grieved the loss itself, only the sorrow of not being able to run together. Her sadness was born of pride, not blame.
Did this mean Ardan would never blame Twilight Song for anything?
Was it precisely this absolute pride and lack of blame that had allowed her to break away from Ramonu so decisively, with no regrets?
Did Ardan believe she'd never done anything wrong—nor had Twilight Song?
Did that mean Ardan would support her unconditionally, no matter what?
Then what was the right response, as Twilight Song, as Gotham Song…?
"I think she'd say: I won't leave again. Not even half a step."
"Yes," Ardan smiled softly. "I'll be here smiling, ready to say 'Welcome home.' That's right, isn't it?"
Ardan gently kissed Gotham Song's cheek before loosening her embrace.
Since she'd already captured this disobedient child, what more could she ask for?
Ardan knew Gotham Song was hesitating—fearful of Ramonu-neesan's intense feelings and wary of the consequences. It reminded her so vividly of their past.
Well, if Gotham Song wasn't ready to speak, Ardan wouldn't force her. If she didn't want Ramonu-neesan to know yet, Ardan would simply—
"Well, it seems that child returned with extra baggage. Perhaps she's still enjoying a game of hide-and-seek. Quite playful for you, Twilight Song."
"Ah…ahaha…" Gotham Song laughed awkwardly, wiping her eyes.
How embarrassing—she hadn't cried back then, yet now she couldn't stop.
"As your older sister and lifelong accomplice, I suppose there's nothing else I can do."
If this child wanted to play, then she'd simply indulge her.
Gotham Song blinked, utterly confused. She hadn't expected Ardan to understand so easily—she hadn't even finished thinking of excuses yet! Ardan-neesan wasn't following the script!
"You don't want Ramonu-neesan to know yet, right, Twilight Song?"
As Gotham froze again, Ardan leaned close, whispering softly:
"Welcome home, Twilight Song. Don't leave again."