Would you be willing to take responsibility for tens of thousands—maybe even more—of runaway Uma Musume you've never met, but who have all fallen hopelessly, insanely, passionately in love with you?
Would you use the rest of your life for that?
Absolutely not!
After bidding farewell to Silence Suzuka, returning to her dorm room, and consulting Neo Universe, Gotham Song was met with a mysterious smile.
Truthfully, it was the first time she'd ever seen Neo Universe make such an expression.
Neo Universe didn't even bother hiding the reason behind her reaction.
Because this was the moment Neo Universe anticipated—and found most hilarious—in nearly every parallel world she'd seen.
When Gotham Song asked why, Neo Universe refused to say. Instead, she turned on the computer, mysteriously typed in a URL, and gestured for Gotham Song to sit down and take a look herself.
Gotham Song immediately felt impending doom, though she couldn't explain why. Still, she obediently sat down at the computer.
Then, Gotham Song's entire world collapsed.
[Twilight Song Fan Club and Frontrunner Uma Musume Exchange Society]
What the heck? Why are these two things even combined?!
After a brief glance, Gotham Song understood perfectly what was going on.
Simply put…
It was an organization joined by frontrunner Uma Musume from practically all over the world, where they fanatically worshipped Twilight Song while casually exchanging running techniques and experiences.
In other words…
Without Gotham Song realizing it, thousands—maybe tens of thousands—of obsessive fangirls had appeared around the globe.
Ugh… Kill me now. Let me start a third life already. Or at least send me back to the banks of the afterlife…
Gotham Song slumped hopelessly onto the desk, eyes darkened in despair.
Now she had yet another reason to avoid revealing her identity.
Being worshipped as some kind of saintly idol by countless frontrunner Uma Musume is unbelievably embarrassing, okay?!
Neo Universe was already covering her mouth, laughing helplessly. Unable to vent her shame, Gotham Song silently closed the computer. Then, abruptly standing, she grabbed Neo Universe by the shoulders and firmly pushed the blonde-haired Uma Musume onto the bed.
It was punishment time!
Punishment for Neo Universe, who'd deliberately hidden this from her!
But after their playful scuffle, Gotham Song chose forgiveness, embracing Neo Universe affectionately, enjoying their usual closeness.
Yet, once Gotham Song drifted off into sleep, Neo Universe secretly took out her phone, snapped a picture of the two of them curled up together, and sent it off to someone else.
Honey Special Drink… A dangerous individual in every cycle, who needs to be discouraged early this time around.
As for whether that particular someone might rush over immediately upon receiving the message to interrupt them—
That was entirely impossible. Tokai Teio's daily schedule was impeccably regular. Unlike Neo Universe's own insomniac roommate, even if she saw the message right now, that oblivious girl—who still hadn't realized her own feelings—wouldn't read it until morning at the earliest. There was no issue at all.
And indeed, that was exactly how things unfolded.
The next morning, Tokai Teio, who came knocking at Gotham Song's door, appeared in an incredibly foul mood. Her irritation only worsened when she discovered she wouldn't have the chance to run alone with Gotham Song today, since Neo Universe boldly declared she'd be joining their morning jog.
Tokai Teio barely held back her frustration, thinking she'd at least be able to invite Gotham Song to lunch alone after Neo Universe left, and perhaps monopolize her afternoon time—thus finally declaring their "rivalry."
Yet, before Teio could even propose lunch, Gotham Song spoke first:
She had plans to leave campus today to watch another Uma Musume's race?!
Tokai Teio's sky immediately came crashing down. But she also couldn't find any reason to stop Gotham Song. As for accompanying her…
Well… Gotham-chan is great and all, but Prez promised to hang out with me later.
That's the Prez we're talking about…
After an agonizing struggle, Tokai Teio ultimately chose to stay behind at school. However, seeing Neo Universe's smug and unconcealed smile afterward nearly drove her to fury.
Once Gotham Song had left campus, Tokai Teio didn't bother hiding her feelings any longer.
"Neo Universe-san! What exactly do you mean by this?"
"Analyzing… Answering. I merely thought you'd like to see it, Tokai Teio-san. Besides, why are you angry?"
"W-Why am I angry?"
Tokai Teio almost wanted to snap back, asking why she shouldn't be angry, but the words died on her lips. Even the young Uma Musume herself felt that wasn't quite appropriate.
Did she really have the right to feel angry?
W-Well… we're rivals, aren't we? Wait, no—we haven't officially declared anything yet… ah, this is so annoying!
"I… I'm Tokai Teio!"
"Response: Even the King won't do. Tokai Teio-san, I hope you don't regret this later."
"Regret what?"
"Regret thinking, at this moment, that Gotham isn't as important to you as Symboli Rudolf-senpai."
Neo Universe left immediately after delivering that parting shot, leaving a frustrated and bewildered Tokai Teio behind.
Meanwhile, Gotham Song was naturally unaware of the conflict happening in her absence.
At the same time, elsewhere…
As possibly the most prestigious school in all of Japan, the facilities at Central Tracen Academy were perhaps excessively impressive.
A massive campus, spacious dorms, a sprawling shopping district, an enviably prime location, and of course—
A convenient train station just steps away from the school gates.
This station was how most Central Tracen students traveled. After a long day or on rest days, Uma Musume typically went shopping in the nearby commercial district or hopped on a train to explore places further away.
It was the simplest, most affordable way to get around—especially since most Uma Musume didn't have driver's licenses.
But this convenience also meant running into acquaintances was incredibly common here.
For instance, right after Gotham Song finished buying her ticket, she noticed a familiar face standing just outside the line, waiting for her.
Well, strictly speaking, they weren't that familiar—just someone she'd seen frequently lately.
"Oh my, Song-chan~ Are you taking this train as well? What a delightful coincidence."
"Yeah, it really is..."
Indeed, it was a coincidence in every sense of the word—heading to the exact same race, inspired by the exact same Uma Musume.
Well, what can I say…
Seeing the person standing before her, Gotham Song wasn't even surprised anymore.
After all, Gotham Song herself was attending the race out of sisterly obligation and a promise. And the person in front of her also happened to be Mejiro McQueen's older sister.
Mejiro Bright, who'd recently moved in next door, stood before her, gently smiling.
"Since it's such a coincidence, why don't we go together, Song-chan?"
Gotham Song paused slightly before nodding in agreement.
Refusing her at this point would just make things awkward. Ah, Neo Universe, I bet even you haven't seen this scenario before, have you?
"Alright, I'd be glad to. Shall we go then, Bright-san?"
"Hmm~ How about calling me Bright-neesan instead?"