Mejiro Bright's words still echoed in Gotham Song's mind, causing her to sigh helplessly every time she recalled them.
This request was far too much—not just for McQueen, but also for "Twilight Song."
Ugh… Forget it. Let's just stop thinking about it and go home.
Strangely enough, at this moment Gotham Song missed Neo Universe terribly. Maybe it was because the golden-haired Uma Musume was someone she could tell anything to—someone who perhaps knew Gotham Song even better than Gotham Song herself.
Hmm…
Perhaps Sunday Silence would be alright too. In any case, she desperately wanted someone to listen to her thoughts right now.
Exiting the stadium, Gotham Song glanced at the signs nearby, intending to cross the street and catch the train back to Central Tracen Academy.
However, an unexpected encounter quickly disrupted her plan.
It was a small Uma Musume whom Gotham Song immediately recognized. Or rather, this particular filly's fame had already reached legendary heights—albeit in a rather unusual sense.
Chestnut-brown hair, a distinctive white diamond-shaped mark on her forehead, huge eyes, and soft, youthful cheeks…
Ah, that would probably be a very young Satono Diamond.
Yes, a regular in all sorts of bizarre fan-creations, and even outside those, still a frighteningly formidable existence—someone Neo Universe had warned her to avoid at all costs.
Watch out for Satono Diamond! Gotham Song swiftly turned away, fully intending to quietly leave the area.
However, though that was her intention, Satono Diamond had no such hesitation. She strode right up to Gotham Song, making direct eye contact.
"Um, excuse me…?"
"Ah, hello! Sorry to trouble you, but have you seen a black-haired Uma Musume with white highlights, about my height?"
Isn't that just Kitasan Black...?
Huh, you two started paying attention to McQueen's races this early?
Despite this thought, Gotham Song carefully recalled the surroundings from moments earlier, realizing that the familiar figure had indeed been standing near herself and Mejiro Bright.
However, before Gotham Song could say a word, an energetic voice suddenly rang out from behind.
"Ah! There you are, Dia-chan! And there's an unfamiliar onee-san too!"
An unfamiliar onee-san… hehe, this might be the first time since reincarnating that I've been called that.
Gotham Song felt a bit bashful at the term.
After all, her height was usually only comparable to a select few her age. But compared to these still-growing young fillies, she was finally at just the right height.
They're still far from maturation anyway… right?
Now that Kitasan Black had found Diamond, she could just slip away unnoticed.
Gotham Song had great faith in Neo Universe's advice—especially the ten rules she'd drilled into her—but unfortunately, it seemed she wouldn't get away this time.
"Um…is there something else?"
What's the key to successfully running away? Twilight Song, Goddess of Escape, says simply turn around and bolt at full speed. But what if someone grabs your sleeve just as you're about to dash off?
Easy, just shake them off with brute strength.
Except… Gotham Song now experienced deep humiliation, discovering she couldn't even budge young Satono Diamond.
I can't even break free from a child!
And with Kitasan Black inexplicably joining in to support her friend, Gotham Song felt entirely trapped.
It was as if gravity itself had bound her soul to this spot.
"If not for you, onee-san, Kita-chan might never have found me, so please let me repay you!"
"So please let me repay you"…???
Listen to yourself—did I actually do anything?! What on earth is this filly thinking?!
Gotham Song was at a total loss about how to respond. It finally dawned on her why Satono Diamond had become such a broken and bizarre figure in fanworks.
The original Diamond simply lacked common sense, always acting outrageously or crossing social boundaries without warning!
In other words, most Uma Musume gradually escalated their strangeness—but Satono Diamond?
Once she passed a certain threshold, she might knock you unconscious and drag you straight home.
Ugh, please not the Satono Estate. I'd rather go back to Mejiro Manor… Wait, neither option sounds good.
Better yet, let me just crawl back into Neo Universe's bed!
"But…I didn't really do anything…there's no need to repay me, really."
Diamond shook her head vigorously, hugging Gotham Song even tighter—unintentionally sealing her movements entirely.
Hiss—what a terrifying filly! If she's already like a black hole now, won't she become a singularity once grown?!
But ultimately, Diamond was still just a child. Gotham Song reasoned she could briefly indulge her whims, then escape at the first opportunity.
Ironically, in the face of such a crisis, Gotham Song regained extraordinary calm. After a brief pause, she nodded slowly.
"Then…how about we play a little game?"
"Oh! Is that how onee-san wants to be repaid? Sure! What kind of game is it?"
Perfect. Children really were easy to handle. With this, escaping would only take ten seconds.
Sorry, Diamond-chan—but my personal freedom is at stake! Let's meet again someday, fate willing!
Gotham Song resolved inwardly to steer clear of Satono Diamond for the rest of her life.
"It's a very simple game—let's play hide-and-seek! Diamond-chan can be the seeker. And for the area… let's use that little park nearby."
Beside them, Kitasan Black tilted her head in confusion. Playing hide-and-seek as repayment? What a strange onee-san… But since Diamond seemed enthusiastic, Kitasan Black had no complaints.
Maybe this onee-san just genuinely enjoys playing hide-and-seek?
Thus, the trio quickly moved to the nearby park. In the first round, Gotham Song found the two fillies effortlessly, after which it became Diamond's turn to seek.
Watching the cheerful chestnut-haired filly turn around and start counting, Gotham Song breathed a huge sigh of relief. She exchanged a secretive wink with Kitasan Black.
What else needed to be said at this moment?
Twilight Song, initiate escape!
The next second, under Kitasan Black's stunned gaze, Gotham Song became a shooting star—fleeing the park at such incredible speed that she vanished instantly.
Erm… is this also part of hide-and-seek?
Kitasan Black stared at her close friend, who'd just finished counting, suddenly unsure what to say.
However, when Diamond realized that the mysterious onee-san had disappeared without even leaving her name, a curious smile appeared on her face.
I feel like… this onee-san is quite interesting.
Hehe, let's play again next time we meet.