Sunday Silence stubbornly refused to leave Gotham Song's body. Meanwhile, Manhattan Cafe—completely oblivious to this—hurried out of the waiting room, appearing before her cousin with a slightly crestfallen expression.
"Cafe-nee? What's wrong? You just won the Kikuka Sho, didn't you?"
"It's… nothing. I just feel like I forgot something important there."
Though her "friend" had always come and gone unpredictably, vanishing for extended periods at times, she had never once missed the significant moments in Manhattan Cafe's life.
It was my very first G1 victory, so why weren't you by my side this time...?
Unable to make sense of it, Manhattan Cafe uncharacteristically lowered her ears.
Realizing what might be happening, Gotham Song felt awkwardness surge through her—
Just moments ago, Sunday Silence had specifically rushed over to protect her, and because of that, Manhattan Cafe was now looking so forlorn.
Ugh… Now that I think about it, what am I supposed to do…?
While Gotham Song was still desperately pondering, she suddenly felt her body move on its own.
Huh…? What's going on?!
Right in front of Manhattan Cafe, who was still drooping her ears sadly, Gotham Song uncontrollably spread her arms wide and warmly embraced her cousin.
"Song…?"
"Oh, Cafe-nee, I just thought… maybe this is exactly what you need right now?"
Those aren't my words either!
And why do I sound so casual, like hugging her is nothing special at all?!
Manhattan Cafe's ears twitched rapidly in surprise, and after a prolonged pause, she quietly shifted her gaze away, her breathing audibly quicker.
"T-thank you…"
Gotham Song clearly felt heat rising in her cousin's cheeks.
That's lethal-level cuteness!
Utterly speechless, Gotham Song turned away in embarrassment, completely lost about how to respond.
Hey, Sunday Silence, where did you go?! Say something! Don't just leave me hanging here!
Silently cursing the culprit responsible for this awkwardness, Gotham Song finally regained control and gently released Manhattan Cafe.
"U-um… Should we head back now?"
After the Winner's Stage and a quiet train ride home, it was already late by the time they returned to school. Thus, Manhattan Cafe's victory celebration was postponed until tomorrow. Walking back to their dorm rooms side by side, Gotham Song was so exhausted she couldn't even muster the energy to explain the day's events to Neo Universe.
She staggered straight into her bed and buried herself motionlessly beneath the covers.
Seeing her roommate's pitiful state, Neo Universe gently lifted Gotham Song's head onto her smooth lap.
"So, it seems the Kikuka Sho result hasn't changed, and you've finally encountered Mejiro McQueen."
Ah… so even this was destined to happen?
Gotham Song intended to say that, yet when she opened her mouth, the words became entirely different.
"How intriguing… It seems you don't really see everything clearly after all, Song-chan's roommate."
Huh?! Sunday Silence, you're still here?!
Neo Universe froze briefly, then playfully poked Gotham Song's cheek with her fingertip.
"It appears I'm speaking with Sunday Silence-san now. This would be our first meeting, wouldn't it?"
Eh? Neo Universe, you already know Sunday Silence?
"Oh? Even I'm someone you recognize? Interesting. Then explain to me how exactly you know all this. Surely you didn't just guess from watching Song-chan and that gloomy cousin of hers on a livestream?"
Gloomy cousin…?
"Of course not. We're simply inseparable comrades, Sunday Silence-san."
Neo Universe had openly admitted a small part of her secret—but from the ease of this exchange, Gotham Song realized something crucial:
This isn't Neo Universe's first interaction with Sunday Silence in the parallel worlds.
Neo Universe spoke so comfortably, even managing to suppress Sunday Silence's usual dominance in conversation. Surprisingly, Sunday Silence seemed to be on the defensive for once.
This was the mighty, ever-arrogant Sunday Silence they were talking about.
Neo Universe, you're incredible!
After a long, sleepy-sounding exchange filled with veiled probing and testing, they finally reached the final topic.
"So, Sunday Silence-san, won't you return to Manhattan Cafe-san? She's been anxiously awaiting your return."
Using Gotham Song's face, Sunday Silence displayed an unhinged grin before leisurely replying.
"Oh, I'd love to. But shouldn't you know already, little blonde? I literally cannot leave Song-chan's body right now."
What do you mean by that, Sunday Silence-san?! Explain yourself clearly, especially since you're using my body!
"But you clearly—"
"Quiet, little blonde. This is the only matter you absolutely cannot speak of."
After careful deliberation, Neo Universe finally closed her eyes in resignation.
Hopefully, Song-chan won't lose her mind when she finds out the truth…
"Well, Song-chan~ you're curious about why I said I couldn't leave, aren't you?"
Very much so, actually!
"Then, try recalling exactly how I entered your body earlier."
Could you not phrase it in such a weird way?! But speaking of the method…
A hug from behind, embracing me, then softly kissing my cheek…
Kissing my cheek…?
Wait—don't tell me, Sunday Silence-san, that means…?
"Exactly, that's precisely what it means~"
For a moment, Gotham Song didn't even know how to process her feelings.
Sunday Silence's hint was blatantly clear: a ghost's possession could only be transferred through intimate physical contact like that.
In other words:
Sunday Silence: You wanna get rid of me? Well, it's easy to invite a ghost, but hard to send one away! If you really want me gone, simply run to your dear cousin without reason or explanation, hug her tight, and kiss her cheek.
Easy, right? Learned your lesson yet?
Easy, my foot! There's nothing easy about that, you old bastard!
If ghosts were tangible, Gotham Song would absolutely drag Sunday Silence out and beat her right now. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible, so she could only let out a bitter sigh.
"Neo Universe—this old ghost is too annoying! Do you have any better ideas?"
Neo Universe visibly hesitated earlier, as if she had something else in mind.
You must have another way, right? Come on, Neo Universe—we're closest partners, aren't we?
Gotham Song looked up hopefully at the Uma Musume before her, even cutely nudging her roommate's belly with her nose.
But after a long silence, Neo Universe shyly—or perhaps helplessly—averted her gaze, covering her flushed cheeks.
In short, Gotham Song felt as if her sky had collapsed yet again.
If I suddenly hugged and kissed Cafe-nee without warning, wouldn't she just kill me on the spot?
Ugh… Could we at least call a truce if I really had to do that?