Manhattan Cafe, having had a restless night, found her cousin's gaze especially odd today.
Nevertheless, the group still cheerfully celebrated Cafe's significant victory at the Kikuka Sho.
The Kikuka Sho effectively signaled the nearing end of the racing year. At least in Japan, after the Kikuka Sho, the only major event left was the Arima Kinen.
If the Kikuka Sho was the whistle marking the closing stretch, the Arima Kinen was undoubtedly the final call.
Under these circumstances, Manhattan Cafe's win essentially secured her a spot at the Arima Kinen, becoming another topic of excitement at their celebratory gathering.
Manhattan Cafe vs. Mejiro McQueen—it sounded completely absurd.
But then again, challenging the impossible was exactly what any determined Uma Musume would eagerly pursue, especially in racing.
Incidentally, Tokai Teio had also risen spectacularly in prominence due to her flawless rookie performance. She'd already been labeled as a "Genius New Star," the "Unbeatable Prodigy," and even the "Emperor's Successor," becoming a leading candidate for next year's Triple Crown, as well as a confirmed participant in the Arima Kinen.
After enjoying themselves for a while, the group dispersed, and Manhattan Cafe prepared to return to her daily training routine.
Just before leaving, though, she still felt Gotham Song's gaze lingering on her strangely. However, seeing that asking yielded no results, she simply offered a gentle farewell and went ahead first.
Gotham Song hesitated, watching her cousin's figure slowly disappear, but in the end, she couldn't find the courage to speak, reluctantly giving up and turning to leave.
Yet just as she stepped out the door, she spotted someone unexpected waiting outside.
Why is Bright-san here?!
"My, what a coincidence, Song-chan~. Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, Bright-san… Are you waiting for someone?"
Coincidence? Really? Standing by the entrance like that—it's obvious she's waiting for me, right?
"Hmm—originally yes, but she suddenly messaged me saying she couldn't make it. How unfortunate. In that case, Song-chan, would you mind accompanying me back to school?"
"Ah… yes, I suppose I could."
'Suddenly messaged,' huh? More like you planned this from the start, Bright-san! I never realized before, but your tactics are truly terrifying!
Gotham Song obediently accepted. After all, they lived right next door; if she rejected Bright now, wouldn't that only raise suspicions?
So, she'll probably ask about seeing McQueen yesterday, right?
But to Gotham Song's surprise, Mejiro Bright maintained her perfect lady-like composure throughout their journey, making only casual, entirely ordinary small talk.
It truly felt as though Bright had simply been stood up by someone and spontaneously decided to return to school alongside Gotham Song.
Was this even possible?
From the hotel entrance to the train station, from disembarking the train to reaching the dorm, from the first-floor entrance all the way to their floor's corridor—
Bright didn't ask or mention a single suspicious thing!
Yet precisely because of this, Gotham Song was drenched in nervous sweat.
Bright-san, please stop toying with me! Just say what you want—I'm terrified you'll suddenly stab me in the back!
What was there for Gotham Song and Mejiro Bright to talk about, anyway?
Perhaps Bright initially arrived carrying Mejiro Ramonu's intentions, but at the moment, this Mejiro family daughter undoubtedly had her own goals.
To Bright, Gotham Song was valuable mainly because of Mejiro McQueen. Thus, their interactions should've revolved around that subject from the start.
That's exactly why Gotham Song had been so certain Bright was here to discuss yesterday's encounter with McQueen.
Yet her neighbor's avoidance of that topic entirely shattered Gotham Song's carefully prepared defenses.
Or rather, her defenses felt more like the Maginot Line—
Effective, yet completely ineffective.
Even standing right outside their dorm rooms, Bright still hadn't said a word.
This can't be right… She's about to ambush me at my most vulnerable moment, isn't she?!
As Gotham Song reached anxiously for her room's doorknob…
"Ah, right—Song-chan."
Here it comes! Your next sentence will surely be…
"You saw our Mejiro family's little McQueen yesterday, didn't you?"
"Yesterday, I bought some delicious cakes. Would you like me to share some with you?"
Eh?
Eh, eh, eh, eh?!
Bright-san, why aren't you following the script?!
Now she was really thrown off…
"N-no, thank you, Bright-san."
"They really are tasty, you know. Don't worry—I still have some unopened."
"N-no, thank you, really. Um, I'm on a diet, so I can't have sweets."
A diet?
Mejiro Bright carefully examined Gotham Song's small, delicate frame, momentarily speechless.
As a former racer herself, Bright would actually have recommended Gotham Song gain weight instead. After all, proper weight was crucial for power and speed.
Yet for some inexplicable reason, Bright found herself thinking that Gotham Song was perfect precisely because she was so petite and delicate.
Maybe it's even better this way?
This strange thought prevented Bright from giving her genuine racing advice. So, in the end, she simply nodded with understanding.
"Well then, I'll return to my room first. Have a pleasant afternoon, Song-chan."
Bright promptly opened her door and slipped into her room without hesitation—without even giving Gotham Song a moment to react.
Gotham Song had genuinely thought Bright would land one final attack at the last second.
Ugh… why does Bright-san seem even harder to handle than Ramonu-san? How did I never notice that before…?
Still thoroughly confused, Gotham Song helplessly returned to her room. Inside, Neo Universe was already waiting, holding up a brightly lit tablet and waving it excitedly in front of her.
Was something especially important going on?
Trusting Neo Universe completely, Gotham Song stepped closer for a look—
And felt her world come crashing down again.
[Q: Tokai Teio-san, who do you consider your rival?]
[A: Of course, that would be Gotham Song.]
Gotham Song…? Who's that supposed to be?
She can't possibly mean me, right?
I'm Tokai Teio's rival…?
Huh?!