Long ago—perhaps when Gotham Song was still preparing for the Kyodo News Hai, back in New York—she had read a newspaper article.
At least, that was when she was still Twilight Song, before she'd even heard of the Gotham Stakes.
That small article had forcibly assigned her a rival—
But so much time had passed that Gotham Song couldn't remember exactly which Uma Musume it had been.
It certainly couldn't have been Tokai Teio.
Back then, she was just a little-known rookie—
But now, things had changed dramatically. Gotham Song hadn't said a word herself, yet Tokai Teio had already publicly declared it.
Who would be the destined rival of Tokai Teio as she entered her Classic year?
Maybe Mejiro McQueen, the older-generation mare?
Or perhaps the eccentric runaway, Twin Turbo?
It surely couldn't be Gold Ship, whose races visibly screamed slacking off.
But to Gotham Song's horror—
Why on earth is it Gotham Song?!
Taking a sharp breath, Gotham Song turned to Neo Universe, only to see her roommate solemnly nodding in confirmation.
"You mean... every Tokai Teio in every parallel universe announces the same thing?"
"If you met before her debut year? Yes. But even if you hadn't, it wouldn't change much."
Indeed, it wouldn't change much. Even if they hadn't met early, once Tokai Teio raced Gotham Song for the first time, that undefeated genius would instantly declare the black-haired Uma Musume as her rival.
But how should she put it?
Gotham Song's own rival?
Wasn't that scope a little too broad? Too many candidates already existed.
Dancing Brave from her previous life; Tokai Teio and Twin Turbo now; Silence Suzuka next year; Special Week and Mihono Bourbon after that...
Hmm, how to say it?
Neo Universe secretly yearned to become Gotham Song's rival, too.
After all, being rivals meant sharing the deepest bond between Uma Musume, didn't it?
"But our race schedules hardly overlap, right?"
Tokai Teio aimed for the Japanese Triple Crown, and the only possible meeting point was the Kikuka Sho.
However!
This undefeated genius was fated to stumble before the Kikuka Sho, unless some external factor intervened.
Gotham Song had no intention of interfering with Tokai Teio's development—and the reason was simple.
Tokai Teio had a long road ahead of her, and the life she was meant to lead was already splendid enough.
Compared to an undefeated genius, the image of a resilient, unyielding emperor was far more stirring.
Tokai Teio's miraculous revival—that alone was enough to send a surge of excitement through everyone who heard about it.
Moreover, Agnes Tachyon had once said—
Even if Tokai Teio knew she'd suffer an accident in the Japanese Derby, she wouldn't hesitate in the slightest, would she?
With all that in mind, Gotham Song believed there was absolutely no chance she'd ever race against Tokai Teio!
Because the only overlap was the Kikuka Sho, which Tokai Teio would inevitably miss!
But then Neo Universe tilted her head, puzzled. It seemed she had encountered such a scenario for the first time—
"Song, aren't you forgetting something?"
"Huh? Forgetting what?"
"Just like how you can run in the Kikuka Sho, Tokai Teio can also compete in the Japan Cup, right?"
Ah. Wait a minute. Am I going to become Tokai Teio's first opponent after her miraculous return?
"And Song, there's another thing you've forgotten."
There's more?!
Neo Universe stepped forward, gently patting Gotham Song's shoulder with an oddly subtle smile, as if anticipating some fascinating development ahead.
"Who was originally supposed to be Tokai Teio's rival?"
Who else could it be? Of course, it was Mejiro McQueen.
"And now, do they even have a chance of becoming acquainted?"
Miscalculation!
In that instant, Gotham Song realized the bitter truth.
Thanks to Twilight Song's interference, Mejiro McQueen wasn't even remotely close to knowing Tokai Teio, let alone developing their comforting relationship later on.
Now, Gotham Song thought grimly, it'd already be a blessing if Mejiro McQueen didn't go around saying something like, "I'll utterly humiliate a weakling like you," directly to Tokai Teio's face.
Ugh, how did it all end up like this?
Staring helplessly into Neo Universe's eyes, Gotham Song came to a painful realization.
"Because... of me?"
Exactly. And the chain reaction afterward would be even more catastrophic.
Without Mejiro McQueen's encouragement, would Tokai Teio's miraculous revival even happen?
This absolutely couldn't be lost! If it didn't happen, then I...!
Twilight Song grabbed Neo Universe's arms desperately, praying for a reassuring denial. But Neo Universe cruelly shattered the hopes of her roommate and hugging-pillow partner.
"Song, you can't run from this."
Gotham Song collapsed to the ground in defeat.
This scene thoroughly amused Sunday Silence, who'd long since drifted overhead.
Oh, this little one's life is just too entertaining! It's so comfortable here, I almost don't want to go back to Cafe's side.
Thinking this, Sunday Silence lazily drifted closer, casually voicing her opinion.
"If that's the case, why not really become her rival?"
But a rival, huh? Was that relationship truly so simple? Gotham Song wasn't sure if her understanding was off, but most Uma Musume maintained rivalries for a lifetime!
Even now, Symboli Rudolf, Maruzensky, and T.M. Opera O's complicated history still stirred gossip across Japan—how troublesome!
If things developed to that stage, wouldn't Gotham Song and Tokai Teio become an ironclad couple in the eyes of the public?!
No, no, no! Mejiro Manor was already in chaos. If something like that happened, wouldn't Tokai Teio collapse too?
Wouldn't that place her firmly among Mejiro Manor's Supreme VIP Guests of the Underground Dungeon?!
If it came to that, she'd rather hear gossip about Satono Diamond and the tyrant Rudolf at Central.
At least after returning to the Sanzu River, she'd have bragging rights against those oddballs.
Have you guys ever raced on a heavy track, huh?
"No way! Absolutely not! Rivals are off-limits! Rivals becoming wives is even more off-limits!"
In short, it's impossible! Me paired with Tokai Teio? This isn't fanservice—it's murder!
My life is valuable too!
A fiery explosion like ten million spears of Adun erupted in Gotham Song's heart, yet Neo Universe responded ruthlessly.
"But Song, everyone already thinks so. The undefeated genius's antithesis—the terrifying devil of the track, Gotham Song."
"That's exactly what everyone's calling you."
…
I need to reassemble the Spear of Adun—right now.