Still, when Tokai Teio knocked on her door the next morning as usual, looking perfectly normal, Gotham Song breathed a small sigh of relief as she started her day.
Even by noon, Tokai Teio hadn't insisted on staying close, further reassuring Gotham Song.
Tokai Teio probably just wants a challenge, that's all. Whew—safe for now. I knew it.
There had to be reasons why Mejiro Manor was crumbling. Surely the Japan Central Tracen Academy wouldn't abruptly turn into something completely alien to Gotham Song without cause, right?
And that cause—me? Impossible. It's not like I'm a Herrscher, spreading collapse everywhere I go.
Lunch was still spent with Oguri Cap, but her afternoon plans took a different turn.
On the training grounds, Gotham Song spotted her cousin, Manhattan Cafe, running alone, diligently pushing herself.
Gotham Song had been struggling with how to return the old ghost attached to her, but after a brief hesitation, she suddenly broke into a sprint, quickly catching up to Cafe.
Even training the day after winning the Kikuka Sho... Café-nee really is incredible, isn't she?
In that case…
I'll join you!
Manhattan Cafe clearly felt the intense fighting spirit radiating from the uninvited challenger. Rather than backing down, the newly crowned Kikuka Sho winner accelerated, matching Gotham Song stride for stride as the wind around them synchronized, roaring in their ears.
But ultimately, Gotham Song was victorious.
Cafe must've been running for a long while already. Though determination and heart remained, sometimes sheer will couldn't fully replace physical energy. Realizing further running was futile, Cafe gradually slowed to a halt.
Sweat dripped down her flushed cheeks, strands of hair slightly loosened, while steam rose gently around her body in the cool winter afternoon—
Under the sunlight, she seemed to glow softly.
Gotham Song figured she probably looked the same.
But honestly, she felt quite good. Good enough, in fact, to pull a small towel from her pocket and gently wipe Manhattan Cafe's cheeks clean.
Cafe didn't resist her cousin's gentle attention. She lowered her head slightly, eyes half-closed, making it easier for Gotham Song to reach—
But why does it feel so adorable when Song puts her hand on my shoulder and stands on her tiptoes to wipe my face carefully?
Ah, yes. Song is incredibly cute—unmatched, really. The cutest of all.
Before Cafe realized what she was doing, she found herself gently placing a hand on Gotham Song's back.
This must be... to keep her from falling.
Or so Cafe convinced herself.
Gotham Song, oblivious to these thoughts, simply finished wiping Cafe's cheeks before sitting with her on the grassy field nearby.
"Do you want some water first—wait, Café-nee, haven't you been pushing yourself too hard lately?"
"Hm...? Maybe. But I don't know if I'll ever get another chance at the Arima Kinen."
So, I must be at my absolute best, was the unspoken meaning behind Cafe's words.
Gotham Song expected something like this from her cousin.
Unlike Sunday Silence, Manhattan Cafe was always incredibly earnest, especially about racing. Still, Gotham Song felt there was something deeper driving her.
"Besides," Cafe continued softly, "I want to catch up to her."
"Her?"
Cafe's words sparked Gotham Song's curiosity. Who exactly was "her"? Agnes Tachyon, perhaps? Or Sunday Silence herself?
"Hmm… There's someone I know very well, someone incredibly strong. Someday, I'll catch up to her."
Ah, then it's probably Sunday Silence, Gotham Song mentally called for the ghost to come out already.
Though Gotham Song still teasingly called her the "old ghost," for some reason she couldn't bring herself to genuinely resent that irritating specter anymore.
Was it because of the intense sense of safety Sunday Silence gave her during that confrontation with Mejiro McQueen?
But Cafe wasn't finished speaking. She turned her gaze towards Gotham Song.
"And besides, I don't want to lose to you, either."
"Huh? Why me?"
Why am I suddenly involved? Café-nee, you'll be in your Senior year next year, while I'll still be in my Classic year. Don't tell me you're already imagining us competing against each other?
You'll lose, you know! Badly! And I won't be comforting you when you end up crying, Café-nee!
"Next year, I just have a strong feeling you'll shine brilliantly on the track, Song. But even so—I refuse to lose to you."
Cafe spoke earnestly, turning her head fully to lock eyes with Gotham Song. For some reason, their faces were slowly moving closer together.
Isn't this distance... a bit too intimate?
Gotham Song clearly sensed the sincerity in Cafe's words. Now that she thought about it, Sunday Silence usually lingered close by, yet right now, Cafe was completely alone.
Perhaps Cafe was trying to prove something by working so hard—
Manhattan Cafe was desperate to catch up to those Uma Musume whose strength and talent far exceeded her own. She refused to acknowledge defeat.
But then again, did any Uma Musume ever willingly accept her own limitations?
[Isn't this lovely? She's gazing at you so earnestly, waiting for your reply. You're the only thing reflected in her eyes, little one.]
Old ghost! Gotham Song flinched internally. Don't pop out suddenly like that! It's your absence that caused this in the first place!
[Oh? Are you saying I shouldn't have helped you before?]
N-No, that's not what I meant.
Gotham Song imagined Sunday Silence's smug, self-satisfied grin at having successfully teased her.
Ugh.
You're truly awful, you damned ghost!
[Alright, alright, little one. I'll stop teasing you. But really, are you sure you don't want to do it right now—right here?]
Do what exactly?
[Think about it. You're alone together. Café's at the point where she'd probably agree to anything you suggest. Just pretend it's a playful prank—have her close her eyes, and then quickly kiss her cheek—]
[Then I'll immediately return to her side. How about it? Aren't you tempted to do it for Café's sake?]
Somehow... your suggestion sounds really suspicious…
Despite her internal reservations, Gotham Song hesitated briefly as she looked at Cafe's earnest, reliable, flawless cheeks.
Actually, a thought flashed through her mind:
Is this proposal really that bad...?
Yet still!
Gotham Song realized, to her shock, she was indeed tempted by this ambiguous closeness.
By Manhattan Cafe herself.
Ugh, what's going on...? Sunday Silence, what kind of trick have you pulled now?!