In the end, Gotham Song found an opportunity to send Sunday Silence back to Manhattan Cafe.
It wasn't because she disliked the ghostly Uma Musume; rather, it simply felt like Cafe needed her presence more right now.
Surprisingly, Sunday Silence left Gotham Song's body without protest, which made Gotham realize something—
For a mischievous ghost, she really is gentle at heart.
Several days passed uneventfully after that, though some mildly amusing incidents occurred along the way.
One such incident was Manhattan Cafe winning the Tenno Sho (Spring).
The win itself wasn't funny, of course—but what was amusing was how Cafe became known as the slowest Tenno Sho winner in recent history, finishing a full three or four seconds slower than the previous year's champion.
Why exactly this happened was a mystery, even to Gotham. Still, she was genuinely happy for her cousin.
Whatever others say, a victory is a victory.
The favorite for this Tenno Sho, in truth, had never been Manhattan Cafe, but rather Mejiro McQueen.
Yet—
McQueen had unexpectedly withdrawn from the race, leaving many bewildered. As a result, she'd been jokingly referred to as the "Phantom Tenno Sho Winner," since everyone had assumed the elegant ojousama would surely have won.
Well, that was just a small interlude.
Far more impactful was the news that Mejiro Ramonu had moved into the dormitories of Japan Central Tracen Academy.
Moreover, she'd chosen the room right above Gotham Song.
Thankfully, Rudolf had boldly declared, "Leave it to me," and volunteered to share her own room with Ramonu, greatly reducing the awkward interactions and probing questions Gotham had been anticipating.
How to put it…
All praise the magnificent Symboli Rudolf!
Qin Shi Huang? Who's that? Should I know him? Wu Zhao? Never heard of her either!
Other than these episodes, nothing overly memorable had occurred, only everyday events slowly building up around her.
For instance, Gotham Song's official announcement of her participation in the Yasuda Kinen, along with a subsequent press conference.
Initially, Gotham had no intention of holding any sort of press event. However, as soon as her participation became public, she was inundated with interview requests from countless reporters.
Neo Universe confidently assured Gotham she could handle them all herself, perfectly resolving everything without Gotham needing to worry.
But feeling guilty about constantly relying on Neo Universe, Gotham decided on a more direct, brute-force method instead:
Why not just gather all the reporters in one place and deal with them all at once?
Thus, after consulting Rudolf, Gotham Song spent an entire afternoon systematically answering every last question.
Not a single reporter escaped!
Predictably, the next day's media was dominated by articles speculating about Gotham's surprising choice of races.
People were genuinely puzzled. Gotham Song was Tokai Teio's fated rival, the second undefeated genius—and yet, astonishingly, her target wasn't the Japanese Triple Crown.
It had become one of the greatest mysteries surrounding Gotham Song.
By now it was late May, nearly June, and forget the Satsuki Sho—
Tokai Teio was already making bold victory declarations for the Japanese Derby!
Yet Gotham Song had yet to run a single classic race in her three-year-old season, something absolutely baffling.
The Classic Year for an Uma Musume comes only once; no second chances existed.
Ironically, Gotham's deliberate absence from these races only heightened curiosity and fueled heated discussions, causing her popularity to surge unexpectedly.
But Gotham herself rarely paid attention to outside chatter.
Her daily life revolved around training with Teio, avoiding Ramonu, researching new medicines with Agnes Tachyon, bickering fondly with Manhattan Cafe, and spending relaxed moments with various Uma Musume.
Among these Uma Musume was the familiar yet somewhat distant Twin Turbo.
After thoroughly failing to defeat Tokai Teio head-on, Miss Reverse-Thrusters inexplicably started hovering around Gotham Song, reasoning with childlike logic that Gotham must know secret methods for defeating her destined rival, Teio.
Surprisingly, despite her simple-mindedness, Turbo's instincts were sharp. Gotham did teach her a few techniques, but…
Well, Twin Turbo still ended up spectacularly crashing out on the track.
Reality truly can be harsh.
By comparison, Silence Suzuka—who occasionally joined their circle—was far easier to handle, despite currently still being restricted from using her signature runaway racing style.
Suzuka didn't need complicated advice; often, just quietly sitting beside her on the track and offering silent companionship was enough.
Thus, May 23rd arrived—three days before the Japanese Derby.
Gotham Song once again received a familiar call. Answering, she heard the expected voice speak smoothly:
"Good morning, Gotham-san. I assume your schedule today is quite free?"
"Ah, if you put it that way... Yes, I have nothing planned."
Secretariat's timing was unnervingly precise, perhaps even too accurate.
Gotham had just gotten dressed after washing up and hadn't even met Tokai Teio yet when this uninvited call arrived. As she stepped out into the corridor, she couldn't help but wonder:
Did Secretariat actually track my morning routine?
Otherwise, why would she sound so certain? How else could her timing be this impeccable?
Finding no answer, Gotham hurried out of the dormitory building.
Even without Secretariat's instructions, Gotham already knew exactly what was about to happen.
Her voice on the phone sounded precisely like last time.
Gotham Song had every reason to suspect Secretariat was waiting once again at the academy's main gate.
"Very good, Gotham-san. I admire your punctuality. Then, the same rule as last time—three minutes, shall we say?"
"Three minutes? No need—make it ten seconds!"
Secretariat paused in stunned silence, her expression briefly confused.
True, Uma Musume were incredibly fast, but running from the dormitory to the academy gate within ten seconds was utterly extraordinary.
"Then, should I begin counting down…?"
"No need—I'll help you! One!"
Gotham abruptly hung up, rounded the final corner at blinding speed, and without hesitation, reached straight for Secretariat's iconic scepter from behind.
But unfortunately, the legendary Uma Musume Secretariat instinctively twirled the scepter out of reach, swiftly repositioning it until its sharp tip pointed directly at Gotham's back. Thankfully, Secretariat regained her senses quickly enough to avoid causing real harm, stopping mid-motion.
Impressed, she quickly returned to her usual calm composure.
"It seems you accurately predicted me, Gotham-san. A truly remarkable intuition."
"Too bad, though—I still didn't get it."
Honestly, Gotham had long admired Secretariat's ornate scepter. Not for any grand reason—she simply knew she'd never have another chance to wield something like that, so she'd hoped to at least try holding it once.
But no such luck.
"Seeing you so energetic puts me at ease, Gotham-san. Shall we depart, then?"
"So—what is it this time?"
Gotham knew Secretariat wouldn't come to her casually. She was genuinely curious about what important matter would draw the American Tracen Academy's director herself.
Secretariat simply smiled mysteriously, waving a hand. A car driven by Festival Glory smoothly pulled up beside them.
"Let's discuss it on the way?"
"Next time, at least let me know beforehand."