But what awaited her upon returning to familiar Tokyo?
Naturally, familiar events as well. Gotham Song had slept soundly, yet the next morning—at the exact same time as always—she was awakened by that same familiar knocking.
Sleepily straddling Neo Universe and squirming out from under the covers, Gotham Song already knew exactly who it was, even through her grogginess. One face instantly appeared clearly in her mind—that bright, cheerful face full of determination.
Ah, come to think of it, I still haven't given her the present I prepared for her hospital discharge…
Stepping onto the floor and slipping into her slippers, Gotham Song gradually regained consciousness, quickly trotting to open the door.
As expected, the excited face of Tokai Teio greeted her.
"Song! You're finally back~!"
But before Gotham Song could even open her mouth to reply, the bubbly dual-crown winner immediately demonstrated her trademark enthusiasm.
Of course it wasn't simply Gotham Song returning to Tokai Teio's side—it was Tokai Teio launching herself forward, wrapping Gotham Song in a tight embrace!
Feeling Teio's childlike warmth as she openly expressed her longing, Gotham Song was momentarily caught off guard—I'm supposed to be your rival, not your mother. Why is it that not only do I have to visit you when you're injured, but I even have to comfort you when you're lonely?
Still, despite the absurdity of that fleeting thought, Tokai Teio's sincere affection brought Gotham Song genuine peace.
Ah, yes… this is exactly the familiar environment I know.
"Mm, I'm back, Teio. But looks like you've fully recovered?"
"Hehe, of course I have..."
Teio's smile remained bright, but Gotham Song easily spotted its forced undertone.
She hesitated briefly, wondering if she should inquire more clearly. Ultimately, though, Gotham Song restrained that impulse.
She considered: Why did Teio react that way when I asked about her legs?
Her rehab training had surely been completed, and Teio wouldn't lie about something like this. If she claimed she was physically fine, then it must be true.
That meant it wasn't her body that had a problem—
Gotham Song gently patted Tokai Teio's back, then firmly grasped her shoulders, pushing her slightly away to face her directly. It was as if she were forcing Teio—who seemed determined not to revisit the subject—to confront reality head-on.
Teio panicked slightly, averting her eyes from Gotham Song's gaze.
That unbeatable genius, filled with endless self-confidence, would never show such vulnerability!
"Song, please… don't ask…"
"No. That's not what I'm here to say."
Gotham Song tightened her grip on Teio's shoulders, closely studying the girl in front of her. She recalled clearly every expression she'd seen on that confident face before.
What kind of horse girl was Tokai Teio?
Proud, strong, brave, passionate, and even a bit arrogant—stemming from the absolute confidence of knowing she stood atop the world as an undefeated genius.
Thus, the last thing Gotham Song ever wanted to see on Teio's face was the confusion, helplessness, and aimless pain that appeared now.
In a single instant, Gotham Song's simple question had stripped away the mask Teio had worn. The visit today wasn't just Teio's daily routine.
No—this was nothing less than a cry for help. Tokai Teio herself hadn't realized it, but she'd instinctively come here in desperation, reaching for the only hand she could trust.
She was drowning, frantically reaching for salvation.
So, Gotham Song firmly grasped Tokai Teio's wrist.
"S-Song?"
"It's nothing much. It's just been quite a while, hasn't it?"
As Gotham Song spoke, she slipped barefoot into her running shoes, not bothering to wash or even change her clothes. Without any hesitation, she pulled Tokai Teio toward the staircase leading outside.
Teio remained stunned, not knowing how to react. Honestly, if she'd wanted, she could've easily stopped Gotham Song. Teio clearly understood how frail Gotham Song's physical strength was compared to an Uma Musume. Yet, inexplicably, she couldn't bring herself to resist—even under the baffled gaze of the dormitory supervisor.
Teio simply stared dumbfounded at that petite yet towering figure before her, softly murmuring:
"W-what's been quite a while?"
"It's been a long time since we last stood on a track like this, hasn't it? Teio, do you still remember how we first met?"
Our first meeting?
Tokai Teio certainly wasn't slow-witted, but at this moment, she found it difficult to speak.
Right now, she was a horse girl who instinctively rejected the mere idea of racing—had she truly earned the right to call herself a runner?
"W-weren't we…friends?"
"Did you forget, or did I? We were rivals, Teio."
There were still a few girls training on the grass, given the track's proximity to the dorms. But upon seeing Gotham Song in nothing but a nightgown and the unresisting Tokai Teio being pulled along, they immediately understood what was about to happen.
Even the few who didn't quite grasp it soon realized from their classmates' whispers. Within moments, the entire track was emptied, leaving only the two of them at the starting line.
Tokai Teio was still dazed. She'd intended merely to seek advice and comfort—how had things turned out like this?
Either way…
Tracen Academy training grounds, 1600 meters, left-handed turn, two competitors, cloudy weather.
Somehow—at least from Teio's perspective—she'd found herself standing on the long-absent "racetrack."
"But Song… Right now, I…I…"
I can't even run anymore!
What Tokai Teio faced couldn't have been simpler, yet more terrifying. For any horse girl, a fracture meant more than just physical pain; it was akin to death. Even now, with her legs fully healed, Teio deeply feared one thing:
What if I can't run again?
During her rehabilitation, driven by determination and dreams, Teio hadn't realized this fear existed. Only now, facing the track again, did the problem suddenly sharpen.
Her body instinctively feared running—feared that running would again lead to injury.
"Right now, it might be impossible for Teio to run by herself," Gotham Song calmly acknowledged.
How could Gotham Song not understand Teio's struggle? It was precisely because she understood that she acted this way.
How could she help Teio rediscover her courage to run?
Gotham Song didn't have a perfect solution, but one thing she was sure of—after spending so much time among horse girls—was their innate passion for running. With the slightest push, that excitement would undoubtedly overcome Teio's fear. After all, Tokai Teio was no coward.
So, there was only one thing left to do.
Something quite simple.
"So, even if Teio can't run alone right now, isn't that exactly why I'm here?"
Gotham Song flashed her a brilliant smile, and at that moment, Teio felt the hand around her wrist tighten decisively.
From the moment they'd left the dorm, Gotham Song hadn't once loosened her grip. Even now—standing ready to run—she still refused to let go.
Wait, did that mean…?
An instinctive realization came to Teio, who suddenly felt incredulous.
"So, if Teio's legs refuse to run right now, then I'll just run for you, won't I?"
Though Gotham Song didn't actually say it aloud, Tokai Teio clearly heard those words echoing in her heart.
Teio didn't know how to describe her feelings anymore. Her eyes were filled only by the fluttering black-and-white ribbon adorned with stars and moons—and by Gotham Song's unwavering figure leading her toward the approaching finish line.
The whole world is rushing towards me—or perhaps I'm rushing towards the world, led by someone else's hand.
If Song becomes my legs whenever I can't run… that might be fine too.
That thought flashed briefly through Teio's mind before vanishing. Then, biting down hard, she took her first step forward.
She'd suffered alone, tormented by the stark contrast between her once undefeated pride and her current fear of running.
But now…her greatest rival was desperately helping her. If Tokai Teio herself didn't step up, wouldn't that be shameful?
I'm Tokai Teio!
Fear of running? Fear of injury?!
I'll crush it all! Legs, move! Fear nothing! Even if it costs my life—run!
Tokai Teio broke into a genuine run, laughing defiantly, as if daring fate itself. Soon, she matched Gotham Song's pace, and the two ran hand-in-hand until finally slowing at the finish line.
"Come to think of it, Teio, isn't this your real discharge from the hospital?"
Not merely stepping out physically, but truly returning to herself.
"It sure is… and from now on, Teio-sama definitely won't lose!"
Teio, panting heavily, now stared at Gotham Song with fierce, wild eyes.
Yet Gotham Song merely smiled mysteriously. She finally untied the ribbons from her hair.
"I almost forgot your discharge gift. May I put these on you, Teio?"
"Y-Yes, of course…"
Tokai Teio didn't know what to say, but whenever she looked back on this moment, she'd always describe it as receiving her most precious treasure:
The forever warm stars and moon that Gotham Song had placed into her hands.