Verxina ran desperately, footsteps lighter than ever—as if something terrible awaited if Gotham Song caught up. She pushed herself to speeds beyond anything she'd ever shown on the racetrack.
Gotham Song would've chuckled at the sight under normal circumstances, but right now, her expression was terrifyingly intense. Her gaze locked coldly onto Verxina's fleeing back, as if intent on chasing her down and tearing her apart.
Verxina finally understood what it felt like to have daggers at her back.
Maybe experiencing this murderous aura firsthand was the best kind of education, she thought wryly.
An absurd, daring thought flickered briefly through her mind—but she swiftly discarded it.
If I lose focus now, she's definitely going to catch me and then…!
She pushed herself harder, not daring to look back, yet unable to widen the gap even slightly.
Song-sama's authority really is overwhelming…
While Verxina felt like she was burning through her very life, Gotham Song was maintaining an easy pace. She wasn't even exerting herself yet, just cruising steadily behind Verxina, slightly above her usual jogging speed.
Yet, even this leisurely rhythm was gradually closing the distance.
Was the speed Verxina poured her life into really so feeble before Gotham Song?
The silver-haired Umamusume behind her simply maintained her relentless pursuit, slowly devouring the space between them, savoring Verxina's panic and fear like some mischievous, wicked big sister.
Yet Gotham Song knew clearly—Verxina couldn't last long like this.
Stamina.
This had always been Verxina's critical weakness. As a Front Runner, her raw speed wasn't poor—in fact, compared to most Umamusume, it was terrifyingly strong. Yet her ultimate flaw was the short duration she could maintain that speed—so brief, it was barely enough to decide a race.
Just how brief was it?
Truthfully, Verxina had gone full throttle the very moment Gotham Song began chasing.
And now?
Now, the distance between them steadily shrank.
Barely ten-odd seconds at peak speed, and Verxina's endurance was already faltering. For her, this explosive speed wasn't suitable as a Front Runner's style at all. Perhaps better used as a decisive late-race surge, a final spurt to kill the race…
It truly was unfortunate. A talented little filly cursed by mismatched stamina and speed—was this another cruel joke of fate?
Gotham Song quickly calculated. If that imbalance were resolved, perhaps Verxina could seriously threaten Gentildonna and Almond Eye. It was precisely because of this thought that Gotham Song patiently refrained from overtaking immediately, instead pressing steadily, waiting for the instant Verxina's stamina failed, revealing her absolute limit—
She wanted to witness Verxina's true endurance firsthand.
How far had they run already?
A hundred meters? Two hundred? Five hundred… A thousand?
Maybe nearly two thousand?
In truth, Gotham Song had no precise measure. This wasn't a formal racetrack, and no markers indicated distance. Only her instincts as an Umamusume offered any estimate.
Around two thousand meters was about right. Verxina, who'd maintained peak speed almost the entire time, was clearly at her limit. Her steps were now heavy, her body trembling with every stride. Even without seeing her face, Gotham Song knew this struggling filly was already on the brink.
Yet she hadn't given up?
So there was still plenty of grit left?
Just how long could grit alone sustain her?
Curious, Gotham Song deliberately kept pushing, eager to squeeze out Verxina's final reserves.
Out in front, beyond Gotham Song's sight, Verxina strained her eyes desperately. She'd long passed the point of exhaustion, her body screaming at her to collapse—but still, still!—she kept running, driven by instinct alone, stubbornly refusing to surrender.
Her pace had slowed to a crawl, little more than an agonized shuffle forward.
Witnessing this, Gotham Song finally understood clearly that even exceptional grit had limits. Verxina had reached hers.
You truly gave it everything, Verxina…
I'm impressed. You made it farther than I expected.
On paper, two thousand meters wasn't extraordinary among elite Umamusume—but factoring in the sustained maximum speed, this distance was far from unimpressive.
Though she'd slowed down to a crawl at the end, Verxina had definitively demonstrated her courage and resolve as an Umamusume.
And since she'd fought this hard, it simply wouldn't do to let it go unrewarded.
Before losing consciousness, Verxina saw a streak of silver flash past, so swift it seemed to vanish beyond the horizon. She didn't even witness Gotham Song's actual figure clearly; rather, she sensed the impossible speed through sheer instinct.
A fierce gust surged past, impossible to follow.
Her final conscious thought was simple:
Utterly defeated…
Gotham Song gazed helplessly at the sweaty, unconscious filly in her arms. Just moments after passing Verxina, she'd circled back in time to catch her collapsing form. Luckily, though Umamusume were physically exceptional, their weights remained manageable—a blessing from the Three Goddesses, leaving them adorably petite.
Thanks to that blessing, Gotham Song—stronger than an average adult human—had easily princess-carried Verxina off the trail and into a roadside hotel.
It wasn't that returning straight to Verxina's home was impossible, but…
Carrying her unconscious back home after declaring confidently she'd bring her back in high spirits might look strange, right?
Holding Verxina close, Gotham Song checked into a room and laid the exhausted filly on the bed. She herself hadn't prepared spare clothes, so she simply sat in a nearby chair, passing time by browsing Van Gogh's latest novel.
An hour passed—maybe two?
By the time Verxina awoke, it was nearly noon. Seeing Verxina secretly peeking at her from beneath a hastily raised arm, Gotham Song paused, leaving a mischievous [Update soon!] comment under Van Gogh's novel with her own account.
Not like Van Gogh knew who it was anyway, hehe.
Putting down her phone, Gotham Song looked up—but said nothing. She rested her chin lightly in one hand, locking eyes silently with the filly on the bed.
Verxina blinked nervously. She knew Gotham Song had noticed she was awake, but embarrassment colored her cheeks pink. Having no idea how to handle the situation, she stayed silent.
This… is painfully awkward. Dear Goddesses, why are you making me suffer this humiliation?!
While Verxina spiraled into embarrassment, Gotham Song thought things over carefully.
On one hand, she wanted to spare the filly unnecessary embarrassment—after all, she was here to help, not tease. On the other…
Well, she hadn't figured out how to break the awkward silence either.
After nearly a minute of wordless staring, Gotham Song finally gave in, smiling helplessly.
"So… Should I say good morning first, Verxina-chan?"
"Ah—um…good morning…?"
You actually said it back? It's almost noon.
Sighing softly, Gotham Song rose, sat down beside Verxina, and gently pulled away the arm still shielding the filly's face. Leaning in, she filled Verxina's entire vision.
"Hmm. Then, what if I wanted to say good morning this close?"
"Uh—um, senpai…"
"Senpai…?" Gotham Song's lips curled playfully, waiting for Verxina to finish.
"You're bullying me… you meanie."
"Pfft—well, I guess now it definitely counts as bullying."
Gotham Song was surprised—she hadn't expected this soft, sweet side of Verxina. Actually, this really was their first real interaction, wasn't it?
They'd formally met in Dubai, but back then Vivlos had been the star. Gotham Song and Verxina barely spoke. So this truly was their first meaningful exchange.
Verxina seemed far more bashful than Gotham Song had imagined. Right now, the filly in front of her seemed soft and cuddly as a kitten, making Gotham Song itch to pinch her cheeks.
Just how had such an adorable filly felt being trampled by Gentildonna and Almond Eye? Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to gently probe her.
Deciding on this, Gotham Song leaned in even closer, carefully observing every subtle reaction.
Overwhelmed by her idol's sudden intimacy, Verxina shrank back shyly, forcing herself to remain calm and collected. Unable to endure the tension, she quickly blurted out a question to change the subject.
"B-by the way, Song-sama, how did you find me?"
"How? Vivlos-chan came looking for me, actually."
Vivlos…?
Verxina was baffled—she certainly hadn't expected to hear that name. Vivlos went to find Gotham Song? It must've been early this morning. Indeed, Verxina remembered seeing Vivlos's empty room, wondering briefly what her sister had been up to. To think she'd wandered Tokyo alone, actually locating Gotham Song…
But why? Why Gotham Song?
Confusion plain on her face, Verxina looked pleadingly up at Gotham Song, eyes filled unknowingly with hope.
"You're probably wondering why Vivlos sought me out, right?"
"Yes… Song-sama, could you please tell me?"
"Of course." Gotham Song took Verxina's hand, gently pressing it to her cheek, and smiled mischievously.
Time to see that adorable look of shock and confusion again~
"She came for you, Verxina."
---
T/N: shes actually a sadist
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