Well then...
As a consequence of completely blowing up relations with the URA, just what kind of situation did Gotham Song find herself in starting from the next day?
Simply put, she couldn’t set foot outside the school gates at all.
Although this era treated Uma Musu with exceptional kindness and tolerance, even the greatest goodwill would inevitably erode after an entire night of global ridicule from online mobs.
At least Gotham Song thoroughly understood this. Hence, the first thing she did was seek Secretariat’s advice.
The legendary Uma Musu’s solution was frighteningly straightforward:
Just don’t go out alone—or better yet, never leave Japan Central Tracen Academy’s grounds at all.
Of course, it wasn’t easy for a regular human to physically harm an Uma Musu, but since Gotham Song and Secretariat’s efforts directly aid at sabotaging the internationalization of Japanese races, if this escalated into a street conflict...
Sure, Gotham Song herself would undoubtedly remain unhard, but the innocent bystanders? Not so much.
Did you think that just because I’m not as strong as most Uma Musu, I still couldn’t floor an adult man in one punch? That’s Uma Musu strength for you!
Then she’d inevitably end up headlining the news as an aggressive Uma Musu who attacked soone on the street.
Got you now, URA would gleefully shout! Violent Uma Musu must be banned from future races!
And the URA would unquestionably push the issue to precisely that extre, wouldn’t they?
Therefore, she absolutely couldn’t afford to let that happen.
Oh, and why exactly was it said that "Gotham Song would definitely be fine"?
This was actually quite simple, or rather common knowledge in the Uma Musu world:
What was the origin of the Uma Musu? The Three Goddesses.
As spirits who had co to this world to run, Uma Musu were born under the protection of the Three Goddesses. Given their generally docile, gentle, and timid nature, the world might have beco truly dark without such powerful guardians.
Still, the Three Goddesses’ protection wasn’t omnipresent, nor unlimited.
Unlike Gotham Song’s fanciful imaginings from before transmigration, the presence of the Three Goddesses in this world was essentially Schrödinger-esque—existing yet rarely felt.
When was their presence strongest? Only when an Uma Musu’s life faced genuine danger.
At all other tis, the goddesses were practically absent.
In short, their intervention was mostly limited to physical protection. Beyond that, they rarely intervened, perhaps precisely because a world constantly manipulated by divine influence would beco absurd and terrifying.
So, Gotham Song’s choice to stay inside wasn’t about protecting herself, but to avoid unnecessary conflicts and to keep ordinary bystanders safe.
Ah, I really am such a kind person.
Inside the campus, most Uma Musu didn’t seem to care at all about Gotham Song’s actions. Life continued normally: greetings were still cheerful, and students still sought her advice when needed.
Actually, Gotham Song even brought unexpected benefits to the entire Japan Central Tracen Academy—
She had successfully "abducted" a genuine legend.
Dancing Brave initially stayed in Japan to witness Gotham Song’s victory in the Japan Cup, but with things now locked down, she obviously couldn’t sit idle forever.
Without even consulting Symboli Rudolf, Dancing Brave strode boldly into Central Tracen Academy.
And what could the helpless Emperor say to that?
Even the stern Hayakawa Tazuna at the gate didn’t protest, so Symboli Rudolf chose wisely to turn a blind eye. After all, having a bona fide legend around to guide the younger fillies was nothing but beneficial.
But for Gotham Song herself, this wasn’t even the most pressing issue.
Sothing else made her far more uncomfortable.
"So, Song... You can see, right?"
See...? See what exactly? Uh... the old fossil?
Sweat poured down Gotham Song’s forehead. Manhattan Cafe leaned in very close, questioning her intently.
What was going on exactly? Well, Manhattan Cafe had finally decided to confront Gotham Song directly about sothing bothering her for a long ti.
Because it had been suspicious, hadn’t it? Every ti Gotham Song showed up, Cafe’s mysterious friend vanished inexplicably. Clearly, that friend was hiding sothing, refusing to speak openly.
Having grown absolutely certain, Manhattan Cafe chose to ask outright.
After all, Song would never lie to her, right? If she asked, she’d get the truth.
Gotham Song indeed had no intention of deceiving her older cousin, so she awkwardly glanced behind Cafe at Sunday Silence, who floated silently, deep in thought.
"Well...I can sort of see blurry shadows, but nothing clearly. Cafe-nee, do you know what they are?"
That... wasn’t exactly a lie, right? Sunday Silence’s refusal to step in left Gotham Song utterly helpless, forcing her to provide this ambiguous yet technically truthful answer.
Unexpectedly, Cafe didn’t seem upset or saddened by that response. She simply nodded calmly, as if that vague answer had fully satisfied her curiosity.
Gotham Song and Sunday Silence exchanged baffled glances, neither able to discern why Manhattan Cafe remained so composed.
Even the old fossil had montarily lost her usual mischievous grin, expressing genuine confusion.
Before they could clarify further, however, the awkward silence was broken as Daiichi Ruby pushed open the door.
"Song...? Oh, am I interrupting sothing important? Should Ruby co back later?"
"No no no, Ruby, you ca at just the right ti! Is sothing wrong?"
Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere any longer, Gotham Song rushed over and gratefully seized Ruby’s hand, swiftly changing the topic.
Thank goodness! She wouldn’t have to endure Cafe-nee’s silent yet intensely oppressive stare anymore.
Ruby, slightly confused by Song’s enthusiasm, quickly caught on and showed Gotham Song her phone:
[Astronor Announces Entry into Irish Champion Stakes, Expresses Great Interest in Gotham Song.]
Huh...? What was this?
Gotham Song quickly pulled out her own phone to contact Secretariat, only to discover a brand-new contact request awaiting approval. On the profile was a simple introduction:
"Astronor, European Uma Musu fond of stargazing."
Yes, it was that very European Uma Musu—
The Uma Musu who had dominated European racing these past two years, unquestionably horse-king level, and famous not just on the track but also notoriously off-track.
Exactly that kind of famous.
In other words, why would Astronor suddenly express public and private interest toward Gotham Song, a rising rookie talent?
Obviously, it was for that kind of reason!
Gotham Song was left speechless, while Ruby gripped Gotham’s sleeve anxiously. Even Cafe, who had been silent and serious just monts ago, stood to examine the screen carefully.
And Sunday Silence?
The previously distressed old fossil was now laughing uproariously at Gotham’s predicant.
"Ha! Poor brat, you’ve already caught her eye? Are you still racing?"
At this, Sunday Silence was imdiately silenced by a cold glare from Cafe.
The black ghost fell instantly quiet. She knew better than anyone else exactly what that expression ant: Cafe wasn’t simply upset—
She was absolutely furious.
Right now, Cafe’s heart was erupting violently, like ten million exploding suns.
Why wouldn’t Cafe react this way? Gotham Song was her precious younger sister, the person she’d personally taken under her wing.
Though initially hesitant about Daiichi Ruby’s intentions, Cafe eventually approved of her once convinced Ruby would genuinely benefit Song. But Astronor? They hadn’t even t in person, and now she was boldly adding Gotham Song solely because of her talent and bloodline?
Wasn’t that simply outrageous?
Cafe turned to Gotham Song, quietly awaiting her sister’s own decision.
Deeply troubled, Gotham Song genuinely had no interest in this unfamiliar Astronor. Her circle was already dangerous enough—aside from Ardan-nee, Ruby, Cafe-nee, the old fossil, and Neo Universe, almost everyone else around posed problems.
Like nearly everyone at jiro Manor or even the hovering Satono Diamond...
And now Astronor? Please spare .
Deciding swiftly, Gotham Song imdiately rejected Astronor’s friend request, adding her directly to the blacklist.
Ruby, stunned montarily by Gotham Song’s swift action, soon relaxed in unmistakable relief.
Good. Song clearly had zero interest in soone like Astronor.
Cafe rely blinked, silently nodding approval before quietly leaving Gotham Song’s room—
Dragging Sunday Silence out by her hair.
Hopefully the old fossil survived...
Finally alone, Gotham Song slumped bonelessly onto her bed, hoping sincerely that things would end here.
Yet, sohow, she doubted it would be that simple.
---
Was she just imagining it?
Across the ocean, in a quiet study room sowhere in Europe, Astronor stared curiously at her phone screen, genuinely astonished for the first ti in ages.
Her friend request...had been rejected imdiately? Did she mistakenly use a private account? No, it was definitely her public one.
How curious. This was the first ti anyone had rejected her so bluntly, wasn’t it?
Astronor certainly wasn’t the type to want what she couldn’t have, but still—being rejected before even exchanging a single word ignited her curiosity intensely.
Gotham Song: the enigmatic, sudden star of Japan’s classic year. Even discounting Japan’s slightly weaker competition, the overwhelming talent Astronor saw in videos was undeniable.
Frankly, she wasn’t entirely confident she could win against Gotham Song.
This was why she’d initially applied to the Irish Champion Stakes and reached out privately. But admittedly, her motivations weren’t purely competitive.
Yet, none of that mattered now—since Gotham Song had flatly rejected her.
Gotham Song doesn’t want to et , huh...? Then what should I do?
Song certainly wouldn’t fly all the way to Europe for personal reasons unrelated to racing.
Astronor sat thoughtfully, then smiled slowly, mischievously.
Well, it wasn’t really a problem, was it?
After all...
If Gotham Song wouldn’t co to Europe...
Then Astronor would just have to go to Japan instead, wouldn’t she?
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