With the New Year festivities behind them, the holidays were soon drawing to a close.
By the ti Gotham Song finally snapped back to reality, classes were already about to resu.
How to describe this feeling?
Her mory still lingered on those lazy days following New Year’s, lying listlessly in bed until noon before finally getting up to spend the rest of the day gaming.
But now—how is it that classes are about to start again already?!
According to Neo Universe, this reaction was entirely predictable. Every version of Gotham Song across parallel universes behaved exactly like this:
Blissfully unaware until reality suddenly smacked her in the face.
Even so, Tracen Academy wasn’t exactly an ordinary school. Howork was essentially nonexistent, and the daily schedule was laughably relaxed—
Gotham Song had barely visited a classroom in almost half a sester!
In an environnt like that, returning to classes made little difference; it just ant moving back from their rented apartnt to the campus dormitory.
Honestly, the dorm rooms were far more comfortable anyway.
As a result, Gotham Song felt absolutely no reluctance about the impending start of term and obediently returned to her dorm on the very first day back.
However, the day before classes resud, Gotham Song received an entirely unexpected invitation.
It ca from Symboli Rudolf, inviting her to the Student Council office.
At first, Gotham Song hesitated, unsure if she should accept—but Neo Universe, conveniently present, casually encouraged her.
"Symboli Rudolf is safe most of the ti. You’ll be fine."
Since Universe seed confident, Gotham Song set aside her worries and arrived at the Student Council office precisely one hour after receiving the invitation, knocking quietly on the door.
"Please co in."
Symboli Rudolf’s calm, soothing voice instantly gave Gotham Song a reassuring feeling.
Compared to the icy deanor she’d once shown as "Emperor," Rudolf now seed much gentler.
Still, that gentleness didn’t erase the irritation Rudolf had previously caused in Gotham Song’s heart.
You’re the traitor who sold out!
Carefully, Gotham Song tiptoed inside, entering not like a welcod guest, but rather like an intruder sneaking into soone else’s room.
Rudolf couldn’t help but smile slightly at this amusing display. Setting down her pen, she propped up her chin with one hand, quietly watching Gotham Song’s awkward entrance.
Realizing how silly her behavior must look, Gotham Song’s face flushed slightly, her ears flicking in embarrassnt as she took a seat on the sofa.
Yet her curiosity quickly overca her embarrassnt, prompting her to glance around this entirely unfamiliar room.
When Gotham Song transferred into Japan Central Tracen Academy, she’d only visited the Director’s office. This Student Council room was entirely new to her.
The room itself was impressively spacious, perhaps even excessively so. As midday sunlight stread through wide, spotless windows, everything appeared bright and open. The furnishings were elegant yet simple: a cabinet proudly displaying various Tracen Academy honors, three neatly arranged desks, plush sofas, and a cozy area beyond a slightly ajar wooden door—presumably a rest area.
However, what truly caught Gotham Song’s eye wasn’t any of these items, but rather a prominently displayed frad calligraphy behind Symboli Rudolf:
"Ahead rides Eclipse; behind him, darkness falls."
Alternatively translated as:
"When Eclipse is first, the rest are nowhere to be seen."
It described the legendary thoroughbred Eclipse, said to have dominated races by an absurd margin of over 2400 ters.
Normally, Gotham Song wouldn’t have paid this plaque much attention. At most, she might’ve glanced at it once with mild interest and moved on.
But what truly captured her attention was the smaller line beneath:
"Within 3000 ters, Ruka stands unrivaled."
Eh?
Within 3000 ters... Ruka? Surely, that couldn’t possibly an—
Noticing Gotham Song’s stunned expression, Rudolf followed her gaze, smiling knowingly as she saw the plaque.
Indeed, the first ti she’d added that line, almost everyone had reacted with shock. Reflecting now, Rudolf realized just how long it had been since she’d last seen such an expression.
"Are you surprised by those words?"
"Um... I do know about Eclipse, but Ruka...?"
Explain yourself, Rudolf! Why is my na on that plaque?
"Indeed, outside Tracen Academy, the na Twilight Song (Ruka) isn’t always spoken kindly. Not because she lacked strength, but due to various absurd circumstances."
Rudolf sighed softly, clearly frustrated by the injustice. Yet, as she’d said before, even the Three Goddesses might struggle to correct certain misunderstandings—what could she, a re Rudolf, do?
"Yet among Uma Musu, Twilight Song’s na still holds trendous influence. You must have noticed, haven’t you?"
Well, that much was true. Gotham Song herself had witnessed various Uma Musu fan clubs and websites still devoted to Twilight Song. Even on campus, die-hard Twilight Song fans occasionally made themselves known.
"But that particular phrase ans...?"
"’Within 3000 ters, Ruka stands unrivaled.’ Exactly as written. Just like Eclipse above—Twilight Song is our Eclipse of races within 3000 ters."
Symboli Rudolf’s expression turned sowhat wistful. Truthfully, this title carried an undercurrent of regret. Twilight Song had never had the chance to prove herself beyond 3000 ters. No one knew whether she’d remain unmatched at even greater distances.
Yet based solely on her extraordinary speed, stamina, and that legendary Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victory over Dancing Brave, Twilight Song was unquestionably one of history’s strongest—possibly the strongest ever—within that distance.
After all, Eclipse’s infamous lead of 2400 ters had occurred over a total distance of 6600 ters. Perhaps by the end, his rivals had simply lost the ability to run.
But Twilight Song was completely different—
Dominating races of around 2000 ters by over ten seconds—more than a hundred lengths—was undeniably terrifying.
"I see... Twilight Song was indeed incredibly famous overseas."
How exactly should Gotham Song describe her current feelings?
Even if I felt awkward earlier upon seeing my own na on that plaque, I absolutely can’t admit it now!
You sure speak highly of , Emperor Rudolf—I didn’t realize you thought so highly of Twilight Song.
Rudolf moved quietly to sit opposite Gotham Song, looking into her eyes.
"Well then, the reason I called you here today—I want to ask you for a favor."
"What kind of favor?"
A favor from Symboli Rudolf?
Co to think of it, wasn’t the last favor she’d asked Twilight Song to transfer into Japan Central Tracen Academy?
Though Twilight Song hadn’t managed it, Gotham Song had fulfilled that promise—even if Rudolf didn’t realize it yet.
"I heard Teio declared you her rival, is that right?"
"Yes, that’s true."
Actually, the whole country already knew thanks to that televised declaration.
Is that really why you called here, Rudolf? You always insisted you two were just ordinary senpai and kouhai!
"For Uma Musu, a rival is soone extrely important. I want you to seriously compete with her, please."
"If that’s all, there’s no problem at all. Competing seriously is what I planned to do anyway."
Oh, was that really all Rudolf had wanted? Gotham Song relaxed a little.
After all, if Tokai Teio entered any of the races Gotham Song planned to run, there was no question she’d race seriously.
Forget respect—achieving her own goals required her absolute best, especially given that Oguri Cap and Café-nee had already declared they’d compete with her.
She would never handle any race lightly.
Rudolf didn’t really even need to ask her.
"Good... One more thing. Could you also look out for Teio in everyday life?"
"Um, Kaichou...are you seriously asking to take care of Tokai Teio?"
Gotham Song’s lip twitched slightly.
Whether as Twilight Song or Gotham Song, her height had always been a sore point. Specifically, she was even shorter than Tokai Teio!
When she walked outside with her "rival," wouldn’t it seem more like Gotham Song was the one needing care?!
And yet Rudolf had the audacity to ask her to look after Tokai Teio?
Wasn’t sothing deeply wrong here?
She shot Rudolf a skeptical look, but found only a serious, earnest expression staring back.
"Wait, Kaichou, you’re serious?"
"Absolutely."
Rudolf didn’t speak lightly. Having led the Student Council for so long, she could clearly sense people’s strengths and weaknesses.
Of course, Tokai Teio didn’t struggle socially; she was powerful, confident, and radiant, easily making friends wherever she went.
Yet Teio was still young and naive.
Her self-confidence was often a blessing—but it could easily beco a heavy burden.
An "undefeated genius." Everyone expected Tokai Teio to achieve a flawless Triple Crown victory, but racing held far too many uncertainties.
Unless one possessed utterly overwhelming dominance—like Twilight Song had once done—it was impossible to guarantee victory.
Rudolf needed a safety net for Teio’s future setbacks. A trusted friend, soone who would understand and support her through difficulties.
And so Rudolf asked Gotham Song sincerely, hoping the two would beco even closer through their rivalry.
"Understood. If Teio ever runs into trouble, I won’t leave her alone," Gotham Song said firmly.
Rudolf smiled, relieved, and bowed slightly.
"Thank you. Then, I entrust Teio to your care."
Gotham Song, puzzled by this strangely familiar phrasing, nonetheless politely bowed back and excused herself.
Only once she stepped outside into the brisk wind did realization hit her.
In real-world horse racing, Symboli Rudolf was Tokai Teio’s sire. Rudolf’s phrasing sounded exactly like a parent handing off their child:
"From now on, you’ll walk life’s path together. Please take care of my daughter; don’t let her suffer."
Rudolf—you thick-browed scher! You set up again!
Stomping her foot irritably, Gotham Song swore inwardly.
I’ll rember this grudge forever, Emperor Rudolf.
Co back quickly, Emperor—I truly miss you.
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