Only One Year Left—I'll Become a Legendary Uma Musume!-Chapter 268: Only One Year Left—I’ll Become a Legendary Uma Musume! 2 [212]

Chapter 268: Only One Year Left—I’ll Become a Legendary Uma Musume! 2 [212]

Japanese Oaks, Tokyo Racecourse.

How should one describe it?

This was undoubtedly a highly anticipated race. After all, it was the once-a-year Triple Tiara. Even without famous participants, the event drew plenty of attention.

And this year’s Oaks had three particularly eye-catching Uma Musume.

Even Verxina, the least watched among them, had attention rivaling past superstars!

But right now, Gotham Song couldn’t care less about any of this. She was currently speechless because of another matter altogether.

Why on earth was the Japanese Oaks held at Tokyo Racecourse?!

It was common knowledge that Japan was a country with very limited land area. Under these conditions, how expensive could land prices in Tokyo—the country’s only world-class city—possibly be?

Expensive enough that ordinary people would instantly lose any desire to buy upon hearing the prices. Even Tokyo’s characteristic capsule hotels sometimes suffered from shortages.

Of course, was Gotham Song mentioning all this because she wanted to buy property in Tokyo?

If that were the case, what would it even have to do with the Japanese Oaks?

Obviously, she wasn’t planning to buy property in Tokyo. Although something like that wouldn’t be much of an issue for Gotham Song, the real reason she brought this up was—

Because, in Tokyo’s exorbitantly priced land market, large luxury hotels were actually quite rare, especially near Tokyo Racecourse.

It was the first time Gotham Song had traveled with Gentildonna by herself, and because of this situation, she’d learned a truth she’d never known before.

That was, although the event organizer—URA—would provide every participating Uma Musume with top-tier luxury suites as their base to rest and adjust during the competition period—

Such conditions were extremely limited, typically only enough to accommodate the competitors themselves, without extra resources for their accompanying team.

Since she’d previously traveled with family members—even during the time before she’d reconnected with Mejiro Manor—Neo Universe had always arranged everything perfectly.

Only now did Gotham Song learn about this fact, and naturally, she’d paid the price for that oversight.

Simply put—

There were still rooms available, of course, but all the top-tier hotel rooms had already been booked, leaving only ordinary rooms for selection.

Gotham Song herself didn’t mind. Honestly, even though she was used to her current luxurious lifestyle, returning briefly to a simpler state posed absolutely no problem, especially if it was just for one night.

But, but... even though deep down she truly thought that way, why had things turned out so bizarrely?!

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Gotham Song stared blankly at Gentildonna, who was calmly organizing her clothes on the other side of the room, neatly hanging them one by one.

Earlier, when she’d heard about the hotel room situation at the reception desk, her first reaction was clearly to get herself a separate, ordinary room... right?

Then what had happened afterward?

It seemed Gentildonna had dragged her into the elevator—in front of everyone in the lobby on the first floor.

Oh, so Gentildonna dragged her into the elevator—wait a minute!!!

Why did Donna-chan drag me into the elevator in the first place?!

Gotham Song felt like she was about to explode into a high-pitched screech, but for some unknown reason, looking at Gentildonna’s back, she forced herself bit by bit to suppress that urge.

Only when Gentildonna finally finished hanging the last piece of clothing and turned around, did Gotham Song decisively raise her hand and speak up.

"Um, Donna-chan? I really think I should get another room to rest..."

"What did you just say, Trainer-sama?"

Gentildonna frowned, and with just that single sentence, completely blocked Gotham Song’s suggestion. The tall Uma Musume elegantly approached, pulled over a chair, sat down right before Gotham Song, and looked straight into her eyes.

"Are you suggesting that I, your logistics Uma Musume, stay in the luxurious room, while you yourself go to a far inferior one?"

"Yes, that’s exactly right, but Donna-chan, you’re the competitor here. Tomorrow—"

Gotham Song’s words got stuck in her throat, because Gentildonna had raised a finger to gently press against her lips. Then, with a commanding intensity, Gentildonna narrowed her eyes slightly, looking straight at her Trainer.

"Please withdraw what you just said, Trainer-sama."

"But—"

"Withdraw it, please!"

"Guh..."

Gotham Song couldn’t figure out why Gentildonna was acting this way, but she remained silent, simply staring back into Gentildonna’s fiercely determined eyes.

After a long standoff, seemingly realizing the Uma Musume in front of her would never back down, Gotham Song finally sighed softly, gently pushed away Gentildonna’s wrist, and reclaimed her right to speak.

"Then at least give me one reason why you’re being so insistent about this, Donna-chan?"

A reason, huh...? Truly, what a clumsy Trainer-sama.

"Because I am your logistics Uma Musume."

Logistics Uma Musume—responsible for handling various support tasks for active racing Uma Musume. Usually this role was taken by newcomers in their classic year, those yet to debut, or Uma Musume specifically assigned to logistics. Only now did Gotham Song fully recall one crucial fact:

Gentildonna originally stayed by her side precisely as a logistics Uma Musume... didn’t she?

But why suddenly bring this up now, of all times?

"Every role has its own pride, Trainer-sama. Just as, being a racing Uma Musume, I must achieve unquestionable victories on the track, my pride as your logistics Uma Musume..."

"—is to never allow you to suffer even the slightest discomfort, especially not due to my own oversight."

Your oversight...?

What kind of mistake did Gentildonna even make? How rare.

Gotham Song couldn’t figure it out. She genuinely didn’t see what Gentildonna could possibly have done wrong to say something like that.

"Because... the travel arrangements should have been taken care of by me as your logistics Uma Musume, right...?"

...?

Hearing this, Gotham Song finally seemed to grasp Gentildonna’s logic.

When traveling together,Gentildonna should naturally be responsible for Gotham Song’s accommodations. Although logistics Uma Musume typically handled only competition-related matters, that was under normal circumstances. Gentildonna was precisely that sort of serious and earnest Uma Musume—not only performing excellently as support staff during competitions but also quietly taking care of Gotham Song’s daily life behind the scenes.

In other words, rejecting her now wouldn’t just deny Gentildonna’s present thoughts—it would deny her pride and everything she’d done up to this point, wouldn’t it?

A deadlock. She couldn’t utter a single objection... only acceptance was possible.

"I understand, Donna-chan. It really was my oversight. I apologize and promise not to bring up the idea again."

"But at least let me put a futon on the floor and sleep there... that would be acceptable, right...?"

As a compromise, wouldn’t this solution be feasible?

Gotham Song was firmly convinced that the state of rest before a race was crucial to prevent any potential issues on race day. Guided by that principle, she sincerely wanted Gentildonna to rest without any disturbance.

However, in response to what seemed like a concession, Gentildonna’s answer was still extraordinarily simple.

She just silently gazed at Gotham Song—saying nothing, yet seemingly conveying everything. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Trainer-sama, saying that—is it really any different from wanting a separate room?

Gotham Song could only raise her hands in surrender, finally realizing another issue altogether.

"Then, Donna-chan, are we going to sleep together in one bed?"

Surprisingly, these words instead provoked Gentildonna’s immediate refusal. She glanced around briefly, then pointed decisively toward an empty spot on the floor.

"Of course not. I’ll sleep on the floor; Trainer-sama can take the bed."

Was this a case of mutual understanding forming so rapidly between two people? Gotham Song instantly understood exactly how Gentildonna must have felt earlier upon hearing her previous suggestion.

"Donna-chan, you’re saying you want me to let my precious Uma Musume sleep on the floor the night before her race, while I comfortably take the bed?"

"In that case, I’ll have to ask you to withdraw your previous statement as well."

Just as you have your pride as a logistics Uma Musume, I have my pride as your Trainer...!

A Trainer who makes her team member sleep on the floor the night before a race—is such a person even human?! Might as well toss herself into Tokyo Bay!

Gentildonna fell silent for a moment, then lowered her head formally in apology.

However, as soon as her apology ended, the room fell into complete silence.

Stalemate. Neither side was willing to yield. Unless an identical room suddenly opened up right now, the issue was essentially unsolvable.

But was this problem really so difficult? Or rather, was there actually such a difficult problem to begin with?

"Then... then we can’t exactly sleep together in the same bed... right?"

After Gentildonna sank into silence—or perhaps after both of them had silently stared at each other for who knows how long—Gotham Song finally timidly voiced that suggestion. But unexpectedly, as if she’d just been waiting for that, Gentildonna quickly nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"I don’t mind at all."

See, as expected—wait, y-y-y-you absolutely should mind!!

Gotham Song was shocked. She stared deeply into Gentildonna’s eyes, only finding complete sincerity.

Gentildonna wasn’t joking—she genuinely didn’t mind...!

This realization temporarily robbed Gotham Song of any ability to speak. She helplessly gazed outside at the darkened sky, desperately praying for a miracle as if trying to clear her overwhelmed mind.

Please, Three Goddesses, let someone suddenly check out of the neighboring room right now—I’ll do absolutely anything!

"Is... is it not okay, Trainer-sama?"

By the time they’d reached the hotel, it was already quite late. Gotham Song had spent the entire afternoon accompanying Gentildonna, meticulously adjusting to every detail of Tokyo Racecourse.

Although it had been a while since Gotham Song herself visited, the Oaks course wasn’t significantly different from the Japanese Derby track, so she still had relevant experience to offer.

Therefore, the time of their current conversation was already quite late. At least according to the typical pre-race schedule, it was definitely time to rest.

The first thing they’d done upon entering the room was even taking showers and changing into sleepwear...!

Don’t ask why—if you must know, it was Gentildonna’s insistence. Otherwise, why else had Gentildonna just been hanging up clothes a moment ago?

"W-wouldn’t this affect your condition for tomorrow, Donna-chan?"

"Why would it?"

Gentildonna displayed rare confusion. She genuinely didn’t think sharing a bed with Gotham Song would negatively affect her state. In fact—

Being close to Trainer-sama... somehow feels like tomorrow will be unbeatable. Surely my intuition isn’t wrong.

After carefully thinking and concluding no other variables existed, Gotham Song helplessly shut her eyes tight, pulled back the covers, and slipped inside wearing her thin nightdress, refusing to think anymore.

The heavens have flipped upside down! My team member is lecturing me, the Trainer!

She absolutely had to discipline Gentildonna after the race—if Gentildonna dared to disobey now, Gotham Song couldn’t imagine what she’d try next time!

Gentildonna clearly understood Gotham Song’s meaning, quietly slipping into the bed as well. She gently clasped her hands together in front of herself, gazing intently at Gotham Song.

Of course, with such burning eyes fixed upon her, Gotham Song naturally couldn’t fall asleep. So, beneath the dim lighting, she could only stare back at Gentildonna as well.

"If you don’t sleep now, it’ll really get too late, Donna-chan."

"Just for a little while. I want to look at you, Trainer-sama."

What is this...? I’m not some sparkling treasure radiating endless brilliance, what’s there to look at?

Actually, Gotham Song already knew that occasionally, on ordinary days, Gentildonna would quietly crouch down and gaze at her sleeping face for a short while before waking her up.

But was Gentildonna openly and shamelessly promoting herself now? Seriously, Gentildonna, you—

"You’re the most dazzling in my eyes, Trainer-sama."

"Eh..."

"To be precise, it’s exactly because I admire your strength so deeply that I willingly chose to remain by your side, even if only as your logistics Uma Musume."

What’s with this child... suddenly saying such things...?

Gotham Song descended into absolute confusion. Before she could respond, Gentildonna suddenly hugged her arm tightly, as if never intending to let go again.

"The days spent admiring you have been wonderful—filled with joy. So even if others might see it as selfish, can Gentildonna hope that you’ll stay strong forever?"

If it’s you, Trainer-sama... perhaps I could willingly chase after your footsteps and your back for a lifetime.

Thus, even if selfishness, even if terrible criticism might come her way, Gentildonna still fervently wished Gotham Song’s radiance would never fade.

Because it felt like a glory she could follow for the rest of her life...!

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