Rain falls on Satsuki Sho, yet the track's rated good. The crowd buzzes, awaiting the classic's start.
"After Mejiro Ryan and Tokai Teio's back-to-back Triple Crowns, it's a golden era. All eyes on top pick, undefeated Mihono Bourbon, and Canopus's undefeated Rice Shower, aiming for Triple Tiara glory again. Machikane Tanhoiza, burning for Futurity Stakes revenge, sits second and third." "These three dominate. Bourbon's an escape artist like Canopus's Tiara stars, fueling dreams of another Triple Crown."
Paddock's electric; all eyes on the unpredictable race.
"Where's Ran?" Turbo asks, ready to cheer.
"Elsewhere," Minamisaka says. "Too famous, disguised to avoid chaos."
"No cheering with Senpai?" Turbo pouts.
"H Hollywood star-level fame," Ticket sighs.
"Gonna be nuts if spotted," Laurel adds.
"Wanted to cheer together…" Air Groove mopes.
Guilt hits Rampage, but Minamisaka points to a long-skirted, bespectacled brunette. She winks, flashing a V-sign.
"No way I'd recognize her," Draran gasps.
"She's tomboyish, so disguises like that. Wears skirts at school," Minamisaka explains.
"Now that you mention it…" Turbo nods.
"Sorry, took your spot," Rampage says to Kuronuma nearby.
"No issue. Keeps pests away," he growls, aura intimidating as ever.
"Bourbon's shape?"
"Peak. Your irons helped. Thanks."
"Mutual. Menu tweaks helped me."
Bourbon's growth stuns Rampage. She used 5x irons at Sakura Sho's time; Bourbon's at 7x, nearing 10x by year's end. Exciting, yet daunting. Kuronuma grips a stopwatch.
"Timing today?"
"For Bourbon's run."
"Target?"
"2:00.1."
Rudolf's record: 2:01.1. Teio, Nature hit 2:01.2, shy of it. Bourbon's tasked to shatter it by over a second.
"She'll deliver," Kuronuma says, eyes blazing with trust.
Start. Bourbon bolts, Rice and Tanhoiza chase. Rampage stares, Kuronuma's stopwatch compressing time.
"Mihono Bourbon leads! Rice Shower trails by a length, five ahead of third. Her pace in this rain—unfazed! Narita Nova, Mayano Break follow, then Machikane Tanhoiza!"
Bourbon slices through rain, Rice fearless, victory-driven. Trained with Turbo, she matches Bourbon's blistering pace effortlessly. Tanhoiza, knowing Bourbon's strength, grits her teeth, no ease in her gaze.
"Keep up, keep up…" Rice chants, unwavering.
"This pace… bad. Move now? No—go!" Tanhoiza surges.
"Tanhoiza climbs to third, closing on Rice! Bourbon holds, will she escape? Or will Rice and Tanhoiza catch her?"
Rain lashes, but their fire keeps them warm. Bourbon's pace creeps up, answering Kuronuma's order. At the fourth corner, Tanhoiza overtakes Rice, nearing Bourbon.
"Now!" Rice surges.
"No choice!" Tanhoiza burns stamina, unleashing her final kick.
They push, but Bourbon pulls away—distance growing. Their legs live, yet…
"Order: Break record. Operation: Rampage Turbo—engage."
Straightaway. Bourbon explodes, stretching her lead. Rice, Tanhoiza see it: her run blends Rampage's full-body Shinzan-iron technique with Turbo's Dokkan Turbo.
"Bourbon surges! Rice and Tanhoiza push, but she accelerates beyond! Is this an escape artist's final kick? Unbelievable! From one length to four—Mihono Bourbon wins! Undefeated, she claims Satsuki Sho! Holding off Rice and Tanhoiza with a dominant escape! And—a record! Shatters Rudolf's 2:01.1 with 2:00.1—a full second faster!"
"Good run, Bourbon," Kuronuma nods, stopwatch reading 2:00.1.
Bourbon bows quietly. Kuronuma turns to Rampage.
"Thanks. Shinzan irons force full-body running—perfect for training. In return, watch her claim the Triple Crown."
Kuronuma leaves. Rampage, frustrated yet grinning, sees Tanhoiza clapping and Rice shaking Bourbon's hand.
"Your run was like Sis and Turbo's. Amazing," Rice says.
"Thank you. I incorporated their styles," Bourbon replies.
"My Machi-Tan form's got no chance…" Tanhoiza laughs.
Bourbon mimicked Turbo's Dokkan Turbo, blending Rampage's full-body run, crushing foes with a stunning final sprint.
"Damn, that's wild," Rampage mutters.
-------------------------------
Hello everyone!
I've already posted 30 new chapters on Patreon!
If you like the story and want to reaad more, please visit my patreon. Every support is very meaningful!
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you very much!