Spring Emperor's Cup arrives—3200m, the longest G1, uncharted for new seniors. Trust in training drives them forward. Reigning champ McQueen, an unmatched stayer, is favored to repeat, drawing fierce rivals, including Mejiro's Palmer, her equal. Canopus sends Ikuno, Nature, and Turbo.
"Really, Turbo's running?" Rampage asks. "Stamina drills done, but 3200m's tough," Minamisaka replies. "Figured." "Her Dokkan Turbo burns out too fast. It's grit now."
Turbo's mid-distance—2400m's tight, 2500m Arima brutal. 3200m? Unescapable. Yet, inspired by Teio and Rampage, she won't yield.
"She's challenging," Minamisaka notes. "My dirt and World Cup are different…"
Rampage cheers her Tiara ally.
"Not racing, Mejiro?" "Too long. They're not soft enough for a blitz."
Europe prep trumps racing. A Japan race before? Minamisaka and Sue decide.
"Tachyon's case?" "Need to meet for a menu." "Emperor's Cup, I'll bring her. She begged tickets." "Harsh on Flora, soft on her sister?" "Flora's unhinged. I'd be fair otherwise."
Flora's "love" chaos blocks normalcy. Self-aware chaos would be easier.
"Tachyon's quirky but fine." "And me?" Flora appears. "Beyond fine—Gah, Flora!?"
Rampage ducks behind Minamisaka. How does she sneak past Uma Musume ears?
"Where'd you spawn!?" "Where you are, I am. Didn't know?" "If true, I'm bolting. Tachyon deal's off." "No! Tachyon'll hate me!"
Minamisaka leaves. Rampage, sensing no "stickiness," stays civil.
"Friends, right?" "Friends? Just your 'love' rants." "Sorry… I blurt emotions." "Calling it love?" "Love, hate—close, no?" "You hate me?" "Your brain's fried." "You said it."
Minamisaka glances, surprised—they're talking normally.
"You're my goal. Admiration plus defeat brewed 'love.' Like Gundam's Graham." "Graham's intense, but yours is… stickier." "Maybe real. You're captivating." "Why not be normal?"
Normal Flora's fine. Her intensity triggers survival instincts.
"Tachyon and Flight love it." "Sisters, sure. Me, your rival?" "Don't you study rivals, try to like them?" "Sorta… not really…"
Rather not get it, but it's their first calm talk post-"love."
"Here for Tachyon's sake." "Really?" "Big sister mode's serious." "Stay like that. For my sanity." "Be my sister?" "Creek's enough." "Shame."
Flora's quirk lingers, but a bond sparks.
Park. Tachyon waits, doubted by Jungle Pocket and Manhattan Cafe.
"Really, Tachyon?" "Doubting? Go alone." "If true, can't miss it!" "Agreed, but her word's shaky," Cafe adds. "Skeptical? Leave."
Jungle Pocket, Tachyon's peer, lost to her at Satsuki Sho. Tachyon's injury and Bailey's absence left Kurofune as her rival. First foreign-bred year, Pocket roared Japan's pride with a Derby win.
Manhattan Cafe, also Tachyon's peer, struggled with transport and frail health, dropping 36kg before Azalea Sho. After recovery, she won Chrysanthemum, Arima, and Emperor's Cup—feats only Rudolf matched.
JAM—Jungle, Agnes, Manhattan—one crown each. A blue Impreza pulls up.
"Worth asking! You came!" Tachyon cheers. "Don't treat friends like errand girls," Rampage grumbles. "Equal friend, not servant!" "Less lip than Flora. Your friends?"
Rampage eyes two small Uma Musume. Pocket's brash, like her; Cafe's excitement shows in her tail—behind her, a shadowy figure, eerily similar.
"You're the Mejiro Rampage!?" "Ohakonhallo! Tyrant here. Keep it quiet—chaos otherwise." "Real deal!"
Pocket, thrilled by Rampage's wink, muffles her loud voice.
"My classmates, Jungle Pocket, Manhattan Cafe." "No big sister?" "Declined for friends. Pity." "Not your line."
Tachyon knows Flight held back, craving Rampage's autograph.
"Sign for Flight?" "Easy. Let's go." "Cafe's in shotgun!?" "Fine by me," Rampage shrugs.
Tachyon and Pocket bicker over the back seat.
"I'm behind Rampage!" "No big deal." "It's her seat!" "My connection got us here!" "Kids…"
Cafe stares, her "friend"—a shadowy, Sunday Silence-like figure—intrigues Rampage.
"(That's her 'friend'… Sunday Silence?)" "Question?" Cafe asks. "See your 'friend'?" "Not Pocket or Tachyon? Yes?" "Yup. Smiling big." "Happy." "Patting my shoulder hard." "Very hard."
Cafe's "friend" slaps Rampage's shoulder, gleeful at being seen. No pain, just impact. App-trained monster.
"First to see her besides me." "Not easy to spot. Tell her to stop patting?" "There…"
Impact shifts to rubbing, apologetic. Rampage grins.
"She's thrilled. I am too. Nice to meet you." "You and your friend."
A sharp back slap—enthusiastic agreement. The friend eyes something new, amused.
"Wasted time," Tachyon sighs, claiming the back. "Damn it!" Pocket grumbles. "Parents okayed this?" "Thanks to you! They trust you—wanted to come!" "Me too…" "Alright, let's roll."
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