"Driving yourself? Unexpected for a legend," Tachyon teases. "Just a car," Rampage shrugs. "Undefeated myth, casual driver?"
Impreza speeds toward Kyoto. Race tomorrow—arrival by evening, no issue. Planned for bullet train, but Minamisaka warned of media, so car it is.
"Sorry, stuck in here awhile." "No prob! Riding with you? Ultra-rare!" Pocket cheers. "Enjoy the view," Cafe adds. "Don't care," Tachyon smirks. "Lippy as ever," Rampage mutters.
Radio buzzes with Emperor's Cup talk. Teio's top pick, not McQueen—her Osaka Cup win over Turbo's the reason. McQueen's second.
"Your take, Rampage?" Cafe asks. "Experts? Clueless. My rankings differ." "Spill, champ!" Tachyon urges. "Yeah, tell us!" Pocket adds.
Rampage switches lanes, humoring them.
"McQueen's favorite. Teio, Palmer next." "Turbo's third in odds, but not for you?" Tachyon probes. "Seventh," Rampage says.
Public hypes Turbo's Tiara status, expecting clashes like Rampage and Ryan's. But 3200m's brutal—2400m's her limit, 2500m a stretch. Turbo trained, but…
"Turbo's got stamina, just no pacing. Barely learned for Tiara. 3200m? Doubt she finishes." "Stamina's there?" Cafe asks. "Full throttle, no brakes."
How far Turbo's stretched her limits excites Rampage. Another surprise awaits.
"Wanted to race?" Tachyon asks. "Without Europe, yeah."
Ryan's in, and as a Mejiro, Rampage would've chased the Cup. Europe prep sidelines her—she entrusts Ryan.
"Flora in the Cup? Long-distance fit?" "Shocked me," Tachyon admits.
Flora, Tachyon's sister, joins the race, riding her Japan Cup momentum.
"Going for it like Japan Cup?" "Third in Arima," Cafe notes. "Not long-distance suited," Tachyon says. "Hell of a lineup," Rampage marvels.
Her joining would've screamed "Arima rerun!" Too bad. Tachyon doubts Flora's fit, but is there a strategy?
"Can Flora match McQueen long-distance?" "Dunno. She's in for a reason. Rigil's calculated."
Rigil's strict—trainer Hana's absolute. Her approval means Flora's got a shot.
"Tomorrow reveals all. Lunchtime—next service area, my treat. Pick anything." "Really?" Cafe blinks. "I'm not that cheap." "Anything's fine," Tachyon says. "Parfait!" Pocket shouts. "For lunch? Dessert, maybe," Tachyon sighs.
They chatter food; Rampage ponders the race. Turbo and Palmer lead, Ikuno and Flora chase, Nature and Ryan lurk. McQueen, top stayer, won't have it easy.
"How's it unfold?"
"I'll win. For Mejiro," McQueen declares.
Aiming for a repeat, she faces a stacked field. Teio once said battling the strong validates her Triple Crown. Losses don't faze her—she grows.
"Can't wait for tomorrow," McQueen smiles.
"McQueen, interview's starting—why the grin?" "Teio, I won't lose." "I won't either! Beat Turbo!" Teio boasts. "Turbo trained hard!" Turbo retorts.
Flora, watching, smiles skyward. A fire grows within. She's a sis-con, sure, but her obsession matches.
"Rampage, watch my run."
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