"Congrats, Palmer. Two consecutive overseas G1 wins… honestly, besides me, Ramonu's the only other one in our family you could say is standing on that same level now."
『I—I mean, I don't know what to say. I just… I managed to hold onto the lead!』
The call with Palmer finally connected. Still in Australia, her voice was a chaotic mix: half of it bubbling over with uncontrollable joy, the other half sounding like she wanted to crawl into a hole from sheer embarrassment.
"In a way, this means you've officially leaped ahead of the other 'Mejiro Four Heavenly Kings.' Dominating world-renowned long-distance races is the ultimate honor for the Mejiro house. Even the Matriarch was overjoyed."
『A-ha-ha… yeah. She was… she was really happy for me.』
『Palmer… you are truly, truly… a grandchild I can be proud of. You can finally hold your head high.』
『Grandmother… yes. I… I am Mejiro Palmer…!』
It was only after the report from Asama following her Melbourne Cup victory that Palmer felt she could finally, truly stand tall as a Mejiro horse girl—in name and in reality.
Word was that Palmer wanted to come home as soon as possible, but between her scheduled rest and the mountain of interview requests, she was stuck. It was only natural; she had won the Melbourne Cup, arguably Australia's greatest race. The sheer volume of media appointments within the country was enough to make anyone's head spin.
『But the weirdest part is that everyone is actually praising me. I don't mean to sound rude, but it's not like when Rampage-san won the BC Classic—there's none of that "You beat our national champion!" bitterness.』
"Ah, I see."
Rampage recalled a certain fan who had once screamed at the President, asking how he could possibly be smiling after a loss. That felt like a "normal" reaction to him. Yet, in Australia, that atmosphere was non-existent. Instead, they hailed Palmer as a "Brave Challenger and Champion" who had overcome their nation's finest.
"Well, isn't that great? It was a nightmare for me. Though, I suppose it didn't help that I refused to give the media the time of day."
Rampage had a hunch as to why the reception was so warm. It was likely because of him. Palmer was a Mejiro, just like Rampage; if the Australians mistreated her, word would reach Rampage's ears in an instant. Rather than risk the wrath of the world's most influential horse girl—which could snowball into a diplomatic incident—the Australian public and media had likely pivoted toward sportsmanship and celebrating her victory.
"You should probably provide a little fan service while you're there, though."
『That's the plan. My Trainer is currently sorting through which outlets to talk to and when.』
"Good. Then here's some media advice from the World's Strongest."
Palmer, sensing the gravity of the moment, told him to wait a second while she grabbed a pen and paper.
"First, don't let them rattle you. You're prime bait for those reporters. If they were the local press we know, it'd be one thing, but you're in foreign territory… Oh, and there's one thing you need to be especially careful about."
『W-what is it?!』
"They are definitely going to grill you about the princess carry. Whatever you do, don't lose your cool like an idiot."
『…I-I knew it. You think so too?』
"Of course I do."
In the heat of her emotional victory, Palmer had lunged into her trainer's arms. Caught up in the moment himself, Trainer Yamada had scooped her up and performed a "winning lap" around the track, carrying her the whole way. While some praised it as the ultimate expression of the bond between a trainer and his girl, many others were already whispering, "Wait, are those two actually…?"
"I get that you were overwhelmed with emotion. But you let him carry you, you accepted it, and you were clinging right back… yeah, they're going to interrogate you. Count on it."
『I… I wonder if I can give a proper comment…』
"You could just go for broke and tell them you're dating."
『I can't do that! I'm not like you, Ran-san!』
"What exactly do you think I am, you brat?!"
After a bit more playful bickering, Palmer went back to desperately strategizing for her interviews. Rampage decided to leave the rest to her and her trainer to figure out.
"Anyway, if you're serious about the interviews, watch your step."
『Y-yeah. I'll do my best…』
"One last thing."
『Eh? What?』
"Don't let that Trainer get away."
『WH-?! Wait, Rampage-san, does that mean—!』
Rampage cut the call before she could finish. He didn't think for a second that Palmer would let him go, nor that the trainer would ever leave her side… but he found it ironic that he was now the one encouraging the "Mejiro-ing" of a trainer, a joke that had haunted the family for years. Well, they're the best partners for each other. No harm done.
"Ah! Found her!"
The door swung open. Twin Turbo burst in, trailing Ikuno Dictus behind her. Both were in full racing silks. Rampage blinked, wondering what the occasion was.
"We were wondering if you would cooperate with us for our Queen Elizabeth II Cup preparations?"
"You're in your silks. I take it we're doing a full-contact simulation?"
"Yep! My Trainer called up a bunch of other people to fill the gates! It's a mock race, but it's gonna feel like the real thing!"
Ikuno took over the explanation for the hyperactive Turbo. They wanted Rampage to play the role of "Silverstone"—acting as the pacer and the one to beat. They wanted him to run his usual, aggressive front-running race without holding back. The rest of the lineup was staggering: Nice Nature, Matikanetannhauser, Ines Fujin, Tamamo Cross, Oguri Cap, Super Creek, and Inari One had all been recruited.
"You managed to assemble quite the roster…"
"They heard that if Rampage was participating, they absolutely wanted in," Ikuno explained.
"Wait, hold on. This is the first I've heard of this. South-chan… that bastard, he knew I wouldn't say no and just skipped the permission part, didn't he?"
"Ahaha! But Turbo knew Ran would be okay with it too!"
"As did I."
It seemed the members of Team Canopus knew him all too well. He couldn't exactly say no when his respected seniors were taking the track. Rampage pulled out his own silks, changed, and headed to the track where Trainer Minamisaka was waiting.
"Yo, South-chan. Moving ahead without my permission? You've got guts."
"I simply figured you would participate with pleasure."
"Good grief…"
"Oh? Is the great Rampage afraid of losing?"
Rampage grinned, a sharp, competitive edge entering his voice. "Alright, you win. Let's do this, you old fox."
Horse Data: Mejiro Tycoon (Colt)
The second-year offspring of Mejiro Rampage. His sire is the seven-crown legend, Symboli Rudolf. His name, meaning "Great Lord," was chosen in the hope he would become a titan, being the son of a "Tyrant" and an "Emperor."
He struggled on turf during his debut, but found his stride after switching to dirt in his third race. As a three-year-old, he bypassed the Japanese Triple Crown to challenge the American Triple Crown. Though he finished second in the Kentucky Derby, he went on to win the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, securing two-thirds of the American Triple Crown.
Upon returning to Japan, he dominated the Champions Cup. He inherited Rampage's dirt aptitude so strongly that he was considered peerless on the surface. However, much like his mother, he once entered a G2 turf race and won handily, leaving the racing world confused as to whether he could have been a turf star all along. Despite his terrifying strength, he was beloved by fans as the "Tycoon of the Sands" for his charming expressions and quirks.
His primary jockey, Yukio Okabe, described him as: "Usually a laid-back guy who you can't quite read, but the moment the gates open, he turns into a cold-blooded professional."
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