The Japan Cup was only a week away. Coming hot on the heels of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, the field was once again bolstered by international contenders, though their presence had become a staple of the event. The Japan Cup was, by definition, the ultimate collision between domestic talent and the world's best. This year, eight international challengers were set to descend upon Japan. Among them was Elguet, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner and a former rival who had traded strides with Rampage. It was shaping up to be a Japan Cup crowded with legends.
And yet—
"Stop dragging your feet! Put some heart into it, or you'll never graduate from Team Nemesis!"
"Yes, Ma'am!"
"Keep the pace! Don't let it drop! Maintain! Maintain!"
At Team Nemesis, the air was thick with more shouting than any other stable. Sunday Silence, the "Boss," was at the center of it, her voice booming as she tightened the screws on the trainees. Beside her, the Chief, Rampage, followed up with surgical precision, barking detailed instructions to turn that raw energy into focused action. The presence of Nemesis had become a massive catalyst, providing a much-needed jolt to a generation of girls who had started to stagnate.
"So," Sunday asked, wiping sweat from her brow. "How did the Ohi qualifiers go? That good?"
"Yeah," Rampage replied. "It ended up being mostly members from the Ohi Training Center, but a few girls from the general public made the cut for the representatives, too."
"Not bad. All according to your grand design, then?"
"Who knows… we're still a long way from the finish line."
The only thing left was to execute the Finals without a hitch, but the "Legend Race" was proving to be a logistical nightmare of its own. Originally, the plan was to send out formal invitations to legendary Horse Girls, but the response had been overwhelming—true icons of the turf were stepping forward voluntarily, making the roster far more stacked than anyone had anticipated. Leading the charge was Inari, who had secured her spot through the Ohi qualifiers, and Oguri, who had punched her ticket back home in Kasamatsu.
"Good grief," Rampage sighed. "And with the Japan Cup right around the corner, too."
'It felt so good to run in front of Kitahara again. We grabbed dinner afterward and just talked for hours.'
'Must've been nice. I haven't been able to get the old crew together lately… Man, nothing beats a meal with your best friends, does it?!'
'No… it really was delicious.'
Oguri had clearly enjoyed her homecoming, spending her days reuniting with old mentors and friends. But her return meant the final lineup for the Legend Race was becoming terrifying. The race followed the same format as the Finals—divided by distance—and Rampage couldn't help but shudder at the thought of the mid-distance bracket. It was going to be a bloodbath.
"I wish I could've entered the Legend Race," Sunday grumbled.
"Give me a break," Rampage shot back. "It took everything I had just to get this year's event off the ground. If I had to account for you too, I'd have to open the gates to international legends just to keep things fair, and that's a headache I don't need. We're only able to play this fast and loose because we've limited it to domestic runners. Besides, if you join, that means the overseas Legends come too… the URA's authority would crumble instantly."
"Let it crumble. Then you can be the next big boss."
"Don't screw with me. I want no part of that nightmare."
Even the Finals had been a political minefield regarding URA's "prestige," which Rampage had only navigated by staying two steps ahead and using his own name—along with the raw influence of the Symboli and Mejiro families—to steamroll the opposition. If they let Sunday Silence run, every heavyweight from Europe and America would come flooding in—the likes of Elguet, Silverstone, and Stahl Armekor. At that point, it wouldn't be a race; it would be a diplomatic crisis. It would honestly be easier to just scrap it all and start a new G1 called the "Japan World Cup."
"Tch…" Sunday clicked her tongue.
"Don't look at me like that. As a consolation prize, I've put together a little 'entertainment' for later today."
"Entertainment?"
"Yeah—a Mock Japan Cup."
"RAAAAAAM-PAAAAAGE-SAAAAAAN!"
"You're persistent, you're annoying, and you're creeping me out! What do you want?!"
It had become a routine: Flora's "episodes" triggered by the mere sight of Rampage. The moment he entered her field of vision, she lunged for a hug. Rampage instinctively moved to kick her away, but Flora evaded with a movement so fluid and soft it didn't even register as a physical threat—then immediately dove back in. Rampage dropped his center of gravity to the limit to dodge, then backstepped. Thinking she had him cornered, Flora beamed, only for Rampage's hand to snap out in a crushing "Iron Claw" grip to her face.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" he roared.
"I was so close! I was almost there! Ow-ow-ow-ow! My face! It hurts on a level that shouldn't be legal!"
"Seriously," Sunday remarked, watching the exchange. "Was that a stunt out of a superhero show or something?"
It was the kind of high-speed choreography only possible with the physical specs of a Horse Girl. Then again, Rampage was retired; Flora was supposedly still an active racer. Should she really be using her talents for this?
"Good lord. Maybe I shouldn't have called you after all," Rampage muttered.
"How cruel! I may not be a G1 winner yet, but I'm still a graded-stakes winner overseas!"
"If we're bragging about resumes, I'm the one with the Arc and the BC Classic trophies, you idiot."
Flora was currently campaigning abroad. While her team had decided to wait until next year for a serious G1 push, she had focused on G2 events this year, winning three out of six international starts. Trainer Tojo had mentioned that given her performance, an Arc challenge was on the table for next season.
"Well, don't count on me for your European tour. Go by yourself."
"Why?! If you and I conquered the Arc together, it would be the pride of Japan!"
"Too bad for you. I'm a delinquent with zero patriotism."
It was a bold statement for a man who had personally met the Emperor and Empress. Rampage's backup plan for "social pressure" was usually just to flee the country and marry into an Irish family or something equally reckless.
"So," Flora said, finally recovering. "Why did you call me?"
"To prep for the Japan Cup. You're running in it, right? Consider this a dress rehearsal."
"Oh! Yay! Rampage-san is relying on me!"
"I'm not."
Sunday watched them, her expression sour. Rampage had acted like he'd set this up for her sake, but it was clear he was just using her as a training tool for the youngsters. Still, she couldn't stay mad. You needed a partner with that kind of audacity to stand by her side.
As she mused, more Horse Girls began to gather.
"I'm glad you invited me properly this time."
"Hehe. Well done, Rampage."
"Last time was a blast, so I'm sure today will be even better!"
It was Symboli Rudolf, Mejiro Ramonu, and Mr. C.B.
"Ah! It's the President! Rampage was telling the truth!" Teio chirped.
"L-Lady Ramonu is here as well… truly, the pinnacle of honor," McQueen stammered.
"Whoa, hold on. Rampage said this was training for the Japan Cup, but… look at this lineup," Nature whispered, stunned.
"My pulse is rising," Ikuno Dictus noted. "The prospect of facing such opponents is… stimulating."
"If I try my best… will Sister praise me?" Rice Shower wondered quietly.
"Ugh, I'm shaking! It must be my warrior spirit... or just nerves!" Tannhauser cried.
"Excitement confirmed. Hypothesizing an adrenaline surge," Bourbon droned.
Teio, McQueen, Nature, Ikuno, Rice, Tannhauser, Bourbon—they all arrived in quick succession. The common thread was clear: every one of them was a contender for the upcoming Japan Cup.
"Alright," Rampage announced. "We're starting the Mock Japan Cup. And today, Sunday-san will be participating."
"Hah! Now that's a lineup worth crushing," Sunday grinned, her eyes flashing. "I'll break every single one of you."
"——I wouldn't count on that being easy."
A new voice cut through the air. A lone Horse Girl approached. At the sight of her racing silks—a coat lined with a golden dragon—C.B. and Rudolf both broke into wide smiles. Indeed, you couldn't have a Japan Cup without her.
"Sorry for the sudden call, Ace-san," Rampage said.
"Don't sweat it," Katsuragi Ace replied, her confidence radiating. "I've wanted a crack at the famous Sunday Silence for a long time… as the Japanese Ace who conquered the Japan Cup."
"Interesting," Sunday purred.
Katsuragi Ace—the first Japanese Horse Girl to ever win the Japan Cup. She made no effort to hide her exhilaration at the prospect of facing a global legend like Sunday.
"I appreciate the invite, Rampage," Rudolf said. "Not only do I get a rematch with Sunday-san, but I get to run against Ace again."
"I had a feeling today was going to be the best day ever," C.B. laughed. "I was right!"
"Very well, Rampage," Ramonu added with a sharp smile. "I'll forgive your previous transgressions for this."
"Much appreciated," Rampage muttered, looking at the titans gathered on the track. "Well… this turned into something insane."
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