The days of the training camp faded into memory in the blink of an eye. Though the sweltering heat remained like smoldering embers, clinging to the skin in a thin sheen of sweat, the colors of the landscape were shifting. Autumn had arrived. In the world of Team Pleiades, the days seemed constant, yet everything was changing.
And within that flow of time came Mayano Top Gun's second career race: the Fuyo Stakes.
"How are we feeling, Mayaya?"
"In peak condition!"
"Good. That's my star runner for you—"
"Kyaa! Rampage-san is giving me so much love! ♪"
The two were "shooting the breeze"—otherwise known as the final pre-race check—in the waiting room. To Rampage's eye, Maya was in top form; in her own mind, she was unstoppable. Her body felt light, and she was practically vibrating with the urge to run. She had been waiting for this second race with a heart full of excitement, beaming at Rampage's every word—until, suddenly, her expression shifted.
"Wait...!"
"What is it?"
"I just felt this... huge pressure," Maya whispered, looking around the room. "What was that? Is one of the other girls marking me already?"
She took a deep breath, as if to steady herself and shake off any overconfidence. Watching her, Rampage felt a surge of pride at how much she'd grown. At the same time, her reaction felt uncannily familiar—he'd felt that same "marking" pressure before. Specifically, it reminded him of a certain racer who, after two Japan Cup wins, was currently tearing through the international circuit toward the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
"Right... I can't forget what Tama-san taught me," Maya murmured to herself, eyes closed. "I have to give it my all, no matter what. The others are here to take me down, so I have to be ready to trample right over them to get to the finish..."
She continued to whisper her mantras, focusing her spirit. It was the mindset Tamamo Cross had hammered into her during the camp: No matter how much talent you have, it's worthless if you can't draw out 100% of it. And the key to drawing it out is the mind. If the mind wavers, the opponent will strike. If they strike, you lose. The only solution? Run with the intent to crush them.
"Maya will win. I'll win. I won't lose. Not to anyone. I promised Trainer-chan I'd become a 'Sparkling Uma Musume'..."
Watching her center herself, Rampage felt like a proud parent. Perhaps it was because they'd spent time "disguised" as mother and daughter, but he felt a distinct tug at his heartstrings. He snapped himself out of it just as the sound of a sharp slap echoed through the room—Maya had struck her own cheeks to wake up her fighting spirit.
"Alright! Rampage-san, give me the order!"
"You got it. Mayano Top Gun, you have only one standing order for this race."
"Only one order..." Maya smiled, her eyes turning sharp. "Run it through to the end! Mayano Top Gun, taking off!"
With a brilliant grin, she dashed out of the room. Rampage watched her retreating back for a moment before heading to the stands. Even for an Open-class race, Nakayama Racecourse was packed—likely because word of Maya's talent was spreading. He found a good vantage point, only to be hailed by a voice from beside him.
"Well, well. What a coincidence. I don't remember inviting you."
"I figured if you were entering her again, it would be this race," Sakahara—better known as 'Trainer-chan'—replied with a smile. "Looks like my instincts haven't dulled yet."
He looked much better than before. He was still using a cane for support, but he was standing firm on his own two feet.
"You look like you're recovering well," Rampage noted.
"Thanks to that doctor you introduced me to. The Mejiro family hospital is incredible—top-tier medical tech. The rehab there is light-years ahead of my last place."
"Glad to hear it. So, from a professional perspective, how do you think Maya will handle today?"
Down on the turf, Maya was already making her entrance. she was the picture of innocence, waving enthusiastically to the crowd. When she spotted Sakahara, her smile brightened even further as she waved harder.
"She's incredible," Sakahara whispered. "She looks even bigger than she did in her debut. I caught a glimpse of her face as she came out of the tunnel... the way her expression shifted was terrifying. It was a total metamorphosis. You've raised a very dangerous girl, Rampage."
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