"Hey, hey! Keep those legs moving! Ticket, if you want that revenge on Hayahide and Taishin, you'd better pick up the pace!"
"Uwaaagh! I won't lose! Just watch me!"
"Dora-run, Ama-chan! You two better fly! Let's see which one of you is actually going to take the Shuka Sho!"
"That would be—!"
"Me!!" "No, me!!"
The familiar, booming voice echoed across the Team Canopus training grounds. Since Rampage had originally been a member of this team, her voice carried a natural authority that seemed to settle right into the dirt of the track. Today, she had left the girls of Team Pleiades under the watchful eye of Trainer Kamimizuru so she could oversee the coordination of Canopus.
There was a specific reason for this temporary "homecoming."
"Still... it's awfully quiet around here without that brat," Nice Nature muttered, wiping sweat from her brow.
"You said it," Rampage agreed with a sigh. "I never would've guessed Turbo would actually tag along for Laurel's European tour."
"Seriously."
Nature's grumbling hit the nail on the head. Twin Turbo, fresh off her success in Dubai, had vanished overseas. The expeditionary force consisted of Minamisaka, Sakura Laurel, Twin Turbo, and a fourth member, Flora. They had stormed into Europe with a singular goal: conquering the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Laurel and Flora had entered the Prix Niel and the Prix Foy respectively as prep races—and both had secured decisive victories.
But then, there was the Turbo factor.
"What is that idiot actually thinking?" Rampage asked, rubbing her temples.
"She isn't thinking," Nature deadpanned. "She probably just wanted to run in the same races you did."
"That moron..."
"AND IT'S FULL-BLAST TURBOOOOO!!"
"The Japanese challenger, Twin Turbo, is finding another gear! She's accelerating again! This is unbelievable! After leading for so long, where did she find this extra strength?! Greatest Lodge is at her limit! Kierenze can't close the gap! Razgriz is hanging on... is it Razgriz or Twin Turbo?! TURBO TAKES HER AGAIN! TWIN TURBO CROSSES THE LINE!!"
"Japan has done it again! Following in the footsteps of the World's Tyrant, Mejiro Rampage, another 'Great Escape' specialist has conquered the Irish Champion Stakes!!"
Turbo had technically gone as a companion for the other two, claiming she wanted "more international experience." Thanks to Rampage's connections, the expedition team was currently being hosted by the Irish Royal Family. Fine Motion had been sending Rampage a steady stream of emails and photos, but it turned out Turbo's way of saying "thank you" to their hosts was to enter the Champion Stakes... and win it. She had ground down Razgriz—an opponent Rampage herself had faced—to take the crown.
"Twin Turbo has now earned a starting slot for the Arc! Will she be entering?!"
"We'll make that decision after monitoring her condition," Minamisaka's voice replied calmly over the broadcast. "Her entry today was primarily a gesture of gratitude to the Irish Royal Family for their hospitality. A run at the Arc was never the primary goal. Turbo, any thoughts?"
"Uhh... Turbo only ran because Fine-chan said she'd be happy if I did! The Arc... well, Ran ran that race, so I'm not uninterested, but I'll listen to my body. I agree with whatever Teacher says!"
"And there you have it. For now, our primary contenders remain Laurel-san and Flora-san."
"Minami-chan is just being his usual self," Rampage noted, looking at a tabloid on the bench. "Instead of getting heat for his 'dictatorship,' the press is calling him 'The Despot's Chancellor.' And the guy isn't even blinking."
When Rampage had gone overseas, Sue-chan had filled in as her trainer. Naturally, people had wondered if the regular Canopus trainer, Minamisaka, actually had the chops for the world stage. But with Laurel, Flora, and now Turbo all winning, those doubts had evaporated. He was now hailed as the only man fit to be the partner of the Tyrant.
"If Turbo actually runs the Arc, do you think she can win?" Nature asked.
"Who knows... that hill at Longchamp is the ultimate dealbreaker."
"Rich, coming from the girl who smashed through it like it wasn't there," Nature teased.
The biggest hurdles at the Arc were undoubtedly that hill and the fausse ligne droite—the "false straight." Rampage had conquered them through sheer, overwhelming power, but that wasn't Turbo's style. She would need a different strategy... but Rampage figured she could leave that headache to Minamisaka.
"Anyway, it's been a while since you've just hung out here, Rampage-san," Nature said softly.
"Rice is so happy to be with Onee-sama again," Rice Shower added, clutching Rampage's sleeve.
"Kuh... you girls really know how to make a girl sentimental," Rampage muttered, patting Rice's head.
Despite being the trainer for Pleiades now, in the hearts of Team Canopus, she was still their teammate, Mejiro Rampage. That would never change.
"You're doing okay too, Tsuru-chan? This is usually the time you'd want to lean on your trainer the most," Rampage said, turning to the girl standing nearby.
"Oh, no! I'm fine! Trainer Minamisaka left me a very detailed practice menu, so I'm doing great!"
Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi—Special Week's classmate and the newest addition to the Canopus training sessions—was giving it her all. However, Rampage noticed her movements were a bit stiff. Likely nerves from being watched by a legend.
"Still, he's got you on a hell of a regimen," Rampage observed, glancing at the girl's clipboard. "He's pushing you right to the edge of your limit... a real Spartan workout, but just enough so the fatigue doesn't carry over to the next day. It's tough, isn't it?"
"Well, yes... but I can feel myself getting stronger compared to when I first enrolled! Minamisaka-san even supervised my diet and talked to the cafeteria staff for me. He promised that by the time I debut, I'll be able to stand on equal footing with Spe-chan and the others. I believe him, so I'm going to work my hardest!"
Tsuyoshi's eyes were clear and full of resolve. With a plan that meticulous, Rampage knew the girl was in good hands. I guess I'd better step up my game too, she thought.
"It really is nice having everyone together, even if Turbo is missing," Ikuno Dictus said, stepping forward.
"Yeah. And that brat Turbo is growing up faster than I thought... Hey. How about we go for a spin? For old time's sake."
"Oh?" Ikuno's eyes sharpened behind her glasses, a small smirk forming. "The thought of finally getting my revenge on you... yes, that does get the blood pumping."
"You in, Ikuno?"
"I wouldn't miss it."
Sparks flew between the two. While the world focused on Flora, Ikuno Dictus had always been one of Rampage's most steadfast rivals.
"Well, I guess I'm joining in too," Nature sighed, though she was already stretching.
"R-Rice wants to run with Onee-sama too!"
"Me too!!" Tsuyoshi chimed in.
"Then it's a party! Oi! Ticket! Ama-chan! Dora-run! We're starting a mock race, you in?"
"We get to run with Senpai?! Hell yeah, it's been ages!!"
"Of course we're in!"
"I've been waiting for a chance to challenge Rampage-senpai again!"
What started as a simple suggestion ballooned instantly. Within minutes, word had spread, and a small crowd of spectators began gathered at the fence. Rampage looked around with a sigh, wondering how news traveled so fast. As she scanned the crowd, she caught sight of a tall, ash-gray Uma Musume slipping away as if trying to avoid being seen.
Was there anyone that tall in the school?
"Hey, Nature. You know any tall, gray-haired Uma Musume around here?"
"Tall and gray? Maybe Biwa Hayahide?"
"I thought so too... but it wasn't Hayahide. Different vibe. I wonder who that was?"
"Onee-sama~ we're ready!" Rice called out.
"Coming!"
Rampage shook the mystery girl from her mind and focused on the track. For today, she wasn't a "Global Champion" or a "Despot." She was just a member of Team Canopus, ready to run with her friends.
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