"Hey, you're with Canopus, right?"
"You're Mejiro Ryan-senpai, aren't you?"
"Yeah. Can we talk for a bit?"
That day, after wrapping up classes as usual and heading to training, Ryan spotted an Uma Musume and couldn't help but call out to her. It was Nice Nature, a fellow Canopus member alongside Rampage, set to debut next year. Ryan knew this was a critical time for her, but there was something she needed to ask.
"Sorry for the sudden stop."
"No worries~ If it's okay with me, I'm happy to chat. What's up?"
"It's about Ran."
The topic was Rampage. Though they shared a class, Ryan had only ever seen Rampage talk with a select few Uma Musume. Her towering height and physique made Ryan wonder if others kept their distance, stirring a quiet concern about whether Rampage was fitting in at Tresen Academy. Since the opportunity presented itself, she wanted to hear from a teammate.
"How's Ran with Canopus? Is she getting along okay? Since she transferred in mid-term, I'm worried about her making friends."
"Ah, got it. No need to worry about Ran. She's pretty reliable, even outside the team."
"Really? Oh, and you don't need to use formal speech."
"Alright, I'll drop it then."
Nature shared stories about Rampage during practice or when Ryan wasn't around. Since Ryan was focused on her own Classic races, she couldn't always train with Rampage, so hearing about her teammate from someone else was enlightening.
"She's strong but never acts superior, super approachable, and fun to goof around with, so I don't really see her as a 'senpai.' More like a dependable big-sister friend."
"That so?"
"Like, she runs with Turbo, and when Turbo gives up, Ran carries her on her back or treats her to food. Seems like she enjoys looking out for others."
It was a different side of Rampage from what Ryan knew, yet the core felt the same. The old Rampage was timid, always gauging others' reactions while quietly caring for them, mustering courage to lend a hand. Now, she'd grown bolder, stepping forward with confidence.
"Thanks for sharing. I'm really glad to hear this."
"No prob~ If this helps, I can talk anytime."
"Hehe, take care of Ran, okay? Gotta go—trainer's waiting!!"
"You got it~"
Ryan's heart felt lighter, as if a lingering weight had lifted slightly. Beyond just being Rampage's ally, she now vowed to stand as a clear rival and a teammate striving for shared goals.
"I'll become one—a Triple Crown Uma Musume!!"
November. The chill was starting to bite, but Kyoto Racecourse was ablaze with the fervor of Uma Musume undeterred by the cold. The stage was set for the Daily Hai Juvenile Stakes, a G2 race. Among junior-class races, only this and the Keio Hai were G2-tier, so the air crackled with the competitors' intensity.
"Hey, Ran! Weeei!!"
"Yo, Heli-chan, weeei! You're here too, huh? Energetic as always—kinda jealous~"
"It's a G2, so I'm, like, totally hyped!!"
While warming up in the paddock, Rampage was greeted by Daiwa Helios, a friend of Palmer's. Apparently, she was racing too. The ever-laughing gal was as vibrant as ever.
"We've been totally vibing with Palmer lately!! Today's race is gonna be peak, blasting through, full-on FUUUUU!!"
"Got it. Energy's a good thing. I'm doing pretty well myself, so don't expect any mercy—kidding!! Let's go all-out hyped today!"
"Yeeeah!! Ran totally gets me!! Wanna do one last shout?"
"Let's do it!"
""Weeei!!""
Onlookers stared, thinking, It's a G2, and they're that loud...? Normally, this was the time to focus or warm up, but the pair seemed unfazed by tension. Many Uma Musume eyed Helios, wondering if she needed marking.
"Gonna go prep over there—let's do this!!"
Waving as she high-stepped away, Helios left, and Ikuno approached.
"Quite lively, Rampage-san."
"Yeah, that's Heli for ya. But she's strong—probably keep laughing even if she's marked."
"I see. Always positive, unfazed by pressure... a formidable opponent."
In a way, Helios might be a natural counter to Rampage. It was a G2, so there was no room for complacency, but Rampage vowed to race with full focus.
"Hey, Trainer, who do you think'll win—Ikuno or Ran?"
As the fanfare sounded and the race neared, Turbo posed the question to Minami. One would win, one would lose—or in a G2, both could falter. But Turbo's question leaned toward who was stronger. Nature and Tannhäuser chimed in with their takes.
"Gotta be Ran, right? She's training with Shinzan Iron and can handle that crazy pace."
"But Ikuno's amazing too. Reading opponents' strategies and passing with precision—that's not easy."
Their points nailed each racer's strengths. As teammates, they knew their comrades' prowess, making the debate endless. That's likely why Turbo asked Minami.
"Tough call. Ran's running is spectacular, but Ikuno's her natural counter. Pace changes don't faze her, so if Ran tries that, it'll give Ikuno an opening."
"So—Ran's signature pace-shifting is sealed?"
"Yes. It'll come down to a pure contest."
'All Uma Musume are ready... and they're off!!'
The race kicked off right after. Ikuno drew gate 1, Rampage the outermost. Polar opposites in starting position, yet both ran true to themselves. Leading the pack were Rampage and Helios.
'As expected, Rampage takes the front, with Daiwa Helios in hot pursuit. These two set the pace, accelerating relentlessly—a true double-breakaway start!!'
"Hahaha, you're crazy fast, Ran!! But I'm not losing—Weeei!!"
"No way I'm letting you beat me!!"
Their momentum was unstoppable, holding strong even into the third corner's Yodo Hill. Helios seemed to ease off slightly compared to Rampage, who ran at full throttle, unchecked.
"Wow, Ran!! She's powering up that hill!!"
"Wait, she knows the rule, right!?"
"Rule?"
"What's that again?"
"We talked about this!!"
Nature snapped at Tannhäuser and Turbo's cluelessness. Yodo Hill, at Kyoto's third corner, was a gentle ascent followed by a sharp descent. The rule was to climb and descend slowly, but Rampage ignored it, accelerating like it was nothing. In fact—
'Rampage is fast, so fast!! No slowing on the descent—she's using it to accelerate further!! Rules be damned, her run is the law—utterly fearless!!'
'Daiwa Helios is holding back, her approach more conventional.'
Using the descent's momentum risked veering outward from centrifugal force, but Rampage's Shinzan Iron-honed cornering and power kept her tight, navigating flawlessly.
'They've cleared the fourth corner. Rampage still leads, Helios in second—but wait, a massive surge from the back!! An Uma Musume is charging down the hill at blistering speed, hugging the inside!! She's cutting the corner perfectly!!'
"Here she comes!!"
"I won't let you escape, Rampage-san!!"
'It's Ikuno Dictus!! Ikuno Dictus rockets forward, closing on Rampage!! She passes Helios and narrows the gap in a flash!! Can she overtake, or will Rampage hold her off?!'
Accelerating down the hill would terrify most, but Ikuno's cool-headedness kept her steady. Leaning in, she took the shortest path through the corner, locking Rampage in her sights for a battle of closing speed. Would Ikuno's precision prevail, or would Ran escape?
"Damn, Ikuno, not bad... but I've still got more!!"
"I know you do!!"
""Let's settle this!!""
Their eyes blazed as they kicked the ground harder. Rampage surged with overwhelming force, while Ikuno unleashed her reserves, chasing with relentless drive.
'Ikuno Dictus puts on another burst, but Rampage holds firm!! Two lengths to go—can Ikuno close it?! She's gaining, but is the distance enough?! Rampage stretches further and shakes her off to cross the finish!! Rampage proves her strength!! Ikuno Dictus takes second, Daiwa Helios third.'
"Hah... hah... I couldn't do it..."
"Holy crap, Ikuno, that was insane... How'd you pull off that cornering...?"
Ran didn't hide her shock as she spoke to Ikuno at the finish. She knew Ikuno's precise, unshakable style, but never expected her to accelerate down Yodo Hill while hugging the inside to close the gap. Even with her own legs, Rampage had struggled to avoid veering out.
"I asked Trainer-san for special training. To catch you, I knew I had to master the shortest path down that hill."
"You're one scary Uma Musume."
How many could pull that off, even with training? Especially at Yodo Hill, where most would falter mentally. Ikuno was truly her natural counter.
"Weeei!! You two were totally wild!! Running like that on that hill? Absolute peak vibes!!"
"Haha, nice third place, Heli-chan. The three of us make quite the show."
"Indeed. But next time, I'll take center stage."
"Not a chance!"
"Ooh, what's this? Full-on fiery burning showdown?!"
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