"…"
"Hey, Hana-san, brewed coffee. Want some?"
"I'll take it."
At her desk, Rigil's Tojo Hana taps away at her laptop, crafting training menus. Okino offers coffee, which she gratefully accepts.
"Black, right?"
"No, sugar and milk. Need the boost."
"Got it."
The coffee's aroma fills the air as she types. The Oaks was a total loss. Thinking she could win by pacing herself, only to dance in the dictator's palm, brings sighs. Okino hands her the cup, and she thanks him.
"Ha… tastes extra good today."
"Don't overwork, Hana-san. Oaks on your mind?"
"Pretty much."
Sighing, she replays the Oaks footage. Okino watches over her shoulder.
"I got played. A pace change she never used in official races? Completely blindsided."
"It's clear now. The times show it," Okino notes.
Big lead, slowed to save stamina, then full throttle as others sped up. A masterful pace shift fooled even teammate Ikuno Dictus. Brilliant.
"Marking her for slipstream was the move… useless hindsight now," Hana groans.
"She was just that good," Okino says.
"…Flora's taking it hard."
Okino's encouragement helps, but the sting lingers.
"She swore she'd win next time, prove her strength. But it crushed her."
"Devastated, huh?"
The Twinkle Series is cutthroat—strong Uma Musume win, weak ones lose. Hana knows Flora's effort best, yet it wasn't enough.
"Where's Flora now?"
"Resting at the dorm. Her final sprint strained her legs."
"She okay?"
"She's fine, checked at the hospital. She'll run again—Autumn Flower, she'll beat Rampage. I'll make sure of it."
Gulping coffee, Hana refocuses on menus. Okino, feeling the fire, heads to Spica's clubroom.
"Hey, Minami-chan, what's Uma-tter?"
"Uma-tter?"
Resting in the clubroom, Rampage asks abruptly, smartphone in hand, on an account setup screen.
"Some juniors want pics for Uma-tter or Umastagram. What's that? And what's the difference?"
"Starting there…?"
Minamisaka, assuming Rampage knew, chuckles wryly.
"Uma-tter's for text, Umastagram's for photos, sharing the moment."
"Got it. That's why they want pics."
"You can post photos on Uma-tter too, though."
"Then they're the same!"
Rampage's exasperation echoes Minamisaka's own thoughts. Her mindset feels familiar, relatable.
"It's good for buzz. Anything I shouldn't do, Minami-chan?"
"Appreciate the caution. Avoid sparking drama."
"Some idiots court it."
"Please don't."
"Won't trouble you."
Rampage sets up her Uma-tter account while Minamisaka eyes the schedule. Two tiaras down, next is the Rose Stakes, then Autumn Flower for the Triple Tiara. Ikuno's on the same path. Excitement stirs—Canopus producing such a star was unthinkable.
"Account's done. Start with a 'chilled noodles' vibe, right?"
"Yeah, something like 'joined Uma-tter, nice to meet you.'"
"Cool."
Typing slowly, Rampage reminds Minamisaka of her own struggles with flick input. She's still the same Rampage who entrusted her Twinkle Series dreams to her.
"Here, Minami-chan, check it."
"Looks good."
Mejiro Rampage@dictatorship
Canopus's Mejiro Rampage. Uma-tter debut today.
Will post team updates now and then.
Nice to meet you♪
"Looks fine," Minamisaka says.
"Too basic? Might get flak."
"Better than trying too hard."
"Got it. One more…"
Snapping a peace-sign selfie, Rampage posts it. It's tame, so Minamisaka approves. The pose screams Helios's influence.
"Derby's soon. Derby Uma Musume or Oaks—whose crown's bigger?"
"Probably Derby. Deeper history."
"Yeah…"
With the Oaks done, the Japan Derby looms—the ultimate G1, Rampage's friend—family—Ryan's stage. Historically, Ines Fujin wins, but Ryan's Satsuki Sho victory makes predictions meaningless. Only the strongest prevails.
"Who'll take it?"
"Ryan's the favorite after Satsuki Sho, but Ines is fired up. Hard to call."
"I agree. And they're roommates! Ines planned Ryan's victory party. Wild, right?"
"Unpredictable. But I'm rooting for Ryan. Our promise aside, I know her strength."
"Derby's gonna be wild."
Minamisaka nods quietly. The Derby's coming—what'll happen?
"Minami-chan, I posted minutes ago, but… tons of comments and hearts. What's this!?"
"That's… impressive."
Registered on Twitter but barely use it. Honestly, didn't get the difference between Twitter and Instagram until I looked it up.
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