Uma Musume race across the turf, a common sight at Tracen Academy. Rampage, resting post-Oaks, recalls Director Akikawa's words: these runners will birth legends for future tales. Her steps quicken. Soon, a race hotter than her Oaks—the Japan Derby—looms. Part of her wishes she'd chosen that path, but as she shrugs it off, an Uma Musume approaches.
"Ran!! What's up?"
"Just wandering, doing nothing."
It's Ryan, Satsuki Sho victor, now eyeing the Japan Derby. The Classic Triple Crown is in sight, but it won't be easy. Ines Fujin, her fierce Satsuki rival, returns, joined by other strong contenders.
"The Derby's coming—the Uma Musume festival! I'm buzzing!!"
"Jeez, my Oaks feels like a warm-up act. Mixed feelings."
"Ah, didn't mean it like that…"
"No worries, I know the Derby's the bigger deal."
The Derby's prestige and history outshine the Oaks. Rampage chose the Tiara path, partly due to Ramonu's nudge, but…
"How's it looking? Can you beat Ines?"
"Dunno… I'll give it my all, but Satsuki felt like luck."
"Not a fluke. Luck chose you."
Luck's part of racing—weather, turf, condition. Effort minimizes variance, but bad luck strikes cruelly, inevitably.
"Own that luck. You pulled fate to you."
"Fate? Getting grand, huh?"
"Nah, small fates are just luck."
It's no grand talk, just Rampage's Hitotsume philosophy, inherited from her grandfather, a kamikaze pilot spared by war's end. He told her, during summer visits, to cherish life.
"Carrying life—that's fate. Ryan, you're my fated Uma Musume. I'm alive because of you."
"That's unfair to say…"
"Pfft, no such thing as unfair in battle. Tactics are about outsmarting foes. My pace change? Totally unfair."
"No argument there."
They laugh, and Rampage feels fully herself—not just Mejiro Rampage, but her true self, itching to run.
"Alright, Ryan, I'll spar with you. Face an Oaks champ to prep for the Derby."
"But your rest!?"
"I'm fine, just bored. Or are you scared I'll crush you and ruin your Derby confidence?"
"You said it! I'll blow you away and make you skip the Autumn Flower!!"
"Bring it!"
They warm up with a lap, Ryan preps, and they stand side by side.
"Good weather, good turf. Not bad."
"Ready?"
"Yup. I'll escape like Ines. Catch me, and you'll handle her."
"Your escapes are insane…"
"Shut up, let's go!"
"GO!!!"
"Last week's Oaks was wild!! Rampage-senpai's run was unreal!!"
"Ugh, enough already… how many times?"
"It was that moving," a third Uma Musume says.
Three jersey-clad Uma Musume approach the turf where Ran and Ryan race, likely for extra practice, buzzing about the Oaks.
"Not just a big lead—she slowed gradually, ran a super-slow pace mid-race, then unleashed her stored strength to escape. Masterful," one explains.
"Switching to Canopus now?"
"I'm not even in Rigil, but Canopus looks tempting."
"I'm joining Canopus!!"
"Sounds fun."
They reach the turf, spotting two figures—one collapsed, one standing.
"Someone's here. Ask to join?"
"Wait, that's…"
"No way… speak of the devil?"
"Hah… Ran, too fast!! How's your stamina still there!? Escaping and outpacing!?"
"You're done already? Think you can beat Ines like this? Others can probably escape and outpace too."
"Wanna meet them, but also don't…"
"Palmer's close to that, right?"
"True…"
Ryan, thoroughly trounced after a lap, held her own decently. Then, they notice three Uma Musume staring.
"Um, Mejiro Rampage and Mejiro Ryan, right!?"
"That's me, Dictator Mejiro Rampage. This heap's Satsuki Sho champ Mejiro Ryan."
"Ran, you added 'Satsuki Sho champ' on purpose…"
"Obviously."
"Ugh, annoying…"
The trio senses a deep bond beneath their banter.
"Your Oaks was amazing!!"
"Thanks! Now cheer for this heap to conquer the Derby."
"Got it!! I'm so hyped for it!!"
A black-bay Uma Musume vibrates with excitement, flanked by a bespectacled gray and a sharp-eyed chestnut stealing glances. Rampage recognizes them instantly but returns their greetings.
"I'm Winning Ticket! My dream's to be a Derby Uma Musume!!"
"Biwa Hayahide. Sorry for intruding."
"Narita Taishin…"
"(Whoa, BNW…) Nice to meet you three."
The New Heisei Big Three—Biwa Hayahide, Narita Taishin, Winning Ticket, collectively BNW—rivals who clashed fiercely in historic Classic Triple Crowns. Their presence is electric.
"Rampage-senpai, was your Oaks pace change a sudden tactic?"
"Call me Ran. Always had it, but stopped using it since it didn't work on a teammate."
"Ikuno Dictus-senpai?"
"Yup. Even she didn't expect it after years, so it worked perfectly."
"Wow, that's epic!!"
Ryan rises.
"Round two?"
"Bring it!"
"Sorry, I'm training Ryan for the Derby, using me as Ines Fujin's stand-in."
"Training!?"
The trio's eyes sparkle, clearly aiming for the Classic Triple Crown too.
"Can we watch, if it's okay?"
"Please!!"
"Sure, Ryan?"
"No secrets here. If they challenge later, Ran, you can do the same for them."
"Hey, I'm not a handyman… but fine, if I'm still running."
"You will be, it's you."
"Annoying…"
Ryan's training continues, later joined by BNW for practice. Time passes, and the day arrives.
"Ugh, notifications blowing up!! From my Ryan selfie!?"
"Duh, a Double Tiara and Satsuki Sho champ selfie? Even Turbo gets why," Nature says.
"Huh? Someone call me?"
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