"Hah… Turbo-chan, you're fast! Almost as fast as Ran!!"
"Phew… Turbo's Teio's rival, so this is nothing!!"
"Wow, trembling legs and all, Canopus's next ace is Teio's rival!"
Training with Ryan alone felt stale, so Rampage invited Turbo, who's nearing her debut. Turbo's reckless big-lead style mirrors Rampage's but carries a unique strength. Ryan can catch Turbo but struggles with Rampage.
"Turbo, grab some drinks. Keep the change."
"Got it! Turbo's on it!!"
Turbo dashes off with a 1000-yen note. Watching her, Ryan gazes at the setting sun and murmurs.
"Can I beat Ines?"
"Dunno, that's on you."
"So Ran-like…"
"Which Ran? Now or then?"
"Both, I guess."
Puffing her cigar, Rampage—past or present—converges into her true self.
"Sometimes, I think… what a crazy goal we set."
"Blaming me?"
"Nah. I was always overshadowed, you know? Eyes were on McQueen."
"McQueen's… a class apart."
McQueen's choice to skip two Classics for the Chrysanthemum, eyeing the Spring Tenno Sho, shows her Mejiro resolve. Impressive.
"McQueen's your biggest hurdle for the Triple Crown. Her legs shine brighter the longer the race."
"Yeah, I feel that."
A classic stayer, McQueen excels in long distances yet holds her own in mid-range with speed. Rampage dreads facing her as a senior—maybe next year's Takarazuka or Autumn Tenno Sho.
"Double Triple Crown… a kid's dream, huh?"
"Crazy reckless, thinking back."
"You're the one who suggested it!"
"And you went along."
They knew the challenge, but its weight hits hard. Rampage, with two tiaras, knows even a single win marks a strong Uma Musume. G1s, the elite's domain, are grueling.
"But… it's fun. The goal's huge, but it's worth it."
"Glad to hear."
"Ran~ Got the drinks!!"
Turbo returns. Time to chat over drinks.
"For Ryan, sports drink."
"Thanks!"
"For Ran."
"Cheers."
But it's… an oden can. Rampage tackles Turbo with an Argentine Backbreaker.
"Why the hell an oden can!?"
"Gaaah!! I messed up!! You said keep the change, so I thought you'd be fine with it!!"
"Oh, really? Think I'd let that slide!? Buy something else with my money, you idiot!!"
"Nyaaa!!"
"Hahaha!! You're hopeless!"
"The day has come! The Uma Musume festival, the Tokyo Yushun, Japan Derby!! Over 19 million—sorry, 19 thousand—flood in, an unprecedented crowd! Such dreams, such expectations! My heart's bursting!! Which Uma Musume will shine under these spotlights!?"
"So many people," Rice gasps.
"19,000… insane," Rampage mutters.
Tokyo Racecourse overflows, all here for today's spectacle, brimming with dreams.
"Wah…"
"Rice, you okay? Hold my hand tight."
"T-Thanks, big sis."
Rice joins Canopus to watch the Derby, a must-see for her Classic Triple Crown dream. Rampage pulls her close, shielding her.
"There, you're good."
"Thank you, big sis."
"Rice, so unfair~ Turbo wants to see too…"
"Then stand in front of me," Ikuno offers.
"Yay! Ikuno gets it!!"
"Jeez, sorry, Rice," Rampage sighs.
Main field entry begins, cheers erupting. The race to crown the generation's best ignites, with one Uma Musume drawing the loudest roar.
"Here's the top favorite!! After her Satsuki Sho win, can she follow Mejiro Rampage for a Mejiro Double Crown!? Aiming for the generation's peak, Mejiro Ryan!!"
"Go, Ryan!!"
"Fight hard!!"
"Don't overdo it!!"
"Come on!!"
"Keep your pace!!"
Canopus cheers. Ryan spots them, flashing a smile, then locks eyes with Rampage.
("I'm here, best friend—watch my run.")
("I'm watching, best friend—seize your fate.")
Nodding as if reading each other's hearts, Ryan's eyes sharpen, reminiscent of Mejiro Monsigny, Mr. CB's greatest rival. Another roar rises.
"Here she comes! Will it be a showdown with Mejiro Ryan!? Second favorite, Satsuki Sho runner-up, aiming for the top—Tempestuous Gale, Ines Fujin!!"
Their Satsuki Sho clash lingers in memory. This duel draws the crowd. They exchange glances, but Ryan heads to the gate first, Ines joining her.
"I'm not losing today."
"Neither am I."
A brief exchange, a light laugh, a high-five. Wishing luck, they brace for battle. The Japan Derby begins.
Oden can from Uma Yuru, Argentine Backbreaker from Uma Musume Season 2's McQueen.
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