Agnes Flora's withdrawal from the Rose Stakes left Rampage and Ikuno worried, but they couldn't abandon the race. They ran, and though Rampage clinched the win, her lack of focus left her victory razor-thin—barely a neck ahead of Ikuno in second. After the post-race live event, they rushed to the hospital where Flora was said to be. Spotting Tojo in the waiting area, Rampage dashed over.
"Hana-san, where's Flora!?"
"Keep it down, this is a hospital," Tojo chided, her face etched with concern.
Rampage, sensing something amiss, pressed further. "What happened?"
"A slight inflammation in her leg," Tojo explained. "That girl hid it until the last minute… I gave her a good scolding in her room."
"Is it serious…?" Rampage asked, her voice trembling.
Tojo shook her head. "If you're worried about something like tendonitis, relax. She's fine."
Relief washed over Rampage, Minamisaka, and Ikuno, their tension melting away. Tojo, seeing their reaction, apologized for the worry she'd caused.
"But why the hospital?" Rampage asked.
"I'd already decided to pull her from the Rose Stakes," Tojo said. "We were training with everything focused on the Shuka Sho. I registered her out of respect for her wishes, but then we found the inflammation. We waited until the last moment—cured, she'd race; not cured, she'd withdraw."
"And it hasn't healed yet," Rampage said softly.
"It's not severe, but in this world, you can't take chances," Tojo replied.
Minamisaka nodded in agreement. With the motto "Safety is the greatest treasure," no sign of injury could be ignored. Even a minor issue could spiral into something catastrophic for an Uma Musume—akin to a terminal illness.
"Well, at least she's okay," Rampage said, exhaling. "That 'withdrawal' announcement scared me half to death."
"Complain to Flora about that," Tojo said with a wry smile. "She fought me tooth and nail until the very end."
That stubbornness, Rampage realized, stemmed from the confidence Flora had gained training under legends like Rudolf and Seabiscuit. Tojo's words carried the weight of that truth: Flora was no longer an opponent to underestimate.
"So, the Shuka Sho?" Rampage asked.
"She'll be ready," Tojo said, her eyes blazing with confidence. "That's the day Flora will claim her crown."
Rampage grinned, her competitive spirit flaring. "Bring it on. I'll crush her."
"We're not losing either," Ikuno added, adjusting her glasses. "We'll show you what Ramone-san and Monsny-san taught us."
Both knew neither would back down. Trained by the Metjiro family's finest, they were no pushovers. The air crackled with unspoken rivalry.
"Well, Hana-san, we're heading out," Rampage said.
"Alright. I'll stay a bit longer. Call if you need me," Tojo replied.
As they left the hospital, Rampage felt a strange relief. Worrying had been a waste, but a good kind of waste. She sighed heavily.
"Man, I'm exhausted," she muttered.
"Same here," Ikuno said.
"Emotional fatigue, huh?" Minamisaka mused.
The three shared a weary laugh, their voices tinged with exhaustion. The tension had worn them down. Rampage was already thinking of grabbing something tasty to reset her mood when her phone buzzed. The screen showed Monsny's name—one of the contacts she'd exchanged during training camp. She answered quickly.
"Hello?"
"It's me," Monsny's voice crackled through. "You were awfully distracted out there. Was Agnes Flora's situation that much of a weight on you?"
"…Yeah, I was worried," Rampage admitted.
"I get it, but who's the one most disappointed by your pathetic performance? Me? The old lady?"
Rampage froze, words catching in her throat. She'd been so distracted in the Rose Stakes that she hadn't even shown a glimpse of the running style Monsny had drilled into her. It was, without question, her worst race yet.
"Wrong," Monsny continued. "It's Flora herself, blaming herself for your sorry excuse of a run. Are you trying to humiliate her by using her as an excuse?"
"That's not what I—!" Rampage protested.
"Intent doesn't matter; the result does. You got anxious because she withdrew? You lost focus? That's no excuse. Your performance insulted not just Flora, but every Uma Musume who aimed for the Rose Stakes and raced today. Understand that."
"…Yes, ma'am," Rampage whispered.
Ikuno, overhearing the call, understood both sides. She sympathized with Rampage's worry but agreed with Monsny: racing meant giving your all, no matter what. Despite her own unease, Ikuno had pushed through, focusing on the race.
"If I could, I'd drag you back to the training center and whip you into shape myself," Monsny said. "But I'm swamped, so that's not happening. Don't you dare show that kind of pathetic running in the Shuka Sho. If you do… you know what's coming. I'm counting on you."
With that, Monsny hung up. Rampage pocketed her phone and glanced at Minamisaka.
"…Minami-chan, am I the worst?"
"I don't think so," Minamisaka said. "Caring about a rival is natural, and Monsny-san's point is valid too. I won't say who's right. Instead, I'll say this: let's face Flora in the Shuka Sho at our absolute best."
"That's the way," Ikuno added. "It's the greatest apology and the greatest respect we can show."
Rampage nodded quietly, lifting her gaze to the sky. This time… I'll run my true race.
In a hospital room, Flora sat with Tojo. The withdrawal from the Rose Stakes had been humiliating. She'd burned to race, to prove herself against the two Triple Crown Uma Musume who'd forged her into who she was now. She was ready to defeat them.
"Don't worry, you'll make it in time," Tojo assured her. "Rest and recover."
"I'll show them," Flora vowed, staring out the window. "In the Shuka Sho, I'll prove my strength."
She couldn't afford to lose. She'd crush the competition, proclaiming herself the one to topple the reigning champions. Her resolve burned as she gazed at the sky.
At the Metjiro estate, Monsny tucked away her phone as Asama spoke.
"You could've made time to train her, couldn't you?"
"That'd be coddling," Monsny replied. "Rampage needs tough love."
She'd taught Rampage everything she knew. Now, it was time for Rampage to forge her own heart. If everyone else was soft on her, Monsny would wield the whip. As a retired Uma Musume, she was fine being the one resented.
"Races are won with spirit, with grit," Monsny said. "The mind can surpass the body, tapping into a power logic can't explain. Only by mastering that will Rampage become worthy of the Metjiro name—not just as a Metjiro Uma Musume, but as Rampage, with her own pride."
Asama chuckled. "You're more invested in her than I am."
"I poured everything into her," Monsny said, gazing skyward. "If I wasn't, I wouldn't have bothered."
My heart faltered against Seabiscuit's talent, despite my resolve, Monsny thought. I've given her the technique, shaped her body. Now it's her fight—build your spirit, seize it, claim the Triple Tiara.
Flora will race in the Shuka Sho. After a moment of doubt, the stage is set for the final battle for the Tiara.
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