"Long time no see," Flora said, sitting beside Rampage.
"Hey, you doing alright?" Rampage replied, reclining with a cigar in hand.
"I was fine from the start. I wanted to race in the Rose Stakes, but Hana-san put her foot down."
Flora's tone was light, but Rampage could tell she was relieved to be out of the hospital. Her injury hadn't been severe, but still…
"Sorry," Rampage said, exhaling smoke. "I almost blamed you for my pathetic showing in the Rose Stakes."
"If that's the case, I'm just as guilty for causing it," Flora replied. "Training with Rudolf-san and Seabiscuit-san pushed me too far. My desire to beat you… it got out of hand."
"So it's my fault for making you feel that way, huh?" Rampage grinned.
"Guess so," Flora said with a sheepish smile. "I tried to cover for you, but I'm not doing a great job."
"No kidding."
They teased each other, but Rampage didn't take it too seriously. She'd brought up her own flawed race, so they were even. The air between them was easy, almost playful.
"Next up is the Shuka Sho," Flora said, her tone shifting.
"Hope I can win with what the Emperor and the others taught me," Rampage replied.
"Oh, I'll win this time," Flora said, her eyes glinting with defiance. "I'm going to make you taste defeat."
"Sounds good," Rampage shot back. "Show me that flavor I've been serving you all this time."
Their banter wasn't hostile, just sharp and spirited. From a distance, underclassmen and even seniors watched with bated breath, half-expecting sparks to fly.
"Time to go," Flora said, standing. "Lying around smoking isn't gonna cut it."
"Do whatever you want," Rampage said with a shrug.
"Pretty confident, huh?"
"Confident? Hardly," Rampage muttered, stubbing out her cigar. "I'm burning through these things faster than ever."
Flora didn't quite catch her meaning. With a polite nod, she left, and sighs of relief echoed from those who'd been watching, glad no fight had broken out. Rampage crushed her cigar in a portable ashtray and stood.
"Alright… let's do this."
She strode toward the Canopus clubroom, the Shuka Sho looming just days away.
"Ryan, I'll keep my promise to you."
The day had finally arrived. The Classic Class, the final race of the Tiara Triple Crown—the Shuka Sho. Kyoto Racecourse buzzed with anticipation. Would a second-ever Triple Tiara winner emerge? The possibility of Rampage achieving an undefeated Triple Crown drew crowds, but so did the hope of others stopping her, seizing the final Tiara to end her reign and claim their own glory. The stakes were sky-high, and the excitement was electric.
"Wow, so many people…" Rice Shower gasped.
"Let's hold hands so we don't get separated," Nice Nature suggested.
"My hands are free!" Winning Ticket piped up. "I'm pretty strong, you know!"
"Ticket, you're so reliable!" Turbo cheered.
"Ehehe!"
The crowd rivaled that of the Japan Derby, and the Canopus team linked hands to navigate the sea of spectators, determined not to lose each other.
"Man, what a turnout," Nature said. "Guess it's no surprise with the final Tiara on the line."
"But doesn't it feel like… some people want Ran to lose?" Turbo asked.
"Rice thinks so too," Rice added. "Like they're rooting for Ikuno-san or others to win…"
The team sensed an odd undercurrent. Despite the historic weight of an undefeated Triple Crown, many seemed to be cheering for Rampage's rivals to topple her. Normally, fans would rally behind a record-breaking run, but here, the excitement was split. A nearby Uma Musume, overhearing, offered an answer.
"It's simple," she said. "This year isn't a one-horse race. There are clear contenders with real strength—runners who could actually win. That's why people are rooting for them, too."
This generation's Tiara circuit wasn't just about Rampage. Ikuno, Flora, and others chased her relentlessly, each determined to surpass her and claim victory. Fans cheered for Rampage's triumph, Ikuno's breakthrough, Flora's redemption. The Uma Musume lowered her sunglasses briefly, revealing her identity to the Canopus crew.
"Monsny-san! You came!" Turbo exclaimed.
"I'm here for the old lady," Monsny said. "She wanted to come, but her schedule didn't line up. So I'm her stand-in."
Asama had considered attending, but with Ryan's Kikuka Sho the following week, splitting time was tough. Monsny, who'd trained Rampage directly, was the natural choice to represent her.
"Do you think Ran will win?" Turbo asked.
Monsny shrugged. "If she doesn't pull that half-hearted stunt from the Rose Stakes, she can hold her own."
If Rampage focused solely on her own race, Monsny believed she wouldn't lose. The gate-in was moments away. The battle for the final Tiara was about to begin.
"Rampage-san, today's the day I take you down," Flora said at the gate, her racing silks radiating a new intensity.
"Heard that one before," Rampage replied, unfazed.
Flora's aura was different, forged by her training with Rudolf and Seabiscuit. She wasn't the same Flora they'd faced before—this was her at her peak. As Rampage processed this, Ikuno leaned in, her voice low.
"Be careful, Rampage-san," Ikuno warned. "That's all I'll say. I'm your rival too, but I'll beat you fair and square."
"Appreciate that," Rampage said with a grin. "Let's give it our all, Ikuno."
They bumped fists a few times before shaking hands. As teammates, their bond was strong, but Ikuno's resolve to win honorably mirrored Turbo's philosophy: victory felt best when earned outright. That kind of opponent, though, was the toughest to face. Then, a whisper came from behind.
"Don't think Agnes Flora's your only threat. You'll get tripped up if you do."
"Try it," Rampage shot back, her tone cool and confident.
She brushed it off, but the pressure was palpable. As the undefeated Double Crown holder, Rampage was a marked target. The glares, the subtle taunts, the psychological jabs—it felt like every Uma Musume was aiming debuff skills her way.
Sharp glares, heavy pressure, that whisper… escape checks, you name it. They're coming at me hard. I'm fully marked.
It was only natural for an undefeated Double Crown Uma Musume. She'd outrun the pressure before, but this time was different. Her rivals would cling to her with everything they had. If they thought that'd be enough to stop her, though, they were underestimating her.
"Mark me all you want," Rampage muttered. "I'm just gonna run wild."
The Shuka Sho was about to begin.
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