"Hey, undefeated Triple Tiara!" Okinoshima called out.
"Get lost, creep, or I'm calling the cops!" Rampage shot back.
"I haven't even done anything!" Okinoshima protested.
"You think I've forgiven you for touching me without permission? You're still on probation, you idiot!" Rampage snapped, puffing on her cigar.
With the Kikuka Sho just days away, Rampage had returned to Tressen Academy. She was lounging, smoking leisurely, when Okinoshima appeared, Tojo trailing behind him.
"Cut it out already!" Tojo scolded. "How many slaps do you need to learn your lesson?"
"Wait, Hana-san!" Okinoshima pleaded. "I haven't touched her legs since our first meeting!"
"The fact that you touched them without permission is the problem!" Tojo retorted.
"Exactly!" Rampage added. "I heard you messed with Taishin's legs too. What's that saying? 'The soul of a child at three lasts till a hundred'? You're a pervert to your core, aren't you? Touch Rice's legs, and I'll end you."
"Rice Shower, huh? She's been looking good lately," Okinoshima mused. "Those slim legs pack some serious speed. Maybe just a—ow!"
Tojo's hand struck his cheek with a resounding slap, leaving a vivid red mark. Rampage clicked her tongue in disgust. Why would he say that while we're telling him off? she thought, baffled.
"It was a joke, Hana-san! You get that, right?" Okinoshima said, rubbing his cheek.
"I'd rather not!" Tojo snapped. "Be grateful I saved you."
"Huh?" Okinoshima blinked.
Tojo pointed to where Rampage stood, her fist raised as if she'd been about to swing. It wasn't a serious punch, but an Uma Musume's strength far outmatched Tojo's near-full-force slap. The difference was obvious.
"Say something like that again, and Spica's done for—no trainer, no team," Rampage warned.
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry! Really!" Okinoshima said, bowing his head.
"My apologies too," Tojo added. "My colleague's out of line."
"How does a guy like this end up training a Triple Crown Uma Musume?" Rampage muttered.
"His skills are top-notch," Tojo said with a sigh. "Inversely proportional to his personality, apparently."
"That's harsh, you two…" Okinoshima mumbled.
Both Rampage and Tojo silently agreed: his behavior was bad enough to warrant the criticism.
"So, what do the great trainers of Rigil and Spica want with me?" Rampage asked, leaning back.
"Just wondering why the undefeated Triple Crown is lounging around like this," Okinoshima said.
"Mind your own business," Rampage replied. "I'm me."
"And that 'you' is an undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume, on par with Rudolf," Tojo said. "Someone like that needs to act the part."
"What, you want me to start spouting lame puns like the Prez?" Rampage smirked.
"Don't you dare say that to Rudolf," Tojo warned.
"Seabiscuit says it all the time," Rampage said. "'Those are lame,' she'll tell her."
Tojo clutched her head. So that's why Rudolf's been off some days… Rudolf's sense of humor wasn't exactly stellar, so Seabiscuit's bluntness was understandable, but it made the conversation awkward. Clearing her throat, Tojo handed Rampage an envelope.
"Actually, I need you to pass this to Minamisaka," she said. "He asked me to compile some info."
"Minami-chan asking Rigil for a favor?" Rampage said, raising an eyebrow. "What's he after?"
"Yeah, I'm curious too," Okinoshima chimed in.
Tojo hesitated, then shrugged. "Fine, I'll tell you. It's data on the overseas Uma Musume competing in the Japan Cup."
That made sense. Rigil had extensive connections and a wealth of information. Okinoshima, however, looked shocked.
"Whoa, Hana-san, you're just handing that over!?" he exclaimed.
"What's wrong with giving him what he asked for?" Tojo replied. "Rigil's not fielding anyone this year."
"Even so…" Okinoshima muttered.
"America, England, France, Australia—all sending runners to the Japan Cup," Rampage said, flipping through the envelope's contents. "No ordinary G1, that's for sure. International G1 for a reason."
"Why are you just opening it!?" Okinoshima cried, exasperated.
It was a fair point—sensitive data like that wasn't meant for the Uma Musume, even if it was for her trainer. It contained confidential info on international competitors, and there was an obligation to protect it. But Tojo waved it off.
"It's fine," she said. "She's racing in the Japan Cup."
"Exactly," Rampage said. "This is for me."
"Correct," Tojo confirmed.
"No way!" Okinoshima gasped. "You're doing the Elizabeth Queen Cup too, right? And then the Japan Cup? That's insane!"
Minamisaka appeared out of nowhere, startling Okinoshima and leaving Tojo gaping as he casually reviewed the data alongside Rampage.
"When did you get here!?" Okinoshima yelped.
"What a lineup," Minamisaka said, unfazed. "All G1 winners. Anyone catch your eye?"
"This 'Ghost Freeze'—kinda stealing my vibe," Rampage said.
"Listen to me!" Okinoshima shouted.
"Oh, right, sorry," Rampage said, brushing him off. "Busy now, talk later."
Okinoshima slumped, dejected, and Tojo gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.
"These are some serious contenders," Rampage said, scanning the names. "Multiple G1 winners, no surprise there. Plus, Oguri-san and Yae-chan-senpai are in too. This Japan Cup's gonna be wild."
"It's Japan's Uma Musume versus the world," Minamisaka said. "The Japan Cup always draws our best to meet the challenge."
"And the rumor of an undefeated Triple Tiara joining has everyone buzzing," Tojo added.
"Not a rumor," Rampage said with a grin. "I'm in."
Tojo stared, realizing she was dead serious. Few Classic-class Uma Musume tackled the Japan Cup, and none in Japan had ever won it.
"You're really going for it?" Okinoshima asked Minamisaka.
"Of course," Minamisaka replied. "It's Rampage-san's decision."
"Gotta race Oguri-san while I have the chance," Rampage said. "I'm not waiting around."
"Why not the Arima Kinen?" Okinoshima said. "The Japan Cup is just a week after the Elizabeth Queen Cup!"
The Elizabeth Queen Cup was a grueling G1 against senior-class runners, and following it with the Japan Cup a mere week later was a punishing schedule. Okinoshima's concern was real, but Rampage's gaze didn't waver. She stuffed the documents back into the envelope and pressed it against Minamisaka's chest.
"I'll win, no matter the race," she declared. "That's what the training camp was for. Let's go, Minami-chan. The new Shinzan iron's here, right?"
"Yes," Minamisaka said. "We'll do a fitting today. Special training starts after the Kikuka Sho."
The two headed toward the Canopus clubroom, leaving Tojo and Okinoshima watching.
"Man, are they serious?" Okinoshima muttered.
"They are," Tojo said. "Why else would Minamisaka personally ask me for that data? He could've gathered it himself, but he went out of his way for objective intel. They're dead set on winning the Japan Cup."
"Whoa, Minami-chan, your stack of data's, like, ten times bigger than Hana-san's!" Rampage said, eyeing another pile of documents.
"I used my connections abroad," Minamisaka explained. "But Hana-san's data is valuable too. We'll combine them."
"Seriously, who are you?" Rampage teased. "Not some secret agent from another country, right?"
"I'm just your trainer," Minamisaka said with a serene smile.
"That perfect smile's kinda terrifying right now," Rampage muttered.
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