Another loss. Then another. And another. Defeat after defeat piled up for Rampage, each one a lesson etched into her core.
"Maruzensky-san, one more time!" Rampage called, undeterred.
"You're full of fire!" Maruzensky replied. "Alright, I'll keep up—follow me!"
A gale-like force whipped around Rampage as she chased Maruzensky's blistering pace. Drafting in her slipstream was possible, but that was a tactic to beat her, not to win future races.
"Relying on slipstream won't mean a thing!" Rampage growled.
Against a titan like Maruzensky, drafting was pointless. To win the Japan Cup, Rampage had to run like her—not mimic her, but surpass her own limits. She had to outrun the version of herself that would face those global competitors.
"I'm Metjiro Rampage!" she roared, charging forward.
"Impressive!" Maruzensky exclaimed, blazing across the course.
Katsuragi Ace watched, her eyes fixed on Rampage's pursuit. When Asama had tasked them with this, Katsuragi had thought she was coddling her granddaughter. But no—Asama's intent was sharper: a stern reminder that greater powers existed, a whip laced with tough love to keep Rampage grounded.
"She's gradually holding on longer against Maruzensky," Katsuragi noted.
Rampage, the Triple Tiara, was still a raw gem, only half-polished. Racing and training honed an Uma Musume's brilliance, but Rampage lacked something critical: a true rival. She had formidable opponents, but no one to truly challenge her in a back-and-forth struggle. Her undefeated streak was both a blessing and a curse, leaving her unrefined.
"She has peers to spar with, but no absolute rival," Katsuragi mused. "That's why she's undefeated—and why we're here. Maruzensky! Get serious. It's time to polish her for real!"
"You got it!" Maruzensky called. "Think you can catch me, Rampage-chan?"
"I'll do it!" Rampage shouted. "I'll show you!"
"Pardon the intrusion—oh, sorry, meeting in progress?" Symboli Rudolf said, stepping into Canopus's clubroom at Tressen Academy.
"Hey there!" Mr. C.B. chirped, following her.
The arrival of two Triple Crown Uma Musume sent a ripple of shock through the room.
"Is Rampage here?" Rudolf asked.
"Uh, you mean Big Sis?" Twin Turbo replied. "She's not here."
"Rampage-san's still at the Metjiro estate," Ikuno added. "I got a message asking to give her some rest time. You might want to check with her there."
"Got it," Rudolf said. "I'll have Ryan confirm and reach out."
"What's up with Ran?" Turbo asked.
Mr. C.B. grinned. "You know how Ran and Ryan pulled off the double Triple Crown? There's a plan for a talk event with me and Rudolf for the Dream Trophy League. We came to discuss it, but… guess we'll head back."
"Makes sense," Ikuno said. "That talk would be a must-see."
"The academy's been flooded with calls about it," Rudolf said. "We're telling them to hold off, or the phones won't stop ringing."
The Metjiro family's complete domination of the Triple Crowns had left an indelible mark. A talk event with other Triple Crown winners was a natural draw, and Tressen Academy was eager—partly to quiet the incessant calls.
"We'll head to Ryan's side then," Rudolf said. "Her trainer first, probably."
A knock interrupted them. Another visitor to Canopus? It was a busy day. The door opened.
"Sorry, is this Canopus's clubroom—well, talk about a surprise meeting," Katsuragi Ace said.
"Yo, Ace!" Mr. C.B. exclaimed. "What's up!?"
"That's my question," Katsuragi replied. "What are Spica and Rigil's stars doing here?"
"K-K-Katsuragi Ace!?" Ticket yelped, unable to contain her excitement.
Mr. C.B.'s greatest rival had walked in, and the room buzzed. Even Minamisaka's jaw dropped, though Katsuragi Ace just chuckled.
"Been a while, Minamisaka," she said. "Still the charming type, huh?"
"Really, leading with that?" Minamisaka said, recovering. "Good to see you. What brings you here?"
"I'm training Rampage at the Metjiro racecourse," Katsuragi said. "Figured I'd drop by."
"Ace is training her!?" Mr. C.B. gasped.
"I'm guiding, but someone else is her sparring partner," Katsuragi clarified.
That alone was staggering. Katsuragi Ace, the first Japanese Uma Musume to win the Japan Cup, had bested Rudolf and Mr. C.B. while defeating international horses. Her mentorship would skyrocket Rampage's prowess.
"I'll probably swing by here now and then," Katsuragi said. "If it's alright with you, Minamisaka, I'd like to help train the whole team. Focusing only on her feels unfair."
"That's—" Minamisaka began.
"More than we could ask for," Ikuno cut in.
"I want to beat Rampage-san—no, be her rival," Ikuno said. "I've been using the Shinzan iron to train, but it's not enough. Please, help us."
"So you're Ikuno Dictus," Katsuragi said, nodding. "Alright, when I have time, I'll train all of you, not just you. Rudolf, pass that to Rigil too. Tell them the Ace who beat you is here."
"Hana-san will love that," Rudolf said. "Count us in. And since we're here—the three Japan Cup players together again?"
"You mean a race?" Mr. C.B. said, eyes gleaming.
"Sounds fun," Katsuragi said. "Like back then, I'll crush you both. But first, I need to greet the chairman."
"Hurry up then!" Mr. C.B. said, pushing her. "Let's race!"
"I get it, stop shoving, Seabiscuit!" Katsuragi laughed. "Minamisaka, Rampage will be back at the academy in November. Just a heads-up!"
Canopus watched the trio leave, a storm of excitement in their wake.
"I… I'm speechless," Ticket stammered.
"Me too…" Turbo added.
"I'm pumped!" Turbo continued. "It's Katsuragi Ace! Even I know her!"
"Big Sis is training with someone like that…" another murmured.
"I'm trembling with excitement!" Ikuno said.
"Yeesh," Minamisaka said, a grin breaking through. "Guess I need to tweak the training menu."
His smile betrayed an uncontainable thrill.
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