"The Dictator of the Turf storms the Japan Cup!?"
"Metjiro Rampage declares for the Japan Cup! The undefeated quadruple crown holder!"
"A Classic contender in the Japan Cup: bold confidence or reckless gamble?"
"Will the Dictator finally falter!?"
"Keep running your mouths, you hacks!" Rampage growled, flipping through newspapers with a mix of amusement and irritation. "Not a shred of support—drop dead, media scum!"
She'd grabbed every paper she could find, each one dripping with snark about her. None offered cheers for her Japan Cup bid. Oguri Cap was still the undisputed Japanese favorite, with Yaeno Muteki as the second-in-command. Rampage? A distant eighth in the odds, a mere dark horse.
"The Dictator bristles at underdog status!" she read aloud, scoffing. "You clowns started the 'Dictator' talk with that announcer, and I just ran with it!"
Scanning the race lineup, her eyes locked on the top contender: Elgutz, a European assassin, also a Classic contender like her. Rampage muttered, "Recent run at the Arc de Triomphe, before that the Great Voltigeur Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes…"
The Arc de Triomphe, the world's most prestigious race, saw Elgutz finish fifth. But she'd won the latter two, especially the King George VI, a G1 race on par with the Arc or Derby in Europe, cementing her as the favorite.
"Then Best Routine, with six G1 wins… and Ghost Freeze, kinda stealing my vibe…" Rampage mused.
"Mind if I sit here?" a voice asked.
"Oh, Oguri-san! Sure, go ahead," Rampage said.
Oguri Cap plopped down with a mountain of food. To Rampage, still adjusting to larger portions, it was otherworldly. She nibbled small bites, refilling gradually, while Oguri's appetite was on another level.
"Good luck in the Japan Cup," Oguri said.
"I'm not losing," Rampage replied with a grin.
"Same here," Oguri said. "You into newspapers?"
"Nah, just checking Japan Cup articles," Rampage said. "Apparently, the favorite's a Classic like me."
"Oh? What's she like?" Oguri asked, leaning in.
Rampage pointed to Elgutz's article. "I know the Arc, but the others? No clue," Oguri said.
"Same," Rampage admitted. "Foreign races are a mystery. Guess the Japan Cup's the same to them."
"Hmm… those race names are long," Oguri noted.
"Tell me about it," Rampage said. "King and Queen Stakes? Ridiculous."
"I could remember that one," Oguri said.
Their casual chatter, devoid of the gravitas expected from Japan Cup contenders, left nearby listeners slumping in disbelief. Oguri glanced at the paper, frowning.
"There's stuff about me and Yaeno, but nothing on you," she said.
"'Cause they don't expect much," Rampage said, shrugging. "They're laughing, calling it a reckless stunt."
She showed Oguri an article: "The Dictator's misstep!?" A Classic Uma Musume with only a week's rest after the Elizabeth Queen Cup was a massive handicap. The media painted her as an overconfident upstart—a galling misjudgment.
"That's harsh," Oguri said, puffing indignantly. "They should cheer for anyone racing!" She swallowed a massive carrot hamburger in one bite.
That's Simple Oguri for you, Rampage thought, marveling. Oguri couldn't fathom the disparity in treatment. She saw Rampage's challenge as bold and worthy of respect, eager to race alongside her.
"Don't sweat it," Rampage said. "Let them talk. I'll make sure they regret it—never forgetting a single word."
"Got it," Oguri said. "You're scary like Tama."
"Being lumped with Tama-senpai stings a bit," Rampage laughed.
Oguri explained that Tamamo Cross never forgot media slights, confronting reporters with a beaming smile: "So, how's my run this time, huh?"
"Hey, Oguri-san, wanna hit the Metjiro retreat with me tomorrow?" Rampage asked.
"Me? Is that okay?" Oguri said.
"I'll clear it," Rampage said. "The staff there are your fans—they'll flip. Plus, there's a huge hot spring."
"Hot spring…" Oguri mused. "Think Rokubei would like it?"
"Minami-chan's been, so it's probably fine," Rampage said.
Before long, Oguri was set to join Rampage at the Metjiro retreat for Japan Cup prep. Minamisaka couldn't come, but Oguri's trainer, Musaka Rokubei, would tag along.
"Is it cool if I join?" Rokubei asked.
"Obā-sama approved," Rampage said. "The staff might beg for your autograph, though—she told me to keep them in check."
"I'll sign as many as they want," Oguri said. "It's the least I can do."
"I'll write too, if they're okay with mine," Rokubei added.
Rampage needed to recover from the Elizabeth Queen Cup's toll, while Oguri, after a sixth-place finish in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), sought a fresh start. Rokubei had greenlit the trip for her.
"Whoa…" Oguri gasped at the retreat. "Like a samurai mansion from a TV drama."
"The Metjiro family's retreat is loaded," Rokubei said, awestruck.
The facility, a grand ryokan reminiscent of Edo-era estates, left Oguri and Rokubei stunned by Metjiro's wealth. Staff greeted them warmly.
"Welcome, Lady Rampage, Oguri Cap, and Musaka Rokubei. The Metjiro family will serve you with utmost care."
"Ran, do I sign for them now?" Oguri asked.
"Maybe wait a bit," Rampage said, chuckling. "But yeah, that's the deal."
Oguri signed autographs and posed for photos before diving into recovery. Beyond the hot springs, the retreat offered cutting-edge nutrition-based meals and massages, surpassing even Tressen Academy's facilities. By bedtime, Oguri was in bliss.
"Haa…" she sighed, melting into relaxation.
Rampage gave a wry smile. Simple Oguri at her finest.
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