November 25, Tokyo Racecourse.
The air crackled with an unusual intensity. Today's event wasn't just any G1—it was the Japan Cup, an international showdown. Uma Musume from America, Britain, France, and Australia had arrived, strutting in their racing silks at the paddock. Among them, Oguri Cap stood tall.
"You look in top form, Oguri-san," Rampage said.
"Yeah," Oguri replied. "What's that phrase… full of fire? That the one?"
"Bold and brimming with energy? That's it," Rampage confirmed.
"Then that's me," Oguri said, puffing her chest proudly.
Oguri was thriving. The Metjiro retreat had rejuvenated her, and her recent training showed promise. She was confident of surpassing her sixth-place finish in the Tenno Sho (Autumn).
"Next up—13 races, 13 wins, the undefeated Triple Tiara Uma Musume, Metjiro Rampage!"
Rampage strode into the paddock, her coat slung over her shoulder with swagger. The crowd erupted. Despite the media's skepticism, her fans were unwavering, many shouting, "She's Japan's true champion!"
"Rampage, we're counting on you!" a fan yelled.
"Show 'em Japan's pride!" another cheered.
"My queen!" someone cried.
"Looking cool, Tyrant!" another called.
"Oi, 'Tyrant' ain't a compliment in this context, you goof!" Rampage shot back, grinning. "But thanks!"
"She's ninth in the odds, but the paddock's cheers rival those for Oguri Cap and Yaeno Muteki! Can the undefeated Dictator's power hold against international Uma Musume!?"
"Coming off the Elizabeth Queen Cup, it's a tough rotation, but let's root for her!"
"Rampage-san, give it your all!" a young voice called.
"You got it," Rampage replied, spotting Air Groove among the cheering crowd. With such support, she couldn't afford to falter.
"Ran, go for it!" Turbo shouted.
"Don't push too hard!" Nature added.
"Big Sis!" Rice Shower called.
"The whole team's here to cheer!" Ticket yelled.
"Crush it!" Ikuno chimed in.
"Ran! You've got this!" Ryan's voice rang out.
Canopus had shown up in full force, and even Ryan was there. Rampage felt unstoppable. All that was left was to run.
The gates loomed as Rampage passed through the underground passage. Foreign Uma Musume eyed the Japanese contingent, but most gazes fixed on Oguri, last year's Japan Cup runner-up and an undeniable elite. It was only natural.
"You okay, Rampage-san? Nervous?" Yaeno Muteki asked, her tone gentle.
As a Classic contender—the youngest in the field—Rampage could easily be overwhelmed by the race's atmosphere. Yaeno's concern was clear, but Rampage felt oddly calm.
"Hey, Japanese Tyrant!" a loud voice called.
Turning, Rampage saw Elgutz, the fellow Classic contender. Oguri tilted her head, clueless about who was being addressed, so Rampage stepped up.
"Uh… d-domo… ha, haha, haji… meni?" Rampage stammered, attempting English.
"English is fine. Japanese is a hassle, right?" Elgutz said.
"Thanks," Rampage replied. "I studied some basic greetings, but why's Japanese so complicated?"
"Don't ask me," Rampage laughed.
Elgutz chuckled, and they bantered easily.
"Looks like we're the only Classics here," Elgutz said.
"Another Japanese girl was supposed to race, but she scratched," Rampage said. "Tch, tough being the newbies."
"You don't seem fazed," Elgutz said. "They call you 'Tyrant.' Trouble-maker or what?"
"Nah, just the annoying media yapping," Rampage said.
"Uh…" Elgutz hesitated.
"Japanese paparazzi. Get it?" Rampage clarified.
"Oh, yeah, those guys are brutal," Elgutz said, sighing.
Her weary expression hinted at being hounded by paparazzi. British-based but American-born, Elgutz likely had her own media woes.
"Japanese paparazzi bad?" Rampage asked.
"Better than back home," Elgutz said.
"You're having fun," a new voice cut in.
A towering Uma Musume approached, easily surpassing Rampage's 180 cm height—a stark reminder of the gap between Japan and the world. It was Best Routine, the second favorite from Australia.
"Heard you're an undefeated Triple Crown," Best Routine said. "Yet you're a long shot."
"You picking a fight?" Rampage shot back. "My last race was two weeks ago. Enough chit-chat— we're Uma Musume. Let's talk with our running."
"Well said, but sorry, we're watching Oguri Cap more than you," Best Routine replied.
"Same here, Rampage," Elgutz added. "Prove us wrong."
"You bet," Rampage said.
The two walked off, and Oguri and Yaeno approached.
"You okay?" Oguri asked. "I heard my name."
"Basically, they said they're only worried about you and that a low-odds nobody like me won't even place," Rampage summarized.
"How rude!" Yaeno exclaimed.
Without translators, Elgutz and Best Routine didn't grasp Rampage's words, but they'd likely bristle if they did. Rampage saw it as a chance for petty revenge.
"Oguri-san's fourth, Yaeno-senpai's sixth, and I'm ninth," Rampage said. "Bottom of the host nation's odds—makes sense."
"Even so, racers should show respect!" Yaeno said.
"I get that," Rampage said. "But proving them wrong with my run? That's way cooler."
Oguri nodded, slipping into Simple Oguri mode. "Fair point."
Yaeno straightened, refocusing. "Right, let's do this."
"Time to show 'em why they call me Tyrant," Rampage said, smirking.
"Almost time," Maruzensky said, her voice brimming with excitement. "This is gonna be fun."
"Same here," Katsuragi Ace replied. "Alright, Rampage—can you keep up with me, or will you show everything you learned from Maruzensky?"
----------------------------------
Support me on Patreon - Advanced Chapters There!
patreon.com/Greyhounds