At the sanatorium, Rampage wore a grudging expression, enduring an intensive leg massage. Nearly fully recovered, but Asama's strict orders left her no choice today.
"Please understand, Young Mistress," a staff member said.
"I get it… Ugh, I know whining's pointless, but… I wanted to go to Nakayama!" she groaned.
The staff shared her sentiment. They all wanted to be at Nakayama for the year's final race—the Arima Kinen. Rampage wasn't running, and while some still griped, she ignored them. A world record wasn't enough? She'd have loved to race, but more than that, she wanted to cheer at Nakayama in person.
"Why can't I watch Oguri-san's last Twinkle Series race? And Ryan's running too!" she whined.
"Please forgive us, Young Mistress," the staff replied.
"Ughhh…" She glared at the giant TV, resentment simmering. She'd planned to go, so why wouldn't Grandma let her?
"It's to protect you," a voice said.
"What, I'm that untrustworthy?" Rampage pouted.
"That's not it. It's for your complete recovery," the voice clarified.
"Recovery for what—wait, Grandma?! When'd you get here?!" Rampage yelped, startled by Mejiro Asama's sudden appearance. Words failed her.
"Think I'm here to babysit?" Asama teased.
"You, personally? Man, do I really seem that unreliable? That stings…" Rampage sulked.
"No. I told you—it's to protect you."
"From who?"
"You know who."
"The rest of Mejiro, right?" Rampage said.
Asama nodded, unsurprised she'd figured it out. On the TV, the Arima Kinen began. A clean start, Yaeno Muteki led slightly, with Oguri and Ryan close behind.
"Me, just Ryan's friend, joining Mejiro? Bet that caused a fight," Rampage said.
"Petty words are less than dust," Asama dismissed.
"But there was a fight, right?"
Rampage wasn't clueless. A nobody Uma Musume joining a noble family like Mejiro? Of course there'd been doubts. If she hadn't delivered results, she'd have been a liability to her protectors. So she ran—and won.
"Triple Tiara, Japan Cup world record—that won most over. But some still don't accept you," Asama said.
"I'm a stranger with no Mejiro blood. Makes sense," Rampage shrugged.
As the race hit the first lap's stands, a roar erupted, like a finish-line cheer.
"If you went to Nakayama, they'd provoke you," Asama warned.
"How?" Rampage asked.
"By pushing you toward the Arc de Triomphe."
"The Arc… So I'm just a frog in a well, huh? Clueless about the big ocean," Rampage scoffed, anger rising. They were saying her Japan Cup win was meaningless, a fluke on home turf. What a vile, foolish, pathetic idea.
"Aren't they picking a fight with Symboli too?" Rampage asked.
"They are. I already tipped off their head," Asama said.
"Grandma… that's brilliant," Rampage grinned.
Asama smirked, flashing a playful peace sign. Mischievous and charming, as always.
"But the Arc… Never crossed my mind," Rampage admitted.
"Really? I heard Tressen got challenge letters for you," Asama said.
"What? News to me!" Rampage blinked.
"That child still has much to learn," Asama sighed, likely meaning Rudolf's subtle approach. Trying to spark Rampage's interest indirectly was pointless—she'd respond faster to a direct challenge.
"Who sent them?" Rampage asked.
"Every Uma Musume you beat in the Japan Cup," Asama replied.
"Wow, I'm popular," Rampage chuckled.
On TV, the final stretch hit Nakayama's heart-stopping hill. Oguri led, Ryan in pursuit. This was Oguri's last Twinkle Series race before moving to the Dream Trophy. For Ryan, no Triple Crown pride—just a Mejiro Uma Musume facing her idol in a final battle.
"Oguri's coming! Oguri Cap takes the lead! Oguri's in front! Ryan's closing from the outside! Can Oguri hold? The final Oguri of the year—go, Oguri! Push Ryan back! Oguri's first! Oguri wins! Oguri takes it! Superstar Oguri Cap crowns her Twinkle Series farewell with victory! A stunning run, shaking off Triple Crown Mejiro Ryan!"
Oguri conquered the Twinkle Series' final battle, a true superstar. Stronger Uma Musume might come, but none as beloved. Her charm was undeniable. Watching, Rampage felt electrified.
"That's Oguri-san… What a run," she breathed.
"Ryan was great, but she's unmatched," Asama agreed.
No one could deny that performance. It seared into Rampage's eyes. This was a challenge. Oguri wasn't retiring—she was charging to a new stage. Ryan fought too. So Rampage would.
"About those guys, Grandma," Rampage began.
"Don't worry. It'll take time, but I'll handle them," Asama assured.
"Leave it to you. I'm… fired up," Rampage said.
They didn't like her? Fine. She'd carve her own path—a Mejiro path. They didn't get it, but her wins would etch that truth into the world. Asama smiled faintly, realizing she'd been overprotective due to Rampage's past.
"Do as you please, Rampage. Thrive or fall by your own choices," Asama said.
"That's… perfect," Rampage grinned.
This woman was the best.
"Though, no matter what you say, I'd already decided to deal with those… vulgar fools," Asama added.
"Grandma, you're scary…" Rampage shivered.
"Scarier than me is Rudolf's grandmother, Speed Symboli. I told her about this, and it reached them. She was laughing."
"What?!"
"By the way, Rampage, you posted about games on Uma-tter?" Asama asked.
"Should I stop as a Mejiro Uma Musume? (Crap, am I in trouble? Is she monitoring my Uma-tter…?)" Rampage panicked.
"…Can you trade me Scarlet's Paradox Pokémon?" Asama asked.
"You play Pokémon?!" Rampage gasped.
"Since Red and Green."
"Seriously?!"
Later, a two-shot photo with Asama on Uma-tter caused a frenzy—mostly among the Mejiro family.
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