Summer brought another training camp, and Canopus was flush with funds. Rampage, Ikuno, Nature, Turbo, Tanhoyza, and Rice had racked up wins, earning high praise and access to the luxury hotel Rigil used.
"Haah…" Rampage sighed.
"Why the long face?" Minami asked.
"Your fault, mostly," Rampage muttered.
Rigil's hotel meant a joint camp with Rigil and Spica, a proposal Minami couldn't refuse. It offered Rampage a chance to train alongside rivals, but she'd rather it fell through.
"Why's a fun camp gotta feel life-threatening?" Rampage grumbled.
"It's a misunderstanding!" Minami protested.
"Your 'love' talk screwed me," Rampage shot back.
"I couldn't think of another word!" Minami whined.
Rigil's presence meant Flora was nearby. Rampage didn't mind rivals, but Flora's "love" comment made her a walking hazard.
"Just say it's serious so I can move on," Rampage said.
"No way! I'm into guys!" Flora insisted.
"Hard to believe," Rampage muttered.
"Ran, kept you waiting!" Teio bounded in with McQueen.
"Apologies for the delay," McQueen added.
This camp let Uma Musume try other trainers' regimens. Teio, McQueen, and Flora joined Rampage under Minami's menu, while Ticket went with TaiShin to Rigil, and Turbo to Okino, Teio's trainer.
"What's the training? Last year, you pulled tires, right?" Teio asked.
"Will we do the same?" McQueen wondered.
"Dunno. Minami said tires worked 'cause I'm tough," Rampage replied.
"Are we doing that?" Flora asked, nervous.
They'd seen Rampage's brutal routine last year and braced for it, though nerves crept in.
"Sorry for the wait," Minami said.
"All good, Minami-chan? Rice and the others set?" Rampage asked.
"Yes, Nature's leading them," Minami confirmed.
"Nature's not with us?" Teio said, slightly disappointed, her Kikka Sho rival on a different track. It fueled her fire.
"Let's begin," Minami announced.
"Question!" Teio piped up. "Are we pulling tires like Ran did last year?"
Minami expected this. "Similar, but not the same. Rampage's size and strength allow it, but it risks injury for you. We'll focus on fundamentals."
She gestured to boxes of balls. "Teio, catch these no-bounce tosses on the beach."
"Got it!" Teio said.
"Here!" Minami tossed. Teio lunged but stumbled on the sand, missing. Minami kept throwing; Teio caught four of ten.
"This is tough!" Teio panted.
"It trains your toes," Minami said. "Rampage, your turn."
Teio watched intently, wondering if Rampage could nail it. She did.
"Yo! Sneaky!" Rampage caught every ball, even one tossed behind her, darting through Minami to grab it.
"That was mean, Minami-chan! Had me sweating," Rampage said.
"You've improved since last year," Minami praised.
"Yeesh," Rampage muttered.
Teio and the others gaped at Rampage's explosive speed. "This is tougher than it looks," Minami warned. "Don't trip on the sand. The rest of you, do squats in the sea."
"Squats?" McQueen blinked.
"In waves?" Flora added.
"Simple but brutal for lower-body balance," Minami said. "Rampage, here's yours."
She handed over a rope tied to three tires. Rampage grimaced—same drill, heavier load.
"Wade thigh-deep. I'll watch everyone," Minami instructed.
"Fine…" Rampage sighed, trudging into the calm-but-wavy sea, tires dragging hard.
"Welcome to Canopus—let's get started!" Minami called.
"I'm first for ball-catching! Round two!" Teio shouted.
"Then Flora and I do squats," McQueen said.
"Got it," Flora nodded.
Minami's menu hammered fundamentals, believing a strong base amplified advanced skills. Teio, McQueen, and Flora knew this, drawn to Minami's coaching that forged Rampage. They wanted that edge to beat her.
"Argh! More tires make it hell to move!" Rampage growled, but pressed on. "I ain't losing!"
Note: Minami's ruthless fundamentals forge champions. Rampage's tire-dragging grit and Teio's ball-chasing hustle show why Canopus breeds winners. Flora's "love" drama? Just extra spice.