"Ra-Ra-Rampage-san!!" "Ran!!"
The next day, while training for the Emperor's Cup, McQueen and Ryan, fellow Mejiro Uma Musume, rushed up, visibly panicked.
"What's got the Mejiro princesses so rattled? Limited-edition parfaits and protein sold out?" Rampage teased.
"No such thing!!" McQueen snapped.
"Why'd you hesitate?"
"Look at this!!" Ryan thrust a newspaper forward.
The front page blared about the upcoming Autumn Emperor's Cup, an Imperial Attendance with the Emperor and Empress watching.
"Grandmother was floored! Her voice was trembling!!" McQueen said.
"It's huge now with Grandmother there!" Ryan added.
"Yeah, I know," Rampage replied.
"You know and you're this calm?!" they shouted in unison.
They gaped at Rampage's nonchalance. The paper said the Emperor wanted to see her race live, yet she was unfazed, having already processed it.
"The chairman told me directly," Rampage said.
"That makes sense…" McQueen admitted.
"But how are you so calm?!" Ryan pressed.
"Not calm. Just over the shock. Numb now."
Shock fades, turning into something else. Rampage, half-amused at herself, kept training.
"Don't stay nervous. Mess up in front of the Emperor, and it's more than just embarrassment," she warned.
"That's… terrifying in a new way," Ryan muttered.
"What is this dread?" McQueen added.
They got it. As Mejiro heiresses, a blunder on this stage would be disastrous.
"So train. If you're anxious, build your body, hone your skills, and give your all on race day," Rampage said.
"Fair, but your calm is infuriating! We're freaking out!" Ryan huffed.
"Sorry, I'm not a delicate princess like you two."
She was Rampage, Mejiro name or not. Life demanded acceptance sometimes.
"Just do it like always."
"That's the hardest part…" McQueen sighed.
"Then empty your mind. Don't think about the Emperor," Rampage suggested.
"That feels… right. Even Ramone-san's nervous, but you're a big shot, Ran," Ryan said.
That jogged a memory. Last night, Ramone was poring over documents, sighing heavily. Something was up.
"Actually, Grandmother and Ramone-neesama will watch with Their Majesties," McQueen revealed.
"They want to talk about you, Ran. Grandmother's swamped adjusting her schedule," Ryan added.
"So that's why Chan-senpai's so glum…" Rampage mused.
Even those two, used to high society, were daunted. The Emperor was a different league—Ramone's sighs made sense.
"Bet Minami-chan and I get dragged into a post-race chat. Ugh," Rampage groaned.
"Very possible," McQueen agreed.
"I'd bolt," Ryan said.
"Spare me," Rampage laughed. "Kidding."
If it happened, she'd face it. No clue what to say, but she'd figure it out. Then her phone rang.
"Sorry—oh, it's Lady."
"Lady? From the Emperor's Prize?" McQueen asked.
"Yeah, she was at the Sacred Hoof Festival too."
Wondering why, Rampage answered.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Rampage-san, you free?" Lady asked.
"All good. What's wrong?"
"You know about the Imperial Attendance?"
"Yup."
"It's wild, right?"
Lady's voice was heavy. Natural, Rampage thought—probably calling out of concern. But no.
"I'm racing in the Emperor's Cup too," Lady said.
"Seriously?!"
"Yup. I'm a dual-surface runner, not at your level, but still."
Mainly a dirt racer, Lady occasionally ran turf. She'd boldly entered the G1, filling a spot vacated by an Uma Musume intimidated by Rampage, McQueen, and Ryan.
"You're fearless. McQueen and Ryan are freaking out over the Emperor," Rampage said.
"I'm not unfazed," Lady replied. "But it doesn't matter. The Emperor's Cup is my chance to race you on a G1 stage, like the Emperor's Prize. This time, I'm challenging you in your domain. Nothing gets me more fired up."
"That grit? Love it," Rampage grinned.
Dirt racers were tougher, she thought. Avoiding strong opponents was smart, but Rampage preferred this—someone charging head-on, igniting her spirit.
"Wait for me, Turf Queen. This Dust Knight will tear through your domain," Lady declared.
"Bring it. I'll crush you," Rampage shot back.
Racing Lady on turf? Unexpected and thrilling. Her warrior's words drowned out the Imperial Attendance noise. Rampage's only focus was sharpening herself to meet this knight's challenge.
"Ryan, I don't care about the Imperial Attendance anymore. I'm giving everything. You two better do the same, or I'll leave you behind!!"
She surged forward, Shinzan Iron off, blazing across the turf. McQueen and Ryan swallowed hard. Forget who's watching—they were Mejiro Uma Musume, racing to conquer the Emperor's Cup. To do that, they'd beat Rampage. That was all.
"She showed us," Ryan said.
"Indeed. For Rampage-san, who gave us this answer, let's do what we can," McQueen replied.
"Rudolph, won't you come to the Imperial Attendance?" Ramone asked.
"Even for you, that's—" Rudolph began.
"It's fine. Grandmother got your grandmother's permission."
"…Alright. If Sirius is in, I'll go."
"W-What's this chill…?"
Lady, aka Lady Saber, is based on Mr. Tojin, who raced in the 1991 Autumn Emperor's Cup.
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