The Cherry Blossom Award trial race, the Tulip Sho, was where my path crossed hers. I, Agnes Flora, was undefeated—three wins from three races. Maybe I was cocky, as they'd say looking back. Joining Team Rigil, Tressen's strongest, I trained hard daily. The grind was tough, but the growth I felt in races blew my mind. I was sure Ohana's guidance would lead me to the Triple Tiara.
"Flora, you might be the next Ramone," Symboli Rudolf-senpai said.
"Thank you!" I beamed, brimming with confidence.
I charged into the Tulip Sho, ready to dominate. Then she appeared—Rampage, not yet a Mejiro, but a Canopus star, Junior Grade MVP. I wasn't fazed. I'd crush her head-on.
"Still Rampage in front, Agnes Flora in second!" the announcer called.
Her style was pure: lead start to finish, a textbook escape. Ohana warned me, and I'd trained with Rigil's escape runners daily. I was certain I'd win. But—
"It's out of reach! A dictator's dominance—Rampage crosses first!"
Second place. I secured a Cherry Blossom spot, but it was a crushing loss. My first defeat hit hard, yet it gave me a goal: beat her. I threw myself into training.
"No need to worry, I see," Ohana said, her stern face softening.
"Unbeaten streaks break hard. Rudolf turned loss into strength. I thought you'd struggle, but—"
"Sorry for the worry. I'm thrilled. Someone outran all my training—and she was undefeated too! Next time, I'll give Rampage her first loss!"
"Good goal. Train hard."
"Yes!"
Fueled, I tackled the Cherry Blossom. But Rampage had changed—she'd joined the Mejiro family, a major shake-up. No matter, I thought. I'd win this time.
"No way…!" I gasped.
She was locked in a duel with teammate Ikuno Dictus, ignoring me. I slipped behind her, aiming to remind her I existed, but it backfired. They sped up, oblivious, and I burned out from overspeeding. Fourth place—no Winning Live.
"At the Oaks, I'll get her!" I vowed.
She consumed my thoughts: Mejiro Rampage, the turf's tyrant. Beating her became my obsession. I challenged her repeatedly, piling up losses. At the Oaks, her dazzling decoy escape fooled me into thinking I was on her level. Then, the Shuka Sho, my last Tiara shot.
"I won't lose!"
"Flora clings desperately!" the announcer shouted. "Ikuno's close—she's caught Rampage! They're neck-and-neck into the straight! The pack accelerates—is the dictator's reign over?"
Training with Rudolf and CB at camp paid off. Overtaking Rampage filled me with joy. I could win—but she surged ahead. My body grew heavy, unresponsive.
"Why now… Rampage!" I screamed.
My cry didn't reach. She made history: an undefeated Triple Tiara, surpassing Mejiro Ramone. Could I ever beat her? Was I tarnishing Rigil's name? Her shining strength pulled me back up. I'd fallen for her.
"Total defeat… she's incredible," I admitted.
Despite impossible odds, she turned pressure into power. Second place made her shine brighter. From then, I wanted to be like her.
"And that's the story," I finish.
"Fascinating!" Takion's voice crackles through the phone. "Sis, bring her over! I'll send another gift!"
"I'll try, but she avoids me…"
"You probably said something weird. You've got a knack for messing up big moments."
"I do?!"
"Look at your situation."
Takion's exasperated tone stings. My blunders—cringeworthy remarks—have her dodging me.
"Anyway, please, Sis. I want to meet her even more than you do!"
"Ugh, Takion's so cold to me!" I pout.
"What else is new? Data's done compressing. Gotta go."
"Wait, Takion! You asked for the story!"
She's so free-spirited, honest—and adorable. Her quirks are huge, but I want to grant my cute sister's wish. I will bring Rampage home someday.
"But she flinches when I show up… what to do…" I muse. "Maybe—"
"Don't pull an Okino Trainer move, Flora," Ohana interrupts, startling me with a deadpan stare.
"Ohana-san! Don't sneak up like that!"
"You're not quite on his level—grabbing legs uninvited—but close," she says.
I recall hugging Rampage for a joke and her horrified reaction. Oops.
"Just don't end up like him," Ohana warns.
"My reputation…" I groan.
"Want to hear what Rampage thinks of you?"
"Sorry, my bad…"
My goal: redeem myself so Rampage stops cringing. For now—
"Time's up. Go," Ohana says.
"Yes!"
I'll win this race—for her honor and mine.
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