"Last year, a legend was born on this Fuchu stage. Now, Uma Musume from around the world gather at the Japan Cup, vying to become the next legend."
Mejiro Rampage's Japan Cup run became mythical. Her all-out charge, the first Japanese win since Symboli Rudolf, etched a world record into global memory, restoring Japan's pride. Now, anticipation builds for this year's race.
"This vibe never changes," Rampage says wistfully at Tokyo Racecourse.
"It's not supposed to," Nanzaka replies.
Today, foreign Uma Musume challenge her record, not her, as she's set for the Champions Cup. Countless pleas to race came—demands for a showdown, vows to win. She ignored them all, sticking to her plan despite the noise.
"Annoying as hell," she grumbles.
"Your multilingual clapbacks were a spectacle," Nanzaka chuckles.
"Stressful for me."
Some Uma Musume called her directly, unconvinced. She fired back in their languages, shutting them down. "They said the Japan Cup's worthless without me. Pisses me off."
"You're the tentative 2400m world champ. I get their point," Nanzaka says.
"Whatever. I'm here to watch."
She understands their drive to beat her but resents their disregard for her plans. Come to the Champions Cup, she told them. To those whining about dirt: "Break my world record. You'll probably crash."
Her taunt sparked boasts, but none grasped her intent. Sighing, she checks the race program. "Ardan's running too. Hope she shines."
McQueen and Ardan represent Mejiro, but Rampage's here for Agnes Flora, amused at her chasing last year's shadow. Flora's 12th favorite, Ardan 9th, McQueen 1st. Flora's low odds stem from racing Rampage's tracks, with few wins, though she's nabbed other stakes. Mejiro's name boosts Ardan and McQueen's hype.
"They miss the real deal," Rampage says. "Flora's got her shot."
"She's raced at a wild pace for Rigil. Her experience matches yours," Nanzaka notes.
"My fault, I guess."
Flora's 18 races and 6 wins don't scream star, but that's her edge.
"12th favorite. Fair," Flora muses, accepting her odds. McQueen's top spot is unreal.
"Agnes Flora-san, let's show Japan's pride," McQueen says.
"Mejiro Ardan. Honored to race together," Ardan adds.
"Likewise…" Flora stammers, reminded Mejiro's a noble house. These two are true ladies, unlike Rampage's roughness. Her own lineage is solid, but still…
McQueen scans the crowd. Foreign Uma Musume eye them with disdain or disappointment—they came for Rampage, settling for her stage. "They're here for Rampage-san. We're not enough," McQueen says.
"She's done incredible things. I won't be outdone," Ardan replies, calm and fiery. McQueen nods.
"No matter the foe, I'll race as a Mejiro without shame. They want Rampage, but I'll prove I'm Mejiro too," McQueen declares.
"No nerves?" Flora asks.
"After the Emperor and Empress at the Tenno Sho, this is nothing," McQueen says.
True—big moments dull lesser ones. McQueen turns to Flora. "You're calm too."
"I'm… excited."
"Excited?"
"To challenge her."
Flora sees Rampage's shadow, etched in the Japan Cup. Ardan laughs. "You look lovesick."
"What?!" Flora panics. "I do?"
"Like you're facing your crush. Rampage's too cool, I admit."
"If she saw this, she'd freak…"
The trio, oddly relaxed, exchange glances and head to their gates.
"The Japan Cup—START!" the announcer roars. "Clean starts! Red Monarch takes the lead, followed by Mejiro McQueen, Fuji Sangaku, Mejiro Ardan, and Agnes Flora. Gold Feathern and Sorcery Chevalier push from inside and out, but Agnes Flora surges forward, aiming to catch Red Monarch!"
Flora isn't leading—she's just not a flashy starter. No strategy fits her today. Why?
"She's fast—this Japan Cup stage proves it!" Flora thinks, seeing Rampage's phantom ahead. Ignoring others' tactics, she chases that back, her sole focus.
"Flora overtakes Red Monarch!" the announcer shouts. "She's battled Rampage and Ikuno head-on—how will she shine here?"
Her unexpected surge reminds foreigners of Rampage's unmarked run last year, a key to her world record. The similarity dawns, forcing them to notice.
"Gold Feathern stumbles, Sorcery Chevalier, Turf Hopper, Star of Color too—but they recover!" the announcer calls. "McQueen and Ardan seize the gap! McQueen to third, Ardan to fourth!"
"Fearing an absent foe? The Japan Cup isn't that easy," McQueen scoffs.
"Now's our chance!" Ardan adds.
As Mejiro ladies, they sense the foreigners' fear—projecting Rampage's monstrous record onto Flora. Understandable, but misguided. To win, they'd need Flora's focus.
"Hah!" Flora gasps, hearing her breath, heartbeat, and the ground's rhythm. You're here, Rampage—your shadow in this Japan Cup.
"Boxers do shadowboxing, picturing a foe," Nanzaka says. "Flora's doing that—a shadow race."
"Or a ghost race, chasing me," Rampage replies, moved by seeing Flora pursue her past self. "She's chasing the ultimate ghost on this 2400m stage. How's it feel?"
"Terrifying, in every way."
"Sympathy."
"Then help me."
"Fourth corner!" the announcer yells. "They hit the straight! McQueen surges inside, Ardan clings, but Sorcery Chevalier closes! Gold Feathern storms from the outside! McQueen and Ardan hold tough, but Flora leads by two lengths! Can she secure her first G1? Will she escape?"
"I'm not escaping—I'm chasing!" Flora thinks. She's always chased Rampage, through countless races. I know your strength best. I'm your rival!
"Flora accelerates!" the announcer roars. "Three, four lengths! Gold Feathern closes, battling McQueen! It's over—Flora wins! She blooms on the Japan Cup stage, defending Rampage's pride!"
Flora crosses first, drained but triumphant. She couldn't outrun Rampage's phantom, but that's fine—true victory comes from beating reality. As she imagines Rampage offering a hand, a voice snaps her back.
"Stop spacing out, grab my hand, dummy," Rampage says.
"Wha—Rampage-san?! Why're you here?!" Flora stammers.
"Last year's champ can't show up?"
"No, I mean—!"
Flora takes her hand, standing. Rampage nods toward the crowd's roaring cheers, where Trainer Tojo's tearful joy shines. Flora's time—2:22.9—sinks in: her first G1. She moves to hug Rampage but is deftly dodged.
"Hey! You're supposed to catch me!" Flora protests.
"Felt a threat," Rampage quips.
"This is how you treat a Japan Cup winner?!"
Gold Feathern, second, stares in shock, unable to process losing to an unmarked Flora, who's fallen to Rampage before. Rampage addresses the foreigners: "How was it? My rival's pretty strong, huh?"
No one could argue. They came for her legend but couldn't even touch it.
"Well done, Flora. I concede," McQueen says.
"Amazing. Congrats on the G1," Ardan adds.
"Th-thanks…" Flora blushes.
"Great job, McQueen, Ardan. Chest out, Flora!" Rampage urges.
"I don't have your confidence!" Flora retorts. "Right, McQueen?"
"Why drag me into this?!" McQueen snaps. "That's petty!"
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