"So, would you come to my place? Taki-chan really wants to talk to you."
"Wait, wait, wait—what's that supposed to mean? You haven't explained anything!"
During lunch, Rampage was abruptly approached by Flora, who had just clinched her first G1 victory at the Japan Cup. Her win was splashed across headlines, almost as if it were a jab at Rampage. Flora had fought tooth and nail against him in the Tiara route, and her G1 triumph—on the same stage where her rival forged a legend—was exaggerated to epic proportions.
"Agnes Flora, what was the key to your victory?"
"Thanks to Rampage. I've been running just to beat him."
"You didn't even consider the overseas Uma Musume?"
"They ignored me, didn't they? Just like they did with Rampage. I thought, 'I'm being underestimated,' so I focused purely on beating him. In a way, we're all losing to Rampage."
Yet Flora didn't boast about her victory. Despite winning the Japan Cup, she failed to surpass the world record—a defeat shared by other Uma Musume. Her stoic demeanor only boosted her reputation, though she felt a touch of self-deprecation.
"What's your next race?"
"I finally won a G1. Now I can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them… I'm running in the Arima Kinen."
With this, Flora had reached the starting line, ready to prove herself as a true rival. But the Arima Kinen's lineup was now a who's-who of champions:
Mejiro Ryan, the Triple Crown victor aiming to conquer both spring and fall Grand Prix. Tokai Teio, the undefeated Triple Crown champion claiming true supremacy. Twin Turbo, the third Triple Tiara, unmatched in her blazing speed. Ikuno Dictus, the iron lady who battled the tyrant for Tiara supremacy. Nice Nature, the other Derby Uma Musume who nearly toppled the invincible emperor. Mejiro McQueen, the first of Mejiro's four kings to seize glory. Daitaku Helios, the radiant speedster shining like the sun. Agnes Flora, the last titan of Rampage's generation, toppling global rivals. Mejiro Rampage, the unchallenged dictator charging toward the world stage.
A field this stacked was unprecedented, with four Triple Crown and Triple Tiara winners—a miracle unlikely to repeat in history. With time left before the Arima Kinen, the world was already buzzing about the race.
"I won the Japan Cup, so I can finally call myself Rampage's rival without hesitation," Flora said.
"I get it. The media's been screaming about it," Rampage replied.
"Taki-chan mentioned wanting to talk to you before the race, so I'm here to ask."
"That's… random."
In the end, Flora's request boiled down to her sister, Agnes Tachyon, wanting to meet him. Rampage was used to fans begging for autographs or photos, but Tachyon? That sparked unease.
"Your sister, huh…"
"Taki-chan's a good kid! Just… overly curious and a bit wild!"
"That's what people call a troublemaker."
His impression of Tachyon matched Flora's description: a brilliant but unpredictable Uma Musume, likely wanting to study his body data due to his winning streak. No way I'm drinking some weird potion.
"She's smart, I swear! She won't do anything strange!" Flora insisted.
"No trust there. Maybe a call, at best."
"Ugh, really?"
"You admitted you lost to me. Be happy with this."
If Flora had broken the world record, he might've humored her, but he wasn't budging for someone who admitted defeat.
"Besides, I'm prepping for the Champions Cup. I'm not entertaining this now."
"Oh, right… sorry, I got carried away."
"Sink to the bottom of the earth."
"That's harsh!"
Rampage shrugged. Flora should be used to his jabs by now—or work on improving if she hated it.
"For now, I'm not meeting your sister."
"But Taki-chan really wants this! I'll throw in some Japan Cup prize money!"
"Don't need it. I've got plenty."
Their banter continued as Rampage left the cafeteria. Wandering the academy, he stopped before the statues of the Three Goddesses: Darley Arabian, Byerley Turk, Godolphin Barb. Staring at them, he mused, "As a Hitosoul-bred Uma Musume, what am I to you? A heretic? Tolerable? Or did you meddle with my fate for fun? If so, you could've at least stuck to factor inheritance—back-to-back legends are bad for my heart."
"Which of you am I closest to?"
As he turned to leave, a voice seemed to whisper: "Ten-to-one, it's me."
"…My imagination?"
Shaking his head, he walked off, the wind carrying a playful, laughing note.
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