"So, how was it, Lu-chan? Seeing Fe-chan for the first time in so long."
"Since we last parted... since we were separated as children, that was it. But... today, I am trembling with joy at being able to meet her again."
"Moved!! A reunion after several years, and the stage is the Arc de Triomphe! It is destiny!!"
October 4th. France, Longchamp Racecourse.
Often called the most elegant racecourse in the world, it is a place of aspiration for trainers and Horse Girl fans across the globe. And now, stepping onto its grounds was Rudolph, the granddaughter of a Horse Girl who had once run here.
Is this the Longchamp? she thought, her heart trembling with emotion. Grandmother ran on this great stage... And today, our representative will run here.
"Question! Is her condition perfect?"
"That's a tactless question... There's no way she would slip up. That child, for all her antics, is harder on herself than anyone else."
It was easy to forget because of her internet idol persona, but Rampage was capable of facing herself with extreme stoicism. Even amidst a harsh fate, she possessed the will to keep moving forward, to keep living. When that will was directed toward honing herself, Rampage was endlessly strict yet sincere.
Hearing Sue-chan say this, the two nodded in agreement... though the Chairwoman looked a little apologetic.
They arrived at the waiting room. Sue-chan opened the door casually, and there—
""...!!""
There sat the King, the one who had trampled over even demons and spirits with her mighty legs.
She was merely sitting there wearing her racing uniform, yet she exuded an abnormal, overwhelming pressure. From the depths of her gaze, within the blue flames, a crimson pupil seemed to sit in judgment.
"Ran-chan. Lu-chan and Chairwoman Akikawa are here."
"—...Ah! Yo, President! Haven't seen you in a while. Did your vibe change or something? Ohh~ Hatena~ you came all the way here too~!!"
"Myaa!"
"You adorable thing~♪"
The overwhelming aura from a moment ago dispersed in an instant, transforming back into the Rampage they knew. As Hatena happily jumped from the Chairwoman's head, Rampage caught the cat, rubbed her thoroughly, and placed her atop her own head. Hearing Hatena's satisfied meow, the two visitors finally let the tension drain from their stiff bodies.
"So, you came all this way just to surveil me? Thanks for the hard work. Looks like the URA and the Japanese government are scared out of their wits."
"If you understand that, I'd appreciate it if you exercised a little self-control..."
The URA had even come to Rudolph, asking her to somehow keep Rampage quiet—especially since her grandmother was acting as the trainer, proxy or not. Please do something, they had pleaded.
"Amusing!! Personally, I believe this is good medicine for the URA. Their responses can be slow at times. Therefore, this is an excellent opportunity for them to gain experience by being dragged around, forcing them to understand that if they do not respond correctly, this is what happens!!"
"Haha, you don't pull your punches, Chairwoman. By the way, what do you think of my international diplomacy?"
"Recommended!! Your actions have heightened the fever for overseas challenges, and we are receiving inquiries from Horse Girls in various countries about studying abroad at the Japan Tracen Academy. It is extremely effective for invigorating the Japanese Horse Girl world!!"
In contrast to the austere Rudolph, the Chairwoman had absolutely no intention of blaming Rampage. In fact, she believed she should be praised. While international exchange is technically the duty of the state, there are many barriers involving status and red tape. Ideally, both sides should walk toward each other and join hands. To achieve that, an existence unbound by position is necessary. Rampage, who accomplished this, brought far more benefits than drawbacks in many ways.
Recently, relations had improved not only with Ireland but also with Dubai. (Though the stomachs of the Japanese government officials were dying.)
"That's great. Knowing I'm leaving something behind makes me feel like I've grown."
Whether it was a legacy or a source of future trouble... whether it was entirely "good" was debatable, but... Rudolph dared not say it out loud. She was an adult, after all.
"However, it is a pity that Trainer Minamisaka could not come. Trainers Tojo and Okino offered to stand in for him, but... he refused to budge."
"I never expected him to reject the offer so strongly, even when presented with the pretext of a vacation..."
When she made that apologetic face, Rampage wondered what she was going to say, but it turned out to be an apology for not bringing Minamisaka. The Chairwoman had strongly wished for Minamisaka, her original trainer, to accompany her to France, to see her success on the Arc stage, to be by her side... but he had refused.
His reason was that he was a trainer entrusted with a team. While he could ask other trainers to oversee the practice menu, they would only be substitutes. He clearly rejected the idea, stating that he would not let the dreams of the other girls waver because of a substitute.
"I didn't think he was that obstinate. It was a stubbornness I wouldn't expect from his usual demeanor."
"You can't imagine it from his pretty face, but Minami-chan is tough as nails—also, I wasn't really thinking about wanting Minami-chan to come or anything."
"What?"
"Shock!?"
From the perspective of the two visitors, this was the Arc, the world's greatest stage. They assumed she would want her trainer to come, to be there. It was out of consideration for Rampage... yet Rampage didn't desire it at all. This surprised them.
"Minami-chan has work to do. If he told me he forced his schedule open to come here, I'd feel way too guilty and shrink into myself."
"Is it... like that?"
"It's exactly like that."
Especially with the Kikuka-sho approaching for Rice and Tanhauser. They must be in the middle of desperately building their bodies to fight against Bourbon. Compared to fighting their ultimate goal on a stage that comes once in a lifetime, her own race wasn't even a subject for comparison.
"Right then. I said I'd bring back a souvenir, so I guess I'd better run my best... To go even further beyond."
"Umu! Allow us to cheer for you!!"
"Do your best. Japan—no, I am praying for your victory."
The Chairwoman sent her support while her folding fan, which changed characters every time she opened it, displayed the word Encouragement!!. As Rampage returned Hatena to the Chairwoman's head, Rudolph offered a strong shout of support. I don't care about Japan's long-cherished dream. Do it however you want. She understood that well.
"Ran-chan. Don't worry about me. As a trainer, I have only one thing to say to you—go run. Be yourself. Rather than Number One, be the Only One."
"You got it."
After a short exchange of words, they high-fived, and Rampage left the waiting room.
Her spirit was full. Her physical condition was perfect. She was filled with energy to the point where she could assert there had never been a better condition.
One more step, and she would appear on the turf of the Longchamp Racecourse.
It was beginning... The Arc de Triomphe, the stage of dreams for all Horse Girls... She felt just a little bit nervous.
At that moment.
『I'm looking forward to that souvenir. An ornament of the Arc de Triomphe would look great in the Canopus clubroom.』
Minamisaka's voice.
He wasn't supposed to be here, yet she heard it clearly, so clearly that she couldn't help but laugh. From the distant land of Japan—the muttered words of Minamisaka reached her.
Then she had no choice but to answer. That was all there was to it.
"I'm here, Arc de Triomphe! Welcome me!!"
The moment she exited the underground passage, a voice spilled out of her, loud enough to overflow.
Under the overcast sky, lightning flashed, and rain fell. The storm was already raging. When the Horse Girl born in Japan—who had become a massive storm swallowing the world in the blink of an eye—showed herself, lightning flashed as if the heavens themselves were praising her. Even in such weather, cheers launched high into the sky.
『There is no coincidence in her ability, only inevitability! Proof of this lies in her overwhelming record: a legend while active, a living myth!! Her two victories in Europe were both records! Undeniably a Horse Girl worthy of this stage, following in the footsteps of Speed Symboli, Mejiro Musashi, and Sirius Symboli, she now runs on this stage! 27 races, 27 wins! MEJIRO RAMPAGE!!!!』
A voice so high it made chests tremble echoed through the venue. Thoughts that felt like they were about to explode were directed at her. Accepting them all, Rampage laughed and said:
"Kept you waiting, didn't I!!!"
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