"Welcome back, Lan."
"I'm home, Sue."
After crossing the finish line, Rampage returned to Super Creek's side. They didn't exchange many words. It wasn't out of consideration for Rampage's fatigue, but rather that words had become superfluous between them; their bond was solid enough that silence spoke volumes. Welcome back. I'm home. Those simple phrases were more than enough comfort.
"There's the interview coming up. Let's get it over with quickly. With this rain, we can't hold the Winning Live anyway."
"It really does seem to be getting worse, doesn't it?"
The rain over Longchamp was intensifying. It felt as though the heavens were either celebrating the legend Rampage had just established, or perhaps foretelling the global chaos her achievement would unleash. Consequently, the live concert was canceled. While some fans were disappointed, accepting these turns of fate was part of being a fan.
Rampage took a quick shower before the interview. After warming her chilled body, she slipped her arms into a spare racing uniform—identical in design to the one she had just worn.
"Should we be showing a little more consideration for the URA at times like this?"
"I don't think you need to, do you?"
"Yeah, thought so."
Since she hadn't brought a different design anyway, it was a moot point. As they bantered, a knock sounded at the door. Before she could wonder who it was, a familiar feline cry drifted through. Upon hearing that, she invited them in. The visitors were, of course, the Chairwoman, Hatena, and Rudolph.
"A triumph!! Magnificent! There is no other word for such a victory!"
"Congratulations, Rampage. Ah, I feel I should offer more profound praise, but I can't seem to find the words..."
"Thanks. No need to force it. Simple is best, right?"
"Meow."
"Oho! Even Hatena is congratulating me?"
There was something far more gratifying about this than any stiff, formal commendation—especially the praise from the cat. Maybe I should get a pet, she mused.
"Japan's dearest wish! The dream that everyone in the horse girl world has been painting in their minds for so long—to see it realized is truly moving!!"
"Indeed. The fulfillment of a great ambition... A feat only you could have achieved. Congratulations."
"Heh, you're praising me too much, Prez. I'm gonna blush."
"Now then, Rampage, may I ask about your schedule following this? I also need to know when you plan to return to Japan. The entire Tracen Academy intends to throw a grand party to celebrate your conquest of the Arc! Naturally, at my expense!!"
"Chairwoman, you'd be in trouble if you left out the Symboli family, you know? Grandmother was a trainer, after all; surely she has the right to be involved?"
"Oh my, if we go down that road, we'd better include the Mejiros too, or Ardan might get angry."
The excitement in the room was infectious, and Rampage found a smile spilling across her face. She had conquered the Arc, after all; this reaction was only natural. However, she decided to have them save that joy for a little longer.
"Well, we can talk about the party later. First things first—I'm going to go make a smug face at the whole world. Especially at the lot who called Japan a tiny island nation in the Far East. I'm gonna ask them: How does it feel to lose to a taboo?"
"Hahaha! That's good. Truly delightful!"
"Please, spare the Japanese government and the URA. They're going to be clutching their stomachs enough as it is."
With the two leaders reacting in their own ways behind her, Rampage left the waiting room with Sue.
"Are you sure you don't want to tell them?"
"It's all the same in the end. It's just a difference of sooner or later. It's not like it's fatal news, so it's fine."
"You really can be quite dry, Lan."
"Bad upbringing, I guess."
"Hey now, don't say things like that."
"Yeaaah, yeah."
Despite the casual back-and-forth, the moment they entered the interview room, they were bombarded by a wall of camera flashes.
"My eyeeees!!!"
Wha—?!
While most of the room froze, thinking Oh crap, is she hurt?!, only the reporters from a Japanese publishing house—Rampage's favorites—reacted instantly.
""Colonel Muska!!""
"I wasn't trying to set up a joke, it's legitimately bright in here! I just blurted it out... Seriously, what's the point of using flash in a room this well-lit? Also, your reaction speed is terrifying."
""We've known you a long time.""
"Right?"
Rampage and the reporters carried on calmly, looking for all the world like old friends chatting at a bar. The fact that this was a victory interview being broadcast live globally seemed completely forgotten. Eventually, the staff forcibly wrestled the atmosphere back to something resembling serious.
"We will now begin the interview with the magnificent conqueror of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Mejiro Rampage!"
At that cue, reporters and TV crews shouted in unison to get a comment, creating a veritable Tower of Babel as the world's languages clashed. Even Rampage, who had mastered multiple languages, couldn't parse the noise. Prince Shotoku himself couldn't have handled this many different tongues flying at once.
The moderator, a woman who couldn't watch this any longer, called for silence and announced she would select the questioners herself. Nice pass, Rampage thought, quietly raising her hand to point out her favorite reporter.
"Congratulations on conquering the Arc. To whom do you wish to dedicate this victory?"
"To whom? That's a tough one, but I'd have to say Minami. Say what you want, but if Minami hadn't become my trainer, I wouldn't be here. That doesn't mean I'm not grateful to Sue, of course—you get that, right?"
"Naturally. Will you touch upon this in your stream as well?"
"Would be weird if I didn't, right? Though, the moment I start streaming, the comments are gonna be flooded with 'Congrats.' Maybe I should think up some kind of event."
The atmosphere was so loose it was hard to believe this was the Arc de Triomphe victory interview. While some present felt this behavior was inappropriate for the venue, it only highlighted the reporter's nerves of steel and the total trust Rampage placed in them. As other journalists watched with envy, the baton was passed to another company.
"You've updated the World Record, but you really make breaking records look easy. Is there some kind of trick to it?"
"There's no way there's a trick. If there was, I'd be the first one practicing it and spreading it on stream. Seriously, don't talk to me with the same vibe you use for normal coverage—do you guys know where you are? This is the Arc interview venue, you know?"
"I don't want to hear that from you."
"Hah! Stop with the logic-punches."
Rampage, high on victory, found her lips loosening despite her initial intention to take the interview seriously. The surrounding eyes were shifting from confusion to something bordering on awe—What is wrong with these people?—so she glanced at Sue, wondering if she should dial it back. Sue gave a sign that said keep going, so she decided to stay the course.
"Well then, let's move on to the standard topic—may we ask about your schedule for your next race?"
Here it comes!!
Everyone watching on site and via broadcast thought the same thing. Everyone was desperate to know her plans. Would she return home, rest, and aim for the Arima Kinen? Transfer from the Twinkle Series to the Dream Trophy League? Or continue the overseas campaign?
Rampage was more than happy to open her mouth on the subject.
"Let's see. I've conquered the Arc, so I think I'm done with Europe."
A murmur of understanding rippled through the room. So she was returning home. That was the safest bet. In that case... it would surely be Japan's biggest G1—
"What are you misunderstanding? My overseas expedition isn't over yet."
Eh?
For a moment, the hearts of everyone watching beat as one. Their expressions screamed What are you talking about? Rampage watched their confusion with amusement, then raised her arm.
"That's right, it's not over yet. I can't let it end here... Hey... have you finished the forging? Have you said your prayers to the Three Goddesses? Is your heart ready to race against me on the dirt?"
It was a clear message, directed at two specific individuals currently in America. The meaning of her words was unambiguous.
"My next race is in America. The Breeders' Cup Classic. So... let's run together... with everything we've got."
"Just what I hoped for. My blade has been sharpened more than enough... It is time."
Lady Saber.
American Record: 5 Starts, 2 Wins.
Victories: Hollywood Gold Cup (G1), Pacific Classic Stakes (G1).
"Finally... it's here... The time for a rematch...!! Let's do thiiiiis!!!"
Amazing Dyna.
American Record: 4 Starts, 2 Wins.
Victories: John A. Nerud Stakes (G2), Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).
The two of them, having used their defeat in Dubai as fuel, had crossed to America and become undeniably stronger. While Rampage tended to monopolize the spotlight, the victories of these two had been widely reported in Japan, igniting a fire in the hearts of Japanese dirt-track horse girls.
And now, the prospect of these two clashing with Rampage once again was about to set that fire ablaze.
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