"Good grief. Sorry about that, Tazuna-san. I didn't mean to be a bother."
"Not at all," replied Tazuna, the Secretary of the Board. Her expression was clouded with uncharacteristic regret. "The academy was supposed to handle these matters internally and discreetly. It is deeply disappointing that our oversight allowed such... unpleasantness to reach your hands, Rampage-san."
"Don't sweat it. If anything, it's better I handle it myself. Maybe those idiots will learn some restraint if the 'Tyrant' himself pushes back."
They stood near the entrance of the faculty office. To most trainers, Tazuna was a figure of absolute authority—the bridge to the board of directors and a constant source of administrative support. Most treated her with a reverence bordering on awe. So, when a mid-career trainer noticed her bowing her head in a sincere apology to Rampage before walking away, curiosity got the better of him.
"Something happen?" the trainer asked, approaching Rampage. "Tazuna-san looked genuinely troubled."
"Nothing much," Rampage said with a careless shrug. "The school was trying to intercept some hate mail directed at me, but I happened to walk in while they were sorting it."
"Ah… I see. Well, from the academy's perspective, that's a bit of a PR nightmare."
In the world of horse racing, criticism was an occupational hazard. It was common for a trainer to receive vitriolic "fan mail" if a heavy favorite—the horse everyone bet their life savings on—lost to an underdog. The fans of the favorite would often vent their frustrations on the winning trainer.
"The school tries to filter that stuff out, but people get creative," the trainer continued. "They sneak nasty notes into fan letters meant for the girls, or use dummy accounts. I've been there. When my trainee won a G2 at 11-to-1 odds, beating a massive favorite… man, the blowback was legendary."
"I guess it's just the flip side of high expectations," Rampage mused. "Though in my case, the letters are mostly people screaming that I'm 'unfit to represent Japan.'"
"Ouch…"
That was the primary grievance the public held against Rampage. He still hosted live streams, maintained a boisterous, unfiltered personality, and refused to play the part of the stoic, dignified mentor. To traditionalists who worshipped the ground the "Emperor" Symboli Rudolf walked on, Rampage's modern, flashy attitude was seen as nothing short of sacrilege.
"Look, I'm the first to admit I'm not as serious as the President or C.B.-senpai. If people want to call me 'frivolous,' fine. But I don't see how tearing me down helps anyone," Rampage said, checking his watch. "Anyway, I'm running late. Catch you later."
As Rampage walked away, his broad shoulders disappearing down the hall, Trainer Tojo (better known to many as Hana) spoke in a low voice that seemed to chill the air in the faculty room.
"People are bold now because he's playing nice... but if this keeps up once Mayano Top Gun debuts, that girl is going to start a fire. A fire big enough to be felt across the globe."
No one laughed. They knew Tojo wasn't joking. Mayano wasn't just another student; she was a girl who didn't fear controversy. She was the type to face a critic head-on with a defiant glare—or a clenched fist. Between her own temperament and the fact that Rampage had built a network of influence that didn't even need the backing of the Mejiro or Symboli families to ruin someone, the potential for retaliation was terrifying.
"Shouldn't we... warn the public? For their own safety?" one junior trainer stammered.
"It would be a waste of breath," Tojo sighed, her eyes darkening with the memory of her own past struggles—specifically the backlash she faced when Rudolf's undefeated streak finally ended. "Most people don't understand until they feel the sting for themselves. Maybe they need to learn the hard way. Honestly... maybe we all do."
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy. Many remembered how shattered Tojo had been during her own crisis—how she had nearly resigned. In a strange way, some of the staff were actually rooting for Rampage to be the one to finally strike back against the toxic tide of the public.
"You're late! Way, way late!"
"My bad, my bad. Tazuna-san was busy trying to seduce me. It's hard being this popular, you know?"
"Stop talking nonsense and get in here already," Stergo snapped from the corner of the room.
"Oh, Stergo, always so cold! Taiki~ comfort me!"
"YES!! Come on, baby!" Taiki Shuttle chirped, pulling Rampage into a crushing hug.
Rampage let out a satisfied hum as he sank into the embrace of the Pleiades team. He knew he was late, but Taiki's boundless energy—and her surprisingly "well-developed" physique for a middle-schooler—was a quick cure for a long day. He quickly felt a sharp, icy gaze from Silence Suzuka, however, and beat a hasty retreat.
"Alright, everyone! Let's begin our 'Scheduled Strategy Meeting'—which is definitely not just a fancy name for a tea party," Rampage announced. "But since today is a special day, we'll be conducting this meeting while watching the Oaks."
The Pleiades tea parties were legendary. While they did discuss training schedules and upcoming goals, their primary purpose was to forge the bond that made the team a family. For the newest members—Special Week, King Halo, and El Condor Pasa—the relaxed atmosphere was a total culture shock.
"I was so nervous because he called it a 'meeting'..." King Halo muttered, looking at her tea.
"It's a bit overwhelming at first, isn't it?" Air Groove said with a graceful smile as she poured more tea. "I felt the same way during the summer camp. You'll get used to the 'Pleiades Way' soon enough."
"Is... is it really okay to eat this?!" Special Week gasped, her eyes nearly popping out of her head at the spread on the table. "I've never seen a cake this fancy, even on my birthday!"
"That's the one I requested!" Mayano chirped proudly.
"Go ahead, Spe-chan," Suzuka said warmly, watching her roommate with a fond expression. "Whatever Rampage-san brings is always delicious."
"Then... Itadakimasu! OH MY GOD, IT'S SO GOOD!"
While Spe and Mayano descended upon the fruit-laden masterpiece, Taiki Shuttle slid a tray toward El Condor Pasa.
"El! This is from Rampage-san, just for you-deesu!"
"Que?! Is this... a Chamoyada?!"
"I told Rampage-san that El loves Very Spicy things, so he prepared this! Let's eat together!"
"Taiki-san...! I'm so moved! Thank you, Rampage-san!"
It was a classic Mexican treat: mango sorbet drizzled with tangy, salty chamoy sauce and dusted with a generous amount of chili powder. It was a chaotic explosion of cold, sweet, sour, and spicy that was notoriously addictive.
""SPICY!! But so sour and good~!"" the two "international" girls cheered in unison.
Rampage gave a small, private thumbs-up to himself. He had found a small Mexican place at the foot of a mountain pass during a recent trip, and after trying the dessert, he'd known El would love it.
"Now then," Rampage said, turning on the television. "Let's see who takes the crown today."
The room went quiet as the broadcast began. The "Big Three" of this year's Tiara line stood ready: the fierce Dragoon Lance, the unstoppable Hishi Amazon, and the legendary bloodline of Oguri Roman.
The battle for the Oak crown was about to begin, and for the girls of Pleiades, it was a glimpse into the heights they were destined to reach.
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