Rampage gestured for Flora to bring them in. Flora opened the door and called out a casual, "You can come in now~!" Her tone was surprisingly light. Maybe it's not a VIP guest after all, Rampage thought—
「BESTIEEEEE!」
「Wha—OOOF?!」
The person who lunged into the room and tackled Rampage into a hug was none other than Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Ireland: Fine Motion. Even the "Tyrant" couldn't hide her shock at such an impossible arrival.
「It's been so long! I missed you so much, Bestie!」
「Are you serious?! Fine! It's really you! It's been, what, over a year? Dammit, if you're coming to Japan, at least give me a heads-up!」
「It's a surprise, Bestie! A surprise!」
「Hahaha, you little brat!」
Rampage was genuinely thrilled. She valued Fine Motion as a truly precious friend. Behind the exuberant princess, a familiar Umamusume in a black suit bowed deeply.
「If it isn't the SP Captain.」
「It has been a long time, Rampage-sama.」
「Drop the '-sama.' So, what brings Fine here? Royal business?」
「No. This time, Princess Fine has come to Japan on personal business. Actually...」
According to the Captain (codenamed Piccolo Player), Fine had thrown something of a royal tantrum, insisting she must see the Japanese Legend Race in person and must see Rampage. The King had been at his wits' end and finally granted permission—under one condition.
「And let me guess, that condition is my permission? Usually, you get that before flying across the ocean.」
「My sincerest apologies... Her Highness insisted on making it a surprise. If you were to say 'no,' the condition is that she must return to Ireland immediately.」
「Ah... I see.」
Rampage realized the King's angle. He figured Rampage would say no, Fine would be forced to accept it, and even if she had to leave "immediately," the reality of flight schedules meant she'd still get a few days of sightseeing in Japan as a consolation prize.
「Bestie... you'll say it's okay, right? Right?!」
Fine pleaded, but there was a flicker of resignation in her eyes. She knew how selfish she was being. She was prepared to accept a "no," contenting herself with the fact that she'd at least gotten to see her friend. She was a princess, after all...
「...」
Rampage looked at the SP Captain. The Captain's eyes were pleading. Please, just this once, humor her selfishness. Since Rampage had left, Fine had worked tirelessly to become a "fine Umamusume" worthy of their reunion. She hadn't just practiced her racing; she had given her all to her royal duties to prove she had grown.
『Bestie... I want to see you...』
The Captain knew how many times Fine had whispered that name in her loneliest moments. The time they had spent together was Fine's most cherished memory. The Captain's gaze wordlessly explained that Fine's parents understood this, which was why they had left the final decision to Rampage.
Rampage sighed. She couldn't say no to that.
「...Man, you've grown into one selfish princess, Bestie. Fine, whatever. You and the SP Captain are coming to my place. I'll look after you.」
「R-really?! You're not joking?!」
「I'm not joking. We'll have a party tonight. I'm going shopping for supplies later, so you're helping me carry the bags, okay?」
「Yes! Absolutely!」
「I am glad for you, Princess Fine,」 the Captain said.
「YAY! Under the same roof as Bestie!」
「Where did you even learn a phrase like that? You're getting way too ahead of yourself.」
Well, if this was how it was going to be, Rampage decided she'd do her best to strengthen the ties between Ireland and Japan. She'd have to give the President a heads-up; if Fine was staying, she'd eventually show her face at Tracen, and it was best to follow protocol. Rampage told them to wait outside for a moment while she finished up.
「This turned into something huge...」 Flora whispered. 「Are you sure about this? She's an actual princess, right?」
「I'll have to call the King later... but it'll work out. Probably...」
Life was never quiet around her. But before she left with Fine, Rampage had one final piece of business to attend to.
「Flora.」
「Yes?! ...Wait, why the Iron Claw?!」
It was time for the "Tyrant's" sentence.
「You think you can just stand there looking smug after blathering that garbage to the whole world?! Do you have any idea how long you kept the Princess waiting outside because you 'forgot'?! How many levels of stupid can you be, you absolute disgrace of a horse?! I'm going to crack your skull open and vacuum out the nonsense inside!!」
「GYAAAAAAHHH! My head is splitting! This violates Article 1 of the International Gundam Fight Regulations! Wait... if Rampage-san is the one vacuuming out my brain, maybe it's okay... GAH! THE GRIP STRENGTH IS INCREASING!!」
「This is for Tachyon! My hand is burning red! Its roar tells me to defeat you! Take this! With all the fury of a younger sister! My final blow! EXPLODING... RAMPAGE... FINGERRRRRR!!!」
「That's not even the Super Mode of the Heart! There are too many mixed references! GYAAAAAAHHHHH!!」
「I wonder if Bestie is ready yet~♪」
「Just a little more patience, Your Highness.」
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