"I see... I knew I could count on you to understand my daughter's feelings."
"
"Hahaha! I trust you with all my heart, Rampage. You are like family to us."
The man on the other end of the line was the King of Ireland—Fine Motion's father. His was just one of many high-profile names tucked away in Rampage's contact list, nestled alongside the leaders of the United States and Dubai. Naturally, their conversation was conducted in fluent English.
"I intend to send my daughter to study in Japan eventually," the King continued. "Consider this a preliminary step toward that goal."
"
"Indeed. When she joins Japan's Twinkle Series, I want you, and only you, to be her trainer. The girl has been working herself to the bone just to keep her promise to you."
Rampage remembered the moment vividly. During a past overseas expedition for the Breeders' Cup, as she prepared to leave Ireland, Fine had clung to her in tears. It was then that Rampage had made a declaration: she would retire at the end of the year, but she would become a trainer. "Come to Japan one day," she had told the girl.
"" Rampage replied. "
"I shall handle the negotiations with the Japanese government on our end before her formal enrollment. You know, Fine has smiled so much more since the two of you became friends. It is a parent's duty to pray for their child's happiness and do everything in their power to achieve it."
Hearing those words, a faint warmth flickered in Rampage's chest. This is what a real parent sounds like, she thought. Just like her own mother and father... She didn't have children of her own, yet she felt she understood the weight of that love. Her "Horse Soul" whispered the truth of it to her.
"
"Hah! Hah-hah-hah! That sounds marvelous! I'll hold you to that. And I should hope you'll accompany her as well."
""
"I shall. Please, see that she has the time of her life. And I expect great souvenirs!"
The King hung up in high spirits. Immediately after, Rampage let out a long, heavy sigh.
"...Phew. That was nerve-wracking. Thank god he wasn't angry..."
No matter how legendary Rampage was, dealing with someone of that stature was exhausting. The fact that the King was her best friend's father helped, but he was still a monarch. The relief that she hadn't disappointed or angered him was palpable.
"Bestie~! Let's go to the supermarket already! I want to see what Japanese shops are like!"
"Alright, alright, I'm coming. Just wait a second."
Rampage stepped out of her Impreza. While the school's Chairwoman had been utterly blindsided by the situation, with the King's personal blessing, Rampage no longer had anything to fear. For now, their priority was buying ingredients for a welcome party. When Fine had visited before, they had mostly stuck to Chinese restaurants; this time, she was dying for the full experience.
"Look, look! There's so much fish! Bright red ones... oh, and these are pink!"
"Looking at her now, she's just like any other kid her age," Rampage muttered.
She pushed the cart, watching Fine gawk at the seafood counter. To a royal, the mundane details of commoner life were a thrilling novelty. Japan was arguably the most food-obsessed nation in the world—even a standard supermarket could seem like a wonderland to a foreigner.
"Oh! Carrots! Hey, hey, we can buy carrots, right?!"
"We have some at home, you know... Fine, whatever. How many?"
"All of them!"
"We can't eat that many. I'll allow nine."
"Yay! Negotiation successful!"
"Classic 'door-in-the-face' technique..." Rampage sighed.
"I am so sorry," whispered the SP Captain, Piccolo Player, who was accompanying them in civilian clothes. "We will reimburse you for every expense incurred during Her Highness's stay...!"
"Don't sweat it. I've got plenty of cash to burn."
Piccolo Player looked exhausted. It was no exaggeration to say the safety of Fine Motion during her stay in Japan rested entirely on her shoulders.
"I'm surprised you came alone, Captain."
"A few of my subordinates are in Japan as a precaution, but we're rotating shifts. Those not on duty are currently making the most of their time as tourists."
"A working holiday, huh..."
"Hey~! Can I have snacks too?!"
"We have cake at home. Make do with that."
"Then just this ramen snack! Please!"
"Yeah, yeah. Come on, next aisle."
After the chaotic shopping trip, they returned to prepare the welcome feast.
"Are you really sure about this? Ramen for a welcome party?"
"Yes, yes! I want ramen!"
Fine was adamant. The last time she had played with Rampage, they had eaten ramen together. She wanted the "flavor of her memories" to mark the start of her Japanese residence. Respecting her wishes, Rampage opted for Nikomi Ramen—a hearty, stew-like version made in a large pot.
"So this is Bestie's house! Yay! A sleepover at Bestie's!"
"Ah, Your Highness! In Japan, we take our shoes off at the door!"
"Oh! Is that how it works?"
Fine was a whirlwind of curiosity, poking at everything in the house, but since her stomach was already growling, Rampage got to work. She expertly chopped the ingredients and tossed them into the pot on the electric stove.
"Hmm-hmm-hu-mm♪ Ramen, ramen, men-men-men♪ Shoyu, salt, miso, and tonkotsu♪ I love every flavor of ra-me-me-n♪"
"Just a little longer, Your Highness," Piccolo Player urged.
"You're in a good mood," Rampage noted. "For the record, this is a miso-shoyu blend."
"What?! A miso and shoyu fusion?! That's guaranteed to be delicious! I want to eat now~!"
"Don't rush me. I haven't even added the soup base yet. Just wait."
Being in Japan, seeing Rampage again, getting permission to stay, watching the Legend Races in person, and sharing a meal—it all combined to put Fine in a state of pure euphoria. She even made up an original "Ramen Song." Watching her sit in her chair, staring at the pot and singing with wide-eyed excitement, Rampage couldn't help but wonder... Is this what it's like to have a kid?
—Wait, "Motherly Rampage-san"...?!
"..."
"Is something the matter? You're rubbing your temples quite fiercely," the Captain observed.
"I felt a sudden disturbance in the Force... like some weird telepathic signal."
"Ah! Bestie, the timer went off!"
"Right. Adding the soup now. Then we let it simmer."
"More waiting~?"
"The time spent waiting is the secret ingredient that makes the food taste better."
"Hmph... okay, I'll wait..."
"It's so good with all the veggies! The meat is tender, and the noodles are perfect!"
"This is incredible," the Captain added, impressed. "To think such delicious ramen could be made so easily..."
"Well, it is the 'hot pot' style. Don't drink all the soup, though. We're using the leftovers to make porridge at the end."
The meal was a resounding success. Fine Motion was left thoroughly satisfied, especially after the finishing course of savory rice porridge.
"I want to see Bestie being a trainer, too!"
"Your Highness, please, don't be selfish..."
"It's fine," Rampage interjected. "I've already cleared it with the higher-ups."
"YAAAAAY!"
Fine's joyful diary of her life in Japan was only just beginning. And for Rampage, it seemed her days were about to get a whole lot noisier.
"Bestie, let's take a bath together!"
"Sure thing. Captain, you take it easy and relax. I'll look after Fine. It'd be a bit of a squeeze if all three of us tried to get in anyway."
"I am deeply grateful. Thank you."
"I am truly, deeply sorry..."
"Sigh... Forget it. We knew what Sister was like, but we overreacted anyway. It's our fault."
"But still, she really needs to be more careful. She's one of the most famous figures in the world now."
"Yes, I understand—"
—"Whoa, Bestie, your boobs are huge! How do I get mine like that?"
—"Hmm? Just eat everything without being picky, exercise hard, and get plenty of sleep."
—"Amazing! Everything Mother said was true!"
"..."
"Sister... your nose is bleeding. You aren't... imagining something lewd about Rampage-san, are you?"
"I-I am not! I just... I felt a sudden, powerful surge of spiritual energy, that's all!"
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