"We are live at Chukyo Racecourse, where the main event is finally about to begin! The atmosphere is electric—even more so than previous years. The Champions Cup, Japan's premier international G1 dirt race, has seen its prestige skyrocket year after year! And for today's broadcast, we are honored to have a very special guest in the booth!"
"Yo, Japan! You having a good time?! If you're happy to be here, then get loud for your favorites! You want to know who I am? If you don't, then carve it into your souls: I'm the girl who bites through the throat of destiny! Sunday Silence! Don't you forget it!"
"That's right! One of the legendary pillars of the American turf, currently leading the Aggressor Team at the Central Tracen—the one and only Sunday Silence-san! Thank you so much for joining us today!"
"Yeah, yeah, glad to be here. Though, technically, Rampage is the one 'leading' the Aggressors. I don't have a trainer's license and I don't want one, so I basically dump all the paperwork and authority on that brat."
The announcer, Akasaka, felt a wave of relief. He'd heard rumors that Sunday Silence was a terrifying presence, but in person, she seemed surprisingly approachable—in her own rough, abrasive way.
"Looking at today's Champions Cup, what do you think are the key points to watch for?" Akasaka asked.
"It all comes down to whether the rest of the field can keep up with Lady Sabre and Amazing Dyna after the results they pulled off at the Breeders' Cup," Sunday replied. "I've been keeping an eye on the Japanese dirt scene, and I'll tell you what—these girls have grit. There are plenty of runners in this lineup who could give the Americans a run for their money on their own soil."
"Oh! So you're saying Japanese horse girls are finally being recognized on a global scale?!"
"Well, obviously. You've got a certain Dictator Tyrant who didn't just conquer the turf, but decided to trample the world's dirt tracks too. Now everyone else is following in his wake. My own trainer told me that the big shots overseas who used to look down on the 'Far East' are now foaming at the mouth, desperate to gather intel on Japanese training methods."
Sunday Silence didn't stop at the Champions Cup; she began ruthlessly exposing the state of the global dirt scene. The American contenders and their trainers currently in Japan were likely listening, and Sunday—being Sunday—didn't give a damn if her "honesty" made them uncomfortable.
"Um, this is incredibly fascinating, but is it alright to be this blunt?" Akasaka asked nervously. "You are an American horse girl yourself, right?"
"Who cares? I don't owe the U.S. racing circuit a damn thing. My loyalty is to my trainer, the Great One, and the President. If the rest of 'em are shaking in their boots because of a little truth, they didn't have the resolve to be here in the first place. Look at the Tyrant. Everyone knows he's going to go for a massive lead every single time. They plan for it, they prepare for it, and he still wins. The ones who win are the ones who are ready to win, no matter the odds. It's about resolve."
"I-I see... A powerful sentiment! And look at that—the gates are opening!"
(That's right,) Sunday thought, her eyes narrowing as she watched the monitors. (Winners win. No matter how many schemes you hatch or how many plans you lay, in the end, it's about who crosses the line. That's the reality of the turf.)
Sunday's philosophy was harsh but simple: the winner earns the right to everything, carrying the hopes and dreams of the defeated into the next battle. You only truly lose when that weight becomes too heavy for your legs to move.
(Goer... you don't understand that weight. You're carrying it, but you're oblivious to it. You'll never be a true king like that...)
"And they're off! A.P. Indy and Fifty Magna have made their appearance! These two are seeking revenge for the BC Classic, and with the legendary Easy Goer as their pacing partner, it's clear America has come to take this title back! It's a clash of titans! Meanwhile, Armored Lynx, who has declared this her retirement race, is also gunning for the top! Who will emerge as the king of the dirt?!"
Beyond the favorites—Lady Sabre, Dyna, Indy, Magna, and Lynx—there were several other dark horses. It was anyone's race.
(...Wait?) Sunday leaned forward. (Those two have a good look in their eyes.)
A.P. Indy and Fifty Magna—the two who had been training with Easy Goer. Curiously, their eyes weren't filled with arrogant confidence. Instead, they were burning with a simple, primal hunger for victory.
Before Sunday could comment further, the race was well underway. She straightened her collar, remembering she was actually being paid to explain what was happening.
"Leading the pack right out of the gate are Amazing Dyna and Lady Sabre! The 'Twin Blades of Japanese Dirt' who made a name for themselves in the American Twinkle Series are showing off that signature speed here at home! But trailing right behind them is Narita Eagle!"
While the world's eyes were on Sabre and Dyna, Eagle had been busy. During their absence, she had conquered the Teio Sho and the JBC Classic. They called her the "Desert Eagle."
"Lady! Dyna!" Eagle shouted, her hooves kicking up a storm of sand. "Don't think I was just playing around while you were gone!"
"We accept your challenge!" Sabre called back.
"Here we go!" Dyna cheered.
"Lady Sabre, Amazing Dyna, and Narita Eagle are fighting for the lead! Right behind them is A.P. Indy, with Fifty Magna looming just a few lengths back! These five have completely broken away from the rest of the field! There's a four-length gap between them and Silver Bullet in sixth, and—wait! Someone is moving! Someone is coming out of the pack early! A white shadow is charging toward the front!"
"Hey, hey... you're making your move now?" Sunday muttered into the mic. "She isn't losing control, but she's not holding back either. She's... an Irregular."
"Ahahaha! Yes! This is it! It's fun! It's so much fun!" Lynx's voice was a wild, manic trill as she surged forward. "My body feels like it's on fire! Just like that race with Rampage! Since this is my final sortie, I'm going to set it all ablaze—everything!"
"The White Irregular, Armored Lynx, makes a sudden assault! The race has been thrown into total chaos!"
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