"Not hosting a party this year?"
"We only did that for the inaugural year. I don't plan on making it an annual tradition unless the URA gets off their asses to do it. Though I guess we'll still throw a pre-race eve bash."
With the Champions Cup wrapped up, the autumn G1 campaign was charging headlong into winter. In this final stretch of the year, every remaining G1 was stacked with big names, drawing massive anticipation. And with the upcoming URA Finals and Legend Races still ahead, the excitement in the air wasn't cooling down anytime soon.
"I didn't even want to host the first one in the first place. But Su-chan and Grandmother told me it'd keep the vultures in the media from nagging us, so I only threw it as a countermeasure."
"Aah..."
"Anyway, aren't you going to check up on Goer?"
"Not my problem. Out of my jurisdiction."
In truth, it wasn't that she was entirely out of the loop. Sunday knew full well that Easy Goer was remaining in Japan, reviewing her past races and devouring records of Japanese turf. Rumor had it her family back home had ordered her immediate return, but Goer was holding her ground, stubbornly refusing to comply.
"Look at you, knowing every damn detail."
"It's just information passed down from the Big Boss and my trainer. I'm not snooping. They just told me, 'This is what's happening over there, so she might try to make contact with you—stay sharp.'"
Their refined young lady had suddenly found her own voice and was defying her family for the first time. Her home faction was frantically trying to drag her back, but Goer's trainer was staying three steps ahead, handling every defensive play with perfection.
'Easy Goer is currently working alongside the URA to learn the exact framework and history behind establishing the Finals and Legend Races so she can forge her own path,' her trainer had publicly announced. 'While holding the utmost respect for Mejiro Rampage, who accomplished such a feat by rallying an entire nation like Japan, she approaches this ambitiously, confident that America is more than capable of doing the same. I am certain that the day the US URA Finals become a reality is not far off.'
Her trainer, once dismissed as incompetent, was now deploying his exceptional managerial skills to full effect. He had crafted a situation where if her family forced her back now, they would face international outcry. To make matters worse for them, both the US President and Secretariat had voiced their public approval and backing, making her family virtually powerless to intervene.
"They'll probably try to pin it on you eventually."
"What, like 'You have to become the undisputed strongest in the world!' or something? What kind of smear campaign is that? You guys lost, so I won—end of story."
"Agreed. I genuinely cannot fathom how their minds work."
Their attitude was simple: If you've got a problem with it, beat us on the track. In the world of racing, that was the ultimate truth. And because they had lost, Rampage claimed the title of the fastest and strongest in the world. If they found that frustrating, all they had to do was prove they were stronger; neither Sunday nor Rampage had any intention of denying or blocking them if they could.
"To think she'd actually start setting up the URA Finals and Legend Races just for that... Wonder how that'll turn out."
"That's your home country we're talking about, you know."
"Don't care. Why should I waste energy worrying about a place I don't even live in anymore?"
"Cold as ice..."
Rampage called her cold, but in truth, Sunday's attitude was a reflection of the life she had lived. She had no real friends, and she'd long severed ties with her family. Her only remaining connections were her trainer and Secretariat. And since neither of those two was soft enough to need her worrying, she saw no reason to bother.
"So, is your ace's condition where it needs to be?"
"Getting there. Morale is high, and Mr. Sakahara gave his seal of approval."
"'Getting there'? Wouldn't you normally call that top condition?"
"Nah, just 'getting there.' She still lacks a definitive rival."
"...Ah. I see."
Up to this point, Maya's path had been smooth sailing—undefeated, without facing a single true struggle on the track. Sure, she had been thoroughly beaten to a pulp by a superior veteran like Tamamo Cross during summer camp, but that wasn't enough.
"A true rival from her own generation, huh?"
"Anyone can get crushed by someone above them whenever they want. Hell, I could crush her right now if I wanted to. But finding a true rival in your own generation? That's rare."
"A true twist of fate."
"Exactly. Guess I'll talk to O-Hana-san and set up a clash with someone..."
Among Maya's contemporaries, Fuji Kiseki or Genuine would be the standard choices. They were likely entering upcoming G1 races themselves and would serve as ideal targets to simulate. But even so, Hana-san likely wouldn't let them race casually; as Team Rigil's head trainer, that was only logical.
"...Actually, a future rival works just fine."
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"I mean even if they don't fight until the end of her Classic year, it's fine as long as she tastes what top speed feels like."
"Wait... Are you planning on pitting her against them?"
It required zero second thought. When it came to Mayano Top Gun's ideal rivals, those two were undeniably the most fitting. It was a choice looking far ahead into the future, but if she was going to clash with those monsters eventually, it was best to hammer that reality into her body as early as possible.
"Ah, hello? O-Hana-san? I'd like to request a mock race."
'That's rather sudden. Very well, who is it you want to run against? Knowing you, this is for Mayano Top Gun, so... Fuji or Genuine, I presume?'
"Sharp as always! But nope, it's not either of them."
'Knowing your track record, you've probably cooked up another absurd idea. Fine. I owe you a favor anyway, so if you agree to participate in one of our mock races in return, I'll set it up.'
"Deal. What I'm asking for is—Brian."
"...Hmm?"
"What's wrong, Brian?"
"Nothing... Just felt like someone said my name."
"Minami-chan, I need a favor for a mock race."
"Understood. Who would you like?"
"Laurel."
"Got it. I take it she'll be running alongside Brian-san? I'll work out the details with O-Hana-san, so leave it to me."
"Appreciate it! You're always so quick on the uptake~"
"U-Um... this is happening way too fast, and I can't process a single thing, Senior...!"
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