"Hey, Ran, I'm heading to Helios's place. Anything for her?" Palmer asks.
"Tell her congrats on the win. I'll bring a gift next time—ask what she wants," Rampage replies.
"Got it!" Palmer dashes off.
Rampage skims the daily paper, a routine. Palmer's off to celebrate Helios's Mile Championship win. Rampage would join, but with training looming and recovery ongoing, she passes.
"Guess this is my fault…" she mutters, eyeing the headline: "Blazing Big Escape Uma Musume! The Wave of Leaders They Create."
It names Rampage, Palmer, Helios, and Twin Turbo. Four big-escape Uma Musume in two years is wild—escape runners are common, but big escapes? Rare. This might inspire future Uma Musume to choose escape tactics. Not her problem, though—admire all you want, but it's your choice.
"Foreign Uma Musume in Japan… huh." She shrugs, tossing the paper aside to eat. Focusing too much on news isn't good. As she digs into her salad, Teio and Turbo join her.
"Ran, mind if we sit?" Teio asks.
"Go for it," Rampage says.
"Thanks!" Turbo plops down.
"Get lost if you're gonna be a pain," Rampage teases.
"What?!" Turbo gasps.
"Kidding, chill."
She slips into her usual banter, like with Tama. Teio, munching katsu, asks, "You use the recovery center after races, right?"
"Yup. So?"
"You haven't this time."
After the Tenno Sho and Elizabeth Hai, Rampage skipped the Mejiro recovery center, healing at Tressen instead. It's enough, but there's more to it.
"I overused it before. This is about fixing that," she explains.
"How so?" Turbo asks.
"Question, Turbo: Are there Mejiro recovery centers overseas?"
"Nope!"
"Correct. Here's a slice of ginger pork."
"Yay!" Turbo cheers.
Teio nods, getting it. Relying on Mejiro's specialized recovery for her overseas plans is risky. Foreign facilities exist, but they're not Mejiro's staff—recovery might not match. Better to master self-recovery now.
"Nanzaka's plan had me racing monthly, so I'm used to it," Rampage adds.
"Your experience is unreal…" Teio says.
"Different teams, different plans."
Teio feels Rampage's stacked race experience is her strength—her undefeated record proves it. Still, Teio's confident in her own run.
"But I'm not losing at Arima Kinen!" Teio declares. "My Teio Step's evolved—Trainer says so!"
"If that weirdo Okino approves, it's legit," Rampage grins.
Okino's quirky but skilled, so Teio's Step must be sharper. Turbo jumps in. "Think you're just facing Ran, Teio? I'm in Arima too! My True Dokkan Turbo's taking it!"
"I'll win! I've beaten Nature!" Teio retorts.
"Beating Nature doesn't mean you'll beat me!" Turbo snaps.
They butt heads, growling playfully. Both scarf their food, choke at the same time, and gulp tea Rampage hands them, gasping, "Thought I'd die!" Uma Musume don't die that easy.
"We're settling this!" they shout.
"What, can't wait for Arima?" Rampage calls.
"Nope!" they yell, rushing off after returning their dishes.
"They're tight—or just too alike," Rampage chuckles. "Running right after eating? Even Uma Musume need a break… except Oguri Cap. She devours a ton, her belly bloats like she's pregnant, then snaps back. Freaky."
"All good, though. Thanks for the meal." She heads to the rooftop for a cigar—her favorite spot. On the way, she bumps into Rice.
"Big Sister! I'm going for cake with Flower and Maya. Wanna come?" Rice asks.
"Heck yeah, if it's with you!" Rampage grins.
Rice runs off to tell the others, and Rampage follows, forgetting her cigar.
"Wow, you treat me way differently," a voice says.
Rampage jumps, spotting Flora behind her, radiating a dark aura, clinging to her waist.
"What the—let go!" Rampage yelps.
"Why? What's Rice got that I don't? You'd love it if she hugged you!" Flora protests.
"Duh! Don't compare yourself to Rice!"
"You're the mean one! It was just a playful hug!"
"Your 'playful' ain't funny!"
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