Satsuki Sho's done, but no break for Uma Musume. Racers rest briefly; the schedule's relentless. Training, menus—condition's key for Canopus.
"How's everyone, Minamisaka?" "Great. Ready for Emperor's Cup." "Good. 3200m… Turbo's serious?"
Post-Satsuki, the spring Emperor's Cup looms. Last year's champ, McQueen, aims for a repeat. A standout stayer, she faces rivals, including Mejiro's Palmer, her equal in long distances. Canopus fields Ikuno, Nature, and Turbo.
"Stamina drills done, but…" Minamisaka hesitates. "Tough call?" "Yeah. Turbo's Dokkan Turbo burns out too fast for 3200m. It's grit now."
Turbo's mid-distance runner; 2400m's a stretch, 2500m Arima tougher. 3200m? Impossible to escape. Yet, Turbo insists, inspired by rival Teio and idol Rampage.
"She's challenging," Minamisaka says. "My dirt and World Cup are different beasts…"
Rampage can't argue. If Turbo's set, she'll cheer—Triple Tiara bond.
"Not racing, Mejiro?" "Don't rub it in. 3200m's too long. They're not weak enough for me to blitz at 80-90%."
Rampage skips, prepping for Europe. A Japan race before? Minamisaka and Sue decide.
"About Tachyon…" "Need to meet her for a menu." "I'll bring her to Emperor's. She begged for tickets." "Cold to Flora, soft on her sister?" "Flora's nuts. I'd be fair if she wasn't."
Flora's "love" outbursts ruin normal interaction. Self-aware evil's easier; she's cluelessly chaotic.
"Tachyon's quirky but tolerable." "And me?" Flora appears. "Beyond tolerable—Gah, Flora!?"
Rampage hides behind Minamisaka. How does she sneak past Uma Musume hearing?
"Where'd you come from!?" "Where you are, I appear. Didn't know?" "If that's true, I'm out. Tachyon talk's off." "No! Tachyon'll hate me!"
Minamisaka leaves for Nature's group. Rampage, sensing no "stickiness," stays civil.
"We're friends, right?" Flora asks. "Friends? Just your one-sided 'love' talk." "Sorry… I blurt emotions." "Calling it love, though?" "Love and hate are close, no?" "You hate me?" "Your brain's fried, at least." "You said it."
Minamisaka glances, surprised. He thought Rampage avoided Flora, yet they're chatting.
"You're my goal to surpass. Admiration plus defeat brewed this 'love.' Like Graham in Gundam." "Graham's intense, but yours feels… stickier." "Maybe it's real. You're objectively captivating." "Why not act normal?"
Normal Flora's fine—Rampage would reciprocate. Her intensity sparks survival instincts.
"Tachyon and Flight love it." "Sisters, sure. But me, your 'rival'?" "Don't you learn more about rivals, try to like them?" "Kinda… not really…"
Rather not understand, but it's their first calm talk since "love" rants.
"I'm just here to ask you to help Tachyon." "Really?" "Really. I'm serious as a big sister." "Then stay like this. For my sanity." "Be my sister then?" "Creek-neesan's enough." "Shame."
Flora's quirk lingers, but Rampage feels a slight bond forming.
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