"Tonight, I extend my warmest welcome to all the Uma Musume gathered here, who will be competing in the Irish Champion Stakes. We have arranged this humble gathering for you tonight; please enjoy yourselves as you wish, whether making acquaintances or simply savoring the food. I hope that this wonderful time will fuel you to deliver performances worthy of determining Ireland's champion!"
A storm of applause erupted. Though the timing was different, Rampage was attending what could only be called the eve of the Irish Champion Stakes, a commemorative party. She wondered what exactly was "humble" about this event… To call such an unbelievably lavish party "humble"—this truly was the master of a nation. As she leaned against a wall, a tap on her shoulder startled her. Turning, she found a forefinger pressed into her cheek.
"Gotcha♪"
"Heh, you got me. But seriously, Sue-chan, you really look the part…"
"Hehe, impressed?"
"I'm falling for you all over again."
"Oh, stop it, say more♪"
Her dress, predominantly green and white like the Mejiro family, but accented with black, exuded grace and elegance. In it, Sue-chan didn't look like the familiar trainer Sue-chan, but rather Speed Symboli, a dignitary of the Symboli family. Her words were as casual as ever, but her aura was entirely different.
"Ramp-chan, you're dressed exactly as I expected."
"This is my racing outfit, after all. If you squint, it almost looks like a tuxedo… no, that's a stretch."
"It might if you buttoned the front."
"I can't button it, it's too tight around the chest."
"You are… well-endowed."
As they chatted, it was clear they were drawing attention from all around. There were heirs and presidents of major Uma Musume-related corporations, and probably the director of Ireland's Tracen Academy too. They thought they were being subtle, but their attempts at concealment were meaningless to someone with Rampage's life experience.
"Looks like there are a lot of people watching us, wanting to talk."
"Of course, there are. You've won here after Dubai, after all."
"If they want to talk, they should just come straight up. Don't keep staring with those creepy looks, it's disgusting."
"Ramp-chan, you really are masculine, aren't you? Are you what they call 'saba-saba-kei' these days?" (a type of person who is frank and easygoing, not bothered by trivial things)
"I'm not 'saba-saba,' I just lack femininity, that's all."
As their conversation continued, Sue-chan eventually drifted away to speak with His Majesty the King and the Director of the Irish Tracen Academy. Rampage expected this would make it easier for people to approach her, but no one came. Deciding it was too much hassle, she opted to enjoy the food. She hoped her unsophisticated palate, which had improved slightly, would still appreciate the meal prepared by the King of Ireland… Lost in thought, she noticed an Uma Musume approaching, seemingly ignoring the surrounding gazes.
"Um, Rampage-san, do you have a moment!?"
"You're… Saint Verdant, right?"
"Yes! Thank you for everything at the KGVI & QE Stakes! Um, can I… get an autograph?"
Her first interlocutor was a listener who had run with her. How fitting for me, she thought, and signed an autograph board. She even took a two-shot photo with her, which delighted Saint Verdant immensely. Her trainer, approaching to retrieve her, thanked Rampage with a defiant smile.
"It won't be so easy next time. Next time—I'll show you her true ferocity."
"Bring it on—wait, is it really ferocity?"
"…She's usually like this, but… she seems to have forgotten her wild side in her joy at meeting you… Forgive me, I must take my leave."
The trainer bowed politely and led Saint Verdant away. Rampage inwardly mused that his voice sounded like some gruff alien, but then, considering his charge, she decided he was more like a Machina pilot. Then, an elderly man approached. He looked like a benevolent old gentleman with a gentle smile, but though he used a cane, his back was perfectly straight and his voice was strong. Rampage thought: this trainer is the same type as my own trainer, Minamisaka.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Admiral K. Andersen, a trainer here in Ireland. I always follow your reputation, achievements, and streams."
"I'm honored to hear that. I'm Mejiro Rampage."
"Ohacon Hallow Ciao is perfectly fine too! In fact, my charge, my family, and I are all great fans of yours. Your enjoyable streams always energize us."
"Here, in public, haha. Even I, in my current state, still have some modesty, you know. I'd be delighted if a signature or a photo would suffice."
"Deal! My granddaughter, in particular, is a huge fan of yours."
Andersen possessed a pleasant and gentle demeanor, using polite language, yet radiating a formidable shrewdness. From behind him, an Uma Musume appeared. Rampage was slightly surprised; she resembled Ardan. No, if anything, this girl was taller and had a sturdier build, and her hair was black. There were many differences, but they truly looked alike. And her racing outfit resembled Rampage's – a white, masculine suit-like design.
"Trainer, aren't you going to introduce me soon?"
"Oh, my apologies! This is the Uma Musume I train, Ireland's Triple Tiara winner, Razgriz."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Razgriz. Please feel free to call me Booby."
"Mejiro Rampage here. But that doesn't sound like it relates to your name at all…?"
For a moment, Rampage thought it was an amusing nickname, but it made sense that the Uma Musume was "Booby" if her trainer was a Kestrel captain. However, she couldn't understand how the nickname came about. Apparently, she used to always finish last in races, but because she ran so joyfully, her friends affectionately called her Booby. She herself liked the sound, finding it cute.
"Well then… you can just call me Ramp, if you like. That's what my friends call me."
"Understood, Ramp-sama."
"Please drop the '-sama.' I'm a latecomer to the Mejiro family, a bit of an outsider, and I wasn't raised in high society."
"I also come from an ordinary family, so we're similar. You don't need to use honorifics with me either."
"Then, well… nice to meet you, Booby. Is that good?"
"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you too, Ramp-san."
They shook hands. Watching the two, Andersen nodded with a smile that seemed to say, "Excellent, excellent." Just then, a corner of the party venue began to grow noisy.
"It's a surprise!! How do you like it? It must have been the perfect action for that magnificent, streamlined body!"
"Whose body is a 'stone,' you say!? Get over here, I'll run you over!"
"Oh, a challenge? In that case, let's have a dance-off to see whose steps are sharper!"
"Why does it always come to that!? First, apologize to me!?"
"What, a fight?" Rampage wondered.
"Trainer, could it be…" Razgriz trailed off.
"At a party hosted by His Majesty the King… truly troublesome." Andersen sighed.
Looking towards the commotion, Rampage saw a silver-haired Uma Musume absolutely furious at a chestnut-haired Uma Musume. Judging by what she could hear, it seemed the silver-haired Uma Musume was angry because of a prank. Watching the scene, Razgriz covered her mouth with an "Oops…" and Andersen buried his face in his hands, muttering, "What a thing to happen…"
"Are they acquaintances, Booby?"
"Acquaintances, or rather… she's also an Irish Uma Musume. But she's quite fond of pranks…"
"The other one is… Silverstone-kun. I'll have to go assist her trainer…"
It seemed this party was unlikely to end in a peaceful atmosphere.
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