"Hehe, how is it, Ramp-chan? Feeling calm?"
"Amazingly calm… I've done this for Bright before, but I wonder if she felt this way…"
Rampage was resting her head on Sue-chan's lap. Sue-chan, of course, was the one providing it, gently stroking Rampage's head with an affection and love typically reserved for her own grandchild. To Sue-chan, Rampage was as good as family; she wished she could welcome her into the Symboli family immediately if Rampage desired it. Well, if she did that, she'd incur Asama's wrath, so she wouldn't. Besides, Rampage would likely be more comfortable in the Mejiro family anyway.
"Even so, what's wrong, Ramp-chan? Why the sudden request for a lap pillow?"
"No particular reason, just—I felt like being spoiled. I'm still just a kid, after all."
"Hehe, a young girl who hobnobs with national leaders, I see."
At that, Rampage turned away, hiding her face. In truth, she couldn't articulate why she had suddenly wanted this. She could only say that she had simply felt like it. Just as she was about to move, thinking she might be a nuisance, the hand stroking her head stopped her.
"It's alright. Whenever you want to be spoiled, just say so. I consider myself your grandmother, after all."
"…I'm a Mejiro, you know."
"That doesn't matter at all. I adore Teio-chan as a granddaughter, too."
That's probably because you feel some kind of destined connection with her, Rampage thought, but such kindness was genuinely appreciated. She no longer had any blood relatives she could proudly call family, making her, in a sense, an isolated existence. She could only feel gratitude for those who treated her as family.
"…Sue-chan."
"Yes?"
"I love you, so please watch me. My… race."
She sat up, brushed a kiss on Sue-chan's cheek, then grabbed her coat from the chair and began to walk away.
"Hehe, it would be awkward for A-chan, so this is one of the perks, isn't it~♪"
Sue-chan wriggled, overcome with affection from her granddaughter. She might be acting too giddy for her age, but no grandmother wouldn't delight in a kiss from a beloved grandchild. With that thought, Sue-chan picked up her phone. The recipient, of course, was Asama.
"Hello, A-chan?"
"I can hear you. Is something wrong? You should be heading out soon."
"Hey, won't you give Ramp-chan to Symboli?"
"If you want to talk in your sleep, I'll put you into eternal slumber."
Later, Ryan, McQueen, and Palmer, who had been watching TV together at the time, would tell Rampage that Asama's forehead had been covered in throbbing veins, and her voice had been absolutely furious.
Leopardstown Racecourse. Located in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, this G1 race, held at Ireland's premier racecourse, was the festival that determined Ireland's strongest Uma Musume, its champion: the Irish Champion Stakes. Spectators from overseas had flocked to the venue, filling it to an unprecedented capacity. The race's high profile was certainly due to some Uma Musume using it as a stepping stone to the Arc de Triomphe, but this time, there was more to it—a substantial reason.
"Can you hear the incredible fervor and cheers from this packed house?! Even for the Irish Champions Weekend, has there ever been such an outpouring of sound? We can see from here that many people have come from Japan! Banners cheering for our Dictator are unfurled in the stands! And now, as if responding to these voices, here she comes, the pride of Japan!! 26 wins in 26 starts, overseas turf and dirt G1 victories—her achievements are countless!! May she continue to soar to unimaginable heights!! Mejiro Rampage!!!"
As she appeared, a roar that seemed to split the sky erupted. Intense shouts of adoration were directed at her as she made her way onto the turf. She hadn't intended to respond, but looking at the stands, Rampage was momentarily speechless.
"All citizens under the Dictatorship, we've come to cheer you on~!!"
"Your Excellency~ victory to our hands~!!"
"Is that what it is…"
Before, she had encountered Rice Shower's unofficial fan club, the Blue Rose Society. (Incidentally, that became an official fan club after the Japan Derby.) She knew she had a fan club too, but it had only been a name. The Gathering of the People Under the Tyrant's Rule—this fan club sported horseshoes, like necklaces, resembling the image of the horseshoe she used for her streaming account.
"You're popular, Your Excellency."
"Spare me, Booby. And why 'Your Excellency'…?"
Approaching her, chuckling with amusement, was Razgriz, Ireland's Triple Tiara winner. She wore a white military-style ceremonial uniform, somewhat contrasting with Rampage's own. Arriving in the Twinkle Series as the "Pitch-Black Devil," she was lauded as the "Pitch-Black Hero" upon achieving the Triple Crown. And this ceremonial uniform was bestowed upon her by the URA. The "White Hero"—it symbolized Razgriz's glorious triumph.
"Looks fun, doesn't it? Are those your supporters? What incredible fervor."
Silverstone approached, her voice teasing, as she gazed at the stands. She, too, had her own fans, but their enthusiasm seemed strangely different. It was almost like… they were dressed like an F1 pit crew.
"They look like a motorsport cheering squad, those guys."
"Hmph, of course. They're all members of my father's team."
"Your team, you say?"
"My father is an F1 racer, and I intend to follow in his footsteps."
Among the career paths for Uma Musume who retire from the Twinkle Series, there is a significant trend: the realm of speed. Many choose to race not with their own legs but with machines, and motorsport is quite popular in the Uma Musume world. Despite being hardier than ordinary humans and thus able to withstand greater G-forces, the existence of top-tier drivers who can outperform such Uma Musume is also a factor in its popularity. Silverstone was the daughter of such a father, supported by an equally strong mother.
"Papa and Mama lead an amazing F1 team, built on everyone's trust, and that amazing team supports me. With them, I'm invincible, I'll never lose!!"
Rampage and Booby involuntarily broke into smiles. Overflowing with parental love, and with the trust and affection of the team her parents led, Silverstone had the most ideal conditions imaginable. Approaching the race with such a magnificent expression, Rampage thought, She's a formidable opponent. Just then, something popped into view.
"Despite saying that, you've had two second-place finishes. It's surprising that you don't consider those losses."
"…Shut up. Don't interject with unnecessary comments."
It was the mischievous imp, Shall We Dance. It seemed her trainer had indeed allowed her to race. But was it her imagination…? There was a slightly reddened spot near her temple. Just the kind of mark that a finger might hide… Could it be the trainer's iron claw mark?
"In any case, today's protagonist is me! You all are merely accessories, side dishes, appetizers! Do your best to be factors that will make my dance a huge success!!"
Shall We Dance strutted towards the gate, appealing to the crowd with a triumphant laugh. Watching her, Silverstone subtly whispered to Rampage and Booby.
"Apparently, her trainer groveled like crazy after that commotion to get her permission to race, you know? Yet she can still say things like that, so she's amazing in a way, that one…"
"Shall should know that herself… Well, being able to stick to your guns is a kind of strength, I suppose…"
"Well, yeah… Good luck today."
"You too."
"Indeed."
The three of them, ignoring Shall, shook hands firmly. A round of applause erupted for this display of sportsmanship. And then—the gate entering finally began. Rampage was in the far outside post. But she resolved in her heart that no matter where she was, she would simply run, and she waited for that moment. And then…
"And now the Irish Champion Stakes has started… and they're off!! The battle to decide who will be Ireland's strongest Uma Musume has begun, and leading the pack is Mejiro Rampage! No, there are other Uma Musume who also got off to an excellent start! Silverstone, Razgriz, Shall We Dance!!! Three Uma Musume boldly challenge Mejiro Rampage's domain! Four runaway Uma Musume are lined up, it's a great escape battle!!!"
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