Mejiro Rampage's nickname is "The Tyrant."
It was a moniker derived from her name—implying one who rampages violently—and it had stuck. Even overseas, that reputation remained largely unchanged. However, recently, other names had begun to take root. Due to the absolute strength she displayed in races, people began to call her the "Demon God," the "Supreme Ruler," and even the "Demon King."
Several titles, all derivatives of a king, were born from her legend. And recently, she had begun to show a form truly worthy of those names.
"Ran-chan, that's enough for the slope course."
"One more. Just one more run. Please."
"...Good grief. Fine, but I'm changing your menu for later if you do this."
"I owe you one, Sue-chan."
Lowering her head in thanks, she immediately accelerated, heading back toward the incline. It was literal explosive speed—an instantaneous shift from zero to max that left the reporters who had requested an interview dumbfounded.
"I-I can't believe it... Is that really the acceleration of someone who just finished a slope run!?"
"It's insane... She's so strong on the hills, it makes you think she's lost her mind..."
How many runs had she done now? Yet her speed hadn't dropped in the slightest. As someone who had trained by running up mountains, she couldn't go raising the white flag just because the terrain was a little steep—if she did, the legendary Shinzan would strike her down with lightning.
But the onlookers didn't know that context. To the reporters, it simply looked as though Rampage was putting in a superhuman effort to conquer the notorious 10-meter elevation difference of Longchamp.
While she took a short breather before the next training menu, a reporter seized the chance to ask a question.
"M-Mejiro Rampage-san! The Arc de Triomphe is finally approaching. How confident are you!?"
"Confidence? Who knows."
"'W-Who knows,' you say..."
The answer was the exact opposite of what he had expected. His body stiffened as if he'd been hit by an unexpected counterpunch.
"Confidence isn't something you understand until the day of the race. I'm in the middle of building that confidence right now. A confidence that will absolutely never betray me."
This reporter was from a publishing house that Rampage, having come from Japan, was fond of; they spoke often, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were familiar with each other. Yet, the reporter could never forget her eyes at that moment.
They were as calm and beautiful as a meticulously clear stream. Seeing her face herself with such extreme composure, looking nothing like someone standing before the world's highest peak that is the Arc, the reporter fell genuinely in love with her spirit.
"P-Please let me reserve the victory interview!"
"Sure thing. I like your outfit, after all."
She laughed good-naturedly and returned to her training menu. The reporter felt a flush of embarrassment at his reflexive request, but more than that, he wanted to see just how far she could go. As a single fan...
The day had finally arrived. The press conference for the Horse Girls running in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was about to begin.
Every Horse Girl present was a fierce competitor, a lineup worthy of the event. Rampage, counted naturally among the favorites, was leaning against a wall, waiting quietly. Naturally, she wasn't smoking a herb cigar.
As she waited in silence, one Horse Girl approached her.
"Do you have a moment?"
"What is it?"
"...Mejiro Rampage... The King who came to Europe with Speed Symboli as a trainer... To think that person is a trainer... I still can't believe it."
There was a mixture of nostalgia, disbelief, and exasperation in her voice. Hearing her speak, Rampage realized there was only one Horse Girl she could be. She had heard a little about this before—that a certain "vulgar person" related to Symboli was returning from England...
"I get along pretty well with Sue-chan."
"With Sue-chan...? You accomplish things I never could. It is worthy of respect."
"I don't know if I should be respected for that."
When Rampage gave a wry smile, the girl laughed as if infected by it. Then, she named herself.
"My apologies. I am Alternative Seven. Believe it or not, I was originally connected to the Symboli line."
"Mejiro Rampage. I've heard of you, though only a little. Sue-chan was worried about you, you know. Want to talk to her after this?"
"If you would be so kind as to introduce us."
Sue-chan would surely want to see her, so Rampage agreed to the introduction. They likely had a mountain of things to discuss. Just as they shook hands with that intention, another Horse Girl who had been watching nearby looked over with visible interest.
"Hey, hey! Are you two close? You've been talking happily for a while now!!"
"First time meeting. But there's no need to be prickly just to have a conversation."
"Agreed."
"Heeeh~ well then, talk to me too!!"
Just as she said that, the start time for the interview was announced. The Horse Girl pouted, saying, "Ehh~ just a little longer wouldn't hurt~," but quickly resolved it herself with a cheerful, "Well, we can talk later!" and walked away.
The press conference for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe finally began. The moment permission to film was granted, countless flashes erupted. An explanation of the Longchamp Racecourse followed.
"We would now like to invite comments from the participating Horse Girls."
Even amidst the spectacle, time pressed on mercilessly. Comments began to be taken. Everyone directed various things toward this Arc—effort, dreams, wishes. They had come here to hurl all of that against each other in the greatest race on the greatest stage.
"O-Otter Journey-san, thank you very much..."
"Hunsu-Hunsu!!" (Aggressive sniffing noises)
"N-Next, Deep Charge-san."
The moderator, sweating as he dealt with Otter Journey—a Horse Girl inexplicably wearing a mascot costume—passed the microphone to the next runner.
"I will win. That is all. No matter who the opponent is... even if it is Mejiro Rampage."
A murmur of admiration leaked from the press corps at the aggressive comment. Yes, this is what we wanted, everyone seemed to nod. They didn't want polite comments like "I just ate so I'm sleepy"; they wanted fire. While the sleepy comment might be "delicious" in its own way, they craved this declaration of war against the undefeated Rampage.
"Okay then, next is me!! I, Nacht Vorhang, vow to run a race that is fun, exciting, and makes everyone smile!!"
She made a triumphant face as if to say, "I said something good!", puffing her nose proudly (Mufu~♪), completely unaware that the surrounding gazes were looking at her with warmth rather than intimidation. But what she said was good, and indeed necessary for a stage like the Arc.
Next, the mic was passed to Alternative.
"Next is Alternative Seven-san, who defeated Best Routine—a horse who has also faced Mejiro Rampage!"
"...Ah."
She accepted the microphone quietly. She composed herself. In the flowing silence, only the sound of camera shutters echoed. Amidst the tension created by Alt's unique aura, the awaited comment was—
"I aim for victory."
An extremely simple statement overflowing with determination. As everyone marveled at the weight behind those few words, the next Horse Girl took the microphone.
Everyone had been waiting for this. They had been waiting for her comment, waiting for this moment, for a very long time.
"I... I have been waiting for this. Ever since that day at Fuchu, at the Japan Cup."
She could still remember the days she called repeatedly, rushing to ask for a race. She remembered the resolve she made back then. She was here now precisely because of the words exchanged that day. Glancing at Rampage beside her, she continued.
"I am challenging you. I don't care about consecutive victories. This is my pride—no, this is a duel I am staking everything on. I'm glad you came to this Arc as promised, Rampage."
El Gutts.
Once, she was a Horse Girl defeated by Rampage at the Japan Cup. Afterward, she spent every day preparing to become an opponent worthy of Rampage, aiming for the world stage. In the end, she conquered last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
And now—the time to cross paths again had come. She didn't care about a repeat win; all that existed within her was the drive to defeat Rampage.
"And finally... Mejiro Rampage-san, if you please."
"Right then."
Yes. The Arc de Triomphe is the world's greatest race, but for her, it was also the place to fulfill a promise made back then.
"There are many kinds of 'special' in this Arc. There is a heaviness here that makes you nod in agreement when people call it number one in the world. Everyone has their own special reason. But my 'special' is just one thing..."
She looked out at the crowd.
"To run the best race at this Arc. That's it. To perform the ultimate run on the ultimate stage. Races where you can do that, against opponents like this... they don't come around often. I'm going to enjoy this—with everything I've got."
With that declaration and a fearless grin, countless flashes ignited. Everyone had a premonition: this Arc would undoubtedly be one of the greatest in history.
That premonition would prove to be dead on. It was a press conference that left everyone thinking: I want that moment to come, and I want it now.
(Author's Note)
I received "Otter Journey" from GameMaster-sama, "Deep Charge" from Bushido (Kappa)-sama, and "Nacht Vorhang" from Musou Levelt-sama. Thank you very much!!
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