"Wait, applicants from overseas wanting to enroll in Tracen?"
"Yes, Tazuna-san mentioned it."
Finally cleared to practice after her rest period, Rampage immediately began training with her weighted "Rampage Iron" horseshoes. She expected it would take time to readjust to Japanese turf after running on European grass for so long, but perhaps her body remembered the feel better than her mind did; she adapted unconsciously. The body moves before the mind thinks—that is what makes a first-rate athlete, Minami-zaka had told her.
As they spoke, the conversation turned to how the Academy itself was buzzing, mirroring her own success.
"Japan is the country that birthed the Tyrant—the one who conquered both currents of horse girl racing. It seems the number of people wanting to raise themselves in this Japanese environment is increasing. Though, with applicants surging domestically not just for Central but for all Tracen schools, accepting everyone will be difficult."
"I heard the same thing at the regional centers. They called it a 'happy scream'."
In the regions, dirt racing was generally the mainstream. Perhaps because of that, many aspiring horse girls there aimed for dirt. Until now, many girls who excelled at dirt but felt discouraged by its secondary status compared to turf simply gave up. Even when potential new stars existed, they often chose not to enroll. That was changing.
"Still… overseas, huh? It's a risky choice. The environmental difference between Japan and the rest of the world is huge, and it demands broad adaptability. Well, if they plan to run in Japan without eyeing the global stage, that's different. Though, saying that feels weird considering our own 'Amazon-chan' is from the States."
"Hm? Did you say something, Senpai?"
"Nah, just mentioned your name in passing. I'm counting on you to clock Laurel and Dra-Ran's times properly."
"Hah! There is no way this Amazon would make a mistake!!"
Canopus's Hishi Amazon was originally born in America—what history would call a foreign-bred horse. Looking ahead to the coming years… famous names like Taiki Shuttle, Seeking the Pearl, Grass Wonder, El Condor Pasa, and Meisho Doto would be arriving almost annually. The so-called "Golden Generation" was drawing near.
"The Japanese environment, huh… People call it outdated, so I don't really see the point in diving into it…"
"Sometimes, returning to the basics is important. In any era, to move forward into the future, one must look back at the past to re-evaluate the present."
Above all, Japan had Rampage. The strongest and fastest horse girl who had traveled the world and won every battle. Her race footage was mandatory viewing regardless of running style. To see her run live was a treasure beyond compare. To speak with her was a boast for life. And if one received guidance from her… it was a source of pride.
That, according to Minami-zaka, was how she was being treated.
"Am I a cryptid or something? Sounds like I'm being treated like some new lucky charm."
"Well, you could be called a UMA-Musume." (Note: UMA = Unidentified Mysterious Animal)
"I'm gonna smack you, Minami-chan."
Still, it was proof that she had climbed to a height where such treatment was inevitable. Did she feel the weight of being the world's strongest and fastest? Not really. No matter what, she was just herself.
But if that was how the world saw her, what did that mean for Canopus?
"LAAAST ONE!!!!"
"HAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
"Keep going—Goal!! The result is———Laurel wins! Time difference is 0.61 seconds!!"
"I lost agaaaaain!!"
"Phew…"
"Next is the Hopeful Stakes! I'm gonna win!!"
"This time for sure, a G1 victory!!"
"I won't lose…!!"
In that sense, Canopus was benefiting to a degree where getting praised for it felt almost laughable. Turbo had been acknowledged as her disciple. Rice and Tanhauser received technical advice without reservation. Ikuno and Nature were her rivals and teammates. From an overseas perspective, Canopus was probably rated even higher than Spica or Rigil…
"You need to dial it back a bit. You're too conscious of Rampage."
"I-I know… I know, but…"
"She's the Senpai you admire, so I get the feeling. But that's exactly why you're being told not to imitate her too much. You have to respond to that."
"Don't tell me what I already know, you fool (tawake)! I know that…!!"
Air Groove, striving hard within Canopus, was currently sliding into a bit of a slump. Perhaps it was because her role model, the Rampage she admired so much, was about to retire. She knew she had to run her own race, but the image of Rampage's running stuck in her head, causing her to unconsciously mimic it. She was grateful to Sasada, the sub-trainer gaining experience by focusing on her, but her frustration led her to lash out at him occasionally.
"For better or worse, my retirement is having an impact, huh…"
"Canopus has been led by you as the leader, Rampage-san. Both as a team and in terms of race results."
"In cases like this, do we nominate a next captain like in baseball?"
"I believe that should be left to individual freedom."
Rice Shower and Air Groove were the two who had lost their form while she was overseas. Unlike Rice, who missed her "Big Sister," Air Groove's slump came from the absence of the idol she aspired to be. She had entered Tracen Academy and joined the same team as her idol, only for that person to leave for overseas within months. And just when she thought Rampage had returned in triumph, she announced a complete retirement. Air Groove's emotions were undeniably unstable.
"Yahoo~ Tawa—I mean, Sasada-chan. How is it? Gotten used to it yet?"
"Please stop calling me that, Air Groove calls me that enough already… Well, I guess I'm used to it. Though I'm nowhere near Minami-zaka Trainer's level."
"With that kind of spirit, you'll never break out of your eggshell, you fool (tawake)."
"Yeah, yeah. Instead of 'tawake', I'm gonna call you Enzan."
"Why!? That makes even less sense than 'tawake'!?"
Surprised that the reference didn't land, Rampage patted Air Groove on the head. Rice had been lonely too, but she had reacted differently—
『Onee-sama, Rice will win. So… so———please fight me seriously.』
She had slammed down a letter of challenge. Being told that by such a determined Rice made Rampage tremble involuntarily. As her big sister, she couldn't afford to be anything less than perfect, so preparation was essential.
But as the de facto leader of Canopus, she couldn't leave Air Groove in her current state. Wondering what to do, she remembered something Fine Motion had once done.
"Air-Air, come here a sec."
"W-What is it?"
"Lend me your ear."
Rampage sat down dramatically, pulling Air Groove onto her lap and whispering something into her ear. Sasada leaned in, curious about what was being said.
"Eavesdropping on a secret talk between maidens is a grave crime, you know."
"Ah, right, sorry… wait, you're a maiden…?"
"Just back off, you fool (tawake)!!"
Air Groove's shoe went flying into Sasada's face. He dodged it at the last second, avoiding disaster, but it would have hurt if it hit… it had a horseshoe attached, after all. At least it wasn't a Shinzan Iron.
Watching from a safe distance and wondering what they were discussing, Sasada noticed Air Groove's expression gradually brightening. Finally, she high-fived Rampage and quickly put her shoe back on.
"Come on, get ready!! We're continuing my training!!"
"Eh? What? Why are you suddenly so motivated? What did she whisper to you?"
"Just chanted a mysterious spell."
"Isn't that reference a bit old?"
"Just get ready already, you fool (tawake)!!"
"Ah, I really wish she'd just call me by my name…"
Having regained her energy, Air Groove immediately tackled her new menu. Sasada was startled by the sudden shift in tension but, seeing her motivation, eagerly joined in.
Watching them, Minami-zaka spoke to Rampage.
"You really are adored."
"This is part of my job too… Alright then, shall we hit the slopes? How many runs was it?"
"Three runs, to fix that rust."
"Too many as usual~…"
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