"Phew... Alright, that should do it."
Having finished her run, Ryan wiped the sweat from her brow and began unbuckling the weighted shoes she had been wearing. As she pried them off, the iron hit the dirt with a heavy, dull thud, burying itself slightly in the earth before she swapped them for fresh horseshoes.
They were Shinzan irons—the same heavy-duty training gear Rampage used. Ryan had finally worked her way up to eight times the standard weight. Yet, she still couldn't stand on the same level as her. It was a difference in raw experience, plain and simple. There was no point in rushing; she had to proceed at her own pace.
"Ah, good work, Ryan. Here, drinks."
"Thanks, Palmer. You running laps too?"
"Something like that."
The Uma Musume of the Mejiro family shared a deep bond, and that connection was even stronger among those of the same generation.
"So, is the Arima Kinen next for you, Ryan?"
"Yeah. It's the last chance I'll have to run against Lan... and actually, I've been thinking about retiring, too."
"Seriously?! You're retiring too, Ryan?"
"I mean moving on to the Dream Trophy League. It's not like I'm quitting racing entirely."
Hearing this, Palmer involuntarily sighed in relief. If Ryan—a Mejiro Triple Crown winner—were to retire completely, it would cause an uproar. Worst case scenario, the value of the Dream Trophy League itself could crash. With the Rampage-led Finals and Legend Races allowing retired racers to participate, people were already whispering that there was no point in advancing to the Dream Trophy League.
"That said, I still think the Dream Trophy League is practically a step up, you know? The Legend Races target retired Uma Musume, but to be in the League, you have to remain enrolled at Tresen. The training regimen and environment are on a different level."
"I guess I can see that... but still... wow."
Noticing that Palmer seemed convinced, Ryan turned the question around. After all, her next race should be the same.
"You're entering too, right Palmer?"
"That's the plan. But... I'm thinking of challenging the overseas circuit next year."
"Eh? You are?"
"Lan invited me. There aren't many long-distance G1 races in Japan, right? She told me that since I can sustain a Great Escape even over long distances, why not aim for a G1 overseas? So, I'm prepping for it now. Full throttle starting next year."
Mejiro Palmer, one of the Mejiro "Four Kings." While her ability was highly rated enough to earn that title, a G1 victory had always remained just out of reach. Palmer's greatest weapon was her stamina over long distances, but in Japan, the only G1 races that fit that bill were the Spring Tenno Sho and the Arima Kinen. It was self-evident, then, that she would seek a battlefield abroad.
"Maybe after next year's Spring Tenno Sho... I'll go. It'd be pretty funny if my first G1 win happened overseas, wouldn't it?"
"What are you saying? You have a shot at winning the Spring Tenno Sho too."
"Yeah, but McQueen is there, so it's gonna be tough~"
Palmer laughed jokingly, but beneath the smile, a fierce competitive spirit flickered in her eyes. She acknowledged McQueen's strength, but she had no intention of bowing to it; rather, she had the will to devour that strength and surpass it. As a fellow runner who lived by the "escape" strategy, she refused to lose.
Then, Palmer cut to the heart of the matter.
"——Say, Ryan. What did you think when you heard Lan was retiring?"
"That's what you really wanted to ask, isn't it?"
"Ahaha..."
"Honestly? I just thought, 'So, the time has finally come.'"
Ryan hadn't been particularly surprised by the news of Rampage's retirement. If anything, she felt only a touch of loneliness knowing that the next race would be the last time she could compete against Lan in the Twinkle Series.
"In a way, I'm the one who dragged Lan onto this side. So, I always thought that when she wanted to quit, she should be allowed to quit. I decided a long time ago I wouldn't stop her. Besides, this seems like the perfect place to draw the line."
"Still, retiring without even going to the Dream Trophy League... that's a pretty drastic decision."
"I think so too. But it's a very Lan choice."
It was a choice that prioritized others over herself. Ryan deeply respected the decision of her best friend—her family—who wished to help create the next legend for someone else rather than continue building her own.
"Actually... suggesting that Lan transfer into Tresen Academy was just my selfishness."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"Back then, I was constantly comparing myself to McQueen. I kept thinking, 'Ah, I'm no good,' or 'This isn't like me.' But I was the only one who knew how incredible Lan's running was. It was a situation where only I knew."
Recommending Rampage for the transfer exam to her grandmother had been an act of ego. Ryan had wanted someone else to know the brilliance that only she knew. She wanted to be seen, too. But then... being able to attend the same academy as Rampage became a joy. It became motivation. Training together made her happy; running became fun again. It pushed her to keep sprinting forward, faster and faster.
"You call that selfishness? ...Man, I can't help but feel crushed by the weight of the Mejiro signboard sometimes. It's amazing you can think that way."
"Ahahaha, you think? That's why I'm going to run. As the person responsible for inviting Lan here, and to be able to stand tall as the Triple Crown winner she guided me to be... You should just run with Lan, too, Palmer."
"Run with someone, huh... True. If it's with Lan, maybe I can run alongside Helios, too! A Great Escape trio!"
They shared a loud, genuine laugh at the thought. There was no hesitation, just heartfelt mirth.
"Alright then! Next race, I'm going to escape for real. I'll beat Lan and take my first G1 title!!"
"That's the spirit. And while you're at it, tear past McQueen and me, too. Go ahead and call yourself the head of the Mejiro Four Kings."
The Uma Musume who bore the Mejiro name looked forward, obeying her honest desire to compete. She made a big wish: Let this be the greatest race possible.
With that thought in their hearts, the two began to run together.
Towards the fate that would crystallize all these feelings. Towards the greatest domestic G1—the Arima Kinen—which was finally about to begin.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded over 40 chapters of this story on Patreon.
If you're enjoying it and want to read ahead, feel free to check them out here:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thanks a lot for your support, it really helps me keep going.
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"