Agnes Flora: a two-time Japan Cup champion.
In recent years, the caliber of the Japan Cup has become nothing short of abnormal. One could argue it was entirely the fault of the "Dictatorial Tyrant," Mejiro Rampage. Her overwhelming dominance had forced her contemporaries and successors to reach for heights they never would have dared otherwise. This fierce evolution meant that Japanese Uma Musume were no longer just competing with the world—they were closing in on its throat.
『Agnes Flora-san, to whom would you like to dedicate this victory?』
"Is there anyone besides Rampage-san?" Flora replied instantly.
The answer was so devoid of hesitation, so utterly matter-of-fact, that it didn't just stun the interviewer; it paralyzed nearly every journalist in the room. Her trainer, Tojo, felt a sudden, familiar urge to bury her face in her hands. However, a few seasoned reporters—the ones who had followed Rampage's career from the beginning—simply broke into knowing grins. They were the first to break the silence.
"I suppose that's true. You've spent your entire career running against her ghost, haven't you?"
"If you hadn't been so obsessed with her, you probably could have set the record for the most total graded stakes wins by now. But then again... that wouldn't be you, would it?"
Flora offered them a radiant, grateful smile. This was the first time she felt truly understood.
"There is only one reason I am the runner I am today. My strength is inextricably linked to hers. And now, finally... I've managed to achieve one thing she never did: a second Japan Cup victory. Does this finally make me a worthy member of Team Rigil, I wonder?"
"What are you saying?" Tojo interrupted, her voice uncharacteristically sharp. "I have never once thought you were 'lacking' for Rigil. If you've been worrying about that kind of gossip, you've been wasting your breath. Those who can't see the essence of your talent aren't worth listening to."
The live broadcast captured it all. The viewers must have been shocked; the famously stoic and professional Trainer Tojo was speaking her mind with raw, unfiltered emotion in front of the cameras.
"What is your next move?" a reporter asked, sensing the shift in mood.
"Well... I think I'm done for the year. I want to prepare properly for the international circuit next season."
A collective sigh of understanding rippled through the room. The racing schedules of modern Uma Musume had become notoriously grueling—a trend, ironically, started by a certain someone who thought running the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Japan Cup back-to-back was a reasonable idea. After such an intense effort, a long rest was the only logical choice—
"Oh? Going on vacation already? That's a shame, I had a pretty good offer for you."
The voice cut through the room like a blade. The heavy doors to the press room swung open, revealing an Uma Musume leaning casually against the frame. Flora nearly lunged at her in a fit of excitement, but she forced herself to stay still. If she caused a scene now, Hana-san might actually follow through on her threat to kick her out of Rigil.
There she stood, in full racing silks: Mejiro Rampage.
"Well, this is rare," Flora said, her voice trembling slightly with suppressed joy. "I didn't expect to see you in a place like this."
"I used to practically live in these rooms back in the day," Rampage grunted, pushing off the doorframe. "Anyway, it's not about me. Flora, you just said you were free for the rest of the year, right?"
"Eh? Well, yes... that was the plan. Rest, then training for the overseas campaign."
"Right," Tojo added, stepping in. "I was planning to organize some high-level mock races after her break to keep her sharp."
"In that case," Rampage said, a predatory smirk playing on her lips, "I've got something better."
She reached into her jacket with practiced theatricality and pulled out a single envelope. With a flick of her wrist, she sent it flying through the air like a shuriken. It hissed through the room and landed perfectly in Flora's hand.
"Whoa! ...And what exactly is this?"
"An invitation to the Legend Race. I've secured a Special Recommendation slot. The registration is open—you can enter any regulation you like."
Typically, the Legend Race and the Finals required runners to claw their way through grueling qualifiers. However, as the co-organizer and primary consultant for the event, Rampage held the "Special Recommendation" privilege. In truth, she hadn't even known the privilege existed until the URA Chairwoman had pointed it out. Now, she was handing it to Flora.
"For the record," Rampage added, "I'm entering the Turf Mid-Distance bracket."
Flora's eyes widened. "Heh... how delightful. I thought I'd never get another chance to take you down. You're giving me exactly what I wanted."
"Don't get cocky. I didn't stay undefeated by accident. Besides, the 'me' you just beat today was the ghost of my younger self—pre-Senior year. Don't act like you've won the war just because you've finally caught up to my shadow."
"Oh, I'll do more than catch up," Flora countered, her competitive fire roaring back to life. "I'm going to win. I'll be the one to hand you your first ever black mark."
"You've certainly found your tongue, haven't you? Hah!"
The Japan Cup victory interview had completely devolved into a verbal sparring match between the two rivals. The actual race results were already becoming an afterthought. But then, Rampage's expression shifted slightly.
"Also... I might not even be the one you have to worry about. Hell, I might lose too."
"My, my. Aren't we being humble today?" Flora teased.
"Listen to me, you idiot. Look at the lineup for the Mid-Distance Legend Race. We're talking Maruzensky-san, Katsuragi Ace-san... even the TTG trio is participating."
Flora's face went instantly pale. The fighting spirit vanished, replaced by a mask of pure horror. The reporters, too, seemed to lose the ability to breathe. Maruzensky? Katsuragi Ace? Ten Point, Tosho Boy, and Green Grass?
"That's... that's not a race," Flora whispered. "That's a demon's den. It's a massacre."
"Exactly. I was honestly worried about what I'd do if the President (Symboli Rudolf) decided to join in too..."
Flora slowly extended the envelope back toward Rampage. "Um... actually, can I give this back?"
"No cooling-off periods allowed. You keep it," Rampage smirked.
"Gwah?!" Flora looked at the invitation as if it were a cursed artifact. She wanted to run with Rampage again—she truly did—but the rest of that lineup was insane. There wasn't a single word in her vocabulary for that race other than impossible.
"Well, if you don't show up, I'll just have to enjoy my rematch with Ryan without you," Rampage said, turning to leave.
"Ugh! Fine! I get it! I'll do it!" Flora screamed, her competitive pride winning out over her common sense. "I'll enter the Legend Race! Damn it all! Hana-san, please help me build a training menu that won't kill me!"
"I know, I know," Tojo sighed, patting her student's shoulder. "Stop crying. I understand how you feel."
"Right then," Rampage called out over her shoulder as she reached the exit. "I'll leave you to your interview. Take care of yourselves, everyone. Stay strong and do your good deeds for the day!"
And with that, Rampage vanished as quickly as she had arrived, leaving a trail of chaos in her wake. It had been a whirlwind. Flora looked up at the ceiling, trying to calm her racing heart... but internally, she was losing her mind for a different reason.
(Oh my god... the invitation smells exactly like Rampage-san... I'm going to treasure this forever!)
She had fully transitioned from "terrified athlete" back to "obsessed fangirl" in record time.
"Ah! Mama! Where did you go?! Maya was so lonely, I'm totally pouting right now!"
"I was worried too, you know," another voice added. "You just changed your clothes and disappeared..."
"I just had a little errand to run. Sorry, you two," Rampage said, her voice softening instantly as she joined the two girls waiting for her. "To make it up to you, how about I make my special carrot hamburg for dinner tonight?"
"Yay! Maya loves Mama's carrot hamburg! Put cheese in it too!"
"Yes, yes, whatever you want."
And so, the source of all the day's chaos—the Tyrant herself—quietly headed home to her family, leaving the rest of the world to deal with the aftermath.
Character Profile: Mejiro Stampede (Colt)
The eleventh foal of Mejiro Rampage. His sire is Mejiro Palmer. His name was chosen in the hope that he would create a "new craze" or "frenzy" in the racing world.
As Mejiro Palmer was nearing his retirement from stud duties, Rampage was chosen as his final mate. The result was a foal born from the two greatest "Escape" specialists in Mejiro history. Inheriting his parents' genes, he excelled at front-running, but his style was wildly inconsistent. Sometimes he would pull off a "Grand Escape" (Daitouge), and other times he would maintain a more controlled lead. This made him a nightmare for rival jockeys, as no one could predict his rhythm until the race actually started.
This unpredictability proved to be a lethal weapon. He won the Satsuki Sho with a massive breakaway lead, placed 3rd in the Derby with a more measured front-running style, and claimed the Kikuka Sho by slowing the pace to a crawl before kicking away—becoming a Two-Crown winner. Interestingly, in a rarity for Rampage's offspring, he absolutely loathed dirt tracks.
Jockey: Taisei Yamada. He described the horse as "the definition of free-spirited." He was notoriously difficult to control, prideful, and mischievous—traits Yamada claims were inherited directly from his mother.
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