The Champions Cup had been decided, and Amazing Dyna reigned supreme. Standing her ground against a formidable international field, she had secured a magnificent victory. Even the overseas contenders had no choice but to bow their heads in graceful defeat, offering their sincere blessings to the new champion. Rampage, of course, was no exception.
"Congrats, Dyna. You really showed those heavyweights who's boss."
"I... I still can't quite believe it," Dyna stammered, her voice trembling with a mix of awe and exhaustion. "That I actually won... it feels like I'm caught in a dream."
"Can't believe it, huh? Well then, let's give you a reality check." Rampage turned toward the grandstands, her voice booming with charismatic authority. "Listen up, everyone! It seems our champion Dyna here doesn't quite realize how great her victory was—despite that look of pure joy she was wearing a second ago!"
"Wait—what?! Rampage-san!?"
"So, let's help her feel it! Let's give her a roar she'll never forget! Three, two, one—go!"
"DYNA! DYNA! DYNA! DYNA! DYNA! DYNA! DYNA!"
With the ease of a master conductor, Rampage seized control of the stadium's atmosphere, whipping the crowd into a rhythmic, deafening chant. Even the rivals who had just been defeated joined in. Though the sting of loss was real, they were true Racing Horse Girls at heart; if they couldn't celebrate a worthy victor with their heads held high, they had no right to stand on the track.
As the "Dyna-call" washed over her, Dyna's shell finally broke. A radiant, tearful smile split her face, and she screamed toward the sky.
"YEAHHHH! I'm going back overseas next year! And I'm going to win again! I've proven I'm a G1 Horse Girl! I'm going to become the face of Japanese dirt racing—just watch me!"
Her declaration of war—her vow to the world—sent a fresh shockwave of energy through the stands. Lady was the first to take up the gauntlet.
"I feel exactly the same! Let this be my declaration: at next year's BC Classic, the crown will be mine! I will prove once and for all that I am Mejiro Rampage's true rival on the dirt!"
Caught in the heat of the moment, Almecore let out a howl of her own.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that! Listen up—I lost today, but it won't happen twice! You better show up next year, because if you flake out, I'll never forgive you!"
Almecore had successfully evolved her "trump card" during the heat of the race, but the change had been so sudden that she hadn't quite mastered the adjustment. Once she reached her peak form, she would undoubtedly stand among the world's elite.
Amidst the shouting, some looked inward, contemplating their own paths; others simply beamed with joy, celebrating the victory while harboring their own quiet ambitions. In a whirlwind of conflicting emotions and shared respect, the Champions Cup came to a close, having crowned its true sovereign.
"Rampage-san, I am in a... how you say... big muddle!"
"Well, that's sudden. Where's this 'stick out of the blue' coming from?"
During practice at Pleiades, Taiki Shuttle had approached Rampage with an uncharacteristically solemn air. Usually, Taiki's "life consultations" were fairly lighthearted, but she seemed genuinely torn today.
"I want to try racing on the dirt, too!"
"Oh, so it's a surface crisis, is it?"
"I saw the Champions Cup. It was... SO moving! My heart went boom!"
"Ah. I figured as much."
Rampage knew Taiki had a high aptitude for both surfaces. In the records of history, Taiki had run on dirt and even won graded stakes. This sudden inspiration was clearly a result of witnessing the fire in Dyna's eyes.
"You do have the talent for it," Rampage mused. "We'll work on developing both. You'll be a 'dual-wielding' threat, just like me."
"YES! Double Sword Style! Cool!"
"Alright, I get it. I'll adjust your menu with that in mind."
"Thank you so much!" Taiki chirped, lunging forward to wrap Rampage in a powerful, high-energy hug. Lately, this had become her signature move to express joy.
Well, there are worse perks of the job, Rampage thought, only to feel a second weight latching onto her leg. She looked down to find Mayano Top Gun.
"Taiki-chan was hugging, so Maya wanted to hug, too! ♪"
"Oh! Maya-senpai! Let's hug! ☆"
"Let's hug~!"
"Whoa, okay! I guess I'm popular today," Rampage laughed.
Perhaps it was the lingering influence of her recent role playing a "mother" to the others, but Rampage found these hugs strangely comforting. Maybe my maternal instincts are finally waking up, she wondered. Well, that'll probably come in handy whenever I eventually get married.
She looked up to see Silence Suzuka, Air Groove, and Mejiro Dober staring at her with flat, judgmental eyes.
"What's up with you three? You want in on this too?"
"N-No, that's not it!" Dober stammered, her face turning bright red.
"We finished our sets and came for the next set of instructions," Air Groove said, her voice cool, though her gaze lingered on the "group hug." "But... were we interrupting something intimate?"
"Don't make it sound like you walked in on a soap opera. It's just skinship."
"But if that were Flora-san trying to hug you..." Suzuka trailed off.
"I'd punch her, kick her, stuff her in a drum, and let her drift out to sea," Rampage said without a moment's hesitation.
" " "Zero mercy..." " " the three whispered in unison.
Realizing the trio was looking at her with a mix of envy and bewilderment, Rampage decided it was time to get back to business. She reached down and gently patted the heads of the two girls clinging to her.
In that moment, Rampage's expression was so full of grace—like a benevolent, doting mother—that the three onlookers found themselves momentarily breathless.
"Alright, you two. Back to practice."
" "Okaaay! ♪" "
The two responded in perfect harmony, waving as they trotted off. At least they're obedient, Rampage thought, smiling as she turned to give the others their instructions. But before she could speak, Trainer Kamizuru hurried over.
"Rampage! You have a phone call."
"On the clubroom landline? Who is it?"
"It caught me off guard... I mean, it's the Matriarch of the Mejiro family. I thought my heart was going to stop."
"The Matriarch?!" Dober's reaction was the strongest, her face turning pale. She began to panic, wondering if her grandmother was calling to scold them or if Rampage had done something outrageous.
Rampage placed a calming hand on Dober's head. "That means she wants me. Sorry you had to take the hit, Kamizuru. Should I call her back?"
"No, I put her on hold. You can take it in the clubroom."
"Got it. Kami-chan, sorry, but can you watch things here for a bit?"
"Leave it to me."
Trainer Kamizuru had adapted well to Rampage's whirlwind style. Despite being a rookie, he had developed a backbone of steel. When senior trainers tried to mock him as Rampage's "lackey," he had learned to sharpen his tongue.
"If I'm her lackey, what does that make you?" he'd recently countered to a critic. "She won't even give you the time of day. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do for the world's strongest partner."
He was starting to act more like Rampage every day—a fact that made veterans like Okino and Tojo grimace with a mix of respect and headache.
"Dober's grandmother, Mejiro Asama... I wonder what business she has with Rampage-san," Suzuka mused.
"Who knows..." Dober murmured. "Grandmother and Sister are especially close. Honestly, with those two, anything is possible."
[Inside the Clubroom]
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Not at all. I could have reached you on your mobile, but I felt the proper channels were best for this particular matter."
"I see. And?"
"The venue is secured. All other arrangements are in place, so you may rest easy."
"I'm sorry for making you go through all this trouble, ma'am."
"Nonsense. It is for my dear granddaughter's sake. Please, allow me this much pleasure. Now—do your best. I look forward to the 'URA Finals & Legend Race Memorial Party.'"
Historical Note: Mejiro Rampage After Retirement
After retiring from her career as a broodmare, Mejiro Rampage took on the role of a "Lead Horse," guiding herds of weanlings through the difficult process of weaning. She also served as a foster mother to foals who had been rejected by their birth parents.
Occasionally, she could be seen leading the young ones across the fields in a magnificent, full gallop. Because it looked as though she were teaching them the proper way to run, the sight became affectionately known as "The Rampage Classroom."
Despite having birthed many foals, her physique remained so powerful and well-maintained that visitors were often left in awe. It was said that she would sometimes bolt across the paddock as if training herself for a race that had never ended. To catch a glimpse of her running in those moments was considered a sign of great fortune.
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