"Hmm, let's see…"
Tojo watched them walk away. Even with Rampage leaning on Fuji's shoulder, her silhouette was massive—imposing. This was the "Tyrant" who had claimed the title of the world's fastest and strongest. In her retirement interview, she had declared she would keep running to make the dreams of others grow. Watching her now, Tojo realized Rampage wasn't just resting on her laurels; she was burning her own wick to light the path for the next generation.
"Brian," Tojo said, her voice turning stern. "Rampage went to the brink for you. Anything less than first place in the Kikuka-sho is unacceptable."
"I have no intention of taking anything else."
"Hayahide, I'll be setting up the Tenno Sho prep myself. No more 'independent' negotiations with Rampage."
"Understood."
"Good. It's going to be a busy season." But first, Tojo thought, I need to find a way to force that girl to take a damn nap.
"Man… I'm a mess. I'm more beat than I was after setting up the Finals. I might have actually overdone it this time."
After Fuji helped her to her car, Rampage had managed to drive herself home. Now, she was slumped on her sofa, laughing at her own state of ruin.
"Long distance really isn't for me."
"Truly. You are such a troublesome little lamb. Though, I suppose that's what makes you so darling."
Rampage didn't even open her eyes. "I'm too tired to cook anything fancy today. You're getting braised pork and that's it… wait, why are you in my house again?"
"Yoo-hoo! I came to see my favorite little lamb! ♡"
Sitting right there on the sofa next to her was Darley Arabian, one of the Three Goddesses.
"Why are you here today?" Rampage asked, giving a weary shrug.
"Well, I tried to come visit you sooner, but Turk kept stopping me. I finally managed to slip away when she wasn't looking."
"Isn't Byerley Turk going to be pissed when you get back?"
"Oh, don't worry about the small stuff! Besides, I came to reward you for all your hard work. You shouldn't push yourself so hard, you know."
Suddenly, Darley pulled Rampage into a soft, warm embrace. She smelled like sunshine and ancient earth. She gently stroked Rampage's hair.
"I know you care about your juniors," Darley whispered. "But you mustn't forget that your juniors love you, too. If they heard their precious legend collapsed because she worked herself to death for them, they'd be devastated. Resting is a vital part of the job, too."
"..."
"It's okay to stop. I know you're trying to live every moment to the fullest for the 'other' Rampage's sake. But 'living' isn't just about reckless work and building dreams for others. Caring for yourself is just as important."
Rampage remained silent. She hadn't realized she was carrying that burden—the feeling that she had to live twice as hard because she was living in place of the girl who was gone. She had been ignoring her own fatigue, treating it as a necessary tax for her existence.
"Maybe… that's just something I don't know how to do," Rampage muttered.
"Then I'll teach you. You can call on me anytime. I'd be happy to let you drown in my affection—"
Darley's voice was dripping with a mix of maternal warmth and divine seduction, but she suddenly cut herself off. Her lip twitched. A cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
Rampage looked up. Standing behind the sofa was Godolphin Barb, wearing a serene, terrifying smile, and Byerley Turk, whose forehead was bulging with a visible vein of pure rage.
"Did you honestly think you could slip past me?" Turk growled.
"N-Now, Turk! We were having a moment! A very important, emotional moment! In the mortal world, they have a word for this—you're being a 'buzzkill'!"
"Is that so? Well, in the divine world, we have a word for fools who sneak across the boundary. You're getting the Iron Claw. And stop trying to seduce Rampage while she's vulnerable."
"I wasn't seducing! I was just offering my love—Gah!"
Turk didn't wait for the explanation. She clamped an Iron Claw grip onto Darley's head and began dragging her toward a shimmering rift in the air.
"My apologies for the intrusion," Turk said, nodding politely to Rampage as she hauled the screaming Goddess away. "We'll be taking this one back. Don't let her trouble you."
They vanished into particles of light. Godolphin Barb patted Rampage on the shoulder.
"I… uh… do you want some braised pork to take back with you?" Rampage asked blankly.
"That's a tempting offer, but I'll pass for today. It looks like you have another visitor coming," Godolphin said with a wink. "Take care, Rampage. We'll see you soon."
She faded away just as the doorbell rang.
A visitor? Rampage dragged herself to the front door and opened it.
"Hey. Are you free right now?"
Standing there was her sub-trainer, Kamizuru.
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