The miracle had repeated itself. For the second year in a row, a Japanese Umamusume stood atop the podium at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Following in the footsteps of Rampage—who had claimed victory on the nation's fourth attempt—it was Agnes Flora, the "Great Bloom," who secured the consecutive win. She had done so by refusing to flee from the "Tyrant's" shadow, choosing instead to fight until the very end.
"Agnes Flora! Agnes Flora! AGNESS—FLORA!!! Sakura Laurel takes second! She's done it! A spring breeze has swept through the City of Light! Blooming across Europe today are the Great Bloom of Japan and our National Flower! It's a 1-2 finish for Flora and Sakura! The petal-storm that rose in Japan has now enveloped all of Europe! Let no one say it was just the Tyrant—this is Japan! Look upon them, world! These are our Umamusume!"
It was undeniable proof that Japan had finally reached the world stage—or perhaps, had even surpassed it. Flora's time matched Rampage's world record, and Laurel had been breathing down her neck until the final stride. No longer could they be dismissed as a mere "Far Eastern island nation." Two flowers had graced the finish line of the world's most prestigious race. Their beauty left the world in a state of absolute shock.
「Heh... ahaha... hahahaha!」
I couldn't stop the tears. I didn't want to do something as boorish as suppressing the joy and raw emotion welling up from the depths of my soul. I couldn't stop laughing. As I watched my sister thrust her fist high into the air, her body trembling with the weight of the moment, the words spilled out of me.
「Ah... I knew it. You really are my hero... You're incredible...」
Giant teardrops fell as I sobbed. I felt pathetic, crying like this in front of my friends and my sister, but the emotions were simply too much to contain. My sister really is amazing. She's the best in the world. That single thought raced through my veins, overflowing.
「Pocket... Cafe... Sister... Sister Flora is... ugh... waaaaaah!」
「There, there... Tachyon. Your sister... she really is something else, isn't she?」
Flight pulled Tachyon into a tight embrace. Usually, Tachyon treated her sister with cold indifference, frustrated by Flora's "hopeless" personality. She had often lamented that she wanted to be proud of her sister but couldn't find a reason to be. And yet... for both of them, she was the sister they loved and respected. A sister so great she could conquer the greatest race in the world.
「That was seriously awesome, Flora-san! This is the Arc we're talking about! She actually won it!」
「Truly... truly magnificent. She is worthy of the highest respect.」
Ah... those were the words I wanted to hear. My sister is...
「The best in the entire world...」
「Phew... so I lost, huh?」
Sakura Laurel exhaled as she watched Flora stand ahead of her. Strangely, there was no bitterness—only a refreshing sense of exhilaration. She had given everything in a fair fight and lost; she could hold her head high with no regrets. At the same time, Laurel understood exactly why she had lost. It was, quite literally, a difference in "tenure."
(Flora-san has been chasing Rampage-san's back for much longer than I have. The time I spent running during the Derby doesn't even compare... and then there's her stature as a rival.)
Even when Rampage had become the absolute hegemon, Flora had never stopped challenging her. She had run with a reckless, singular focus: to beat Rampage. This result was the fruit of that obsession. Laurel realized she was still too green, and lacked the time spent in those trenches to reach that level. She and Brian still had room to grow as rivals, but Flora... at the Arc, Flora had finally attained the "stature" necessary to stand as an equal to Rampage.
「I can't keep up with that... as expected of a senior.」
「That's not true at all!!」
「Whoa!?」
The sudden impact from behind startled her. Twin Turbo had jumped onto her, resting her head on Laurel's shoulder.
「Laurel, you did so good! You were just as amazing as Flora! I mean, you got second at the Arc in the Classic Class! Second in the whole world! Even if Brian becomes a Triple Crown Umamusume, you aren't inferior to her at all! I can't wait to see you two fight!」
「T-Turbo-san... you really feel that way? But... I lost...」
「No one who saw that race thinks you "lost."」
Minamisaka walked up slowly from behind Turbo. He offered a gentle, serene smile—a look of pure, honest praise for her performance.
「It's true that first place belongs to Flora-san. But Laurel, what was your goal for this race? It was to become a worthy opponent for Brian-san, wasn't it? Your real battle begins now. We are all eagerly looking forward to your race in Japan against the Triple Crown-bound Brian.」
「Yes... I'll do it. I'll stand tall. And I'll run.」
That was enough. I will become a rival worthy of that person. Just like Flora... just like that great senior who never stopped challenging Rampage.
「Congratulations on your victory at the Arc de Triomphe, Agnes Flora-san!」
The interview took place just before the Winning Live. Minamisaka and the runner-up, Laurel, stood beside her. It was an unusual arrangement, but since Flora was technically being represented by Minamisaka as an acting trainer, Laurel remained by her side.
「This is the fifth challenge for the Japanese contingent, and the second consecutive victory. How do you feel right now?」
「My feelings? Well... I feel spectacular.」
The press corps let out a collective murmur of awe. And why wouldn't they? This victory was a historic feat—only the second person in Japanese history to—
「Finally... finally, I have reached a point where I can stand beside Rampage-san.」
「...Eh?」
As far as Flora was concerned, the "historic feat" was utterly irrelevant. A dream for Japan? The second winner in history? You could throw those sentiments to the pigs for all she cared. There was only one reason she had continued this overseas campaign.
「For me, winning the Arc was nothing more than a stepping stone. I came here for the sole purpose of settling things with that person. A 'great achievement'? If you want to praise someone, praise Laurel-chan, who ran alongside me at Longchamp to take second. Despite her lack of experience and the fact that she's still growing, she took second. It's absolutely incredible... truly amazing.」
「E-err... thank you very much.」
Laurel looked bewildered by the sudden praise. Minamisaka, on the other hand, figured this was exactly how Flora would act.
「And the reason Laurel-chan was able to make it this far is none other than Rampage-san. Yes, because that person existed, I am standing here today. Indeed, Rampage-san... my entire racing life is a worthy offering to her...」
Her expression turned rapturous as she looked toward the heavens, her voice taking on the tone of a woman confessing her love to her soulmate.
「Everything I am is for her. I've finally reached the point where I can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Rampage-san... that is the greatest medal I could ever receive. I ran because she ran—do you understand? If you don't, then let me start from the beginning and explain exactly how incredible her victory at the Arc was. If you can't appreciate the sheer magnificence of her performace—pulling off a Great Escape at Longchamp on that turf—then you won't understand my run, let alone Laurel-chan's. I want every single one of you to go back and watch Rampage-san's Arc at least ten times, then write a ten-thousand-word essay on your impressions. Personally, I could easily clear a hundred thousand words.」
The sheer suddenness of the rant left everyone speechless. Laurel looked away with an "oh boy..." expression, silently vowing never to end up like that, while Minamisaka nodded to himself, finally understanding why Rampage tended to avoid her. And then—
「I take it back! You shameless, idiotic, MORON SISTER!!!」
「This is being broadcast worldwide! What are you doing?!」
Her two sisters back in Japan screamed in unison.
「Wait... is she a total creep?」
『...It would seem so.』
Rampage, looking utterly repulsed, sought agreement from Pleiades. Everyone in the room nodded instinctively.
「And so—」
In an instant, Flora's face transformed. The "Singre" mask took hold—a ferocious beast with uncontrollable hostility and fighting spirit.
「It's your turn next, Rampage-san. I'll be entering the Legend Race—and your absolute monarchy ends there.」
「Fine by me. If you think you can take me down, then try it. Try to topple the Tyrant, Mejiro Rampage!!!」
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