U-um, Mejiro Rampage-san...」
「Yeah, yeah, I know. You want to ask about that, don't you?」
「Y-yes... I mean, I'm so sorry...」
「Don't apologize to me. You were honest enough to ask and polite enough to apologize first. Anything more would just be boorish.」
In the sea of reporters clamoring for Rampage's attention, one journalist had remained silent, hand raised, waiting for her turn. Rampage pointed her out, and though the reporter looked apologetic, she finally spoke. Rampage already knew the question; he'd seen it coming a mile away.
"Japanese Flowers Bloom at Paris Longchamp!"
"The Longchamp Descent!"
"Japan Finally Reaches the World Stage!"
The headlines were everywhere, each one more grandiose than the last, all centered on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. The news of Agnes Flora and Sakura Laurel's 1-2 finish had spread like wildfire. Japan's fifth attempt at the Arc had been a unique storm: one a bold Classic-class challenger, the other a veteran Senior Umamusume whose trip many had dismissed as a mere "commemorative tour." They had crushed those expectations, seizing glory with a victory so decisive it defied argument. It was a day where Japan hadn't just reached the world—it had marched right up to its side.
And yet...
"A Riot of Flowers: Agnes Flora Treats the Arc as a Stepping Stone?!"
"Next Stop: The Legend Race?!"
"Agnes Flora: No Interest in Anyone but Mejiro Rampage?!"
That total deviant's bombshell interview had gone viral instantly. To treat the glory of the Arc de Triomphe as a mere "prep race" and declare she had no interest in the win itself—her eyes already fixed solely on the upcoming Legend Race—was unheard of. Rumors were already swirling that she might skip the Dream Trophy League entirely and retire after the Legend Race. Naturally, the press was desperate for a comment from the "Tyrant" herself.
But...
「To be blunt, I think it's pretty damn tacky to be asking this during my Maya-ya's victory interview. Oh, I'm not talking about you two. Unlike the rest of this rabble, you actually had the decency to wait until I called on you. Compared to the vultures shouting over each other, you've got class.」
「You flatter us...」
This was, in fact, the post-race interview for Mayano Topgun's victory in the Shiku-sho. It should have been a celebration of Maya's third win, but the press corps was so obsessed with Flora that they had spent the start of the session screaming questions at Rampage instead of interviewing the winner. Unsurprisingly, Maya had taken offense, turning her head away with a visible pout.
「Listen up. I get why you're excited, but do you even know where you are? This is the Shiku-sho victory interview. The winner is my team's Maya. And yet, every single one of you is ignoring her to shout 'Flora, Flora, Flora.' I think she's a creep too, but frankly, you lot are worse than she is. Do you know what you call someone who's lower than a creep?」
Rampage didn't give a damn about "social media backlash" or "public image." She spoke her mind, and her words pierced the gathered reporters like cold steel. She understood the urge to get a scoop on global news, but she had zero intention of humoring people who couldn't show basic professional courtesy.
「Every news outlet except for these two—get out. I'm not giving you a single word.」
「W-wait!」
「We're sorry! We'll behave, just let us stay for the interview...!」
「Too late. Security, if you please.」
On cue, several security guards—all former Ban'ei Umamusume—marched into the room. They began hauling out the reporters from every agency except the two Rampage favored. The cameras were still rolling, broadcasting the scene of the "Tyrant" forcibly purging the room. It was a reliable, if intimidating, sight. Soon, the room was eerily quiet, occupied only by two agencies and a skeletal TV crew. Rampage glanced at the official interviewer, who looked rattled by the chaos. It wasn't their fault the press had rioted.
「E-err, well then! Let's restart the victory interview for our Shiku-sho champion, Mayano Topgun-san!」
Despite the rocky start, the interview finally began. At first, Maya kept her cheeks puffed out in a sulk.
「Maya, how long are you gonna keep that 'cute' pout going? You won, so you've gotta pull it together. If you don't show them that famous smile, Sakahara-san is going to be worried.」
「Muuu~... calling out Trainer-chan's name is cheating! ...Fine, I get it. Maya's not a kid, so I'll do it properly.」
「Good girl.」
Having successfully coaxed her back into a good mood, Rampage watched as Maya began to answer questions with her usual spark. The Winning Live should be fine now, Rampage thought, breathing a sigh of relief.
「Could you tell us about her next scheduled race?」
「This race gave me full confidence in Maya's strength at middle distances. Well, I already knew she was a powerhouse at anything middle-distance and up, but now it's official. We'll be stepping up to a graded stakes race next.」
「So that would be the Kyoto Junior Stakes in November?!」
「H-hey, don't shout like that, rookie!」
One of the reporters from Monthly Twinkle—one of the two agencies Rampage had tolerated since her active days—blurted out the question with intense fervor. A veteran reporter tried to shush her, but the young woman was undeterred, leaning in with eyes full of fire.
「That's the plan,」 Rampage replied. 「And from there—we're heading straight for the Hopeful Stakes.」
「Oh!! So Mayano Topgun-san is indeed aiming for the Classic Triple Crown route! That's wonderful! Her middle-distance performance is so dominant it's hard to believe she's still in the Junior class! By taking on a graded stakes race now, she'll acclimate to the higher-level atmosphere while maintaining her momentum for a straight shot at a G1 title, correct?!」
「I told you, shut up!!」
「Actually, she's exactly right.」
The veteran reporter was sweating bullets, but Rampage was smiling. Even Maya looked a little bashful, clearly pleased that someone was so passionate about her racing career.
「You a rookie?」 Rampage asked.
「Yes! I joined last month! My name is Etsuko Otonashi!!」
I knew it, Rampage thought. It was the same Otonashi from the records—a reporter known for her sincerity and overwhelming enthusiasm... but also for a "delusional" habit of jumping to wild conclusions and putting words in people's mouths. She wasn't a bad person, but she was a handful.
「She's just a rookie, so I thought a Junior-class open race would be a good place for her to learn the ropes... I'm so sorry,」 the veteran apologized.
「Honestly? Compared to the vultures from earlier, she's a breath of fresh air. Right, Maya-ya?」
「Yep! Maya doesn't mind being interviewed by her at all! ☆」
「Kyaaa! Did you hear that, Senpai?! I've been appointed as Mayano Topgun-san's exclusive reporter!」
「No, you haven't! I told you to fix that delusional streak of yours!」
The live broadcast captured the whole comedy routine. Finally, the interviewer cleared their throat, trying to bring the session to a close and restore some dignity to the proceedings. But Rampage had one last thing to say. She walked right up to the lens, grabbing the camera and pulling it close until her face filled the screen.
「If you want a comment on Flora winning the Arc and demanding a spot in the Legend Race, here it is—I accept, you damn brat. This Tyrant doesn't run, and she doesn't hide. It's a shame for you, though; I've already broken that world record of yours. If you think catching up to my old time gives you the right to act big, you've got another thing coming. Let's settle this, Flora.」
She looked around the room with a sharp, mocking grin. 「Satisfied?」
The season for the Finals and the Legend Races was fast approaching. Before the chaos of team management took over, the Legend Race loomed on the horizon. What kind of new legend would be written? As of now, no one knew.
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