"...It's huge."
I cringed at my own lack of vocabulary, but what else could I say? I'd started to move my meager belongings when Ryan announced she'd arranged a car. I'd expected something fancy, but a real limousine? Speechless. And when it pulled up to the Mejiro estate, the sheer size of the mansion left me dumbfounded. Back when I was human, I was just an average Joe—places like this were worlds away.
"Welcome home, Miss Ryan," a voice greeted.
"I'm back, Gramps! Come on, Ran, how long are you gonna stay in there?" Ryan called.
"Oh, sorry, coming!" I snapped out of my daze and climbed out.
Standing there was the Mejiro family's butler, an elderly gentleman who embodied "silver fox" with his impeccable grace. He bowed deeply.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rampage. I am the butler of the Mejiro household."
"N-No, the pleasure's mine... Sorry for barging in like this," I stammered.
"Not at all! We're thrilled to hear Miss Ryan was bringing a schoolmate. Please, allow us to handle your luggage."
"Oh, I can carry my own—"
Before I could finish, my bags were whisked away by the staff. The Mejiro household buzzed with servants, and I felt like a cog in a machine that was spinning out of control. For now, they led me on a tour of the estate... but first stop?
"Grandmother, I'd like you to meet my best friend, Rampage—Ran," Ryan said proudly.
"I-I've heard a lot about you from Ryan," I managed.
We were in the room of the Mejiro family matriarch. Her voice carried a commanding dignity, her speech calm yet brimming with charisma. I was so nervous I wanted to bolt.
"Let me introduce myself properly," she said. "I am Mejiro Asama, the current head of the Mejiro family. Thank you for being such a good friend to Ryan."
"N-No, I'm the one who's been relying on Ryan so much..." I trailed off, my nerves fraying.
I was on the verge of a meltdown meeting Mejiro Asama. In history, she was the grandsire of Mejiro McQueen on his father's side, a racehorse doubted for long distances yet victorious in the 3200-meter Emperor's Cup (Autumn). Her commanding presence made perfect sense.
"I've heard about your hardships," she said softly.
Her tone was unexpectedly warm, her eyes filled with a grandmotherly compassion that made me feel like her own kin. It caught me off guard.
"Please, make yourself at home in the Mejiro household."
"I-I couldn't possibly—"
"Ryan, I entrust Rampage to you. Support your friend well."
"Of course!" Ryan replied, brimming with enthusiasm.
I was completely out of my depth.
"Miss Rampage, allow me to show you to your room," the butler said.
"R-Right," I mumbled, following him like a lost puppy.
The room was massive—several times larger than my old apartment. It wasn't just a bedroom; it had multiple suites. I felt utterly out of place.
"Ryan, please get here soon..." I whispered.
"How deplorable, to treat their own niece so cruelly..." Asama sighed, her frustration evident as she pawed the ground.*1 She held Rampage's medical report, detailing not just malnutrition but mental health struggles severe enough to drive her to suicide.
"Ryan, you must tend to her emotional well-being. Stay by her side."
"That's been my plan all along," Ryan said, puffing out her chest.
Asama nodded, pleased with her granddaughter's resolve, but a question lingered.
"Tell me, Ryan, what is Rampage like as an Uma Musume?"
"Ran's running?" Ryan hesitated, her expression troubled. "I've never seen her go all out. We've done long-distance runs together, but..."
"I see. Could you ask her to show us her running sometime?"
"Sure! Oh, but her footwork and course-taking were amazing!" Ryan's eyes lit up.
"Oh?" Asama leaned in, intrigued.
Ryan recounted a time she saw Rampage delivering evening newspapers. She never stopped moving. At apartments, she'd pause briefly, but otherwise, she ran non-stop, slipping papers into mailboxes with precision. "It was like a zigzag," Ryan explained. "She'd dart to the next house, no hesitation. Once, she nearly collided with someone distracted by their phone, but she spun her body, shifting her feet in an instant to change direction and glide past."
"I saw her left foot move past her right," Ryan added.
"Fascinating," Asama murmured. "For now, ensure she rests here. Tonight, have her meal brought to her room, and join her, Ryan."
"Thank you, Grandmother!" Ryan bowed and headed off.
Asama's eyes gleamed faintly, recalling Rampage's footwork. "High-speed crossover steps... She might be more of a talent than I thought. You've found a fine friend, Ryan."
Those who knew Asama in her racing days would have shuddered. Her eyes held the same spark as back then.
"Ran, how's the room—why are you curled up in the corner?!" Ryan exclaimed.
"It's too big! I can't relax!" I whined, hugging my knees.
*1: A horse's body language, often signaling frustration or agitation.