Despite offers from top teams, Rampage chose her trainer the Super Creek way—by picking him herself. Joining Team Canopus under Trainer Minamisaka raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether a mid-tier team was the right fit for her talent.
"Canopus, huh? Solid choice," Okino from Team Spica said. "I'm rooting for you."
"Your support's worth about a penny, pervert," Ran shot back.
"Ouch!" Okino laughed.
Surprisingly, both Rigil's Trainer Tojo and Spica's Okino admired her decision, cheering her on.
"Is Canopus really that bad?" Ran asked.
"It's not," Okino said. "Minamisaka's young, so they're underrated. They're a balanced team—neither flashy nor weak. Just steady."
Rigil thrived on Tojo's strict management, while Spica leaned into free-spirited individualism. Most teams had a defining edge, producing standout Uma Musume. Canopus? Their mantra was stability—aiming to complete the Twinkle Series without injuries, embodying "soundness is a champion."
"So it's not screaming 'Triple Crown!' or 'back-to-back wins!'" Okino said. "Doesn't exactly pull you in."
"Hmm," Ran mused.
Other trainers thought Ran's raw talent deserved a team like Rigil, where her strengths could be honed to their fullest. Okino got their point.
"But I'm not ditching Canopus," Ran said. "I told Minamisaka he's got my Twinkle Series. Bailing now would be cold."
"Handing over your series, huh? That's a line to make any trainer swoon," Okino grinned. "Gotta step up after that."
"Exactly," Ran said. "I'm owning it—making Canopus the best while living up to 'soundness is a champion.'"
"That's a big damn claim," Okino said, impressed.
"If I'm doing it, I'm doing it big," Ran replied, stubbing her cigar in her ashtray and striding off.
Okino watched her go, reaching for a cigarette but grabbing a lollipop instead. "Doing it big, huh? Cool as hell," he muttered. With Mr. C.B., a Triple Crown star, and other rising talents on Spica, Okino felt inspired. Time to step up and make his own stars shine.
After finishing her cigar to reset her mood, Ran headed to Canopus's clubroom. Today was her first official day as a member, and nerves tingled as she gripped the door handle. Inside, Ikuno studied race footage on a laptop, scribbling notes, while Minamisaka read something aloud. One Uma Musume brewed tea, and a petite one swung her legs from a chair.
"Rampage-san, you're here!" Minamisaka said.
"Sorry I'm late," Ran said. "Got hit on by that creep trainer."
Minamisaka sighed, chuckling. "That guy…"
Apparently, Okino's "pervert" rep extended to Canopus. Ran's gaze shifted to the tea-brewing Uma Musume, who set down her cup and bowed.
"Hey, I'm Nice Nature," she said. "I'm a senior on Canopus, but a year below you."
"Twin Turbo!" the small one chirped. "I joined Canopus with Nature, same year!"
"Haha, sorry, that's confusing," Nature said. "Basically, we're your kouhai."
"No sweat," Ran said. "I'm Rampage."
She was starstruck. Nice Nature and Twin Turbo—actual Canopus legends from the game and history. Nature, famous for three straight third-place Arima Kinen finishes, had a fanbase that outshone G1 winners. Her 34th birthday drew over 50 million yen in donations, making her the face of retired racehorses. Turbo, the "reckless runaway," was a fan favorite for her all-or-nothing breakaway style, a mix of brilliance and chaos.
"Worth joining Canopus just to meet you two," Ran thought, grinning.
"This is our core crew," Minamisaka said. "Others retired and graduated."
"Got it," Ran said. "Nice to meet you, Nature, Turbo. Call me Ran, Page, whatever."
"Ran it is!" Turbo shouted.
Nature nudged her. "Chill, Turbo." But Ran waved it off, unfazed.
"Now, let's make it official," Minamisaka said. "Welcome to Canopus, Rampage-san. We aim for 'soundness is a champion,' different from Rigil or Spica. No overdoing it—just effort within our reach. I'll do my best to support your goals, so speak up, and I'll tailor your schedules."
His earnest words carried a quiet strength. Building schedules around "soundness" while factoring in individual goals was no small feat, yet he spoke with confidence. Ran felt Canopus could pull it off.
"Let's hear your goals, one by one," Minamisaka said.
"I'll start," Ikuno said. "I want to be Tressen's strongest. That means racing as much as possible to gain experience. I'll help with everyone's training, too, so don't hesitate to ask."
"Whoa, Ikuno's so cool!" Turbo cheered.
"Straight to 'strongest'? That's bold!" Nature said.
"Thank you," Ikuno said. "I'm here for practice or fun, anytime."
Despite her cool, polished look, Ikuno was approachable and game for anything.
"Me next!" Turbo piped up. "I wanna win tons of races—first place from start to finish!"
"Always leading? That's a winning strategy," Minamisaka said.
"If it works," Nature teased.
"I'll make it work!" Turbo declared.
Ran laughed, patting Turbo's head. Her reckless ambition suited her chaotic style.
"Why're you petting me, Ran?" Turbo asked.
"Tiny body, huge dreams—pretty badass," Ran said.
"Fufu!" Turbo preened.
"Don't hype her up too much," Nature warned. "She gets cocky fast."
"Your turn, Nature!" Turbo said.
Nature hesitated, blushing slightly. "I wanna… be a sparkling Uma Musume, y'know?"
"Like taking center stage at a Winning Live?" Minamisaka clarified.
"That's like me!" Turbo exclaimed.
"Not exactly…" Nature mumbled, but Ikuno and Turbo's cheers drowned her out. She smiled, rolling with it.
"Last up, Rampage," Nature said. "I'm dying to know what someone scouted by Rigil and Spica is aiming for."
"Yeah," Ikuno added. "What's your goal?"
"Rigil and Spica have Triple Crown stars!" Turbo gasped. "So cool!"
"Not that big a deal," Ran said, scratching her cheek.
Her goal? She took a breath. "I owe people who became my family. I wanna show them my run—prove I'm racing because of them. And… I'm making Canopus Tressen's top team."
"Whoa!" Turbo shouted. "Best goal ever! Canopus as number one? So cool!"
"Ambitious," Ikuno said. "Aiming as a team, not just individually—perfect."
"Kinda heavy for me," Nature admitted, "but it's got this… magnetic pull."
"Agreed," Minamisaka said. "I thought 'strongest' was a stretch, but why not go all out? Let's make Canopus big and dazzling."
"Totally agree!" the team cheered.
Soon, a bold sign went up in the Canopus clubroom: "Aim for the Strongest Canopus!"—penned in elegant calligraphy.