"Did you sleep well last night?"
"Yeah, Yo-chan-senpai. I don't think I've slept that soundly in ages. If only every day could be like this..."
"Hehe, usually it's the opposite, you know?"
"Ah, so I'm the weird one."
"I'd say that's a quick admission."
Even as she said that, it was true—I'd gotten a solid night's rest. I'd hit the bed at 10 PM and woken up at 6 AM, clocking in eight full hours. As a classic short sleeper, I never expected to sleep that long; the surprise was impossible to hide.
"I wish I could have gone to cheer you on..."
"If the vice president bails, the emperor's gonna have a tough time. Don't worry about it—I ain't bothered."
With that, I slung my sports bag packed with gear over my shoulder, gripped the door handle, and turned back one last time.
"Alright then, I'm off. Cheer for me~"
"Yes, take care."
She dashed out of the room, and Ramone watched her go, tidying her own things while glancing out the window. There was Rampage, bounding away with boundless energy.
"Do your best, Ran-san."
Today was her make-debut—the day of her very first race.
"And next up, gate 4, number 4: Rampage. Whoa, she's dashing right out of the gate!?"
The paddock was where the competing Uma Musume showed off their condition, form, and spirit—but Rampage suddenly bolted forward, slamming on the brakes just at the edge. Pivoting on one foot, she spun in place, hand on her jersey zipper. As she halted, she thrust a finger skyward, shedding the jersey in a dramatic pose.
"What a flashy entrance! It's like her determination and confidence are on full display in that stunning pose."
"This might become her signature from here on out."
"You're so cool, Ran~!!"
"Hey, Turbo, you gotta be quiet in the paddock."
"Oh, right."
"But she really looks in top form—I'm relieved."
"The nutrition balance over the past week was perfect. Rampage-san's voltage is at its peak right now."
Tokyo Racecourse—this was her stage. With the paddock show wrapped up, it was time to head to the main track. As a make-debut, she'd race in gym clothes with a bib instead of a win outfit, but Rampage was utterly composed.
"In times like this, I've got the edge."
After all, in my original life, I was a corporate drone swallowed by society's rough waves. When it came to enduring stress, I was unbeatable. All-nighters? Fine. Overtime? Standard. This black-company warrior wouldn't flinch at something like this.
"Ah, crap—thinking about it is making me feel down..."
The dark memories etched into my human soul made my resolve waver for a split second. The fulfillment of now only highlighted how brutal the past had been. Pressing a hand to my eyes to hold back tears, I heard a puzzled voice from behind.
"Ran... page?"
"Huh?"
Turning around, there stood Tama looking awkward, Oguri with a confident huff, and Creek visibly confused. Wiping my tears roughly and forcing my usual expression back, Creek—eyes brimming—rushed over and enveloped me in a hug.
"It's okay, it's okay... You'll be fine, Rampage-san...!!"
"W-Wait, Creek-san, what's with the sudden hug!?"
"It's okay, it's okay... We're all here for you..."
The abrupt embrace threw me off—mostly from the softness of Creek's impressive figure. Then Tama gently patted my back.
"We came to cheer, just like we promised. So—go run with everything you've got."
"Leave the cheering to us."
Behind them, Oguri unfurled a handmade flag with a proud snort: "Go for it, Rampage!!" scrawled in brush strokes. I hadn't expected this level of support, but Creek's reaction was downright baffling. Sure, she was the type to dote, but...
"It's about time—let her go, Creek."
"Ah—yes, I can't get in the way. Do your best, Rampage-san!!"
"—Got it!! I'll win big and kick off the series with a bang!!"
What a great pep talk, all things considered. Determined to live up to it, I vowed to run flat out as I headed down the underground path. The three watching my back began moving to their cheering spots.
"Tama... was that the right call?"
"Yeah. My gut's spot-on when I wish it wasn't..."
"Uuuh... Rampage-san..."
"How long you gonna cry? Snap out of it."
Tama lightly nudged Creek, and as they emerged from the path, Rampage was already at the gate on the main track.
"Cheering with a smile—that's for Ran's mom and dad too, right?"
"Here at Tokyo Racecourse, next is Race 7: Make-Debut, turf 1600m. Ten Uma Musume will run; track condition is good. The curtain rises on the first battle for the next generation of stars. Favorite is gate 1, number 1: White Serena. Second favorite: gate 8, number 10: Tile Omega. Third: gate 4, number 4: Rampage."
The make-debut was about to begin. Already in the gate, Rampage felt immersed in her own world. Uma Musume often disliked tight spaces—the confinement clashed with their love of speed and open dashes, making gates a source of aversion. But for Rampage, once human, the snug fit brought a sense of security.
"And now, the make-debut race—who will claim the first victory!? They're off!!"
A clean start—no stumbles—and she surged forward. Glancing around, many looked visibly tense, though some had fierce eyes. No one was breaking away; everyone was gauging, typical for a first race. Fine—I'll take the lead.
"—Time to rampage, just like the name!!"
"Whoa, number 4 Rampage blasts ahead, accelerating hard!! Full throttle from the start!? It's barely 10 seconds in, and she's already 5 lengths ahead!?"
"How many Uma Musume have pulled such a massive lead in a make-debut? She's racing like she's not nervous at all, crafting her own race."
"This isn't just a big lead—it's beyond that!! Is she hooked in her first race? Now 7 lengths— this is a suicidal escape!!"
The announcers' exclamations captured Rampage's blistering pace, her tall stride widening the gap even more. She hugged the rail and powered on.
"Go, Ran~!! Show 'em what you learned practicing with Turbo~!!"
"But seriously, what a insane pace..."
"That's Rampage-san's style."
"Yeah, it's all part of the plan."
The Canopus crew cheered while feeling a twinge of pity for the others. Facing this hyper-speed right off would crush the uninitiated, forcing overpace and burnout. And Ran had trained relentlessly against foes like Ikuno and Turbo to force exactly that.
"Rampage maintains her solo run!! Now 10 lengths ahead!? White Serena pushes from behind, but the gap won't close!! Heading into the final turn—can she hold?"
"Her form's flawless; she might escape clean."
"Alright... Senpai's here, and all of Canopus is watching—I can't show anything uncool!!"
She stomped the ground harder, dipping low before the final straight. Shifting from an upright human-like run to a forward lean—this was the real Rampage. Come on, let's rampage together, Uma Musume Rampage. This fused style—call it...
"Rampage... Ghost!!"
"Rampage accelerates here!? After all that leading, she had more in reserve!? What an Uma Musume!!"
"And that forward-leaning form— this must be her true racing style."
Yes—this was her authentic run, unlocked by Canopus's daily grind honing her skills. A Canopus victory, her first flag raised. Watch—this is the triumphant launch of the strongest Canopus!!
"White Serena and Tile Omega can't catch up!! The gap widens further!! A total solo journey!! Rampage crosses the line!! What an opening— an outrageous big-lead Uma Musume makes a dazzling debut!!!"
The track erupted in cheers for the dominant win. Basking in the victory glow, she felt euphoric—almost like dancing. So she struck her paddock Lizardon pose again.
"Amazing, Ran~!!! Turbo's gonna escape like that too~!!"
"Wow, stretching even further from there... Haha, running with her's gonna be scary~"
"But that's what makes it exciting."
As the team applauded, Minamizaka watched, awed anew by Rampage's run. Ikuno and Turbo's training paying off this hugely was unexpected. Aiming for the top didn't seem so far-fetched; she felt an uncharacteristic fire. Then she checked the time: 1:32.6—an insane record.
"She might really take the Triple Tiara..."
"Ran won, Tama!!"
"Yeah... Good job, Ran."
"Uuuh, I'm so relieved~..."
"How long you gonna cry?"
But Tama was the happiest, a gentle smile amid Creek's joyful tears and Oguri's satisfied flag-waving huff.
"Good job... Really, good job... Ran."
Later, at the winning live, Tama and the others joined Canopus front-row for the fun.