"Great job the other day, Rampage-san. That was spectacular."
"Nailed it!"
In the clubroom, Rampage flashed a V-sign, holding a newspaper. It featured her make-debut, with a bold headline showcasing her soaring leap during the winning live, outshining every other Uma Musume.
"Stunning Big Lead: The Wild Uma Musume Tears Up the Turf!!"
"Wild Uma Musume sounds like straight-up slander."
"Well, my name Rampage does mean going wild, so it ain't wrong."
"Really!? Turbo was ready to protest!"
"I can't let myself fall behind either."
Ikuno, brimming with drive for her own debut next month, spoke up. With a teammate shining so brightly, she was determined to match that brilliance. Minamizaka believed Ikuno's run would live up to that resolve.
"Shall we review Rampage-san's race together?"
"Oi, Nami-chan, you recorded it to roast me?"
"No way! Analyzing your race objectively is key."
Watching the TV broadcast again, it was clear the other Uma Musume were stunned as Rampage surged ahead from the start. The real shock? She maintained that blistering pace right to the final sprint.
"Even for escape-strategy Uma Musume, slowing to catch their breath is standard. But Rampage-san didn't, which threw everyone else off."
"Like me, you'd normally close the gap or get in range. But Ran just didn't let up."
"I just went for it."
Minamizaka felt a chill at her casual reasoning. As the race hit the final straight, Rampage shifted from upright to a forward lean, accelerating further to clinch victory.
"That final kick—rivaling even pursuit-strategy Uma Musume. Escaping and outpacing: the ideal run for an escape Uma Musume."
Escaping and outpacing. It felt odd to hear it about herself. Those words were famously said of Silence Suzuka, yet Rampage pulled it off. The result was unexpectedly vivid, but absolutely perfect.
"So, Nami-chan, your plan means I'll be marked as a big-lead threat in future races, right?"
"Absolutely."
"What's that? Some strategy?"
Rampage ruffled Turbo's hair, answering her puzzled look.
"Sure, escaping's my go-to, but it's just one tactic. I've got other trump cards. Here's a quiz, Turbo."
"A quiz!? Turbo's gonna ace it!"
"Nice! What's my best strategy?"
"Uh… not big lead… changing pace!!"
"Ding ding ding! Spot on!"
"Yay!!"
Turbo beamed, munching a race-day candy Rampage handed her as a prize. Nature and Ikuno smiled warmly, though Minamizaka seemed faintly worried by Turbo's innocence.
"Thanks to Ikuno and Turbo, I've honed pace-changing. I can handle chasers or disrupt their rhythm by faking a big lead. So many tactical dreams…"
"Ran, you've got a wicked grin."
Rampage's true strength lay in masterful pace shifts. Minamizaka, amazed, kept training Canopus to adapt and counter it. Even Nature sometimes got caught by the seamless shifts—done so smoothly they could unconsciously pull you in. She was getting better at resisting, but now Rampage used Canopus-honed fundamentals to break away.
"What's the next race?"
"Hmm, I'm still getting a feel, so something soon."
"Got it. How about Chukyo Junior Stakes, same month as Ikuno-san?"
Soon was one thing, but a race in just a month? Unexpected.
"Honestly, Rampage-san and Ikuno-san are similar types."
"Huh? Turbo thinks they're way different—Ran's big-sis vibe, Ikuno's cool."
"Not like that."
"Both bloom more with experience—real races unlock their talent. So, pile on the races."
Minamizaka's earnest words carried weight, leaving no room for argument.
"Let's do it, Nami-chan. My Twinkle Series is in your hands. I'll run as you say—same for you, right, Ikuno?"
"Absolutely. I'll race full-out."
"I'll plan accordingly."
"You two are so cool!!"
"They're so cool, I'm speechless~"
Nature admired their awesome senpai. Unlike Rigil's Tojo or Spica's Okino, Minamizaka was a unique, exceptional trainer. Rampage's trust in her made perfect sense.
"By the way, there's a second-year debating teams. Can I bring her to visit?"
"Sure, anytime."
"Who's that? Someone Turbo knows?"
"Machikane Tanhoiza. Helped her after she bumped her head and got a nosebleed, and we hit it off."
Days later, Machikane Tanhoiza visited Canopus. She clicked with Turbo, and when invited to join, she was enthusiastic. They suggested she decide after watching their races, and she eagerly agreed to come.
"Rampage… Ghost!!"
"My calculations are flawless!!"
That month, Rampage claimed her second win, and Ikuno triumphed in her make-debut. Witnessing it, she declared:
"Machikane Tanhoiza, nice to meet you all!!"
She chose to join Canopus.
"Alright, I'm gonna shine here!! Ei, ei, mun!"
"Haha, cool chant! Let's all do it, Canopus!!"
"Aim for the strongest Canopus!! Ei, ei, mun!"
From then on, that chant became Canopus's ritual before huddling up.
Tanhoiza joined Canopus.
And Rampage would race on a tight schedule, much like Ikuno's.