"Hmm, aquarium news—baby orcas and dolphins. This is the kinda news I like. Maybe I'll take Rice and Turbo; they'd love it," Rampage mused, scanning the newspaper.
Her post-meal vibe—newspaper in hand, planning a family outing—screamed "weekend dad." Then a familiar voice cut through.
"Found you!" Ryan stormed in.
"Whoa, Ryan, what's with the ambush? What news?" Rampage asked.
"That!" Ryan pointed at the cafeteria's big TV, blaring: "Breaking: Mejiro Rampage's Next Race—Tokai Stakes?!"
The cafeteria buzzed with shocked Uma Musume. Rampage stayed calm, still reading.
"That? Yeah, it's true," she said.
"Why dirt?!" Ryan demanded.
"Why not? Your idol Oguri started on dirt," Rampage shrugged.
"Sure, but…!" Ryan faltered.
"Stock's rising," Rampage grinned, fully in "dad mode." Ryan, deflated, slumped into the seat beside her. Even her best friend couldn't fathom why an undefeated Triple Tiara and Japan Cup champ, dominant in mid-distance turf, picked dirt for her first race of the year.
"Why dirt?" Ryan pressed.
"Wanted to try something new. That's it," Rampage said.
"But you're undefeated…" Ryan trailed off.
"Prez lost right after her Triple Crown. I'm already ahead," Rampage quipped.
Rudolf would grimace if she heard that, but it was true. Ryan gave a wry smile. Just then, an Uma Musume stormed in, hooves clacking loudly. Everyone turned, but Rampage kept reading. The newcomer—Agnes Flora—snatched her newspaper.
"Hey, I'm reading that, Flora," Rampage said.
"You can read anytime! Answer me—why dirt?!" Flora demanded.
Flora, a Tiara rival alongside Ikuno, had trained to beat Rampage in Senior races. Dirt felt like a dodge.
"No one's running from you. Cancel Tokai Stakes now," Flora insisted.
"No one's ordering me around. Minami-chan approved this," Rampage shot back.
"Minamisaka-san approved dirt?!" Flora gasped.
"Duh. Can't register without a trainer," Rampage said, exasperated.
Flora reeled, devastated at the thought of never racing Rampage again, her mind spiraling—until Rampage snapped her fingers.
"You're misunderstanding. I never said I'm quitting turf. Tokai Stakes is just the start. Next is Osaka Hai," Rampage clarified.
"Huh?" Flora blinked.
Not a full switch to dirt—just adding it. A dual turf-dirt path.
"Tokai Stakes tests my dirt aptitude. Then Febuary Stakes, then Osaka Hai," Rampage said.
"Both dirt and turf?!" Flora exclaimed.
"Hell yeah. If I can't handle that, I won't cut it globally," Rampage declared.
The cafeteria erupted. World-class ambitions—chasing glory no Japanese Uma Musume had claimed. She stood firm, unwavering.
"The world's walls are thick. Doesn't mean I quit. Challenges? I answer them. I beat overseas runners in Japan Cup, so now I challenge them abroad. Step one: dual tracks. That's my answer, Flora, Ryan. Good enough?" Rampage said, snatching back her paper.
"Sorry… I jumped to conclusions," Flora mumbled.
"Don't sweat it. Media's hyping it wrong. I'll clear it up on my stream. Ryan, sorry for worrying you. I'm not ditching turf before racing you," Rampage said.
"Yeah, you wouldn't. Sorry, I panicked and forgot to think," Ryan admitted.
"Make it up on my stream. Double Triple Crown cameo to hype it," Rampage teased.
"If that's all," Ryan agreed.
"Got your word," Rampage grinned.
With a quick "Sorry for the fuss" to the cafeteria, she left. Cheers and excitement exploded behind her.
"Hello, konnichiwa, ciao! Your world-record, undefeated Tiara Tyrant, the hot topic girl with the nice bod—Rampage! Got your good deeds ready?" she kicked off her stream.
Ready!
Been waiting!
Cleared a trash game for this!
Tsubo-ojisan vibes? Wild…
Slacking lately, huh?
That's old-school…
Maruzensky rubbing off?
"Big Sis Maru's hype is contagious, can't help it. Anyway, you keeping up with news? Gotta grab info to survive this digital age! Today's trend: a certain Uma Musume's hitting dirt! Why'd this turf terror go there? Who's it? Me!" Rampage grinned.
This chick's a meme machine lol
Pulling Aniki vibes with that deep voice? lol
That comedian bit's ancient. Maru's fault?
It's YOU!
Why dirt outta nowhere?!
"Two-way players are hot, like that baseball guy. Gotta ride trends—kidding! Real talk: I got challenged. I'm doing what it takes to answer," she said.
Whoa, serious mode?!
Tone shift's giving me whiplash!
Challenging a five-crown champ? Dirt runners?
Reckless. Turf and dirt are worlds apart. Even a win gets hate.
Dirt's too sudden…
"I get it. But challenges are like that. Impossible? Screw it, I wanna try. That's why it's worth it. Undefeated? Doesn't matter. Courage to step up—that's what counts. If losing my streak means a worthy defeat, I'll ditch it gladly!" Rampage declared.
The world's "valuable" undefeated title meant little to her. She wouldn't toss it lightly, but she'd let it go if the time came. Turbo cried over losing her streak but grew stronger from it—a defeat worth more than invincibility. Rampage felt her heartbeat, pounding.
"Even if I lose Tokai Stakes, no regrets. That loss will fuel me. That's why I run," she said.
A defeat worth more than undefeated…
Courage to take the step…
Kattobingu vibes.
"That's the challenge, my path. Sorry for the shock, but I wanna run. It's my courtesy to the challenge," she said.
So cool. Already a fan, now I'm in love!
Big Sis!
If my idol's set, I'm cheering all the way!
Own dirt too!
Turf Tyrant becomes Dirt Tyrant!
The shining Tiara, proof of invincibility!
Turf's queen is dirt's queen!
"Hahaha! Thanks, everyone! You're firing me up! Alright, Big Sis is gonna crush Tokai Stakes!" she roared.
GYAAAH!
Stop it!
Don't invade our turf!
Dirt Uma Musume screaming lol
Hellish chaos on turf.
But I want your autograph!
Sign me up for Tokai!
Yo!
You're on fire!
No flaws.
I want Rampage's autograph…
Guess it's fine.
"Serious talk wore me out. Back to normal vibes! Today's guest… Spica's pervy masseur!" Rampage announced.
"Hey! Been waiting—not! What kinda intro is that, Rampage?!" Okino protested.
"You're loving it, Okino!" she teased.
Streams lean heavy into gags.
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