Canopus remains steady, for better or worse, even with new juniors. Mostly worse, due to its rowdy nature. Turbo and Ticket are as noisy as ever. To outsiders, Canopus rivals Rigil and Spica, but unlike the strict image of Rigil, Canopus is anything but.
"Alright, Ticket, let's race Turbo at 2400m in the Derby!" "No way I'm losing!" "Hold on, Turbo, don't push pre-debut Ticket too hard." "Ehh!?" "Let's make it a Junior G1, 2000m." "Heck yeah!" "Nature, you're on goal duty." "Got it!"
Canopus is lax in many ways. Trainer Minamisaka, ever-smiling and polite, guides with a gentle hand but never slacks on oversight or adjustments. Lax, but not easy.
"Hey, Rampage, know where my Shinzan iron is?" "What're you on about? We switched to new ones today. Here, updated." "Right, still can't catch up to you." "As if I'd let you."
Ikuno equips the new Shinzan iron, the heaviest after Rampage's. She's close to the real deal, making Rampage a bit anxious as Ikuno dashes off. Meanwhile, the juniors return from their run.
"Sis, we're back!" "I'm home!" "Welcome back."
Rice and Tanhoiza, pumped for the upcoming Satsuki Sho, dash over. Behind them, four exhausted newcomers trail, instructed by Minamisaka to keep up with the stamina-heavy duo—a brutal task, even for Canopus.
"Go get new orders from Minamisaka. Satsuki Sho menu to beat Bourbon." "Got it, Sis!" "I'll do my best!"
Rice, fueled by clear goals, and Tanhoiza, skipping with excitement, head to Minamisaka. Rampage sets a cooler box before the panting quartet.
"Good work. Catch your breath, then drink." "Thanks…" "Don't force a reply, Draran."
Even paced, the Satsuki warm-up was grueling, evident in Draran's exhaustion.
"Man, that was intense…" "They'd suddenly speed up, then slow down, over and over…"
Laurel, suited for long distances, is less winded, but even Amazon's tired. Air Groove, collapsed and gasping, is the worst off.
"You okay? That was tough." "I'm… fine… can keep going…" "Don't push it. It's okay to struggle."
Rampage cools Air Groove's head with a cold drink, calming her. She focuses on breathing.
"You've got grit, keeping up to the end." "Rice kept asking if she needed a break, but she powered through."
A rookie with such tenacity—truly the future empress.
"I just… thought I had to do this… to be like you, Rampage." "Love the spirit, but don't overdo it. You're a rookie. Build your body step by step." "Yes!"
Air Groove's eyes shine at Rampage's words. Amazon teases her, and she sips her drink, looking away.
"Rest up, then Draran, Amazon, Laurel—mock race, 2000m. Minamisaka wants to assess you." "Seriously? Distance?" "2000m. Satsuki's close, probably related."
Though unrelated to their Tiara path, it's good for the Autumn Stakes. They stand, eager.
"Let's do this! You'll watch, right, Senpai?" "I'll be there. Do well, and I'll treat you to dinner." "Dinner with Senpai? I'm pumped! One-on-one!" "Exhausted a minute ago, now full of energy. I'm ready to win!"
Laurel seems composed, but Amazon's fired up for the challenge, and Draran's hyped too. It's shaping up to be a thrilling mock race. Air Groove glances over.
"Um…" "I know. You kept up with Rice and Tanhoiza. You're coming too."
Her tail and ears perk up, her smile blooming. Rampage, ever the big sister, reads her well.
"Let's go watch." "Yes!"
Air Groove hesitantly takes Rampage's hand, and they head to the mock race.
"By the way, anyone new in Spica?" "Amazon and Lance said Roman and Blizzard joined." "Roman and Blizzard… Ogu's sister, right? (And Blizzard's… Taiki's crown, maybe? Not sure if she's foreign-bred.)"
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