"And that's the deal. So, save the victory party for when I get back, alright, Director?"
"Explanation! I demand an explanation!"
"I, too, would very much like to hear this."
"Talk about pressure, huh, Hatena?"
"Mya."
Having finished her interview, Rampage had intended to slip back to the waiting room to regroup with Sue-chan. Instead, she found herself hemmed in by the Director and Rudolf. Faced with far more pressure than she had anticipated, she grumbled to Hatena—who, incidentally, had taken up her usual perch atop Rampage's head now that the girl was present.
"There's nothing to explain. What I said out there is everything."
"Mgnnn... Just how far do you intend to go?"
"Wherever I feel like going."
"That answer is... certainly very you..."
Even the Director held her head in her hands at the brazen declaration of a challenge to the BC Classic. She had simply assumed they would all return to Japan together and had already made various arrangements... all of which now had to be changed.
Rudolf, meanwhile, was desperately trying to wring some logic out of the words Rampage had spoken—specifically regarding her desire to run on dirt.
"Is it Unbridled? Do you seek a rematch with her?"
Considering the precedent set by El Guzmán in the Japan Cup, Rudolf surmised that Rampage desired a rematch with Unbridled, the holder of the title "Strongest on Dirt," on her home turf in America.
"Rudo-san? Nah, not really."
"...Huh?"
The guess was so completely wide of the mark that Rudolf let out a bizarre sound. Though, to be fair, it was hardly surprising she couldn't guess the truth.
"My opponents are... Lady and Dyna. Those two."
"Oh! Those two! The ones who achieved the first American G1 victory for us?!"
They were comrades who had run in the Dubai World Cup together. After that race, they had made a decision. Lady went to America for a warrior's pilgrimage to sharpen her blade, and Dyna, after securing a victory at the Kashiwa Kinen, followed through on her declaration to cross to the States as well.
They crossed the ocean for one reason only: to forge selves strong enough to defeat their rivals.
Lady had grasped the glory of being the first Japanese Horse Girl to win an American G1. However, she hadn't even realized it until the interviewer pointed it out, nor did she show much interest in the accolade itself.
'—Oh, I see. I was the first? Well, I'll take it. It brings me one step closer to standing equal with that person.'
'Y-You weren't conscious of it at all?'
'Not in the slightest. I came to America to train, after all.'
Lady's stance was simply to accept what was given. In America, she became the talk of the town—The Japanese Horse Girls have done it again!—and the news traveled back to Japan. Unfortunately, due to Rampage's own overwhelming presence, Lady didn't make as big a splash in the general news as she might have, but the dirt racing community was in an absolute frenzy. Following her, Dyna had also stormed into America and was producing results.
"To me, those two are my absolute rivals on the dirt. I want to feel the power they built up in America just to fight me... I want to feel it with my own skin, with my own running. That's all."
"I see. Put that way, I can hardly interject."
For a Horse Girl, there is nothing that stirs the fighting spirit quite like this. To compete against rivals on the greatest stage—that alone was reason enough. The Director nodded, shouting, "Agreed!"
"However, is that not quite a grueling schedule? Considering the need for rest, there is almost no time."
"Compared to doing the Queen Elizabeth, Japan Cup, and Champions Cup back-to-back? I've got time. This is a breeze."
"It is extremely unfair that you, of all people, can cite that as a precedent."
Rampage had run nothing but brutal schedules so far. Whether her body had hardened to it or her recovery rate had simply increased, there would likely be no issues. The plan was to return briefly to Ireland, commit to a thorough recovery menu, and then head to America.
"So, you will go to America without returning to Japan? Without seeing Trainer Minami-zaka?"
"I mean, I could see him... but that would make the schedule tight, so I'll pass. He'll understand that much... Besides, I want to make it back in time for Rice and Tannhauser's Kikuka-sho."
The Breeders' Cup Classic was scheduled for October 31st. The Kikuka-sho was November 8th.
It was cutting it extremely close, but as their Big Sister, missing Rice's grand stage was simply not an option. Hearing this, the Director and Rudolf looked blank for a moment before their expressions softened into smiles.
"You really do care for your juniors."
"Umu! Canopus is truly fortunate to have such a great senior member!"
"Flattery won't get you anything. I already decided before I left that the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe trophy is going to be a souvenir for Minami-chan."
"Run-chan really is a Minami-lover, isn't she~?"
Sue-chan cast the warmest of gazes toward her. From her perspective, this girl—who was like a granddaughter to her—was about to fly to America regardless of the brutal schedule, all for the sake of a showdown with her rivals. It brought a swell of emotion to her chest. Just how far, she wondered, would this child go to give them dreams?
"If you win this, Run-chan, you'll be a certified World Champion on both turf and dirt."
"Does the Arc alone qualify me for turf certification?"
"I think when you set a World Record on that absolute nightmare of a heavy track, they have no choice but to admit it."
When Rudolf explained it with such a troubled face, Rampage felt a sense of agreement. I really did something outrageous, she thought. Well, not that she was reflecting on it or regretting it.
"Alright then. Director, Chairman—do you have some time?"
"Time? Ah, we planned to stay here for a few days. We worked hard to clear our schedules specifically to have some complete time off."
"As did I."
"Morn-eve-hello-chao~!! Etched in your memories: World Record, Dictator Tyrant, Triumphant Return! Miracle, Mystery, Truth, Dream, Birth!! It's the invincible, legendary Rampage here!! Has everyone been accumulating good karma~?"
"Morn-eve-hello-chao!! I have always wanted to say that! I am the Director of the Tracen Academy of Japan, Yayoi Akikawa!!"
"Morn-eve-hello-chao. It has been quite a while since I appeared here. I am Symboli Rudolf."
"Morn-eve-hello-chao♪ It's Speed Symboli, everyone's favorite Sue-chan~♪"
"Today, in honor of the Arc de Triomphe victory, we're doing this stream with these special guests♪ Can everyone keep up?"
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