Challenging for the Total Unification of Turf and Dirt
"The Dictator Tyrant, to the Land of the Free."
"A Challenge for Absolute Unification of Turf and Dirt."
Rice Shower spread the newspaper open, revealing those bombastic headlines alongside a photograph of Rampage disembarking from a private jet. Looking at the image of her "Onee-sama"—someone she held in respect, affection, and admiration—a strange mix of emotions welled up within her.
She's finally arrived... in America.
"Oh? What's up, Rice?"
"Buying a newspaper? That's rare for you."
"Ah, Turbo-san, Nature-san. Um, it just caught my eye at the store, so I bought it."
She had spread it out in the Canopus clubroom, so naturally, it caught the attention of Twin Turbo and Nice Nature as they walked in.
"Man, seriously though... just how far does Run intend to go?"
"Turbo won't lose either! Turbo is going to challenge overseas next year too!"
"Don't say that so easily. It's not simple, you know. Think about the burden on the Trainer."
Amidst their playful banter, Rice lovingly stroked the photo of Rampage, who had noticed the camera and was raising a fist in the air. She was truly amazing. Ever since Rampage had told her, 'If you can't believe in yourself, believe in the me who believes in you,' Rice had longed to be like her.
But just how high was she going to climb?
"Excuse me. My, everyone looks like they're having fun."
Minami-zaka entered the room, and Turbo immediately declared her intent to go abroad. Minami-zaka replied that he would need to find a proxy again, while Nature chided Turbo with a teasing, "You shouldn't take everything at face value," leading to a noisy, playful argument.
Watching the scene, Rice's thoughts drifted back to Rampage.
"Do your best, Onee-sama."
"And so, we have arrived! The Land of the Free, USA!!"
"My, aren't we high energy?"
Rampage's tension had been consistently high since arriving in America. She had always wanted to visit at least once, though her internal reasoning—I want to eat a stupidly huge hamburger—was extremely plebeian. However, her true purpose this time was the Breeders' Cup Classic.
"If you win this, Run-chan, you'll undeniably be the World Champion."
"I've got no intention of putting on airs like that. I'm just a small-time citizen, you know."
"You are technically a Young Lady of the Mejiro House."
"You think a Lady would have a mouth as rough as mine?"
Rampage played the bad girl, but she understood the gravity of the situation. This race was effectively the decider for the World Dirt Champion. Having already conquered the Dubai World Cup and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, if Rampage were to conquer this race... she would stand at the summit of both Turf and Dirt.
Naturally, America—the home of dirt racing—would bring its full force to stop her. But even that only served as fuel for Rampage's fire. That was how honed her spirit was right now.
"Alright then... Oh, Run-san!!"
"Oh? If it ain't Dyna."
Rampage had arrived at the hotel and intended to check in immediately, but she ran right into Dyna, who had just returned. Dyna rushed over happily and exchanged a high-five with Rampage.
"I hear you've been rampaging around America with Lady, huh?"
"No, no. Compared to Lady-san, who hasn't missed a top-two finish yet, I still have a long way to go."
"You say that, but haven't you stayed on the board for every race?"
"A-Ahahahaha..."
Dyna's record in America was 4 races, 2 wins. The results were far from bad; she took 4th in her debut, then 3rd, followed by back-to-back 1st place finishes. Lady, on the other hand, had taken 2nd place in every race she didn't win, maintaining a 100% quinella rate during the expedition. But Dyna was still performing at an exceptionally high level.
"Congratulations on the Arc. I watched that interview, and it got me fired up too."
"Thanks. I'm gonna settle the score with you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
Lady and Dyna were viewed with a certain sense of awe here. This was because they had publicly stated that their entire reason for coming to America was to train in order to defeat Rampage. Generally, the public perception of Rampage was that of a monster or a beast; the two who were trying to fight such an opponent head-on were feared.
"So, when will you show up for practice? I'm done for today, though."
"I mean, I literally just got here... I'm gonna rest up today and start tomorr—"
"Dyna!!"
"Hm?"
Just as she was discussing her schedule, a Horse Girl ran up to Dyna. She had a wolf cut, a reddish-dark bay coat, and a friendly, approachable smile.
"Are you done for today? Let's train together again tomorrow!!"
"Of course!!"
"Well, look at you, Dyna. You've got yourself an energetic friend."
"Ehehe, it's embarrassing when you put it like that~"
Dyna scratched her cheek and introduced the girl.
"Um, this is Indy. We ran together in the last race and became friends."
"Hi there~ I'm A.P. Indy~"
"Yo. Mejiro Rampage."
A.P. Indy.
In history, this famous horse was known as the representative successor to Seattle Slew and had a massive influence on the Japanese dirt racing world (siring horses like Symboli Indy). He achieved 7 consecutive wins, including G1 and G2 stakes, won the BC Classic in the same year Rampage was now challenging it, and was selected as the Eclipse Award Horse of the Year.
Dyna had clashed with her in the Jockey Club Gold Cup—a race Dyna had won. It seemed they had hit it off after that.
"So you're Mejiro Rampage... Dyna talks about you constantly. Says she came to America just to beat you."
"Oi, oi, stop advertising for me."
"Well, it is the truth."
"But, I'm grateful to you."
Rampage was surprised by the sudden words. Indy looked at her with straightforward, unwavering eyes.
"I lost to Dyna. In a race I absolutely wanted to win. That's why I want to beat Dyna. I'm entering the BC Classic for that purpose. So, sorry, but the one who's going to compete with Dyna is me."
She declared that Dyna's rival was her, completely disregarding Rampage as a target. It was a first for Rampage, but she responded with a grin.
"Fair enough. But I plan on being Dyna's rival, too. I'm not nice enough to hand over that seat easily."
"Then I'll just have to take it by running!! How about a race right now!!?"
"I just got to America, give me until tomorrow at least."
"Ehh!? Let's race nooooow!!"
"Dyna~ Tell your rival to chill out."
"You're dumping this on me!!?"
And so, Rampage's American expedition began in a manner that was both lively and bizarre. Later, Lady arrived, leading to another commotion, but eventually—
"""Morn-eve-hello-chao~♪"""
The three of them did a stream together.
(Author's Note: A.P. Indy was suggested by user h995. Though a historical horse, I have decided to adopt them for the story. Thank you very much!!)
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