Every team at Tracen Academy has its own signature style. Team Rigil is known for instruction based on rigorous, logical, and rational planning. Team Spica focuses on bespoke coaching that draws out the individual quirks and strengths of each Umamusume. Generally, a team's identity is a reflection of its head trainer's greatest strength.
"Alright, one more lap! Maintain your speed through the final straight without slowing down—then give me a full-throttle spurt at the very end!"
Within Team Pleiades, the philosophy is a direct inheritance from Team Canopus: an uncompromising focus on the fundamentals. The new members who joined this year, including Special Week and her peers, were initially stunned by how much time was spent on "boring" basics. However, since the results showed up clearly in their school trials, no one complained. While their friends in other teams gossiped about the advanced, flashy techniques they were learning, the members of Pleiades put their heads down and focused on the daily grind.
"I still can't quite believe how well Maya handles this kind of tedious groundwork," Sakahara, one of the sub-trainers, muttered.
Even for a professional trainer, the Pleiades curriculum felt exceptionally "plain." It wasn't that they ignored advanced applications; it was simply the ironclad rule that those applications could only be built upon a flawless foundation.
"Well, it's all about the delivery—knowing how to sell it to them," Rampage replied with a shrug. "Besides, the proof is in the pudding. This 'tedious' work is exactly what won us the Yasuda Kinen three years in a row."
"Can't argue with that logic," Sakahara admitted.
"It's exactly as the saying goes," Umazuru added. "Evidence is better than any argument."
Today was another day of small, quiet accumulations. When the pressure is on in the final stretch of a race, you can't rely on flashy tricks—you can only rely on the raw strength you've built up through thousands of hours of repetition.
"By the way, Rampage-san," Umazuru asked, "do you not get many offers for color commentary these days?"
"Commentary? I get requests every now and then, but I prioritize the team. Usually, I just pass those jobs off to Saito-san."
Rampage had sat in the commentator's booth before, but she viewed it as a low priority. Unless the race featured an opponent she had a personal history with, she'd rather spend that time on her team.
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, the Japan Cup and the Champions Cup are coming up. I thought they might have reached out to you for such a big stage."
"They did, but I'm not interested in the Japan Cup. I might show up for the Champions Cup, though."
"Why that one specifically?"
"Because Links is coming."
Armstrong Links was still active on the circuit, but word was she was planning her retirement run—and she wanted that final stage to be in Japan. She had already arrived in the country and sent word to Rampage. Of course, Rampage suspected her "true" objective involved something other than just racing...
"The Japan Cup has a hell of a lineup this year," Sakahara noted. "From your perspective, Rampage, who's the favorite?"
"My pick? Let's see..."
There was Biwa Hayahide, who had overcome the 'fate' of the Tenno Sho and was burning for a rematch with Narita Brian. Then there were Winning Ticket and Narita Taishin, both looking for revenge against Hayahide. Nice Nature was coming in with the momentum of the Tenno Sho to aim for consecutive G1 wins, and Machikane Tannhauser was training like a woman possessed under Sunday Silence's tutelage, chasing her first G1. The field was packed with potential.
"Actually, I'll keep my mouth shut," Rampage said. "It wouldn't be strange regardless of who wins. As long as they show me an interesting race, I'll be satisfied. Besides, I have to focus on my own business."
"I saw the menu Minamisaka-san put together for you," Sakahara said, a shiver running down his spine. "I honestly don't know how you can finish that without dying."
"I didn't call myself his horse just for the sake of a cool nickname, you know."
Rampage's time with the Pleiades students was over for the day; now, her own hell under Minamisaka's watchful eye was about to begin. She felt a bit guilty leaving the sub-trainers to handle everything else, so she tried to chip away at the paperwork whenever she had a spare second.
"Honestly, it's brutal... but this might be my last race, after all."
"Your last...?"
"Well, that depends on how well you guys lead Pleiades. Oh, look at the time. Sorry, I'm leaving the rest to you!"
As Rampage hurried off, Sakahara waved goodbye. Umazuru looked at the girls running on the track.
"Whether she runs again after this depends on us, huh? Shall we make it a goal? To get so good at this that Rampage actually has time to enter a Legend Race whenever she feels like it?"
"Who knows how long that'll take," Sakahara laughed, "but as sub-trainers, I'd say that's a goal worth chasing."
"Sorry I'm late, Minami-chan."
"You're right on time."
Rampage arrived at the area where Team Canopus was practicing. Stepping into this space always made her feel nostalgic, pulling her back to the days when she was just a sub-trainer for this ragtag bunch.
"Now then," Minamisaka said, adjusting his glasses. "Today, we're going to help you remember what it feels like to be an active racer."
"So, what? Is it Ikuno or Flora today? I'm fine with Ikuno, but I'd really appreciate it if you spared me from Flora... though I guess nobody else can push me as hard as that freak."
"Actually, neither. Ikuno-san is out on a long-distance run with Turbo-san, and Flora-san is training with Teio-san."
"Wait, then who am I running against?"
"Me!" a voice chirped from behind Minamisaka.
A pair of familiar eyes peered out from behind the trainer's shoulder, framed by striking, pure white hair.
"Links?!" Rampage blurted out. "What the hell are you doing at Tracen?!"
"I came to Japan for the Champions Cup!" Armstrong Links beamed. "This time, I'm definitely going to beat Lady and Dyna!"
"The timing of Links-san's arrival was perfect," Minamisaka explained. "I asked if she would be willing to serve as your training partner during her stay at the academy, and she agreed immediately."
It was a perfect arrangement. As an international powerhouse, Links was more than a match for Rampage, and the training would serve as an excellent warm-up for her own upcoming race.
"And we have one more guest."
"There's another one?"
"It's me... Sister."
Another figure stepped out from behind Minamisaka. It was Rampage's beloved younger sister, Rice Shower.
"RIIIIIIIIICE!! My sweet little sister!!" Rampage's exhaustion vanished instantly. "I heard about the Melbourne Cup! You won! You actually won! As expected of my sister!"
"Wawa?! S-Sister, please, you're embarrassing me... but thank you!"
Rampage scooped Rice up and spun her around in a dizzying circle of affection. Despite her bashfulness, Rice had a genuine, radiant smile on her face—she was clearly overjoyed that her victory had made her sister so happy. Rampage felt a pang of surprise; she hadn't seen Rice express such pure, unburdened confidence in a long time.
"The victory in Melbourne has had a wonderful effect on her," Minamisaka noted. "She returned from overseas with Palmer-san the other day. When she mentioned she wanted to sharpen herself for the Arima Kinen, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to invite her to join your session."
"You're a genius, Minami-chan! With Rice here, I don't just have to reach my prime—I'll blow past it!"
"You really do adore Rice, don't you?" Links teased. "And Rice loves her sister right back!"
"...Yes," Rice whispered, leaning gently against Rampage. "I love my sister... so, so much."
The sheer, concentrated cuteness of the gesture was a critical hit. Rampage actually dropped to one knee, clutching her heart. Watching this, Minamisaka made a mental note: When it comes to doting on a sister, she's just as much of a lost cause as Flora.
"Alright, you two! Let's run with everything we've got!" Rampage roared, suddenly revitalized.
"Ohh! This From-Software-certified streamer is ready to go!" Links shouted.
"R-Rice will do her best too...!"
Rice Shower's self-esteem increased slightly!
It's super effective against Rampage!
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