While Rampage was busy transcending her own peak, another Horse Girl was steadily quietly gathering her strength.
She had stood on the starting grid of countless G1 races, only to watch the glory slip through her fingers by a fraction of a second. Every time she tasted that bitterness, it only fueled her fire. She never once considered giving up. She believed in her legs; she just needed that final spark—a tiny bit more courage, a sliver more confidence. Her trainer, Minamisaka, knew that was all she lacked to become a champion.
"Ugh... I feel like 'Machitan Rising Form' is so close to evolving," Tannhauser muttered, looking frustrated. "Is it a lack of experience points? Or am I missing some hidden unlock condition?"
"Your style is a 'best-of' collection, Tannhauser-san," Minamisaka replied. "You've got Turbo-san's explosive start, Nature-san's long-distance spurt, and Ikuno-san's pace management. Perhaps what you need now is to find something that is uniquely, undeniably yours."
Minamisaka truly believed there was no Horse Girl as versatile as Tannhauser. To blend so many conflicting styles into one cohesive run was a feat in itself. Normally, trying that would result in a messy, disjointed performance, but she had refined it into an art form.
"Actually, you're pretty damn skilled," a voice interjected.
Sunday Silence sat nearby, crunching loudly on a traditional rice cracker. She was serving as Tannhauser's special trainer, which mostly involved her chasing Tannhauser down with terrifying intensity. By applying extreme external pressure, she was forcing Tannhauser to bypass her mental limiters. Fear, after all, is a powerful engine.
"I'm sorry, Sunday-san," Tannhauser sighed. "You've helped me so much, and I still haven't won a G1... But! I'm going to win the Japan Cup. I promise!"
"Oh? Talk is cheap," Sunday smirked. "If you lose, you owe me ten of those premium meat buns you like."
"Ten?! Uuuh..."
"But if you win," Sunday added, "I'll buy you twenty."
"Twenty?! You're on! Deal!"
"Heh. Negotiation complete."
Minamisaka watched with a wry smile. Aside from Rampage and Twin Turbo, Tannhauser was the only one who could treat the legendary Sunday Silence with such casual friendliness. Most either worshipped her or were paralyzed by her aura, but Tannhauser managed to be respectful while still being herself.
"Oh, that reminds me! I've been researching Rampage-san to see if I could incorporate a piece of her style into my own."
"Rampage?" Sunday raised an eyebrow. "She's a front-runner like Turbo. Aside from the start, her style would clash with yours. What did you find?"
"I found it! And it's something only I can pull off! Please, Sunday-san, listen to this..."
Tannhauser began to list the findings from her personal investigation. Minamisaka was impressed; her analysis was deep and clinical. She hadn't relied on "inside info" from being on the same team; she had used publicly available data to reverse-engineer Rampage's dominance.
"So, based on that, I think I can do it. I'm a stayer at heart, so I have the stamina and the physical durability to handle the load."
"Interesting," Sunday said, her eyes glinting. "Let's see if she can walk the walk, Minamisaka."
"Agreed," Minamisaka nodded. "Though I'm surprised you reached this conclusion on your own, Tannhauser-san. I could have given you much better data from our team files."
"Ah, well... I thought about that," Tannhauser said, rubbing the back of her head. "But the data you have is born from the bond between you and Rampage-san. Stepping into that felt... I don't know, a bit intrusive? I felt like it would mean more if I figured it out myself from scratch."
That was Tannhauser's greatest strength. She understood herself perfectly. In the world of elite racing, most athletes spend their time obsessing over their rivals—a path exemplified by Agnes Flora. But Tannhauser focused on the slow, steady accumulation of her own efforts. Even when faced with overwhelming talent or a massive gap in ability, she never became bitter, jealous, or pessimistic. She just kept walking.
"Alright! Time to do my best! Ei, ei, mun!"
With those words and her trademark cheer, the day of the Japan Cup finally arrived. Every year, the race's international prestige grew, with many now considering it on par with the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
(The Race)
"Fugaku Hedgehog takes the lead, with Biwa Hayahide sitting comfortably in second! We're passing the midpoint and heading into the final stretch—and here comes Sakura Laurel, the Arc de Triomphe runner-up! The sister of Narita Brian is launching her assault on Biwa Hayahide!"
"Sister of Brian-chan, let's see what you've got!" Hayahide called out.
"With pleasure! I'll show you the legs that conquered the world!"
This Japan Cup was Sakura Laurel's homecoming after her narrow defeat to Flora in France. The pace was blistering—the relaxed start had been a lie, and the speed was only ramping up.
"Rounding the third corner, Biwa Hayahide takes the lead! Sakura Laurel is right on her heels! Marvelous Tiara is there! Nice Nature is moving up! Shangri-la Creek is closing in! Will the international challengers break the Japanese stronghold?!"
Hayahide, having trained alongside Rampage, had evolved into a powerhouse who could sustain a front-running pace indefinitely. Laurel matched her stride for stride. Meanwhile, Nice Nature was launching her trademark long spurt.
Among them, one girl was currently boxed in, yet she remained eerily calm.
'You're staying remarkably cool, kid... Now, try to blow past me.'
'Huh? Not "catch" you?'
'Nope. You've done enough chasing. Now, overtake.'
"Just a little more... just a second longer—NOW!"
"They're entering the fourth corner! Biwa Hayahide is incredibly strong! Sakura Laurel is desperate to keep up, but Hayahide isn't fading even at this suicidal pace! Is this the power of the Triple Crown sister?! They hit the home straight! Hayahide is still in front! Laurel is closing! Nice Nature is only three lengths back! Is it down to these three?! The international runners are being left behind—wait! Someone is coming from the back! It's Machikane Tannhauser!"
The crowd roared.
"Tannhauser has found an opening and is unleashing a monstrous spurt! She's flying! She's tearing past the international field—Shangri-la Creek, Desert Bit, Pear Tree—she's picking them off one by one! She's caught Nice Nature! She's past her! Machikane Tannhauser is charging!"
"This is the final form... Ultimate Machitan Form! GOOOOOO!"
"Less than 200 meters to go! Will Hayahide hold on?! Will Laurel steal it?! NO! IT'S TANNHAUSER! TANNHAUSER! She pulls level—no, she's ahead! Machikane Tannhauser takes the lead! 100 meters left! Her first G1 is within her grasp! Just a few more steps... and she's done it! Machikane Tannhauser wins the Japan Cup, overwhelming Biwa Hayahide and Sakura Laurel!
Second place: Biwa Hayahide! Third: Sakura Laurel! Fourth: Nice Nature! Team Canopus has completely swept the Japan Cup! This is the strength of the team that raised the Tyrant! A long-awaited G1 victory, achieved on the world stage!"
"I... I did it... I really did it! Yaaaaay! Everyone, I won! I actually won!"
Tannhauser's smile was blindingly bright—the kind of pure, honest joy that made everyone watching feel happy. It was why she had so many fans. And for those who had waited years for this moment... it was a victory that felt like a blessing.
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