From the moment Rampage resolved to chase the Triple Tiara, something in her shifted—visibly, unmistakably.
"Hey, Rampage-san, you seem… different somehow," one of her teammates remarked.
"Yeah, like… larger than life or something," another chimed in.
Everything had changed, from her daily routine to her approach to Canopus's training regimen. The transformation was so striking that everyone around her noticed. Her eyes burned with newfound intensity, and she tackled classes with a focus that radiated energy. Rampage's evolution stunned those around her, but she wasn't alone—Ryan was undergoing a similar metamorphosis.
"Ryan-san's kinda incredible too, right?" someone said.
"Totally! She crushed it in the last mock race—first place by a mile!"
The common thread between them was clear: they'd set their sights on a goal. Not just any goal, but one so lofty, so audacious, it bordered on reckless. It was the kind of dream kids whisper about in their youth, too grand to seem real. Yet Rampage and Ryan were pouring every ounce of effort into making it happen.
"Phew…" Rampage exhaled, flicking her herbal cigar. "Gotta hit up the doc soon. These things are going up in smoke faster than I can keep up."
Her stash of herbal cigars was running low. Ever since enrolling at Tracen Academy, her consumption had spiked. The more she ran as an Uma Musume, the more her heart wavered, stirred by something deep within. The doctor had assured her the need would fade, that one day she'd manage without them. But as her usage climbed, she wasn't so sure. Was this just a wave that would crest and fall? For now, she let the thought slide and reached for another cigar—until a voice interrupted her.
"Yo, mind if I join you?"
A guy plopped down beside her on the rooftop. Okino, the Spica trainer.
"Sorry, pal, this body's already claimed by Canopus," Rampage shot back, smirking. "If you're looking for a review, go drool over Aiba's legs or something."
Okino popped a candy into his mouth, unfazed. "Nah, I've had my fill of that. I'm craving something fresh—say, a promising rookie like you."
"Then go scout someone for Spica. With Mr. CB as your star, you've got no shortage of raw talent to dig up."
"You'd think so, but it's not that simple."
"Yeah, not with your… unique vibe."
Spica paled in comparison to Rigil's prestige, despite boasting Mr. CB, a Triple Crown Uma Musume. The team's strength came from the perfect synergy between CB and Okino, but Spica's hands-off, autonomy-driven approach didn't click with every Uma Musume. And Okino being, well, Okino didn't help.
"That's why I tried recruiting you," he said, grinning.
"Hah! Too bad this body's loyal to Canopus. Not up for a cheap sale."
"—Word is you're gunning for the Triple Tiara."
"Yup. Wanna see just how much those three crowns are worth."
It wasn't the same as her beloved Aiba, but the Triple Tiara was one of the highest honors an Uma Musume could claim. Declaring it as her goal was bound to turn heads.
"Roommate's influence rubbing off?" Okino asked.
"Lamone-senpai did nudge me toward the Tiara route, yeah. Hard to say no to a woman like that—her charm could sway anyone, Uma Musume or not."
"No kidding. Sometimes I wonder if Lamone's even a student."
They chuckled over the small talk, but Okino's face suddenly turned serious.
"Listen up, kid. The generation you and Ryan are debuting in? It's no joke. It's not just Ryan—there's a whole pack of top-tier Uma Musume ready to dominate."
"Didn't know you had a scout's eye, Okino."
"Show some respect, and I'll spill the details."
He rattled off names Rampage knew well: the Mejiro triumvirate—McQueen, Ryan, and Palmer—dubbed the Mejiro Musketeers; Agnes Flora, Ines Fujin, Daitaku Helios, Daiichi Ruby. A roster of legendary horses, their names etched in history. And, of course, Ikuno from Canopus, set to debut as a rival.
"Trainers are calling it a golden generation," Okino said. "Climbing over these Uma Musume to snag the Triple Tiara? That's no easy road."
"You think I'm an idiot?" Rampage snapped.
Okino blinked, caught off guard by the blunt retort.
"You think Rudolf had a straight shot to glory? Or Lamone's coronation was a walk in the park? A race isn't a race without someone to fight for the crown. Winning without rivals? That's meaningless."
Strong opponents were a given. That's what made it worth doing. Rampage stubbed her cigar into the ashtray and stood.
"Believe it or not, I've got confidence in my curves and my guts."
With a wink, she sauntered off. Okino burst out laughing. The real challenge, he thought, was for the Uma Musume racing against her. And Spica's newest recruit? They were in for a rough ride.
"Guess I'd better step up my game too," Okino muttered. "Especially with her on the team."
Spica had just welcomed a new member: Mejiro McQueen.
"Hey, Ryan, kept you waiting?" Rampage called out.
"Nah, not at all!" Ryan replied, waving her over in the cafeteria.
She gestured to the Uma Musume beside her. "Ran, meet McQueen. She's Mejiro too, but our schedules never lined up till now."
"A pleasure to meet you," McQueen said with refined grace. "Grandmother spoke highly of you. I'm Mejiro McQueen."
"Well, ain't that polite. I'm Rampage, crashing at the Mejiro estate. Call me whatever you like."
There she was—the Mejiro McQueen, the legendary stayer hailed as the Mejiro family's masterpiece, her back-to-back Tennosho (Spring) victories a testament to her dominance.
"I've heard plenty about you from Ryan," McQueen said with a smile. "Or rather, you're pretty much all she talks about when we have tea."
"Oh, Ryan, spilling all my secrets?" Rampage teased.
"Hehe…" Ryan grinned, a mix of embarrassment and pride.
Rampage couldn't help but feel a warmth at Ryan's enthusiasm. Knowing her friend saw her as someone worth bragging about? That meant something.
"I must say, I was surprised when Ryan told me she's aiming for the Classic Triple Crown," McQueen added.
"Haha, but I'm working hard for it!" Ryan said, her teeth gleaming with a confident grin that practically sparkled.
Rampage stifled a laugh. Ryan's sporty vibe made the dramatic pose oddly fitting.
"And you, Rampage-san, are chasing the Triple Tiara, recommended by Lamone-san?" McQueen asked. "She invited me to join that route once, you know."
"No way, is she just throwing invites at everyone?" Rampage quipped.
"No, I believe she simply wants to support those pursuing it," McQueen clarified.
Still, McQueen had no plans to take the Tiara route. Her sights were set on the Classics, aiming to fulfill the Mejiro family's dream of consecutive Tennosho victories. That made her a major rival for Ryan. The old Ryan might've hesitated at the thought of facing McQueen, but not anymore.
"I'm not losing, McQueen," Ryan declared, her voice brimming with fire. "Ran and I are gonna take the double Triple Crown together."
"I have no intention of going down easily," McQueen replied coolly. "In fact, I'll be the wall you'll have to climb."
Ryan's bold challenge met McQueen's unwavering resolve, cementing a rivalry within the Mejiro family.
"By the way, Ikuno's been hanging out with Turbo a lot," Rampage said, shifting gears. "She's so chill and caring, it's no wonder."
"Very much like Ikuno-san," McQueen nodded. "We share a room, and she's been a great help to me too."
"Canopus sounds like a blast," Ryan said, grinning.