"Haaa…" Teio sighed deeply, not just from the race's outcome.
"You okay?" her trainer asked, joined by her idol, Symboli Rudolf.
"I'm fine," Teio said, forcing a bright tone. "Tough loss, huh?"
Rudolf's concerned gaze lingered, but Teio wasn't pretending. "I got cocky. This loss taught me that."
Achieving an undefeated Triple Crown like Rudolf had fueled her confidence, but meeting Rampage, the undefeated tyrant who claimed it first, sparked her desire to challenge her. Studying Rampage's run made Teio stronger—she thought she'd win. "I fixated on Ran, ignoring Turbo and Nature. I called them rivals but didn't act like it. Pretty shallow, huh?"
"That's not—" her trainer began.
"It's fine. I know," Teio cut in.
Turbo's late surge and Nature's chase freed her. Her legs felt lighter then—if only she'd noticed sooner, she might've contended. Sixth place, outside the top five, stung for an undefeated champion.
"You seem… upbeat," Rudolf noted.
"Ran said in a stream, 'If a loss has value, I'd gladly ditch my undefeated streak,'" Teio replied. "This loss means everything. I can go further. I'll get stronger while Ran's abroad and beat her, Turbo, and Nature next time!"
Her lively steps and radiant expression warmed Rudolf. Her own Japan Cup loss had fueled her growth, but Teio found meaning in defeat, evolving beyond following her. "Okino, you'll be busy," Rudolf said.
"You bet! Rest up, Teio, then we perfect that run!" Okino declared.
"New Teio starts now!" Teio cheered.
Rudolf smiled. (When will your loss come, Rampage? 24-0, now abroad—what's next?)
"Good work, Rampage," Minamisaka said.
"Man, I'm beat," Rampage groaned, collapsing into a chair. "100m more, and it's way tougher. Long distances aren't my thing—2400's my limit."
The 2500m confirmed her weakness for longer races. She'd considered the Tenno Sho (Spring), but Kyoto's 3200m was impossible. McQueen and Palmer's stamina impressed her anew.
"You're Japan's undisputed queen now, with a world record," Minamisaka said.
"Record's a bonus," Rampage shrugged.
Her victory silenced doubters, delighting her grandmother. Rampage's feats were vital ammunition in her ongoing battles. "Next up, overseas," Minamisaka noted.
"It's real now," Rampage said, the year-long prep for her global quest dawning.
"What's the schedule? And what about Canopus? You can't just ditch them," Rampage asked.
"I may not always join you. I'll arrange a trusted escort and trainer proxy," Minamisaka replied.
"Proxy, sure, but escort?" Rampage raised an eyebrow.
An ex-FBI agent's arrangements sounded intense. "What, no ex-Marines, right?" Rampage teased.
"I can list some if you want," Minamisaka said.
"You've got them?!" Rampage exclaimed, deciding to trust her judgment.
"Do I need to win February Stakes for Dubai?" Rampage asked.
"No, the invite's secured. Want to race it?" Minamisaka replied.
"Nah, I'll head early to acclimate," Rampage said.
"Got it, I'll arrange it," Minamisaka confirmed.
The overseas journey loomed closer. "Oh, Speed Symboli will join you. Reliable, right?" Minamisaka added.
"Figures, very Su-chan," Rampage chuckled. "Sirius passed?"
"Yup, declined," Minamisaka said.
"Typical," Rampage grinned.
Her global adventure promised to be lively.
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