As the Dubai trip nears, Rampage skips flashy training. Canopus sticks to fundamentals, methodically grinding daily routines. Rampage, however, dashes up slopes wearing a custom Shinzan iron mask—a grueling feat others would call insane. Yet, familiarity breeds ease; the heavy horseshoes and lung-straining mask feel routine now. Past Rampage would scoff in disbelief.
"Running slopes with a Shinzan mask's just normal now… can't mock Tressen's dragon anymore," Rampage mutters.
Bourbon, meanwhile, follows a revamped basics-focused regimen under Trainer Kuronuma, now incorporating Shinzan iron. Bourbon with Shinzan? The classic circuit's bound to be wilder than history. Amid these thoughts, the training ground buzzes—reporters are in a frenzy.
"Noisy bastards… gonna shut 'em up," Rampage grumbles.
Reporters are fine, but manners matter. Their chaos disrupts training—don't they get that? Tempted to roast them on her stream, Rampage heads over.
"Oi, you're too damn loud! We're healthier than you think, so show some respect, or I'll torch the media on my stream!" she snaps.
The crowd quiets instantly. Rampage's streams, rivaling Uma Musume G1 broadcasts, hit the news fast. Her channel, a haunt for legendary Uma Musume, even scored a Nintendo gig recently.
"What's the fuss about?" she asks.
"Yo, Ran-chan♪" a voice calls.
"Sue-chan? What're you doing here?" Rampage replies.
The commotion's source: Speed Symboli, or "Sue-chan," Uma Musume royalty. A Symboli family titan with deep URA ties, her presence explains the chaos. They high-five, grinning like granddaughter and grandma—a bond real grandkids don't fill.
"Finally free, but I overdid it. Shoulder's stiff. Rub it later?" Speed Symboli teases.
"Ask Sirius for that," Rampage shoots back.
"Genius idea, Ran-chan!" Speed Symboli laughs.
"Genius, right?" Rampage echoes.
A chill hits. "What's that vibe…?" Rampage mutters.
Speed Symboli leans in. "Truth is—"
"Wait, you cool with them hearing?" Rampage nods at the press.
Her favorite outlet starts packing cameras, but she waves them off. "It's fine, it'll go public anyway," Speed Symboli says.
"Oh?" Rampage raises a brow.
"I'm here to see your training," Speed Symboli declares.
"Got it," Rampage nods.
Stepping before the press, Rampage announces, "You all know I'm headed abroad soon. My partner, Nan-chan, stays to manage Canopus. Tyrant or dictator, I won't mess with my team's Twinkle Series. So, I'm assigning a trainer proxy."
Reporters scramble, recording. A proxy trainer's standard for overseas challenges, but who could handle Japan's star Uma Musume? Rigil's Tojo or Spica's Okino? They're tied to their teams. Who then?
Rampage casually drapes an arm around Speed Symboli, who beams and hugs back. "Meet my proxy trainer, Sue-chan♪" Rampage declares.
"Sue-chan, reporting for duty♪" Speed Symboli chimes.
"WHAT!?" the crowd gasps.
A bombshell: Speed Symboli, a rare Japanese Arc de Triomphe contender and Symboli matriarch, as proxy. Who'd dare object?
"But does she have a trainer's license?" a reporter stammers.
"Got it right here," Speed Symboli says, flashing a legit badge from her fancy wallet. "Took it ages ago for Sirius's overseas run. She refused my help, but good thing I kept it. Now I'm here for Ar-chan's grandkid♪"
"So you're scoping my training?" Rampage grins.
THUD! Rampage's right leg slams down, not with force, but sheer weight—a sound that silences all. Speed Symboli's eyes gleam with fire, unfazed.
"Years of brutal training, Sue-chan. Feel the weight," Rampage says.
"Show me you're world-class," Speed Symboli replies.
Laughing, they head to the course. The press stays back—this is their realm now. Reporters' only job: share this electric thrill.
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