"Ran-chan, they're back again. More interview requests and an offer for a live TV appearance."
"Turn them all down."
"Aye-aye, sir~"
Mejiro Rampage now stood at the unprecedented zenith of both turf and dirt.
The Dubai World Cup, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the Irish Champion Stakes, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and the Breeders' Cup Classic. In the span of a single year, Rampage had stormed through these monumental titles and claimed victory in every single one. Furthermore, excluding her debut, she had hammered out record times in all of them—setting new World Records in both the Arc and the BC Classic.
Her battle record had leaped beyond the realm of comprehension, leaving the world dumbfounded. Consequently, the number of people begging for an interview was literally as numerous as the stars in the sky. Requests were pouring in from every corner of the globe... and she was rejecting every last one of them.
"Pathetic. Look at them panicking out there."
Glancing out the window, one could see a swarm of press gathered around the hotel—a scene so chaotic it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a riot. Perhaps because of this, armed police had been deployed in an attempt to quell the mob. The surrounding traffic was gridlocked, and there were reports of injuries. Naturally, there were those screaming that this was all Rampage's fault, but...
"It's not like I'm the bad guy here. Not causing trouble for others is basic human decency. If I start indulging people who can't even manage that, it'll just bring trouble to my doorstep. And if that happens, the government gets involved. The people out there who don't understand that are the ones at fault."
"You don't mince words, do you? I don't hate that about you."
In any case, Ireland would certainly make a move regarding Fine Motion, and Japan was a given. Dubai's ruler had taken a shine to her, so a mishandling could escalate into oil trade issues... Through Sue-chan, they had communicated this to the press, causing some to back down... but the stubborn ones remained.
"They really are the shame of America. They have no clue that their own behavior is the most repulsive thing here. That's why I hate this country."
"You probably shouldn't say that out loud... though I get how you feel. By the way, are you serious about this, Great Master Sunday Silence?"
"Don't call me 'Great Master' or any of that honorific garbage. Sunday or Si is fine."
"Sunday-san it is, then."
Sharing the hotel room was Sunday Silence. Since their conversation with Secretariat, she had begun sticking close to Rampage. The reason was her decision to sever ties with America and emigrate to Japan by next year. Since the timing aligned, she decided she might as well travel to Japan alongside Rampage's return.
"Actually, why Japan?"
"You can't claim you don't know about me."
"Well, I mean... right?"
Just as in recorded history, the life of Sunday Silence was a bizarre series of hardships. She hadn't looked like much as a foal, but her hind legs were X-shaped, curving inward—a defect so pronounced that a buyer's advisor had once called her the ugliest horse he'd ever seen, claiming it was unpleasant even to look at her.
As a horse girl, her experience was no different. Rejected by her mother and her family, she was later involved in a traffic accident where the transport van crashed, leaving her hovering between life and death. She suffered injuries severe enough that she couldn't walk for a time. These trials only fueled her naturally rough temperament, and she lived her life as if she hated the entire world.
"I can't stand this country. I poured all that hate into my racing, and suddenly the place is overflowing with trash rubbing their hands together, flipping their palms to praise me. It literally makes me want to vomit. You know what my family told me? They said their neglect was 'tough love'—a whip of love to make me stronger."
Sunday sneered.
"Hah! If that's the case, it wouldn't make sense if I didn't return the favor, right?! So I lashed them with my own whip of love. You should have heard the pathetic noises they made as they scrambled away. I've never felt so refreshed in my life!"
Sunday's face was twisted in a grin, revealing her teeth. But the emotion exploding from the depths of her heart was pure joy; these were words of absolute sincerity. To her, her blood relatives were nothing but an abomination. After winning the battle of the 'Haves vs. the Have-Nots' against her antithesis, Easy Goer, all she had gained from her family was a negative.
"If I had to express trust and gratitude in my life... it'd be to my trainer and the Chief. No other idiot would look at a horse girl who couldn't walk straight and say, 'You can stand at the summit.' And there aren't many who would believe in that and support it..."
The only person she trusted and relied on was her trainer. The only one she respected was Secretariat. Aside from those two, she felt she didn't need anyone else.
"I've repaid my debts. So, I've decided to live solely for myself from now on. That's why I'm going to Japan."
"Okay, but why Japan specifically?"
"Some Director or Chairwoman invited me. She practically begged, saying, 'imploringly! I want you to lend your power to Japan—no, to me!'"
An image of Chairwoman Akikawa snapping open her fan, followed by Hatenkou giving her a cat-punch, floated through Rampage's mind. Well, it was true that a powerhouse like Sunday was rare, so wanting her made sense... but how did she plan to utilize her? Even if she became a trainer, her personality was far too volatile; she definitely wasn't suited for it.
While Rampage pondered this, Sunday casually popped a peppermint candy* into her mouth.
"I was looking to disappear from America anyway. If the food is good and the games are fun, I've got no reason to refuse."
"Hmm... The President didn't try to stop you?"
"Nah. That guy respects my will. He's a man who understands how things work. I like him."
To hear the infamous Sunday Silence say that much spoke volumes about the President's monstrous charisma. At the same time, it made sense why some people thought he wasn't fit to lead a nation... though Rampage couldn't agree with the claim that he wasn't "presidential."
"So, do you have a base of operations decided in Japan?"
"Nope. I plan to buy a house somewhere suitable. It'll be smaller than here, but I've got money, so it won't be a problem."
"Then, until you decide, want to stay at the Mejiro estate? I'll run it by my Grandmother."
"That'd be easy. Sure, I'll leave it to you."
And just like that, with lighthearted momentum, Sunday became a freeloader at the Mejiro house. When Rampage contacted her Grandmother, the approval was immediate. In fact, Sue-chan even chimed in, saying she was welcome at the Symboli house as well.
With that settled, the time finally came for Rampage to leave America. Since the area around the hotel was still congested, they called for a helicopter to extract them from the roof.
"Wah-ha-ha!!! This is great. I've ridden in this once before. It's the President's private chopper!"
"What a view~. Are you going to buy one of these too, Ran-chan?"
"Maintenance costs are too high. At most, I'll buy another car."
"A Japanese car, huh? Maybe I'll buy one too."
And so, Mejiro Rampage's overseas expedition came to an end, and the journey back to Japan began.
Japan was currently bracing for the Kikuka-sho, the final race of the Classic Triple Crown. In the midst of that tension, the news that Rampage was returning home—with Sunday Silence in tow—was about to cause yet another massive uproar.
(Note: Sunday Silence reportedly loved peppermint candy during his active career; eating it seemed to calm his temper. There is an episode where he was apparently very delighted when fed candy instead of fodder. A similar story exists regarding Pilsudski during his expedition.)
Author's Note: When I was deciding on the initial draft for Rampage, I actually used Sunday Silence as a bit of a model for her character.
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