"Once again—congratulations. This time, let me congratulate you properly, Mejiro Rampage!!"
"I won't try to stop you this time."
Minami-chan had suggested she show her face to the Director, so she obediently dropped by the Director's office. The moment she entered, Hatenkou (the cat) leaped onto her, clinging to her head. Knowing she was truly liked by the little creature made her genuinely happy.
Tazuna-san, overcome with emotion, welcomed her back with teary eyes. Those simple, honest words—"Welcome home"—felt the most precious of all.
"Honestly, how many times do you intend to surprise us, Rampage-san? Not just the first in Japan, but the first in the world to conquer both the Arc and the BC Classic."
"Heh. You can fall for me if you want, you know?"
"Fufu, is that so? Well, the current Rampage is certainly very charming."
Tazuna-san played along with the joke—truly a beautiful secretary. This kind of banter was fun...
"...!!?"
"W-What is it? Why did you suddenly whip around like that!?"
"I-I just felt a sudden chill..."
"Are you still tired? Considering your schedule, calling it a 'bullet tour' would be an understatement."
"Maybe..."
She hoped that was all it was. But that terrifying chill, like ice sliding down her spine, felt like something far beyond simple fatigue... No, well, she could guess what—or who—it might be, but it was better not to think too much about it.
"Report!! Currently, we are planning a joint victory party involving Symboli, Mejiro, and Tracen Academy!! After all, you are literally the world's number one horse girl; we must make it an event worthy of the title!!"
"Personally, just renting out a classroom for a party would be luxury enough for me... But I guess I've done a lot of crazy stuff, so putting on a show is part of the job, huh..."
Despite her chaotic actions, Rampage possessed a solid awareness and consideration for these matters, making her extremely easy to persuade—something both the Director and Tazuna were grateful for.
"By the way, Director, what exactly is Sunday-san going to do in Japan? You mentioned having her act as an 'Aggressor'."
"That is merely one of the proposals. In fact, the idea of the 'Aggressor' role stems from a rather serious problem."
Tracen Academy had a vast number of horse girls waiting to be scouted. The means for these girls to obtain a trainer were limited: be scouted directly, pass a team entrance exam, or catch an eye during a selection race. While the races regularly hosted by Canopus were showing signs of improvement, the situation was still far from sufficient.
"Technically, there is a 'name lending' system, but that is literally just lending a name; they do not receive actual instruction from that trainer."
"Consequently, they are forced to build their own training menus. Driven by the anxiety and pressure of not having a trainer, they repeat cycles of overwork, often leading to injury and retirement."
"And the 'Aggressor' is the solution to that?"
"Indeed!!"
The Director snapped open her fan. It read: GREAT IDEA!!
The plan was to commission retired trainers and horse girls to instruct and raise the un-scouted students. Using this foundation, they would construct a new selection race circuit focused on competing against these "Aggressors"—horse girls with proven ability.
The Director's aim was to avoid lumping capable horse girls together with those still developing, allowing each individual to be seen more clearly, thereby improving the ease of scouting.
"Calling Sunday-san just for that... that's pretty extravagant."
"Decisive Action!! We heard rumors she was fed up with America for some time. When we boldly broached the subject, it was a massive success!!"
"In that case, should I run this by Maruzensky-san and Ace-san? They might be willing to teach, like they did for me."
"Umu! We would very much like that!!"
Tazuna and the Director exchanged glances and smiled slightly. They had known Rampage would say that. Originally, this plan also aimed to correct the skill disparity between scouted horse girls and those waiting. If they could add Rampage's connections—her network of Legend Horse Girls—Tracen Academy's overall level would skyrocket. This would, in turn, lead to an even more exciting Twinkle Series.
"Now then, Rampage. I also have something I wish to discuss with you."
"What is it? A complaint from the Japanese government?"
"There is that too—but no, this is different."
"There is that too, huh..."
Should she do something to apologize? Maybe introduce the President... No, that would definitely cause a panic, so better not.
While she was thinking such foolish thoughts, the Director pulled a document envelope from her desk, took out the contents, and placed them where Rampage could see.
It was an invitation to the Dream Trophy League.
"I do not know how long you intend to run in the Twinkle Series, but it seems the URA wishes for you to transfer sooner rather than later."
"Meaning: 'Retire quickly while you're still undefeated'?"
"Most likely... Your race count is already at 29, Rampage-san. That is a number where retirement wouldn't be strange. I believe they aim to enshrine you as an undefeated legend, turning you into a literal 'dream' before that record can waver."
She understood what they meant. The value of retiring undefeated versus retiring with a loss was vastly different. The URA likely intended to festival-ize her as an eternal legend, placing her on the stage of dreams.
Don't make me laugh, she thought. Like hell I'll let you decide my value.
By the time the thought crossed her mind, her body had already moved unconsciously.
She was tearing the invitation.
"Ho-hoh."
"Oh my."
Before she realized it, the invitation was shredded into confetti. Caught up in the motion, Hatenkou (the cat) wiggled with excitement. Rampage gave a wry smile, tossed the scraps into the trash can, and petted the cat.
"Sorry, but I have zero interest in the Dream Trophy League. The dirt tracks aren't even fully developed there yet, right? Running only twice a year... I can't really get behind that."
"Delightful!! I knew you would say that!!"
"I agree. I thought Rampage-san would surely react this way."
It seemed her actions had been read perfectly. After all, she had known these two for a long time; their understanding of her was high, even if not quite at Minami's level.
"But, well... it's not like I haven't thought about retirement."
"Is that so? The path you choose is yours alone. Think it through carefully before you decide."
"I intend to. So, could I borrow your ears for a sec?"
"Oh? Plotting something evil again?"
"Don't make me sound like a villain. If anything, this is a good story."
"Ho-hoh? We are listening!!"
She leaned in and whispered—unnecessarily secretive mumbles. The two exaggeratedly nodded along with "Hmm-hmm," and "Hoh-hoh," playing the part.
And when asked for their impressions...
"Delightful!! Thrilling!! Brilliant!! I see, indeed that opinion holds water. Hahaha! So we get to watch the URA be turned upside down again!!"
"This will make us busy as well, won't it? But... it certainly sounds like a worthwhile endeavor."
"Fufufu... Tazuna, I suddenly feel a surge of motivation boiling up... Prepare immediately!!"
"Yes, Director. Thank you for your wonderful suggestion, Rampage-san."
"No problem. Well then, I'll be off."
Leaving the two, who were now buzzing with excitement, she bowed and stepped outside. She had conveyed what she wanted to do. They had agreed, and aiming for that direction felt true to herself.
After all, she was a Tyrant. Anyone who thought she would easily take orders from others was dead wrong. She intended to live more freely, faster, higher, and more enjoyably than anyone else. And she would spare no effort to achieve that.
"Ran. I'm heading to the cafeteria. Care to join me?"
She turned around to find Ryan—her family—standing there.
Why was it? She found herself smiling, feeling a warmth far greater than before.
"Yeah, sure. Want to invite anyone else while we're at it?"
"I've already invited McQueen and Palmer."
"The Mejiro clan, all present and accounted for, huh?"
The distance between her and Ryan hadn't necessarily gotten closer. It had always been this close. It was just that... the bond flowing across that distance had grown stronger.
"Hey, tell us about overseas. Palmer said she wanted to hear about it too."
"Well, where should I start...? Maybe about getting hit on in Ireland?"
"Eh, you got hit on!? Trying to pick up Ran... that takes some serious courage..."
"Oi. What is that supposed to mean?"
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