"Rampage. Thanks for inviting us today."
"You're sayin' it too now? Come on, that's just salt in the URA's wound at this point."
"Precisely because it's you, I get a free pass."
The Emperor, Symboli Rudolf. The undisputed pinnacle of Japanese horse-girls, whom the URA had tirelessly promoted as the ultimate legend. Yet, that very same Emperor had thrown away her spot in the prestigious Dream Trophy League, choosing instead to enter the Legend Race. And when the other Triple Crown legends—Mejiro Ramonu and Mr. C.B.—followed suit in rapid succession, it set the entire racing world ablaze.
"W-Why?! Why enter the Legend Race?!"
"Why, you ask? What a bizarre question…" Rudolf's voice had resonated calmly through the press conference. "There has only ever been one reason for us to run: because we want to run in that race."
Ramonu and C.B., seated on either side of her, had nodded in silent agreement. At their core, they were racers who yearned to run with everything they had—and so, they would.
"I—no, it is not just me," Rudolf continued. "C.B., Ramonu, and I have all carried the exact same desire in our hearts for so long. We want a genuine, all-out battle against the horse-girl who went undefeated her entire career."
"The one who conquered the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe—a feat that neither Mejiro Musashi nor Speed Symboli could ever achieve."
"The one who claimed the absolute pinnacle of American racing, the Breeders' Cup Classic."
"We want a real fight with Mejiro Rampage!"
No matter how many ways they phrased it, every word converged on that single truth. They wanted to test their limits against the girl who had risen above Japan to stand at the absolute summit of the world. They, too, had dreamed of the Arc. Their hearts, too, had burned with passion watching the BC Classic, even if it wasn't their stage. They wanted to clash with the one who accomplished everything they couldn't.
"B-But still…!"
The stuttering reporter belonged to a publisher under the URA's thumb. He was a devout fan of Symboli Rudolf's racing, having penned numerous glowing articles about her. If she truly wanted to run, he would normally push her forward without a second thought… But the URA's word was law. He had to oppose this—or so he thought, right up until Mr. C.B. grabbed the microphone.
"Look, it's actually super simple," C.B. said smoothly. "Let me ask everyone in this room a real quick question, okay? Don't you want to see us go all-out against Rampage? I mean, look at this Legend Race—challengers are gathering not just from all over Japan, but from all across the globe. Teio and Turbo are going toe-to-toe with Rampage, too."
What a devious question. It completely transcended corporate politics and hit directly at the heart of every single person in the room—because beneath their press badges, every last one of them was a die-hard racing fan.
Of course they wanted to see it. And because the reporters in the room largely belonged to Rudolf's generation, C.B.'s words hit home with devastating force.
"I really wanna run," C.B. added with a relaxed grin. "Setting the whole 'Triple Crown' title aside, the Legend Race is another kind of dream entirely. A legend we thought was forever out of reach is suddenly right there, and we actually get to run alongside her. For a racer, it doesn't get much better than that—so I'm definitely running. Well, if I run, these two are coming with me anyway."
"Obviously," Ramonu chimed in smoothly. "Did you really think we'd let you steal a march on us?"
"Precisely," Rudolf agreed. "C.B., have you forgotten the last time you tried to pull a fast one on us?"
"Eheh~ That was totally a coincidence, I swear~"
As the tension in the room began to thaw, C.B. cleared her throat with a mischievous smile.
"Besides, like we've been saying for a while, the three of us plan to retire from the Dream Trophy League after this year. Don't you think this is the absolute best stage for a send-off? …Alright, raise your hand if you wanna see this race!"
"YES!" every reporter shouted in unison, hands shooting into the air.
As expected of the most beloved Triple Crown winner. C.B. had a masterclass understanding of human nature and knew exactly which strings to pull. She usually preferred her freedom over playing mind games, but the fact that she was pulling out all the stops proved just how desperately she wanted this match.
"Alrighty, it's settled then!" C.B. chirped. "We're running in the Legend Race~ No matter what the URA says, no changes! Oh, by the way—I actually asked Rampage to livestream this press conference on her end, so you definitely can't backtrack now! ♪"
"WHAT?!" the crowd gasped.
"Hold on, C.B., this is news to me!" Rudolf exclaimed.
"Well, yeah, 'cause I just said it for the first time! ♪" C.B. winked playfully.
Her trainer, Okino, buried his face in his hands with a groan. When on earth did she set that up?!
With that single wink, the URA faction's schemes to delay or edit the broadcast crumbled to ash. The live stream was out. Rudolf, Ramonu, and C.B. were officially locked into the Legend Race.
"Man, it was a pain in the ass," I muttered. "I had to go out of my way to visit a publisher I'm tight with, get the editor-in-chief to introduce me to someone tight-lipped and reliable, and then stream the whole thing off my own phone."
"Ehehe~ I knew asking you for help was the right call, Rampage~" C.B. giggled.
"You could have at least consulted us," Rudolf sighed, rubbing her temples. "I broke into a cold sweat."
And that was how the three Triple Crown legends ended up attending this reception party.
"Still, we've finally been blessed with the chance to go all-out against this kid," Ramonu murmured, eyeing me up and down.
"Indeed," Rudolf agreed. "I can say in all honesty that the wait has been unbearable."
"I can't wait," C.B. added.
They were all smiling pleasantly, but their eyes were dead cold—a roaring pillar of pure competitive spirit blazed behind their gazes. It was dangerous. Unsettling, even.
To have the greatest Triple Crown legends in Japanese horse-girl history this fired up just to take me down…
Damn it all… if that doesn't get my blood pumping.
"Bring it on, then," I smirked, throwing down the gauntlet. "You Triple Crown beauties who only know the world through the Japan Cup—good luck. Beating me is gonna be harder than wishing upon a shooting star."
"Harder than wishing upon a falling star, is it…?" Rudolf's eyes narrowed, a sharp smirk touching her lips. "Very well. Allow me to teach you firsthand why they call me the Emperor. Don't hold back—your defeat will serve as adequate tuition."
"That's my job," Ramonu cut in coldly. "As the original Triple Tiara—no, as your elder sister—it falls on me to show you the difference in our strength."
"In that case, I'll take you out to a Kabuki play after," C.B. chimed in cheerfully. "Don't worry, don't worry! Watching Kabuki always cheers you up when you're feeling down."
As the trash-talk flew back and forth, our corner of the venue descended into a complete war zone. The oppressive aura and raw bloodlust radiating from the four of us was so thick that even Warspite stood frozen, wiping a bead of cold sweat from her forehead.
Then, a single voice broke through the heavy air:
"I look forward to this legendary stage of dreams."
With that, the room burst back into a roar of excitement.
That was why everyone was here—because they wanted to step onto that legendary stage. Seeing the top contenders practically baring their fangs at each other wasn't terrifying; it was the ultimate spectacle.
The party wound down, the electricity in the air never fading. But from that day forward… both the Finals contenders and the Legend Race runners trained with a terrifying, unprecedented fury.
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