"Hehe... Hehehe..."
"Look, if you don't stop that creepy laughing, either get out or shut up. Seriously."
"Creepy!?"
The scene was the Student Council room. At the helm were Symboli Rudolf, the President, and Mejiro Ramone, the Vice President. In another history, these two were whispered to be the ultimate power couple of the turf. Here, they managed the council with such terrifying efficiency that while they technically left positions open for recruitment, no other student could withstand the sheer aura of their workspace. Consequently, the two of them handled everything—though Mejiro Rampage occasionally stepped in as an auxiliary.
Usually, Rampage was brought in for her linguistic expertise, helping process documents from overseas. But today, Rudolf's incessant giggling had finally pushed Rampage past her limit.
"She's right," Ramone added, her voice cool and sharp. "To be perfectly honest, it's grating. Both the laugh and the face you're making while doing it."
"Am I... Am I truly that unsettling?"
"To the point of nausea, yes."
"..."
Shot down by Ramone, the "Emperor" collapsed into a state of "Dejected-dolf," slumping over her desk. The source of her radiant mood was, of course, the recent Arima Kinen. With that victory, Tokai Teio had claimed her eighth G1 title. She had officially surpassed the record of the mentor she idolized—Rudolf herself. For Rudolf, there was no greater pride.
"Is Teio winning really that hilarious to you? Is it that fun to see her take down our Turbo? Is that how it is? Fine. If this is a declaration of war, I accept, you bastard," Rampage growled.
"W-wait, calm down, Rampage... I simply... I am merely overjoyed to see the growth of a junior who looks up to me so much..."
"Oh? And I suppose Turbo doesn't look up to you? She's the only one who actually laughs at your terrible puns, and you used to dote on her. I guess she's just 'different' from Teio, then?" Ramone interjected with a razor-sharp smile.
"T-that's... well..."
Pinched between the two Mejiros, the "Emperor of Japan" was quickly reduced to just another flustered girl. Realizing she was losing ground, Rudolf cleared her throat, desperately trying to pivot the conversation.
"The Hopeful Stakes are coming up next! Rampage, is there anyone you're keeping an eye on!?"
""Deflection."" The two Mejiros spoke in perfect, deadpan unison.
"Just answer the question!"
Rampage sighed. She couldn't exactly ignore the prompt. Her direct juniors in Team Canopus had already competed in the Juvenile Fillies and the Futurity Stakes; Coach Minamisaka would never allow them to overwork by entering the Hopeful Stakes as well. So, it wasn't them—but there was someone else.
"Offside Trap. She's with Trainer Kuronuma now, but she used to be with us at Nemesis, so she's a familiar face."
"Ah, her..." Rudolf nodded. "I heard she's on a three-race winning streak since her debut."
"My, then she certainly sounds promising," Ramone remarked.
"We'll see about that."
Rampage had kept tabs on her through Kuronuma. Trap was driven, tireless, and worked alongside Bourbon, whom she respected as a senior. She had a tendency to overtrain, but Kuronuma was skilled at keeping her impulses in check. Now, she was heading into her first G1 challenge, undefeated. Watching a former student flourish was satisfying enough, but Rampage secretly hoped the girl would seize the glory with her own two hands.
"That said," Rampage continued, her tone darkening, "I can't keep my eyes on the kids forever. I've got my own version of Hell to deal with."
"The Legend Race... Middle Distance Division," Rudolf whispered, looking at the entry sheet on her desk. Even after several looks, the list of names felt like a hallucination. Rather than a desire to join in, the sheer "Asura-like" intensity of the lineup made her want to recoil.
1st Row:
Katsuragi Ace
Oguri Cap
2nd Row:
3. Maruzensky
4. Green Grass
3rd Row:
5. Tamamo Cross
6. Tosho Boy
4th Row:
7. Sirius Symboli
8. Super Creek
5th Row:
9. Agnes Flora
10. Ten Point
6th Row:
11. Akari Point
12. Inari One
7th Row:
13. Hosho Tsukige
14. Crime Kaiser
8th Row:
15. Mejiro Ryan
16. Mejiro Rampage
"Wait, when did Sirius...?"
"Paisen? She apparently snuck into the qualifiers when no one was looking and slid into the main draw. That woman is impossible to read... I'll have to think of some ridiculous task to pay her back with."
"I give you my full permission," Ramone said firmly. "Do it."
"Wait, Ramone, why are you the one giving permission?" Rudolf asked.
The truth was, Ramone had desperately wanted to compete in the Legend Race herself. Seeing Sirius Symboli—of all people—getting to test herself against such a monstrous lineup while she sat in the office felt like a personal affront. In her mind, helping Rampage pull a prank on Sirius was only fair. Rudolf, truth be told, felt exactly the same.
"It really is a staggering field. Is it too late for a late entry?" Rudolf asked wistfully.
"You too, President? Sadly, the roster is locked. I already used my special entry slot on Flora. If you're that eager, aim for next year. I might still be active then."
"Oh? Do you plan on retiring at the top after that?" Ramone teased.
"It's not like that, 'Age-paisen.' I have a day job as a trainer, remember? Next year, Maya is the only one debuting. But after that, Air and the others start their runs, and I'll have to focus on them entirely. So, it all depends on how good 'Upper-chan's' skills are."
"Then you had better train them well," Ramone replied smoothly. "Raising a man is the hallmark of a good woman, after all."
"Ugh, I'm going to be so busy..."
Despite the complaining, the fact that Rampage didn't say 'no' was typical of her. She would grumble, then proceed to do the job with terrifying perfection.
"By the way," Rudolf asked, her eyes turning serious. "Do you think you can win?"
"Who knows? We'll find out when the gates open."
Rampage's answer was vague, but it was honest. Back in her Classic year, she had raced against the likes of Maruzensky and Katsuragi Ace. Even then, she hadn't been in her prime, but she had gone in with no intention of losing—only to be utterly crushed by those retired legends. That experience had stripped away any trace of overconfidence. She knew better than to underestimate them. She would simply give everything she had.
As they spoke, Rudolf switched on the TV. The broadcast for the Hopeful Stakes was just reaching its climax.
『Less than 200 meters to go! Namura Kokuo is in the lead! But wait—someone is surging from the back! What an incredible turn of foot! It's Offside Trap! Offside Trap is flying!! She's not just catching up—she's blowing past them! Offside Trap takes the lead! Namura Kokuo tries to respond, but is it too late!? Can they close the gap!? No—it's OFFSIDE TRAP!!! A three-race win streak from debut was no fluke! She has conquered the Hopeful Stakes undefeated!! Next year's Classics are going to be a storm! Narita Brian, Hishi Amazon, and now Offside Trap—the eye of the hurricane has arrived!』
In the final stretch, Offside Trap had unleashed a reservoir of power she'd been saving until the very last second, snatching the G1 title in a blur of speed. On screen, Trap blinked in confusion for a moment, as if unable to believe it. Then, as the roar of the crowd washed over her, the reality sank in, and her emotions erupted.
『CHIIIIIIIIEF! ARE YOU WATCHING!? I DID IT! I REALLY DID IT!!!!』
"Yeah," Rampage whispered to the screen, a small, proud smile tugging at her lips. "I'm watching. You've grown up, Trap."
Rudolf and Ramone watched Rampage with the gentle, knowing expressions of parents watching a child. They stayed silent, letting Rampage savor the moment as she celebrated the success of the girl she had helped shape.
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