"The Arc de Triomphe…" Flora whispered.
"Doesn't feel real yet?" Minamisaka asked.
"It's not that it doesn't feel real… it's just… a strange feeling."
Her obsession with defeating Rampage had outlasted Rampage's own retirement. No matter how much she ran, she could never quite visualize a path that led to overtaking that particular back. She had thrown herself into the overseas circuit just to get a glimpse of the world Rampage saw. She had succeeded to a degree—her overseas record stood at ten starts and seven wins. In terms of sheer numbers, she had surpassed Rampage's win count, but all of Flora's wins were at the G2 or G3 level. The Arc would be her first G1 attempt.
"I wonder… have I grown at all?"
"You have!"
The answer came from an unexpected source: Turbo.
"Turbo kind of gets how Flora feels," Turbo said, her usual boisterousness replaced by a rare moment of insight. "Because Turbo had someone she didn't want to lose to, either. Someone she wanted to beat no matter what."
"You mean…"
"Yeah. Teio."
Tokai Teio. Turbo's contemporary and greatest rival. Teio was currently on her own overseas campaign, having already secured G1 titles in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
"Turbo and Teio are even right now. That's why I've already decided where our next showdown will be."
"What? Where?!"
"We're going to settle it in America. That's why I'm still debating whether to enter the Arc or not."
Flora was stunned. Turbo was already looking toward the United States. Even Laurel looked surprised as she asked, "You mean the Breeders' Cup?"
"Yeah. But Turbo is registering for the Mile, and Teio is going for the Turf. And then, finally… we're going to settle it in the Legend Race."
Turbo's expression was incredibly sharp. The innocent, childish aura she had carried since arriving in Europe had vanished, replaced by the regal, commanding presence of a Triple Tiara winner.
"Ooh! The Legend Race!" Fine Motion clapped her hands. "The race my Bestie created, right? Lucky! I want to see it in Japan too!"
"Then come watch it with us!" Turbo said.
"I can?!"
"Turbo-san, don't make promises so easily," Minamisaka interjected. "Fine-san would need her family's permission for a trip like that."
""Boooooo!"" Fine and Turbo pouted in perfect sync.
How do they get along so well? Flora wondered. Yet, looking at Turbo, she felt a surge of genuine respect. Flora had beaten her once, but if they raced again today, she wasn't sure she could repeat the feat. To win, she would have to push herself to the absolute limit.
As if sensing her thoughts, Turbo reached out and took Flora's hand, then grabbed Laurel's as well.
"Turbo won't have any regrets, whether she runs in the Arc or not. But you two shouldn't run a race you'll regret. The Arc is the race Ran won. I'm not gonna tell you that you have to win, but… at the very least, run a race you can be proud of when you go home and tell Ran all about it!"
Looking at Turbo's beaming smile, Flora felt the heavy weight in her chest suddenly lift.
That's it, she realized. She had been paralyzed by the prestige of the Arc de Triomphe. But she didn't need to carry that burden. She just had to view it as another step in her challenge against the woman who conquered this race. She would face the world as herself—a challenger taking on the legacy of Mejiro Rampage.
"Right!" Flora said, her voice firm.
"I'll give it my all too, Turbo-senpai," Laurel added. "We'll be counting on your cheers!"
"Leave it to me!" Turbo shouted.
"Leave it to me, too!" Fine echoed.
Flora turned to her temporary mentor. "Trainer Minamisaka. I know I'm still lacking, but please… continue to lead me."
"Understood," Minamisaka replied with a formal nod. "My contribution may be small, but I will give you everything I have."
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