"Raaahhh!"
"Ran, you're breaking records again!" Ryan cheered.
"Eh, not bad," Rampage said, skidding to a stop.
Her breathing barely hitched, steadying after a few deep breaths. Lighting a herbal cigar, she puffed casually—her run had been controlled, yet she was evolving with every lap. It also laid bare how little racing experience she had, but she brushed that off.
"Ryan, don't you have your own training?" Ran asked. "You've got a trainer, right?"
"Yup, but Grandmother asked me to keep an eye on you," Ryan said, flashing a toothy grin and a thumbs-up.
Ran smirked, warmed by her friend's care. "That's sweet, but aren't you cutting it close? Don't you have a meeting with your trainer?"
"Oh, crap!" Ryan gasped, checking the time. "Gotta run! Sorry, Ran!"
"Go get 'em," Ran called. "Break that bench press record!"
"You bet I will!" Ryan shouted, sprinting off.
Ran exhaled a cloud of mist, watching her go. Time was ticking—she needed a trainer, too. Plenty of them were eyeing her, with Rigil and Spica still pitching offers. Finding one wasn't the issue; picking the right one was.
"Trainers, huh…" she muttered.
She had no clue what she wanted. As she finished her cigar and considered another, a voice broke her thoughts.
"Excuse me, Rampage-san, right?"
"That's me, the wild Rampage," she said, eyeing the man in a gray suit. "And you?"
"My apologies, I should've introduced myself. I'm Minamisaka, a trainer with Team Canopus."
Ran recognized him instantly. Minamisaka of Canopus—rumored to have a shady past, maybe an overseas rogue or some secret agent. The guy was a walking mystery.
"Got a minute?" he asked. "I need a sparring partner for a run."
"For me?" Ran raised an eyebrow. "Can't a team trainer handle that?"
"Well, our scheduled partner bailed last minute," he admitted.
"So you're hitting me up? Gotta work on your pickup game," she teased. "But Ryan just left, and I'm free. I'll bite."
Minamisaka let out a relieved sigh, his gentle demeanor at odds with the wild rumors. Was this guy secretly saving the world or something?
"Who am I running with?" Ran asked.
"Just a moment, they're almost here—"
"Sorry I'm late," a new voice said.
A bespectacled Uma Musume approached, and Ran knew her on sight: Ikuno Dictus.
"Minamisaka-san, you found a partner," Ikuno said. "Thank you for agreeing on short notice, Rampage-san. I'm Ikuno Dictus. Let's make today count."
"Rampage," Ran replied, nodding.
Ikuno Dictus, the "Iron Lady," raced 51 times over four and a half years without injury—a living testament to "soundness is a champion." Her beauty was legendary, too; male horses got so worked up trying to impress her that they'd overexert themselves. Mejiro McQueen was a famous victim.
"I've already warmed up, so this'll be less sparring, more flying," Ran warned.
"Perfect," Ikuno said. "I'm aiming for Tressen's best. Running hard is non-negotiable."
"Hah, big talk with the Emperor around," Ran grinned. "I like it. Bring it, Ikuno Dictus."
"I'm honored," Ikuno said. "Just Ikuno's fine, Rampage-san."
"Same here, just Rampage."
"Let's not overdo it," Minamisaka chuckled.
The run began. At first, Ran matched Ikuno's pace, but as Ikuno warmed up, Ran toyed with her, subtly speeding up or slowing down.
"Impressive," Ikuno said. "Most Uma Musume wouldn't notice those pace shifts."
"You caught that?" Ran asked.
"Of course," Ikuno replied. "My control is impeccable."
Ikuno's cool-headed precision didn't miss a beat. Instead of countering Ran's changes, she matched them, her iron will and robust physique unfazed. Ran couldn't help but grin.
"Nice. Wanna go all-out on the final stretch?" she asked.
"Absolutely," Ikuno said.
"Here we go!" Ran roared.
On the last straight, Ran unleashed everything, stretching her short, rapid strides into long, explosive ones. Ikuno matched her, but the constant pace shifts had chipped away at her stamina. Still, she stayed within striking distance, never letting Ran pull away.
"Raaahhh!" Ran shouted.
"I'm not... getting left behind!" Ikuno growled.
They crossed the finish line neck-and-neck. Ikuno collapsed to her knees, exhausted, while Ran, panting heavily, managed to stay upright.
"Damn, couldn't shake you," Ran said. "You're unreal, Ikuno."
"You're... the unreal one," Ikuno gasped. "Keeping up was all I could do."
"Nah, after all those pace switches, you still stuck close," Ran said. "Feels like I lost."
Knowing her tactics and still competing was a win for Ikuno. Ran realized this could happen in real races—she'd need to outpace even the toughest opponents. Minamisaka jogged over with towels and water bottles.
"Great work, both of you. Here, drink up," he said.
"Thanks," Ran said, grabbing one.
"Thank you... much appreciated," Ikuno panted.
Ran caught Minamisaka eyeing her legs. "What's up?"
"Sorry, I'm just amazed," he said. "No trembling after that run. Your stamina and those pace battles with Ikuno-san? Incredible."
"Appreciate it," Ran said, impressed. Through her tracksuit, he'd noticed that? Minamisaka was the real deal, managing Ikuno's grueling 51-race career in the anime. No small feat.
"Ikuno-san, your form's tighter than before," Minamisaka said. "Without those pace shifts, you could've pushed harder."
"No, matching them was the point," Ikuno said. "Some Uma Musume race like that. I needed to experience it."
"Solid reasoning," Minamisaka nodded. "Rest up now."
His keen eye and empathy for his runners struck Ran. She'd barely met other trainers, but her mind was made up.
"Hey, Minamisaka-san," she said. "How about letting me join Canopus?"
"You, in Canopus?" he asked, surprised. "But Rigil and Spica are after you."
"Yeah, they're quick with offers, but they don't click," Ran said. "Watching you with Ikuno? That's the spark I needed. I want you handling my Twinkle Series. That cool?"
Minamisaka hesitated. He'd seen her selection race and wanted to scout her but doubted he was worthy. Now, with her choosing him, a surge of pride hit. She'd recognized him—chosen him. He took her outstretched hand, voice booming.
"Absolutely, I'd love to have you! Welcome to Canopus!"
"Count on me," Ran said, then turned to Ikuno. "Looks like we're teammates now. Here's to it."
"Likewise," Ikuno said. "With you, Rampage-san, Canopus might just aim for Tressen's top spot."
"Hell yeah," Ran grinned. "If we're aiming, let's shoot for the stars."