It wasn't exactly a "stylish international incident," but for the Japanese government, the recent broadcast came as a complete surprise. In fact, this incident ironically became the catalyst for building an even stronger relationship between Ireland and Japan, but... it's perfectly understandable why the government would want to say, "No more of these catalysts, please!" Amidst all this, Rampage continued her training to adapt to the European turf.
"As expected, it feels different. So, even Japan's European-style turf isn't perfect, huh?"
She tested the feel of the turf while wearing her Shinzantei irons, and indeed, the turf felt heavy. Japanese racecourses are high-speed environments where speed is paramount, but European turf has a high cushion, absorbing power effectively, which makes the turf feel heavy and emphasizes power. This environmental difference is often called the "high wall" Japanese Uma Musume face, but... Rampage showed no signs of struggling against this wall, continuing to run with a light and easy stride.
"Hmm~... Alright, this feels about right."
"Oh, you're adapting so easily. I had quite a hard time myself."
Sue-chan watched Rampage, who had adapted so effortlessly despite European turf being the first trial for Japanese Uma Musume, and recalled her own struggles with surprise. She remembered putting in hours of time and effort, but this time, all of Rampage's past hardships were having a positive effect.
"Sue-chan, telling me about power and such is just rude. I've been with these for almost a year now."
She said, lifting one leg. For Rampage, who wore weighted hoof-irons like Shinzantei, power was overflowing. During training camps, she would climb mountains daily, wearing these very hoof-irons and a mask.
"Indeed, that was an uncouth thing for me to say."
"I'll get used to it by running, and I think I can run with normal hoof-irons feeling like I'm wearing Shinzantei, without any discomfort."
"How reassuring. I can look forward to the KGVI & QE Stakes next month."
"Well, you can just relax and leave it to me."
Sue-chan watched her leave with a smug look, amazed at how she could run on this European turf with such heavy hoof-irons.
"Sue-chan, hello!!"
"Oh, Princess Fine, hello."
"Mmm~ You don't need to add 'Princess'~ After all, Rampage-san, Sue-chan, and I are best frien-ds!!"
Fine puffed out her chest with a "Mufun ♪" kind of proud look. Why was this child so adorable? But then again, her own granddaughters were no less charming.
"You're so cute~ But my Ruu-chan and Shii-chan are cute too, you know?"
"Ruu-chan and Shii-chan?"
"They're my granddaughters. Want to see photos?"
"Yes, yes~!!"
"(Again, the cushioning is really high... If I step in normally, it won't work.)"
Rampage sprinted, testing the completeness of her current running form. She drilled the feel of the European turf into her body, correcting her stride to one suitable for Europe, not Japan.
"(No, rather, here, if I can step deeper, more powerfully...!!)"
She lowered her stance, pressing down on the turf with greater force. She then kicked the ground, entering the corner at a speed impossible on Japanese turf, but this cushioning was exactly what she wanted. She supported it with her own power and converted it into speed. By the time she rounded the corner and entered the straight, she could maintain top speed without needing to re-accelerate.
"Hoo-hoo... I need to refine this."
She stopped, a smile creeping onto her lips. That felt quite good. If she refined it further and increased its completeness, it could become a new weapon, even applicable to her illusionary escape tactics. Now, to hear Sue-chan's evaluation... she glanced over, but there were Fine and Sue-chan, laughing gleefully, "Kya-kya Ufufu."
"Sue-chan, you're here as my trainer, you know..."
I almost wanted to complain, but since she was a princess of Ireland, I couldn't make any clumsy moves... though the atmosphere seemed very peaceful and cheerful. Well, I'll just have to ask her to watch next time... Wiping sweat with a towel, I approached them and overheard their conversation.
"Heh~ So these are Ruu-chan and Shii-chan!!"
"That's right, that's right. Ruu-chan has a strong sense of responsibility, but her childishness is cute. And Shii-chan usually acts a bit tsundere, but she actually loves me very much, and she gave me a present when we had tea together the other day ♪"
"Heh~ that's nice~!!"
"...Are they going to be alright?"
No problems would arise, surely no problems would arise, but... I was starting to worry if Sirius would get another stomach ulcer. This wasn't my fault; Sue-chan was actively gushing about her granddaughters' cuteness... And Fine was enjoying listening, so there was no stopper left.
"Big Sister too, Big Sister too!! The other day, when she ate my cake, she got so flustered, and then she baked me a new cake herself!! She'd never made sweets before, but she made it all by herself, without leaving it to the chefs!!"
"Oh~ what a wonderful big sister~ Far-chan loves her big sister so much~ ♪"
"I love her so much~ ♪ And Sue-chan loves Ruu-chan and Shii-chan so much~ ♪"
"Yeah~y ♪"
It seems they've found some kind of mutual understanding. Is this the terror of a lack of a straight man?
"What's all this? You two seem to be having a lot of fun."
"Oh, Rampage-san! You know what? Sue-chan promised to invite me to the Symboli family home when I go to Japan next time!!"
"Hehehe, we just hit it off perfectly ♪"
"Well, that's great and all, but if you don't rein it in a bit, not just Sirius-senpai but even the Chairman will faint."
"Hehe, it'll be fine. I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun ♪"
"I hope so..."
"...N-now, Rudolf, I suddenly felt a chill, is it just my imagination...?"
"What a coincidence, me too..."
"D-did that Rampage fellow do something unnecessary again...?"
"I almost feel like it's Grandmother..."
"Aah... my stomach again... I'm going to the gastroenterologist..."
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