"Ughhh, I'm so frustrated!!"
Twin Turbo practically spat the words out in the Canopus clubroom, sounding as if she needed to say it one more time just to get it out of her system.
I couldn't help but smile wryly at her outburst. Ikuno and Nature, who had run in the same race, nodded in agreement. While their frustration might not have been as intense as hers, anyone who had felt the sheer ferocity of that race firsthand understood that "frustrated" was the only word that truly fit.
"Even I thought I had won for a moment. Seven millimeters… I suppose this is exactly what they mean by 'so close, yet so far.'"
The difference between Teio and Turbo was an unbelievable seven millimeters. The gap to Silver was one centimeter. The entire battle for the podium took place within a mere 1.7 centimeters. It was a legendary Japan Cup, decided by a photo finish so tight it defied belief.
"But really, it was just that close~."
"Seriously. Tell me about it."
It was such a momentary, razor-thin clash that even if they had declared it a three-way tie, no one would have had the right to complain. If just one thing had been slightly different, Teio's victory would have vanished, and either Turbo or Silver would have seized the crown. Even Teio had touched on that fact in her interview.
『How do you feel right now!!?』
『Hmm… I don't really know, I guess. It was a race where it wouldn't have been strange for anyone to win. If even the slightest thing had gone wrong for me, Turbo or Silver could easily have won. I realized I still have a long way to go. I can't call myself the "Absolute Emperor" just yet.』
"B-But Turbo-san, you were amazing."
"I learned so much from Ran, so losing is the only thing that sucks! But next time, I'm definitely gonna win!!"
Turbo was already bouncing back with full energy, seemingly over the defeat. The Canopus clubroom was wrapped in a peaceful atmosphere. Watching her look forward instead of dwelling on the past was something they all felt they should emulate.
Then, Laurel murmured a question.
"Um, where is Rampage-san, by the way?"
"Come to think of it, Senpai isn't here. Is she still resting?"
"With a schedule that brutal, it wouldn't be strange if she was… but still."
"But Ran ran with Turbo, remember?"
The fatigue from the overseas expedition should have faded by now. The fact that she had run alongside Turbo was proof enough. Just as they were wondering where Rampage had gone, Minami-zaka checked his watch.
"It's about time," he muttered, booting up his laptop. "Turbo-san, I apologize, but I'm going to sync the laptop to the TV. Could you handle the cable?"
"Hm? We're putting it on the TV? Leave it to me~!"
Turbo, not understanding why but happy to be relied on, immediately started connecting the cables. Since only she or Rampage knew how that particular setup worked, asking her made sense… but the others were puzzled as to why they needed the TV at all.
"Is something happening, Trainer-guy?"
"Just watch."
"Connected~!"
"Thank you very much."
And so, the TV screen mirrored the laptop, displaying a "Preparing for Live Broadcast" screen. Speaking of live broadcasts, that was usually Rampage's territory…
Just as the thought crossed their minds, a voice rang out.
『Tyrant Channel~♪』
A terribly bright and cheerful voice called out the title. It was a voice they had heard somewhere before—or rather, a voice they heard all the time. The screen switched, and there stood Rampage in her racing silks.
"Ah, it's Ran!"
"Ooh, it's a live stream on Senpai's channel!"
"You always watch this, don't you?"
"I watch it all the time too."
"Me too~!!"
Rampage's streams were famous for being chaotic, but they also dropped valuable information and frequently featured Legend-class guests, making them must-watch content. Naturally, the Canopus members were regular viewers. But since Minami-zaka had gone out of his way to show them this, they sensed something significant was coming. They glued their eyes to the screen.
"To everyone in front of their monitors, Oha-Kon-Hallo-Ciao♪ Creating world records in your memories, the dictatorial tyrant, the triumphal return of victory!! Let's clash our two hearts together and break through to the other side with the speed born from it—it's Rampage!! Have you people been accumulating good karma? The Japan Cup the other day was intense, wasn't it~? Seven millimeters, one centimeter—it's a crazy world out there. To think such a vast universe exists inside the margin of a nose. Good grief, my juniors are growing up so fast, Senpai is moved to tears."
Chat:
Seriously, that race was amazing.
The deliberation took forever, too.
Well, it's got nothing to do with you, I guess.
Since you're the absolute undefeated strongman.
Honestly, I'm more scared of Ikuno and Flora who keep slugging it out with you.
"Rest assured, Flora is a normally scary horse girl in many ways. Why did she turn out like that, I wonder…"
Chat:
I remember she rejected a hug at last year's Japan Cup.
She says that, but she still praises victories.
Tsundere?
There is no 'dere'.
I can't imagine the Tyrant being a tsundere.
Yeah, that's tough.
"Well anyway, enough about that. Today's guest is—this person!!"
"Umu!! Oha-Kon-Hallo-Ciao~ Central Tracen Academy Chairman, Akikawa Yayoi, is here!!"
As usual, a guest appeared. This time, it was the Chairman. Naturally, Hatena (the cat) migrated to sit on Rampage's head. The Chairman was certainly Legend-class, but since she had appeared before, the chat remained relatively calm.
"Now then, for today's announcement———THIS!!"
Rampage punched the whiteboard she had prepared. The board spun with tremendous force. She stopped it with another sharp strike, revealing the reverse side.
Written there was: Newly Established!! URA Finals & Legend Races!!
Chat:
F-Finals!!?
What's that cool name?
I'm super curious about the Legend Races too.
Judging by the name, is it separate from the Dream Trophy League?
Hurry up, give us the details!!
Don't keep us waiting~!!
"Explanation time!! The Finals is a race planned by Mejiro Rampage. It will hold qualifiers for each division—Short, Mile, Medium, Long, and Dirt—and gather the thoroughbreds who survive them for a literal showdown of champions!!"
Chat:
That sounds super interesting.
There aren't many G1s for short distance, so this is a godsend!!
There's Dirt too!! As expected of the Tyrant, the scale of her thinking is huge!!
A literal "Finals" match.
"But that's not all. The qualifiers for these Finals will be held in cooperation with Tracen Academies scattered across the country. In other words, the horse girls eligible for the Finals aren't limited to Central!! Anyone who wins the qualifiers advances to the main event."
"Indeed!! Preparations for coordination with Regional Tracen centers are already complete, and the establishment of qualifying races is underway!!"
Chat:
Eh? What does that mean?
Figure it out, idiot.
Does that mean… if a local horse girl wins the qualifier, she can compete against Central horse girls?
Seriously!? That's insanely hot!!
"Who said it was just Regional Tracen? I said, if you win the qualifier. There are no restrictions on applying for the qualifiers. Local, General Schools—we accept everyone without discrimination. That is why we are holding qualifiers at Tracen centers all over the country!!"
Chat:
———Eh, seriously?
Wait, so my big sis who goes to a normal high school can enter?
It's okay even if you don't go to Tracen!?
Seriously!? Isn't that going to be super difficult to manage!?
The number of participants is going to be massive!!
"That is exactly why we needed the cooperation of Tracen centers nationwide. Since returning to Japan, I've been laying the groundwork for this. We got great responses; everyone is eager to help. Did you give up because you didn't have the chance? You have the will but thought it was too hard? If you have the will, then announce yourself! I'll set the stage. Now, gather, Horse Girls!! In the name of the Finals!!"
It was a truly revolutionary plan. Normally, there was no way it would pass. But—Rampage had pulled it off. She utilized the name value she had earned, along with the full power of the Symboli and Mejiro families, to make it happen.
"And then, the Legend Races!! This is, quite literally, a race where Legend-class horse girls gather!! The Dream Trophy League is called the stage of dreams, but don't you want to test yourself against the horse girls who run on that stage?! That's right, the Legend Race has no restrictions either. But this one features bona fide Legends. I've already secured the cooperation of Maruzensky, Katsuragi Ace, Ten Point, Tosho Boy, and Green Grass-san!! Those with the resolve to compete against legends, those who want to fulfill their dreams—challenge the legends!!"
Chat:
EEEEEEEEHHHHHH!!?
We can see Maruzensky race again!!?
Seriously!? Is this real!!?
Wait, even the Kaiser is participating!?
TTG!? SERIOUSLY!!?
The comments were a storm of frenzied joy. These names were etched in their minds as literal legends. To be able to see them run again… just the thought gave them goosebumps. It was a bolt from the blue—a shockwave so strong one wanted to tell it to calm down.
"To summarize: The Finals has no Central, no Local, no General School. It's a festival where those who want to run gather, and the winners are decided by survival. The Legends are the same, but here you challenge literal myths. You can dream, or you can challenge."
"Incidentally, the 'URA' attached to the name is purely for convenience. Since we conducted all of this in secret, the URA has had zero involvement! Or rather, Rampage did most of it herself!!"
"Chairman, are you sure you should be saying that?"
"Even if I don't say it, the Chairmen of the regional centers will probably expose it, so I thought I'd say it first as the Central Chairman."
Chat:
Oi, URA.
The Tyrant is technically still a student, you know.
You let a minor handle this reform while you guys did nothing?
Do your job, URA.
Actually, this is exactly the kind of thing the URA should be planning and promoting.
It's great for discovering new talent too.
Wow, URA really being URA. Useless~
"Though, no matter how much we push, holding it this year is impossible. The earliest it'll happen is next year."
Chat:
Figured as much.
The scale is huge, after all.
Or rather, it's not happening this year because the URA didn't do their job.
Seriously URA, seriously.
"And so—since I'm going to dedicate myself to that, I will be retiring after this year's Arima Kinen."
Chat:
Hah?
Hah?
Eh?
Eh?
Hyo?
Come again?
Pardon?
"No, I said I'm retiring this year. I'll be busy with the Finals and Legends stuff."
Chat:
What kind of bombshell are you dropping!??
N-No, wait, you mean retiring from the Twinkle Series, right!!?
Yeah, retiring from that!!
The Tyrant is going to focus on her hegemony battle with the Emperor.
Right, right. Scared me for a second.
"The URA also told me to hurry up and retire… Since I did something like this, I'm taking responsibility and retiring. Also, it's a Gachi (for real) retirement."
Chat:
URA seriously what the hell are you saying.
Well, an invitation to the Dream Trophy League is practically a retirement notice anyway.
Saying that to a Legend…
Well, her battle record is more than enough.
Wait, Gachi?
Retirement?
"Yeah. Gachi retirement. Mejiro Rampage will retire from the Twinkle Series after this year. I will not proceed to the Dream Trophy League. I am genuinely retiring."
That was the moment the world shook.
-------------------------------
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