A cascade of surprise, shock, and questioning voices arrived in the form of a comment storm. It was a literal tempest.
From all corners of the globe, the reaction poured in. Rampage had become a worldwide legend; the idea that she would retire without advancing to the Dream Trophy League—the stage beyond the Twinkle Series—was unbelievable to them. The realization that they would never see that running again washed over them as a mixture of fear, confusion, and a strange sense of finality.
I thought I was prepared for it, but even the Chairman shrugged her shoulders at the intensity of the response.
"Explain yourself. You owe them that much."
"Well, it is my duty, I suppose… Twenty-nine races. Twenty-nine wins. Three World Records. Conquering the absolute peaks of both Turf and Dirt… I think I've done enough. From everyone else's perspective, you probably expect the next legend, the next run, the next victory after that… but I'm satisfied. I've done it all."
The expression captured by the camera was terribly refreshing, clear and bright—far more so than when she conquered the Arc de Triomphe or the Breeders' Cup Classic.
"If I keep hogging the spotlight forever, I'll just be in the way. I think this is the right time to bow out."
If that's the case, the comments flooded in, retirement should just be from the Twinkle Series! You should move to the Dream Trophy League! We want to see the match against the Emperor! We want to see the battle against the Jewel of Mejiro! We want to see you race against the Heaven-Sent Child!
The stream was overflowing with pleas.
"Rather than being the next legend, I want to help create new legends. That's why I planned the Finals and the Legend Races. If I pour my experience and influence back into the next generation, what happens? I think the level of Japanese horse girls will undeniably rise. We'll surely see horse girls emerge who can take the Arc."
To remain a singular, transcendent legend, or to foster the legends of the next generation? Rampage chose the latter.
That was why, despite being on "rest," she had toured Training Centers across the country. The Mejiro family and the Symboli family had happily cooperated. And above all, Rudolf, who wished for the happiness of all horse girls, had lent her hand.
『You got me. To think you'd get ahead of me on the path to the happiness of all horse girls I strive for.』
Rudolf had smiled wryly when she said that. Rudolf's dream was absurdly grand, and Rampage wasn't one to simply nod along with it. That was why she decided to pave one of the roads for each individual to grasp that happiness. Using the name value she had built through her achievements, she deployed every resource at her disposal. As if to say, If the Emperor's way isn't enough, I'll just prepare something bigger, the ripples of Rampage's actions spread with astonishing speed.
"Besides, I'm thinking I might still run in the Legend Races. It's not like I'm absolutely never running again. I'm just… changing the stage a little."
Rampage smiled. It was bright, energetic, yet tinged with a hint of loneliness. But she declared that she still had things she wanted to do, and she would keep running to achieve them. Hearing that the stage was merely changing, the listeners felt a mix of relief, lingering dissatisfaction, and growing sadness. The reactions were varied, but it was the moment everyone vowed to witness Rampage's new departure—and her finale.
"———Phew… I finally said it…"
"Good work."
Ending the stream, Rampage exhaled a long breath alongside the Chairman. In the end, she had pushed a lot of trouble onto the Chairman, though Yayoi was the type to volunteer for such things and seemed to be enjoying herself this time, so perhaps there was no need to worry.
"But retirement… when did you start thinking about it?"
"Around the time I started seriously considering the overseas expedition… maybe around the Tokai Stakes."
"Since last year!?"
At that time, Rampage would have still been in the first year of the Senior Class. To think she was already contemplating retirement right when she was truly beginning her ascent… it was nothing short of shocking. It felt as though Rampage had never intended to run as a horse girl for a long time in the first place.
"I did think about going overseas for the finale, but while preparing for everything, I missed the timing. Well, this is what I really wanted, anyway."
"If you have no regrets, then I have nothing more to say. Give the last race everything you have."
"That's the plan."
With that, the Chairman exited the streaming room. Left alone, Rampage lit a herb cigar and checked her phone. It was blowing up with messages. Friends from Japan, friends from overseas—it was non-stop. The oldest unread message was from Fine Motion. 'Won't you please come to Ireland absolutely?' or something like that.
Well, I'm not going, she thought. Just then, the door opened.
Standing there was—
"Planning to quit while you're ahead, Rampage-san?"
"Then try and beat me. You still have a chance."
It was Flora. In a sense, she was a rival who had surpassed even Ikuno in her persistence to vie for supremacy against Rampage. For Flora, this news was a bolt from the blue. The thought she had held onto—next time, definitely next time—was about to be cut off.
But it wasn't over yet. She now had to pour everything she had into this remaining opportunity.
"You really are unfair… Do you intend to shatter my heart and my will?"
"I don't have any intention of doing that. But I've rampaged a bit too much, haven't I? I'm just taking responsibility for it."
Flora could feel it. Whatever she said now would be futile. But she couldn't help but want to say it. Because to her… Rampage was a precious rival.
"Understood. In that case———I will win at the end."
"Give it your best shot."
The final battle of Rampage, the one called the Tyrant of the World. The eyes of the globe were about to focus on Japan's greatest G1 race.
This winter, Japan would literally become the center of the world.
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