"Vroom-vroom, and zoom-zoom!"
Mayano Topgun—or "Maya," as everyone called her—had officially joined Team Pleiades. Rampage had agreed to be her trainer, but since she hadn't personally seen Maya's full-throttle pace yet, she called for an immediate time trial. Rampage had known Maya for a while, but seeing her run with a purpose was a different story. Her movements were sharper and more calculated than Rampage had ever realized.
"She's fast..." Suzuka murmured, her eyes tracking the small figure on the turf. "She's holding the record line perfectly, right against the inner rail. Her weight distribution is flawless, and her footwork is so incredibly smooth."
"I find it hard to believe she hasn't even debuted yet," Air Groove added, her voice laced with genuine surprise.
Maya's performance was nothing short of breathtaking. She ran with a freedom that suggested she had completely conquered the fear that comes with hugging the rail at high speeds. Her footwork was at a level rarely seen in a trainee. Watching her, Rampage was reminded once again that she was dealing with a true "prodigy" type.
"A pre-debut trainee running like that... I guess 'genius' is the only word for it," Rampage remarked.
"No kidding," Sunday Silence added. "She's got incredible efficiency, her instincts are razor-sharp, and her sense for the track is off the charts. If I had to find a flaw... I guess it's just that she's a little shrimp."
If Maya had any weakness, it was her small stature. She was a pitch-runner by necessity, taking quick, rapid steps. However, she already knew how to manage her stamina; beneath that tiny frame lay a lung capacity that would allow her to handle long-distance races without breaking a sweat.
"So even that kid is my senior, huh... What a pain," El Pasa said.
"You're one to talk, El," Sunday ribbed her. "You don't change your attitude even when you're talking to Turbo. But I get what you mean."
Rampage looked over the data she'd collected. Maya was naturally a "Leading" type, but she was so versatile that she could likely pull off any strategy—from "Fugitive" to "Betwixt" or even "Chaser"—if she set her mind to it. Rampage could mold her into a tactical specialist or let her find her own path. With her debut coming up next year, there wasn't much time for idle contemplation.
"Hey, hey! How was it, Rampage-san? How was Maya's run?!"
Maya came bounding over, a bright, charming smile on her face. With her small frame and endearing gestures, she had the adorable aura of a small animal, yet there was a glimmer of expectation in her eyes that could stir a protective instinct in anyone. Rampage, however, wasn't one to be swayed by cuteness and instead gave Maya's head a somewhat rough, playful ruffle.
"You talk big, but you've got the legs to back it up," Rampage said. "You're more than ready to aim for G1 glory. So, tell me—what kind of path do you want to take?"
"Waaaaah, Rampage-san, you're so strong~!" Maya giggled, squirming out of the head-pat. "Hmm, let's see... Maya isn't really interested in the Triple Crown or the Triple Tiara. I just want to sparkle."
Most Uma Musume dreamed of the classic trophies, but Maya explained that the titles themselves didn't hold much appeal for her. Instead, she was captivated by the brilliance—the aura of an Uma Musume who had achieved greatness.
"I want to be super-duper sparkling, just like you, Rampage-san! But that doesn't mean I want to go the Tiara route."
"I see... You want to find your own unique way to shine. Understood."
"Wait, you understood that?" El asked, surprised.
"Actually, I think I get it too-yo," Almeccor added.
"Count me in as well," Sunday grunted.
"Wait, am I the only one who doesn't get it...?" Air Groove sighed.
As the team discussed it, Rampage looked up at the sky, her mind wandering to the name Mayano Topgun.
"Hey, Maya. You said you want to be a 'sparkling' Uma Musume, right? You want to wrap yourself in a shine that belongs only to you?"
"My own sparkle?! What's that? Tell me, tell me!"
To Maya, Rampage was the ultimate ideal—an adult who carried herself with effortless composure and a legendary runner whose brilliance never faded. Hearing that she could find her own version of that light made Maya lean in like a child begging for a secret. As the rest of Pleiades watched the scene, Rampage kept her hand on Maya's head and began to speak.
"When you run, the people who watch you—who become captivated by your style—they'll start to say things. 'She's amazing.' 'She's something else.' Eventually, all those voices converge into a single truth."
"Is that the 'sparkle'?"
"It's one part of it. 'Topgun'... your name is another word for an Ace. Tell me, Maya—do you know what makes an Ace?"
"Um... someone who sparkles really, really bright?!"
"Correct," Rampage said, continuing to pet her hair. "There are those who seek strength. Those who live for pride. And those who can read the tide of battle. These are the three types of Aces. I wonder... which kind will you be?"
Rampage's gaze was suddenly sharp, piercing right through Maya. Instinctively, Maya knew she couldn't look away. If she fled from this gaze, she would have no place in this team. She had to take it head-on. She drew in a breath and fired back with her own answer.
"None of those! Maya's gonna be her own kind of Ace! A Sparkling Ace!"
"...Heh. That's an interesting answer. Then show me that answer on the track. All you have to do from now on is run until the very end. That's all."
"I copy!"
Run until the very end. To Maya, this was now her iron-clad rule. Whether in practice or in a race, it was the unspoken law she would follow. It sounded simple, yet she knew how difficult it truly was. She looked at the legend standing before her—the star that had already achieved that feat—and realized she was about to join that same constellation. Maya steeled her resolve, ready to fly.
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