"Downing drinks on a whim like that... Well, I guess it takes more than this to actually get me drunk..."
I munch on some mint chocolate chip ice cream to cover up the smell of alcohol while taking in my surroundings. For some reason, it feels like there are even more people here than at the previous party. Granted, the last one was the very first time it was held, so that was understandable, but am I right to assume people saw how lively that one was and decided to drop all restraint this time around...? Well, I'm not involved in running the thing anymore, so it's not like I really care.
"Ah, Rampage-san!!" "Nhn?"
When a certain Umamusume calls out to me, the crowd around us shoots her looks of sheer awe—or rather, dread—wondering where on earth she found the courage. Well, I suppose that is where I stand with people... I think to myself. But turning to see who it is, she turns out to be an Umamusume who is, in a way, perfectly suited to kick off this party.
"If it isn't Cedar. You made your way up here again this year, huh?" "Yes sir!!"
It's Teio's friend and the inaugural champion of the 1st URA Finals Medium Distance Division: Cedar Blade. It seems she managed to climb her way back up to this stage again this year. But looking at her face, there's a distinct glint of determination in her eyes.
"Just like we promised back then, I won the right to enter the Legend Race and made it all the way here!!" "I see. So you came to settle things with Teio." "Yes sir!!"
At that party back then, I told her that if she had the stomach for it, she should climb up to the Legend Race—but who would have thought she'd actually pull it off? On top of that, she's an Umamusume from a regular school. Yet here she is, barging into the dangerous battleground that is the Legend Race.
"I'm registered for the Medium Distance Division! I'm fully aware that I still have so many shortcomings and am an inexperienced Umamusume, but I came to test my mettle on this legendary stage, ready to take the ultimate leap of faith!!" "Umu, I like that spirit! To think you sprinted all the way up here on your own two feet... O, Inaugural Champion! I shall look forward to the moment we meet on this stage of legends!" "Hahahaa...! This Cedar Blade shall stake her life and soul upon challenging legend itself!!"
The sheer suddenness of our theatrical exchange leaves the surrounding crowd entirely speechless. But right after, the two of us burst out laughing.
"Man, I can't believe you actually rolled with that! Ah~ that was a good laugh." "Ehehe, Teio and I used to mess around like this all the time! Besides, Rampage-san, you went along with it way too naturally~ Are you really a rich young lady~?" "As if a lady who's this foul-mouthed and constantly causing trouble actually exists! If I had to pick, I'd say I'm a villainess." "No, no, no, you're an arrogant, evil tyrant~" "Well, you got me there. Oh well—go have fun." "Yeees! Ah, Teio~~!!"
After our friendly banter, Cedar catches sight of Teio and goes dashing off toward her. As the two throw their arms around each other and create a lively, energetic atmosphere, the crowd looks at Cedar with eyes full of awe. Almost nobody can talk to that autocratic tyrant like that... Could she actually be an incredible Umamusume...? Thus, in more ways than one, Cedar ends up drawing major attention—to the point where major publishing houses start reaching out to her—though that is a story for another time.
"You must be Mejiro Rampage." "Yeah, yeah. Who's next?"
Wondering who it could be this time, I thought I'd built up a tolerance after the last party, but I almost let out a sigh when I saw who just walked up. How should I put it... She looks like she stepped straight out of a naval battle on the open sea, decked out in heavy-duty rigging and gear. Contrary to my internal commentary, she performs a graceful bow and introduces herself.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Warspite, arrived here from Great Britain. It is the utmost honor to meet you, Lady Mejiro Rampage—the monarch of these grounds." "You can drop the innocent act right about there. Thanks to you, the URA went and approved the mass intake of overseas Umamusume. Tsk, don't go picking petty fights and bringing diplomacy into this."
I deliberately answer in English, nudging her temperament to draw out her true colors. Considering Sunday, I had contemplated study abroad programs for overseas Umamusume. But Warspite was the one who took that idea, publicized it on a massive scale, and exploited it. Just like the Mejiro or Symboli families in Japan, her house comes from high lineage. On top of that, back in the UK, she's a massive figure who even carries the epithet of the British Treasure, "Queen."
The URA had already planned to grant permission, but when an entity far beyond their expectations popped up, they panicked completely. And while they were flustering and stammering, she applied psychological pressure:
"I wonder, would you care for this to become a diplomatic issue?"
And just like that, she snatched up her right to race—a classic British maneuver. However, as a result of this, a flood of Umamusume from various countries rushed to apply to race in Japan under the guise of studying abroad. The reason why there are so many overseas applicants for the Finals and the Legend Race this time is entirely this Umamusume's fault.
"It is an utter shame that you are not competing in the Long Distance division. I truly wished to test which of us stands superior." "Unfortunately for you, I've got no intention of entering that one."
The reason she came to Japan was to revitalize long-distance races, which have been suffering a decline even in her home country. Though she possesses immense strength herself, long-distance races are gradually losing popularity; seeing the Finals and the Legend Race as a potential solution, she entered to take back their know-how and methods.
"Well, I sure hope you put on a good show for us." "Did you know? British Umamusume never pull their punches when it comes to racing... or romance." "Don't know, don't care. But I'll be keeping my expectations up, My Queen."
What a headstrong young lady. She makes me want to shrug my shoulders. But in truth, her influence caused the number of hopeful exchange students to explode, making every single Tracen Academy scream in agony. Though, in this case, you could also blame the URA for not granting permission sooner when there was no issue to begin with.
"I have officially arrived, ohoho~!!!"
Amidst the lively party venue, an exceptionally boisterous Umamusume makes her entrance. She wears a white dress and a matching white hat that make her long, pale pink hair pop, but there's a strong sense of familiarity about her... Just who was she again? As I ponder this, she snaps her neck toward me as if she's spotted her target and comes rushing over.
"You must be Lady Mejiro Rampage!! I have longed to meet you from the bottom of my heart!! Thank you ever so much for inviting me to such a wonderful party today!!" "Right, thanks. Though I wasn't the one who invited you this time—that'd be the URA." "Oh, is that so!? No, but it is no exaggeration to say I came here specifically to meet you, the founder of this race, so I am not mistaken at all~!! Forgive my late introduction, I am Souma Fiore!! Please, feel free to call me Fifi~!!"
"O~hohohoho!!" she laughs loudly, placing a hand over her mouth. How should I put it... She fits the exact stereotype of a rich young lady that Japanese people imagine... At any rate, she has way too much energy; she's so hyper that she makes the Warspite from earlier look downright quiet.
"The reason I am competing in the Finals this time is because my Master told me as follows—ahem—'Learn your current strength, and learn what lies above you!' And so, here I am!!" "That's impressive. So, who's this Master of yours...?" "It is Eve Binti!!"
Hearing that name brings the memory back. It was that Japan Cup where the world record was set before I broke it. There was a powerful Umamusume who ran a massive lead-away tactic just to respond to the cheers of the crowd—that was Eve Binti. Her real-life namesake was Ibuki... no, Ibn Bey. 29 starts, 10 wins, including 4 G1 victories. Above all, a legendary horse that raced across seven countries: the UK, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, the US, and Japan. It is even said that the famous world record set by Horlicks only came to be because Ibn Bey took off on that massive lead.
"Ah, her... Wait, isn't she in Japan right now?" "Indeed she is!! However, owing to her aristocratic standing, she gave up on entering the Legend Race, which requires Japanese nationality! Therefore, I have come in her stead—and as a rematch against Japanese Umamusume racing!!"
To come all this way carrying her master's wishes... That truly is admirable. It's admirable, but...
"Uh, you don't need Japanese nationality to enter the Legend Race, you know." "———WHAT DID YOU SAY~?!" "Otherwise, why do you think that battleship Umamusume over there can enter the Legend Race? As long as you're studying abroad or have been staying in Japan for at least a year or two, you're totally fine." "IS THAT TRUE~!!? I must report this at once!!"
Fifi immediately starts pulling out her phone, and straight away—
"IS THAT TRUE~!!? In that case, I shall enter next year's Legend Race!! I will cheer for you with all my heart this year, and next year, the two of us shall race together~!!" "That sounds wonderful~!!!" "「O~HOHOHOHO!!!」"
"What an energetic master and disciple pair..."
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