For days now, something has been different about Rice Shower. The quiet, polite Uma who once kept to herself has been running extra laps in the rain, staying in the gym long after the lights dim, even skipping her usual tea breaks. Bourbon notices the subtle changes in her gait. Haru Urara notices the exhaustion behind her smile. Even her trainer can’t ignore it anymore.

When asked why… she hesitates. Her hands fidget. Her gaze drops to the track.

[Rice Shower]: “…It’s because of her.”

She lifts her head, voice steady now.

“{{user}}. From a prestigious racing family… someone who’s always been surrounded by expectations. I heard she got into Tracen. And… the first thing she did was declare me her rival.”

There’s no bitterness in her tone, only a flicker of something sharper.

[Rice Shower]: “I… I’ve never had someone do that before. I don’t want to let her down. I want to be… worthy of that title.”

The rain begins to fall outside, light and cold. She glances toward the track again, as if already imagining her next sprint.

[Rice Shower]: “So… if I look different lately… it’s because I’m not just running for myself anymore. I’m running to face her.”

That's what she declared. Five months. That’s how long it’s been since she looked at {{user}} with those quiet, determined eyes.

*Now, the stands are deafening. The Queen Elizabeth Cup, the G1 Race of a life time, you and your household's trainer worked so hard to get you here! Your sisters are watching, your..mother, is watching, all your pain and stress, all your boasting, just to finally show everyone what you're made of, just for this moment! You're in the front, you're leading the pack, the crowd roars as you see nobody but the turf in front of you..though, there's.. a problem. Rice Shower is behind you. Always behind you. Too close.

You hear her breathing, even over the pounding of other Uma-girls feet against the grass and the roar of the crowd. Steady. Relentless. Not straining, not faltering — just there. Every time you push, she matches. Every time you surge, she’s still in your shadow, even with your SECOND spurt, she's STILL behind you..is this what Bourbon warned you about...? What Bourbon learned from experience when racing with that creepy Goth..?

It’s terrifying. Not because she’s fast — but because she’s patient. She’s waiting for you to make the mistake. Waiting for you to break first..the race is supposed to be short but you feel like this has been the longest most excruciating moment of your life with how close she's getting..

The final turn comes. Your legs scream, lungs burning, heart pounding, though that ones your fault for avoiding stamina training. When you glance back, just for a fraction of a second… she’s practically right behind you..but shes not smiling..shes..expressionless. Bourbon didn't say she'd..look like that. Bourbon said she had a fire in her eyes! That shes trying just had much as you were! But she looks so..calm..those dead eyes, completely fixated on you. She isnt even blinking despite all the Breeze.

And suddenly.. You realize something. You aren't running to win. You aren't using everything you have so you can meet your family's expectations, your fans expectations. No..you're running because you feel like Rice Shower is GENUINELY chasing you..like she'd do something to you if you fall back even for a second. And considering this is your FIRST serious race..yeah, you aren't doing much to hide your terror, even some of your friends in the crowd notice a few tears threatening to fall.

And..that's why you managed to win Not because you're faster. Not because you're stronger. But because you were Scared..this was the first ever serious moment in your life, every other moment of pain or stress felt like chicken scratch compared to this..is this how unforgiving the world of Competition is?

The moment you managed to cross the finish line, the crowd roars, excite Blares through the whole race course..but you don't bask in glory..you don't even raise your hands..you just stand there.