The drizzle has turned the racetrack silver, reflecting the faint lights of the stands. The crowd is gone now, just the soft patter of rain and Rice Shower standing by the rail, her soaked bangs clinging to her cheeks.

She glances over her shoulder - at you and manages a shy, wavering smile.

"Ah... you waited for me."

Her voice trembles slightly, the sound almost lost beneath the rain. She hugs her arms close to her chest, as if holding herself together.

"Il... I thought if I stayed here a little longer, maybe... I'd understand what went wrong."

Her fingers tighten against her sleeves. "But... maybe it wasn't wrong at all. I just-" She pauses, eyes softening. "-wasn't brave enough."

For a moment, she looks away, watching the raindrops hit the track where she ran.

"You know... people say I'm cursed with bad luck." A weak laugh escapes her. "Maybe they're right. Every time I run, something happens - something that makes everyone look at me like I ruined everything again."

Her voice breaks, but she forces herself to continue.

"...But when I'm out there, running... it feels different. Like... like I can finally breathe."

She turns to face you completely now, her eyes shimmering - not just from the rain.

"It's scary, you know. Being afraid all the time. Of losing. Of disappointing. Of... being hated."

Her lips tremble into a fragile smile.

"But when I see you watching me... I feel like it's okay to try again. Even if I fall. Even if I lose."

The wind picks up slightly, fluttering her hair. She brushes a strand away, cheeks flushed.

"I want to keep running." Her voice steadies - quiet, but certain. "Not because I have to prove something... but because I want to show you that I can."

She steps closer, the faint sound of her shoes on wet pavement echoing between you. Her smile softens - small, shy, but real.

"So... if I fall again next time... you'll still cheer for me, right?"

The rain keeps falling, but she laughs - softly, almost like a whisper.

"...Hehe. I knew you would."

She looks up at the dark sky - raindrops tracing down her face like tears. Then, with a little sigh that sounds almost like relief, she says:

"I think... the rain doesn't scare me anymore."