Meanwhile, inside the Hyogo Prefecture hospital, Sakura Baimu and Mihono Bourbon were both gathered around Rice Shower.
They both noticed Rice Shower slowly opening her eyes, her slightly tired and weak purple eyes scanning her surroundings.
"Rice, you're finally awake, Rice!"
Mihono Bourbon finally showed some emotion after seeing Rice Shower open her eyes.
It was only when facing Rice Shower that she could show a side different from her robotic self.
"Bourbon… Miss Bourbon…" Rice Shower called softly.
"I'll call the doctor." Sakura Baimu quickly pressed the call button on Rice Shower's bedside table, then looked at her. "You're finally awake, Miss Rice Shower. You've been unconscious for several days."
Rice Shower turned her head with some difficulty, and after seeing Sakura Baimu, she seemed somewhat incredulous.
She blinked hard, finally realizing she wasn't seeing things.
It really was Sakura Baimu.
TCB's trainer, Sakura Baimu.
"It's Teio's... Onee-sama, what are you doing here?"
"Trainer Sakura has been helping Rice ever since what happened," Mihono Bourbon said.
"Oh... I see. Rice caused Onee-sama trouble..." Rice Shower said with some difficulty.
After saying this, she gradually turned her gaze back to the foot of the bed.
Then Rice Shower saw her legs, which were fixed to the foot of the bed with iron plates, frames, and steel nails.
Rice Shower's eyes suddenly widened, her jewel-like purple eyes filled with fear.
She could hardly believe that her once slender, white, and powerful legs had become such a grotesque and terrifying sight.
"Rice... what happened to Rice's legs?! Rice, how could this be..."
Rice Shower screamed, trying desperately to move her legs, but it was all in vain.
In an instant, tears welled up in Rice Shower's eyes, quickly soaking her shirt.
"Rice, don't panic, don't move! Your leg is immobilized; too much force could injure it again," Mihono Bourbon frantically tried to calm her.
"Don't worry, don't worry."
"How can Rice not worry! Rice, in this state, will I... will Rice ever be able to run again?"
Rice Shower didn't calm down at Mihono Bourbon's words; instead, she trembled even more violently on the hospital bed, her emotions running high.
The electrocardiogram monitor connected to Rice Shower's chest beeped a warning due to her rapidly rising heart rate.
Just then, doctors and nurses rushed in. Several of them held down the agitated Rice Shower, while another administered a sedative.
After a few moments, Rice Shower finally calmed down and fell asleep again.
Her heart rate finally returned to normal.
"What's wrong with you all? Don't you know you can't ask a patient overly sensitive questions when she's just woken up?" the head nurse said angrily.
"Rice just saw what her legs looked like, and that's how she reacted."
"Uh."
The head nurse suddenly fell silent. She realized that no one could remain calm after seeing their own legs in that state.
"Anyway, wait until she wakes up, then ring the call button again as soon as possible. Try your best to calm her down. Too many sedatives are bad." The head nurse's tone softened considerably as she gently closed the ward door.
A long time later, Rice Shower woke up again from her deep sleep.
Perhaps because the effects of the sedative hadn't completely worn off, this time her heart rate didn't suddenly spike, nor did she become agitated as before.
She stared blankly at the hospital ceiling, and after a moment, tears streamed down her delicate cheeks, landing on the pillow.
"Rice." Mihono Bourbon called out anxiously, somewhat at a loss.
But she was stopped by Sakura Baimu before she could finish speaking and fell silent.
"Miss Rice Shower, don't worry, your leg can be healed," Sakura Baimu said.
Rice Shower didn't speak, only staring at the ceiling and silently shedding tears.
"I assure you, what I said is true. Not only can it be healed, but it can also restore you to how you were before your injury, Miss Rice Shower. And this process won't take long."
Hearing this, Rice Shower finally reacted. She turned to look at Sakura Baimu. "Rice has never heard of a Umamusume injured like this being able to recover..."
"Yes, it's possible. It's possible," Sakura Baimu said firmly.
"You're just trying to encourage Rice..."
"It's not encouragement; it's a fact. I always keep my promises. This isn't just to reassure you, Ms. Rice Shower, so that you can focus on your treatment; it's simply the truth."
Rice Shower listened to Sakura Baimu's words and suddenly felt a little surprised.
Looking at Sakura Baimu's serious expression, she realized it was the first time she had seen this side of the trainer, who was almost universally associated with strangeness by the Umamusume at the academy.
Unconsciously, Rice Shower felt much more at ease.
"Miss Rice Shower, your physical abilities are different from others. Your achievements today, relying solely on your own efforts, prove your talent is extraordinary. The doctor has said that your recovery speed is incredible and that you can be transferred to a hospital in Tokyo once you wake up."
"That's right, Trainer Sakura is right. The doctor really said that. Every time they visit Rice, they are amazed," Mihono Bourbon added.
Hearing Sakura Baimu and Mihono Bourbon's words, Rice Shower's panicked and fearful heart finally calmed down a bit.
No matter what, Mihono Bourbon wouldn't lie to her.
Finally, comforted by Sakura Baimu and Mihono Bourbon, a smile bloomed on Rice Shower's fair cheek, which wasn't hidden by her black bangs, like a lotus flower in full bloom.
"Rice believes in you."
Sakura Baimu and Mihono Bourbon exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly at each other.
"Cyber Umamusume can smile after all..."
Sakura Baimu couldn't help but think to herself.
After confirming that Rice Shower had calmed down, Sakura Baimu pressed the call button again.
Then she turned to Rice Shower and asked softly.
"Miss Rice Shower, could you tell me what happened before the Takarazuka Kinen?"