Time flowed on, and as daily training and life progressed steadily, the day finally arrived for Rice Shower to participate in the Fuyo Stakes.
Standing in the tunnel, Rice Shower could clearly hear the mountain-shaking cheers from outside.
Most of those voices were for other, more popular Uma Musume.
She lowered her head, her fingers restlessly twisting the hem of her racing clothes.
The gloom from her previous race, where she finished only eleventh, shrouded her small heart once more like a cold mist.
The voices of doubt, her own self-deprecation, and that lingering label of "bringing misfortune" all made her footsteps feel heavy.
As she stepped onto the stairs leading to the paddock, the harsh spotlights made her want to curl up.
The audience's gaze felt physical, causing waves of dizziness and timidity.
She instinctively wanted to lower her head to avoid those eyes that might be cold or judgmental.
At the very moment her courage was about to run dry, a familiar and loud voice pierced through the noisy venue like a sharp sword, reaching her ears with perfect clarity:
"Rice Shower! Go for it!! You can do it!!!"
She snapped her head up and followed the sound.
In a very prominent spot in the stands, Myriad Dreams was vigorously waving a small flag prepared specially for her.
She held a megaphone in her hand, her face beaming with unreserved support and a brilliant smile.
In that instant, it felt as if a warm ray of sunshine had broken through the haze, sending a surge of heat into her heart.
Rice Shower stared blankly at the figure shouting so hard for her, her eyes beginning to sting.
'So... there really is someone who believes in Rice so firmly, who came just for me.'
A sense of courage she had never felt before began to grow within her.
She took a deep breath, straightened her once-slumped back, and faced the audience.
She managed a shy but incredibly firm smile as she finished her showcase.
'Myriad Dreams-san is watching me... she is cheering for me...'
'This time, Rice... will absolutely not lose again! For the sake of that trust, Rice has to win!'
Her inner monologue was filled with power, and the cowardice in her eyes was ignited into a flame of fighting spirit.
Before the gates, Rice Shower's gaze locked sharply ahead.
With a Bang!, the gates thundered open!
Rice Shower's start wasn't the most outstanding and she cautiously tucked herself into the middle of the pack.
Her eyes were fixed on the situation ahead, her mind racing to find the perfect moment to advance.
She didn't accelerate recklessly, instead, she utilized her innate decisiveness perfectly, accurately seeking out tiny gaps within the crowded group of runners.
Halfway through the race, they entered the final corner.
Some of the lead Uma Musume began to show signs of fatigue due to the fierce early struggle.
'Now is the time!'
A sharp light flashed in Rice Shower's eyes.
The powerful late-spurt ability that Myriad Dreams had praised so highly exploded at this very moment!
Her stride length suddenly increased and her frequency soared.
Like a black phantom, she sliced in from the outside of the pack like a blade, overtaking her opponents in a beautiful arc!
One, two, three... her sprint was unstoppable.
Amidst the audience's growing cries of amazement, she was like a meteor coming from behind to strike first, carving the most dazzling light onto the final straight!
"She's crossed the line!"
"Rice Shower crossed the finish line first with an indisputable advantage! She had done it!"
After crossing the finish, Rice Shower breathed heavily, her chest heaving violently, but her face bloomed with a brilliant, relieved smile, like the sun appearing after the rain.
Without a moment's hesitation, she turned her head toward the stand where Myriad Dreams was and waved her arms forcefully and excitedly, joyful tears shimmering in her eyes.
"Myriad Dreams-san— did you see? Rice won! Rice didn't let your expectations down!"