Niigata Prefecture, Niigata Racecourse. A Grade 3 two-thousand-metre graded race.
As the team's first graded race, Fujiwara Chiya had entrusted this important task to Rice Shower. The reason was simple. Rice Shower was the Uma Musume Fujiwara Chiya was most proud of. Ever since summer training camp, this little girl had undergone an earth-shaking change.
Her will had become even firmer than before. Compared to her former timid self, Rice Shower's running form now carried much more confidence.
She had drawn gate number three, close to the inner lane. Her luck was fairly good. Fujiwara Chiya brought Rice Shower to the entrance of the runners' tunnel and encouraged her.
"We've finally reached this moment, Rice Shower. Take the first step toward the Uma Musume you want to become."
"Yes."
"There's nothing to be nervous about, Rice Shower. This isn't a challenge beyond your limit. Your strength has already reached this stage. You've long had the qualifications to enter a graded race. So relax, and run with all your strength toward the image you hold in your heart."
Fujiwara Chiya stroked her head and gently hugged Rice Shower's body. Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened slightly. In the end, she revealed a smile and gave Fujiwara Chiya an even stronger hug in return.
"Yes! Onii-sama."
Rice Shower turned around.
"I hope Onii-sama will watch Rice's figure. Rice is Onii-sama's best Uma Musume!"
The small black-clad girl walked into the runners' tunnel. Fujiwara Chiya returned to the team. Meisho Doto's ears drooped, and she looked extremely worried.
Can she win? I'm so worried...
Meisho Doto knew very well how painful losing felt. If it had not been for Shirayuki and Trainer's comfort, she probably would have shut herself away for quite a while after her race against T.M. Opera O.
No, I can't think like that! Rice Shower is different from me. Rice Shower is strong!
Meisho Doto knocked her own head and carefully looked toward the racecourse.
"Heya~ As expected of a graded race, there really are a lot of people here!"
Compared to her, Gold Ship was much more carefree. She looked excitedly around the spectator stands, then turned toward Fujiwara Chiya.
"Trainer, don't forget what you promised us."
"Promised? What did I promise?"
"As long as we win a graded race, you'll reward us with a whole cart of carrots."
The moment they heard the word "carrots," all the Uma Musume, including Matikanefukukitaru, turned their eyes toward Fujiwara Chiya. Even Agnes Tachyon was looking at him.
Fujiwara Chiya immediately sucked in a cold breath. If Gold Ship had not mentioned it, he really would have forgotten. Back then, in order to stimulate their desire to win, Fujiwara Chiya had promised carrots as a condition. Now, half a year had passed, and they had finally entered a graded race. It was time to fulfil that promise.
Of course, the premise was that Rice Shower won.
A whole cart of carrots was not cheap. Although after Shirayuki became self-sufficient, he had saved up quite a bit on that side, it would at most be enough to hold four banquets. If too many Uma Musume won around the same time, he would probably have to borrow money to keep his promise.
Am I going to have to work part-time again?
Fujiwara Chiya covered his face. An Uma Musume winning was certainly something to be happy about, but compared with others, his happiness always carried a few more realistic pressures.
Looking at the expectant eyes of his Uma Musume, Fujiwara Chiya shouted with a hint of resignation.
"That's right, I promised! As long as you win a graded race, then a cart it is!"
"Nice, nice!"
Gold Ship clapped, and Mejiro Dober and the others also showed very cheerful expressions.
Thinking about it carefully, every bit of money he earned from Uma Musume seemed to end up being spent right back on them.
As the race proceeded, the host's voice echoed across the racecourse.
"And now, sixth in popularity, Rice Shower!"
The small black figure stood on the stage.
"Why is she only sixth in popularity?"
Gold Ship frowned, clearly dissatisfied with the ranking. Rice Shower was one of the strongest members of their team, yet her ranking was this low!
Fujiwara Chiya was not too surprised. After all, Rice Shower's body was too small, so it was only natural that the audience did not think highly of her. On top of that, she did not have any dazzling achievements yet, so everyone treated her as an ordinary Uma Musume. That was why her ranking was so low.
But no matter what the popularity ranking was, the thing that decided victory would always be strength.
"Rice Shower, do your best!"
"We're counting on you for the carrots, Rice Shower!"
Matikanefukukitaru and Gold Ship shouted loudly, adding a bit of heat to the slightly cold spectator stands.
Hearing their voices, Rice Shower turned her head and lightly waved toward Fujiwara Chiya's side.
She seemed to be in good condition. The ranking had not affected her mood.
In any case, no matter what others thought, Rice Shower was the unshakable number one in Chiya's heart.
After the introduction segment ended, all the Uma Musume came to the gates and loosened up their bodies.
Rice Shower raised her head and looked at the sky.
"Why is there a little foal in a graded race?"
She heard others talking about her. Their voices were a little harsh, but Rice Shower had long since become used to it. A long time ago, she had been like this too, always looked down upon, working alone toward her somewhat childish dream.
Until Onii-sama found her.
So Rice Shower was no longer alone. Onii-sama had always been by her side.
"Relax, Rice Shower. Relax."
For a moment, Rice Shower seemed to hear Onii-sama's voice comforting her beside her ear again. While comforting her, he gently stroked her hair.
Looking up at the blue sky, Rice Shower took a deep breath. Her heart began to beat violently.
Thump. Thump.
The powerful sound shook her ears. Even the Uma Musume beside her were affected. They turned their heads, searching for the source of the sound.
The cheers of the audience, the fragrance of the grass, and the touch of the autumn wind.
The scenery of a graded race was different from any other race.
Onii-sama, Rice is now... in perfect condition!
"All runners, please enter the gates."
The host's voice came from the racecourse. Rice Shower walked to her number three gate. As the gate closed, Rice Shower clenched her fist and slowly assumed her starting stance.
The moment she bent down, every runner heard a strange sound in their ears. It was like a ferocious beast grinding its claws, letting out a threatening low growl.
What... is that?
The Uma Musume on both sides widened their eyes and looked at the black-clad girl beside them with fear and confusion.
The gate lights flashed rapidly.
With a loud clang, all the Uma Musume burst out of the gates.
The race officially began.
"The current leader is Dido Earth! Gale Wheel has surged forward from the far outside with incredible momentum and moved into second place! Wait... this is!?"
The host was commentating on the race situation when she saw that black phantom and shouted,
"It's Rice Shower! The one emerging from the pack is Rice Shower! She is now fighting Dido Earth for first place!"