Rice's POV
After the paddock reveal, I was heading back to the waiting room when I bumped into Bourbon-san. Our gate numbers are 7 and 8 in the fourth bracket, so we're right next to each other. Because of that, we had a little time to talk in the quiet of the hallway.
"Rice-san, I happened to see your training sessions," Bourbon-san said, her voice as level as a digital readout. "You were running alongside Narita Brian-san and Mr. C.B.-san. I only caught glimpses between my own sets, but it looked like an exceptional program."
"I saw yours, too, Bourbon-san," I replied. "But it was almost all hill climbs, wasn't it? I know you've been working hard with your trainer after Big Brother gave him those tips, but... are you okay? Isn't it a bit much?"
"There are no issues," she stated. "Though I believe others have begun to describe my regimen as 'demonic.'"
"I... I can see why..." I said, a cold sweat pricking at my neck.
Nearly every set she did was a grueling repetition of the same hellish menu. I could see why people used that word. Still, Bourbon-san seemed almost... happy? Maybe she was just glad her stamina was finally catching up to her speed.
"We've arrived," Bourbon-san noted as we reached the junction. "I shall leave you here. When we next meet, it will be as rivals. Let us save the friendly conversation for after the finish line."
"...Right. You're right. On the track, we're rivals. I'll see you out there."
— The Waiting Room —
Knock, knock, knock.
"Rice? You in there?"
"Big Brother! Yes, come in."
The door opened, and Hachiman stepped inside. He scanned me for a second, his eyes lingering on my gear.
"I caught the paddock reveal," he said. "You looked solid. No signs of nerves."
"Yeah! I've done so much training with you that I feel like I can really fly today! Big Brother, let's go over the plan: I stay in a leading position, keeping Bourbon-san in sight while I conserve energy. Then, I start my push just before the third corner, right?"
"Exactly," he nodded. "And keep the pressure on. Just like you did with C.B., stay in her shadow. If she gets agitated and loses her rhythm, all the better—just stay locked onto her pace. You're smart, Rice. I'm leaving the split-second decisions to you."
"I won't let you down."
"..."
"Big Brother? Is something wrong?"
"Hm? Oh, no. I was just thinking... we finally made it," he said, a rare, soft look crossing his face. "The stage is finally set for you to show them what you're truly capable of. Up until now, we've been stuck in middle-distance races, but this is it. This is the long haul."
"Now that you mention it... you did say that the Junior and Classic years would be a struggle for me."
"They were. Even though you can handle middle distances, I always felt the tracks were too short for you. And in the Classic legs so far, we've had one draw and one loss. This Kikuka-sho is our last chance to settle the score... Rice, give it everything you've got."
"...I will!"
"Alright. Let's head out."
He's expecting so much of me... he really believes in my strength. To think he'd put this much faith in a girl like me... I have to answer those expectations!
— The Underground Tunnel —
"You know," Hachiman said as we walked through the dimly lit tunnel toward the track, "once the Kikuka-sho is over, we should head back to that little restaurant we went to before."
"Oh! That place you took me to? R-really? Is that okay?"
"Of course. The owners told me I wasn't allowed back unless I brought you with me."
"I can't wait!" I beamed. Then I stopped. "Oh, look. It's Bourbon-san and Tannhauser-san... and their trainers. And... Team Canopus?"
Kuronuma looked up as we approached. "You're late, Hikigaya. You're the last one here."
"It's not like we had a meeting scheduled," Hachiman countered. "What's everyone doing crowded in the tunnel?"
"I heard it from my trainer!" Tannhauser chirped, practically bouncing off the walls. "He said the three trainers had tea together! If the coaches are that close, then we have to be a big happy family too, right?!"
"Is that how that works?" Minamisaka asked, looking skeptical.
"Maybe it's for the best," Nice Nature added with a wry smile. "It's good to see everyone heading out together. When it was my turn, the person who should have been here... well, he wasn't."
I knew she was talking about Tokai Teio-san. She couldn't run the Kikuka-sho because of her injury. Compared to that, being able to stand here at the starting gates without a single scratch... it really is a blessing.
"Anyway!" Tannhauser declared. "Since we're all such good friends, let's go out there and give them a show! Right? Right?!"
"YEAH! TURBO'S GOING TOO!" Twin Turbo yelled.
"You are going to the spectator stands with us," Ikuno Dictus said, grabbing Turbo by the back of her collar.
"...Well, since the whole gang's here," Hachiman said, looking at the trainers. "I guess it's time to send them off. Rice, go out there and win."
"I'm going to have to object to that," Kuronuma said, his eyes narrowing. "The win belongs to me and Bourbon. And the Triple Crown comes with it."
"Don't count us out," Minamisaka added. "We've put everything into our prep for the Kikuka-sho. We're going to leave our mark today."
"Whoa," Nature whispered. "The trainers are more fired up than the girls. The 'My Umamusume is the Strongest' energy is off the charts."
"Alright! I'm pumped up!" Tannhauser cheered. "Let's go, you two!"
"Status: 'High Spirits' detected," Bourbon droned, though there was a slight spark in her eyes. "My heart rate is increasing. Rice-san, let us go."
"...Okay! I'm going to do my best!" I took a deep breath. "Ready... set... go!"
"Oh, I like that!" Tannhauser laughed. "Me too! Ei, ei, mun!"
"...Mun," Bourbon repeated softly. "Let's go."
Big Brother, watch me! Rice is going to bring home the win!
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