Hachiman's Perspective
Sunday at the Kyoto Racecourse. Until just a few days ago, Nakayama and Hanshin had been the centers of gravity for the racing world, but today, the energy here was on another level entirely. The reason was obvious: a sea of green and white banners draped across the stands, punctuated by massive signs shouting one thing: "THE DREAM 3-PEAT!!"
Everyone seemed to take it for granted that the "Virtuoso," Mejiro McQueen, would secure her third consecutive Tenno Sho (Spring) victory. The air was thick with a complacent sort of excitement, as if the possibility of her losing hadn't even crossed a single soul's mind.
From where I stood, that kind of thinking just felt… airheaded. It was as if they weren't even looking at the other girls on the track. McQueen isn't the only one running, yet she's treated like the sole protagonist of the story. It was honestly pathetic.
...Great. I was getting aggressive again. Maybe it was just the crowd, but I was feeling irritable. As I entered the grounds, snippets of conversation drifted my way, grating on my nerves.
"Hey, who do you think takes the Tenno Sho today?"
"What kind of question is that? Haha! It's McQueen, obviously. Is there anyone else even in the running?"
"Well, Rice Shower—the girl who won the Kikuka-sho last year—is the second favorite. Any chance there?"
"Zero! Winning the Kikuka-sho is impressive, sure, but she's not beating McQueen. McQueen has won this race twice already. The experience gap is just too wide. This year belongs to her, too!"
"Hahaha, you're right about that!"
"Besides, if Rice Shower actually won, talk about failing to read the room. First she breaks the Triple Crown streak, now she breaks the 3-peat? That'd be cold."
"You can say that again!"
...It's amazing how people can flap their gums like that right next to the girl's trainer. Not to mention, they were basically picking a fight with every one of Rice's fans within earshot.
"Brother? Is something wrong?"
I looked over. Symboli Rudolph was watching me, her brow furrowed with concern.
"...No. It's nothing. Just… thinking," I muttered.
"Really?" Mr. CB chimed in, leaning closer. "You shouldn't make a face like that, Hachiman. Rice will worry if she sees you. She'd be much happier if you gave her a smile, don't you think?"
"No," I said flatly. "That won't be a problem."
Rudolph tilted her head. "Why do you say that?"
"The Rice Shower in that room right now… she isn't the type to get flustered over small things anymore. In fact, it might be better if we don't say much to her at all."
"Huh? Is she feeling sick or something—" CB started, but I cut her off.
"No, it's not that."
"Then what?"
"...She looks like Rice," I said, my voice dropping. "But inside, it's like she's become some other kind of incredible lifeform. She's wrapped in this… terrifying pressure. I've spent two years with her, but I've never seen anything like this. Just being near her gives me goosebumps that won't go away. I can't stop breaking out in a cold sweat."
Rudolph's expression hardened. "It's… that intense?"
"Yeah. You want to see for yourselves? I'm headed to the waiting room to give her the final strategy. Honestly, though? I wouldn't recommend it."
"No," Rudolph said, recovering her composure. "We are teammates. I want to offer her my encouragement."
"Me too!" CB added, though her usual playfulness was slightly dimmed. "I'm curious to see what's going on."
"Fine then... Professor, Dr. Taliat, we'll be back shortly. You too, Kawasaki."
"Understood," Taliat replied. "Go on ahead."
ーーー Outside the Waiting Room ーーー
Knock, knock, knock.
"Rice, it's me. Can I come in?"
Rice: "...Yes. You can."
"Coming in."
The moment the door opened, the color drained from Rudolph and CB's faces. I could see the beads of sweat forming on their brows. They were already sensing the change in the air.
"I'm here to go over the strategy. It's the same as what we discussed yesterday, but… Rice, how are you planning to run?"
Rice looked up. Her expression was calm, but her eyes… they were different. "...Yesterday's plan is fine, Big Brother. Thank you for coming all this way. You too, CB-san, President."
"...U-uh, yeah! No problem!" CB stammered, her usual energy forced. "When you win, we're celebrating at that shop again, okay?"
"Indeed," Rudolph added, her voice uncharacteristically stiff. "I expect a race worthy of you, Rice Shower."
"...Yes."
I could tell the two of them were at their limit. Uma Musume are more sensitive to these things than humans; I couldn't keep them in this stifling atmosphere any longer. It was time to pull back.
"Alright, Rice. We'll get out of your hair and head to the stands. Go out there and give it your all."
"...Okay."
ーーー The Hallway ーーー
"...Well?" I asked once we were a safe distance away. "Do you see what I meant now?"
"Brother..." Rudolph's voice was trembling. "Are you telling me that was truly the Rice Shower we know? That spirit, that aura… she was a completely different person. Are you saying she is a girl just like us?"
"Unfortunately, it's the truth," I said. "It just means that right now, Rice is on a completely different level. So much so that even you have to wonder if you're the same species."
"I couldn't stop shaking," CB admitted, wiping her forehead. "It wasn't exactly 'fear,' it was just… I don't know. I can't put it into words. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. I get it," I said. "I felt the same way. That's why I couldn't leave you in there any longer."
If it affected these two this much, I couldn't imagine what would happen if a freshman or someone who didn't know Rice walked into that room. They'd probably be paralyzed with terror.
Mejiro McQueen's Perspective
Announcer: "And though she has yet to emerge, the undisputed favorite remains Mejiro McQueen! No one is closer to the throne than this Uma Musume!"
I stood ready, the cheers of the crowd washing over me like a familiar wave. But then, I paused.
"...?"
Who is it? Is there someone else who has yet to enter the track?
Then, I heard it. A sound cutting through the roar of the stadium.
Rice: "Haa... huu... haa... huu..."
My heart skipped a beat. My breath hitched in my throat. "—!!?"
Rice: "Haa... huu... haa... huu..."
W-what is she? What is this girl?
Rice: "Haa... huu... haa... huu..."
What could she have possibly done to become like this? This isn't just focus. This is... it's as if...
"As if a demon has taken residence within her..."
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