[She won!
She won!] [The winner of the Heather Stakes is Rice Shower, who pulled off a massive breakaway!
A truly unbelievable breakaway race!…] “My god, she actually won with a breakaway?” “How was she only the 8th favorite before the race?!” “By the way, Rice Shower is so cute!
I’ve decided, I’m going to be her fan!” Over the track broadcast, Announcer Akasaka’s voice was filled with passion.
In the stands, the crowd was equally abuzz with discussion.
Surprise, shock, disbelief, admiration…
various exclamations rose and fell one after another.
After all, this was a victory by a massive breakaway!
Facing competitors of the same class, even including the overwhelming favorite with an undefeated winning streak, she forcefully repelled all other opponents with sheer speed and stamina.
This was truly a classic, orthodox victory!
“Nice!
Rice Shower, you’re the best!” In the stands, Kaito excitedly raised his arms and waved, already tearful.
They won!
They won!
Although this was just a small Condition Race, it was the first race he and Rice Shower had won together.
No celebration would be too much!
“No way…” Beside Kaito, Hana was completely dumbfounded.
The development of this race was far beyond her expectations.
An unexpected massive breakaway, unexpected speed, an unexpected victory…
Rice Shower had won incredibly beautifully.
But wasn’t this girl an Uma Musume who couldn’t even place in the top ten half a month ago?
How did she change so much in such a short time?
“Could it be…” Hana seemed to realize something, looking at Kaito again with a completely different mindset from the previous two times.
Rice Shower’s transformation was likely closely related to her junior.
But how exactly did he do it?
Facing Hana’s inquisitive gaze, Kaito smiled slightly.
He knew exactly how this race was won.
Interval Training, positioning runs, uphill training, the assistance of the heart rate strap…
Kaito had already made thorough preparations for this race.
And most importantly, there was Rice Shower’s own stamina, which far exceeded that of her peers.
The massive breakaway tactic was essentially trading stamina for lengths, making up for the speed disadvantage that hadn’t fully developed yet.
And a 2000m race wouldn’t even exhaust Rice Shower’s stamina.
Perhaps as the level of competitors increased, Rice Shower would need to continuously raise her cruising pace, thereby increasing her stamina consumption.
But at this level of competition, Kaito dared to guarantee that Rice Shower would absolutely not lose!
…
“Haa…
haa…” On the track, Rice Shower stood behind the finish line, her fair hands resting on her knees, facing the ground as she panted heavily.
She was petite, and her voice was more delicate than the other Uma Musume, making her current panting sound both cute and strained.
Beads of sweat the size of beans dripped from her forehead to the ground.
The ends of her hair were disheveled from the run, sticking messily to her face with sweat.
It wasn’t exactly a dignified sight.
But Rice Shower was so happy.
Unstoppable emotions surged in her chest, causing her to involuntarily clench her fists.
“I won, Rice Shower really won!” “Onii-san, Rice Shower did it!” Tears disobediently flowed from her reddened eyes.
Rice Shower wiped her tears, slowly straightened her back, and smiled as she looked toward the spectators.
“Wow, I didn’t expect Gate 4 to win in the end.” “She actually broke Rainbow-chan’s undefeated record!” “And she was exactly the one I didn’t favor before the race…” The voices she heard were different from the discussions she had imagined.
There was indeed surprise, but more than that, there was regret and disappointment that she took first place and ruined everyone else’s wonderful dreams.
These words were like needles piercing her chest, freezing Rice Shower’s smile.
She felt waves of ringing in her ears, and an uncontrollable discomfort welled up in her throat.
It was no different from when she used to lose.
Why?
Rice Shower ran so desperately, worked so hard to win, she should be happy.
But why was everyone reacting like this?
Did everyone not want Rice Shower to win?
Was Rice Shower’s victory a mistake?
Rice Shower bit her lip bitterly, her previously perked ears drooping once again.
“Congratulations.” At this moment, Northern Rainbow walked up with her hands on her hips and greeted Rice Shower.
“Even though I’m frustrated about losing, you won beautifully…
Hey, why do you have that look on your face?
You should at least be happy about winning the race!” Northern Rainbow looked at Rice Shower’s dejected appearance with confusion and a puzzled expression, while Rice Shower kept her head down.
“Would it have been better if Rice Shower lost…” “Huh?!” Unexpectedly hearing this, Northern Rainbow immediately got angry.
“What kind of nonsense is that?
Are you saying you’re going to pity me and throw the race on purpose?” “Eh?
N-no, Rice Shower was just talking to herself…” “Listen!” The tall Northern Rainbow reached out and vigorously ruffled Rice Shower’s soft, fluffy hair, speaking to the flustered girl.
“If you win, celebrate happily.
If you lose, accept it gracefully.
Nothing else matters at all.” “Whether it’s the audience’s reaction or the rumors, don’t let these things make you forget your original intention.” “You ran so hard and desperately, wasn’t it just to win the race?” “Now that you’ve won, why not smile happily?” Rice Shower was stunned in a daze.
That’s right.
She had run so hard, worked so hard to win.
Even if she felt sad because of others’ dissatisfaction, there must be someone who would be happy for her.
She turned her head and cast her gaze toward the stands.
There, Kaito was cheering for her with raised arms.
“Ri——ce Shou——wer, you’re amazing——————” Ah, she really saw it.
Onii-san was genuinely happy for Rice Shower from the bottom of his heart.
“Rice Shower!
Rice Shower!
Rice Shower!” Unexpected cheers rang out from the other side of the stands.
Standing under the support banner were the folks from the Ichibangai Shopping District?
Berno-san, and the Police Officer, they had been cheering for Rice Shower all along.
“You ran well.” “What an unexpected girl!” “I’m rooting for you!” And there were many unfamiliar people, also smiling at Rice Shower.
I see.
Even if Rice Shower’s win disappointed some people, there were indeed those who would be happy for her victory.
To respond to those feelings, to respond to her own heart, Rice Shower— Rice Shower raised her head, and with her reddened eyes, heated cheeks, and a genuinely happy smile, she bowed deeply to Northern Rainbow.
“Thank you, Northern Rainbow-san, Rice Shower is really, really happy!” Northern Rainbow was taken aback for a moment, then smiled slightly.
“That’s good, but don’t get too cocky.
The one who will win next time is me.” “Yes!” Rice Shower replied earnestly.
In the stands, Kaito watched this scene.
He forgot the comforting words he had prepared to say later, and just smiled, watching Rice Shower’s smile.
The moments where no one would cheer for her, and she would cry alone, would never happen again.
…
Northern Rainbow said goodbye to Rice Shower and left the track with a cool demeanor.
Walking through the contestant tunnel, which was still empty, she started talking to herself.
“Wow, I really didn’t expect that kid to run so amazingly.” “If it’s like this, there’s no helping it that I lost to her.” “It’s just that, even though I said it so coolly just now, I’m still frustrated.” Suddenly, her nose tingled.
“No, no.
I just finished lecturing that kid, how can I burst into tears here?” Suddenly, her eyes started to redden.
“Damn it, it’s just one race.
I’ll definitely win next time…” But, tears still flowed out.
“Damn it, I’m so frustrated, so frustrated…” Northern Rainbow wiped her tears with her arm and cried in a low voice.
In the empty tunnel, another set of footsteps approached her side.
Riko stood beside Northern Rainbow.
This devil of strict management did not point out the shortcomings of the race at this moment, nor did she immediately inform her of the subsequent plans.
She simply placed her hand on Northern Rainbow’s head and spoke in a rare, gentle tone.
“Good work.
You ran well.” The uncontrollable crying didn’t fade for a long time.
Only the sunlight outside continued to shine quietly.