Rice's POV
"Right, I'll be coming home on that day. And don't worry, I'm bringing Bi—I mean, I'm bringing my trainer with me, just like you asked."
"Wonderful! I'll have everything ready and waiting for you both," my mother's voice chirped warmly over the line.
"I can't wait! See you soon, Mom."
I hung up the phone with a small, relieved sigh. I'd given her the dates and filed my official leave of absence form with the academy. All that was left was to let Big Brother know the final schedule.
"Rice-san, good afternoon. You look like you're in high spirits. Did something good happen?"
I turned to see Mihono Bourbon walking toward me. "Oh, Bourbon-san! Yeah, I was just calling home to finalize my trip back for the holidays. How are you feeling? Is your leg okay?"
"The diagnosis was lameness in the right hind leg," she replied, her expression as calm as ever, though her voice lacked its usual mechanical edge. "In addition to withdrawing from the Japan Cup, my entry for the Arima Kinen has also been cancelled. For now, I must focus entirely on my recovery."
After the Kikuka-sho, Bourbon-san had been training hard for the Japan Cup, but they'd discovered the injury during her final fast-work session. My heart sank for her. To be sidelined right as the season reached its peak... it was a cruel twist of fate.
"And what of your next race, Rice-san?" she asked. "If it isn't a secret, I would like to know your plans."
"Um... we actually haven't decided yet," I admitted. "We're still training, but Big Brother seems to be struggling with the schedule. I'm not really sure what race would be best for me, either."
"I see..." Bourbon-san paused, a look of slight surprise crossing her face. "I had assumed you were already preparing for the Tenno Sho (Spring). It is unexpected to hear you haven't committed to a path yet."
The Tenno Sho (Spring)... I wanted to run it. I really did. But that race was Mejiro McQueen-san's domain. She had already won it twice in a row. If she took first place next year, she would achieve a G1 three-peat—a feat no one in history had ever accomplished.
I wanted to run, but... I knew everyone was waiting to see McQueen-san make history. If I entered, would I just be the "villain" again?
"I guess... I need to make up my mind soon," I whispered.
— The Cafeteria —
I'd managed to play it cool with Bourbon-san, but internally, I was a mess. I couldn't just skip the spring season entirely; I had to pick a direction.
Let's see, I thought, tapping my chin. What would Big Brother suggest? Maybe a fast start at the Nikkei Shinshun Hai? Or the AJCC? Then there's the Kyoto Kinen or the Diamond Stakes... The Hanshin Daishoten is 3,000 meters, just like the Kikuka-sho, and the Nikkei-sho is another long-distance test. There are too many choices!
"You look like you're lightyears away, Rice."
"Hyeeh?!" I jumped.
Big Brother was standing there, looking down at me with his usual half-lidded eyes. "Something bothering you? I'm happy to listen if you need a second opinion."
"N-no! It's just... Bourbon-san asked me about my next race, and it got me thinking. Do you have a schedule in mind yet?"
"In a manner of speaking, yeah," he said, pulling out a chair and sitting down. "I'm planning to start you at the Nikkei-sho. We can figure out the rest of the season after that. I wanted a solid, logical stepping stone to get your legs back under you for the spring, and the Nikkei-sho fits the bill. What do you think?"
"...If you think that's best, then Rice is happy with that!"
"Good. Then the Nikkei-sho is our target."
"Okay! Oh, and Big Brother? About the trip to my house... the dates are finalized for the [XX]th. Does that work for you?"
"Yeah, that's fine. I'll make sure to get the gift sorted before then. We don't have any more big moves to make this year, so let's take things at our own pace for a while."
"At our... own pace?" I tilted my head.
"Yeah. Relaxed. I'm not saying we slack off on training, but you need to breathe. If you keep your bowstring pulled tight 24/7, eventually it's going to snap."
"Is that... really okay?"
"Once in a while? Absolutely. If we did it every day, it'd be a problem, but you've earned a break. Life is a bitter drink, Rice; the least we can do is make sure our food is sweet."
He reached into a bag and placed a small plate on the table.
"Oh!"
It was a beautiful yellow cake topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. Cheese cake was usually paler, so I guessed... "Is this pumpkin?"
"Bingo," he said, a small, proud smirk tugging at his lips. "We were so busy during the lead-up to the Kikuka-sho that we missed Halloween entirely. Consider this a very late celebration."
"It looks... it looks amazing..."
"I've got a few more slices back in the lab if you want seconds. Just... try not to let McQueen see you eating it. I'd rather not have to deal with a sugar-deprived Mejiro today, but I'm not holding my breath."
"McQueen-san does love her sweets," I giggled.
"Eat it before the scent spreads," he urged. "If anyone asks, we're sticking to the story that there were no leftovers."
Big Brother really is the kindest person I know. He acts all cynical, but he's always thinking of others.
"My, that looks like a truly delightful treat you're enjoying. Hello, Brother. Hello, Rice-san."
I froze. Big Brother let out a long, weary sigh. "Of all the Mejiros to find us, it had to be Ardan. Are you finished with your lunch?"
Mejiro Ardan-san smiled at us, her grace making even the cafeteria feel like a high-end ballroom. "I am. I saw the two of you tucked away in the corner and wanted to say hello. Did you make this cake yourself, Brother?"
"I did," he muttered.
"It's so good!" I added, taking a bite. "The sweetness is just right, and the cream is the perfect accent!"
"Glad you like it," he said, though he was already looking toward the exit.
"Hehe," Ardan-san chuckled softly. "I'm quite envious of you, Rice-san, being able to receive such wonderful gifts from Brother."
"Ehehe, I'm lucky, aren't I?"
"You are indeed. Perhaps I should go and fetch McQueen so she can share in this luck?"
"Don't you dare," Big Brother snapped. "That would be a disaster. If she shows up, the most she's getting is a piece of charred pumpkin skin."
Ardan-san giggled. "Now that would be true torture for poor McQueen."
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