Rice Shower's POV
The afternoon following my race, Big Brother and I returned to Longchamp. Our goal, of course, was to witness the race that decided the strongest horse girl in the world: the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The crowd was even more dazzling than yesterday. Women in elegant gowns and distinguished gentlemen in tailored suits filled the stands. I had made my debut on that very track only a day ago, but today, the air felt heavy with a completely different level of tension.
And yet…
"I… I really appreciate this," Big Brother said, looking slightly out of place. "I feel a bit guilty taking up such prime seats."
"Nonsense," Apple, the British trainer, replied with a wave of his hand. "Yesterday was a vital experience for Krone. Besides, she seems to have taken quite a shine to your student."
"..." Squeeze!
"U-um… Miss Krone?" I squeaked.
Krone didn't say a word, she just held me tighter. "So soothing… This is definitely what I needed." Squeeze!
"Uuu… Big Brother, help me…"
Big Brother looked at Apple, then back at me. "How… did it even end up like this?"
"Who knows?" Apple chuckled. "Krone is usually so aloof, but I've never seen her open up to someone she's just met like this. It's a mystery even to me."
"So, you're saying you have no idea why either," Big Brother sighed.
"I apologize to Miss Rice Shower for the trouble, but please, let Krone stay like that a while longer. She needs the emotional support."
Big Brother gave me a pitying look. "Sorry, Rice. You'll just have to bear with it for a bit."
"Eeeeh?!"
Just then, the door to the VIP box opened.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," O'Brien said as he entered.
"Excuse us… Oh, for crying out loud, is she at it again?" Cloud Road followed him in, letting out a sharp whistle. "I mean, I get it, but still."
"Rice-san is cute," Krone stated flatly, not letting go.
"Is that the only thing you know how to say?!" Cloud Road snapped.
O'Brien smiled warmly. "It's wonderful to see them hitting it off after yesterday's race. International friendships are precious; you should cherish them."
"We feel the same," Apple agreed. "Speaking of which, where is Fabre? Ah, right—his girl is running in the main event. He must be doing the final briefing."
"Running four girls from the same stable in the Arc… that's incredible," Big Brother remarked. "It's a testament to his skill as a trainer."
"Indeed it is. However…" Apple trailed off, looking out at the track.
"Yeah," Big Brother muttered, his eyes narrowing. "I see it too."
"Hey, let her go already," Cloud Road groaned, poking at Krone.
"No." Squeeze!
"A flat-out rejection, huh?" Cloud Road turned to me. "Hey, Rice, you know you're allowed to tell her 'no,' right?"
"E-eh? Well… um…"
"Cloud Road-san," Krone said, her voice like ice. "Please stop trying to lead Rice-san astray." Squeeze!
"I'm not leading anyone astray!"
"More importantly," Krone continued, "you just called her 'Rice,' didn't you?"
"Huh? Yeah, so?"
Krone looked up at me, her eyes sparkling. "Rice-san… may I also call you 'Rice'?" Squeeze!
"O-oh, um, sure! That's fine, but… maybe we could—"
"Thank you, Rice-san. You truly are a wonderful person."
"A-auuu…" I felt my face heating up.
"I'm telling you, let the poor girl go!" Cloud Road barked.
Watching them from the side, Big Brother seemed almost amused. Krone was obsessed with me, I was panicking, and Cloud Road was trying (and failing) to be the voice of reason. It was… a very strange kind of friendship.
"Miss Krone seems quite attached," O'Brien noted.
"It's certainly entertaining to watch," Apple added. "Mr. Hikigaya, aren't you going to help your student?"
"I've told her she only has to endure it until the race starts," Big Brother replied.
(Sorry, Rice. Just hang in there a little longer.)
— A Few Hours Later —
"That was… an incredible race," Big Brother whispered.
"Yeah…" I was breathless. "So that's what it means to be the strongest in the world. I don't think I could ever run like that."
"Don't worry, Rice-san," Krone chimed in. "Your cuteness is already world-class."
"Why are you even trying to compete with that?!" Cloud Road yelled.
While they bickered, I looked at the track. Yesterday had been clear skies, but today was overcast with a light drizzle. The turf was "heavy"—a deep, muddy bog. If I had run today, the result would likely have been very different. I felt a chill of relief that the rain had stayed away for my race.
Fabre, the French master trainer, walked over to us. His expression was solemn but respectful. "We didn't win… The Arc is never an easy conquest. Perhaps the heavy ground played against us today. But, a local French girl won, so we should be content with that. Now, Mr. Hikigaya… we have a proposal for you. Would you care to listen?"
Big Brother straightened up. "Of course. What is it?"
"Don't look so tense," Apple said with a smile. "Just hear us out."
"I understand you are scheduled to return to Japan in two weeks," Fabre began. "Is that still the plan?"
"Yes, it hasn't changed."
O'Brien stepped forward. "After watching Miss Rice Shower's performance yesterday, the three of us came to a unanimous conclusion regarding her next step."
"Her next step?" Big Brother asked.
"We would like to propose that she enters the Prix Royal-Oak," Fabre said. "It takes place right here at Longchamp, three weeks from now."
The Prix Royal-Oak… it was a long-distance race of 3,100 meters—300 meters longer than the one I had just won. Though it was no longer part of the official French Triple Crown, it was still one of the most prestigious races for "Stayers"—girls who specialized in endurance.
"Watching her run the other day, we felt she was born for a race like this," Apple explained. "What do you think? Would you be interested in letting her challenge it?"
"The Royal-Oak… three weeks away," Big Brother repeated, his mind clearly racing.
"Of course, since we are the ones asking, we will guarantee all expenses," O'Brien added. "And Mr. Fabre has already agreed to let you continue using his training facilities."
"It is a sudden request," Fabre said. "You'll need time to think, and you must consult with Miss Rice Shower as well. You don't need to give us an answer right this second."
Big Brother nodded slowly. It wasn't just my decision—he'd have to talk to Sensei back in Japan, too.
And then there was Mr. C.B. and the Professor. If they found out we were staying longer to chase another G1 title… I could only imagine the chaos that would cause.
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