Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

If winning was supposed to bring joy, then why couldn’t she shake the ever-growing pain in her chest? If one was supposed to ride the momentum of such a grand victory, why couldn't she bring herself to face the outside world? If her name symbolised happiness, then why did hatred and sorrow follow her every action?

The Kikuka Sho could only be described by journalists as “The biggest upset in racing history”. The undefeated favourite, Mihono Bourbon, taken down by Rice Shower, thus denying the former her undefeated triple crown. And yet in the wake of this, it was the victor who received the heartbreak and backlash from the distraught masses, brought on by her ‘theft’ of victory and ‘assassination’ of the rightful triple crown owner.

*
“It’s time to get up.”
Rice Shower heard the words of Zenno Rob Roy, her roommate, and opted simply to turn over in her bed and face the wall, shielding herself from the outside.
“Rice, it’s 10AM. You need to get up.” she continued. “We have class in half an hour, you’re going to be late.”
“Please leave me alone.” Rice whispered. “Just- go, okay? I promise I’ll be up, I just-” She struggled through her words- even convincing herself to get out of bed in the morning had become an increasingly difficult effort.
Rob Roy respected her wishes, grabbing her handbag and leaving the room. As the door latch closed, Rice Shower descended into tears once more.

Is this what she deserved?

*
Eventually, Rice Shower found enough strength to get herself to class. She took her seat in the back left corner of the classroom, before placing her books on her desk and trying desperately to hide from the eyes of her classmates. Unbeknownst to her, they would be the least of her worries today.
“Rice Shower, please report to the student council office.”
The words shattered what little composure Rice had built. To face the Symboli Rudolph in this state, after what she had done two days prior. She slowly rose from her chair and left the classroom without a sound- not even her footsteps wished to disturb those around her as she moved through the corridors like a ghost- a shadow, like the one that had stalked Mihono Bourbon across Kyoto racecourse with the fateful dagger that-

Rice Shower shook her head vigorously to silence her mind. As she opened her eyes, she realised that she was standing in the middle of the corridor, while everyone stood at her, staring. Without time for another action, Rice sprinted away, desperately trying to hide her shame from those she had just passed.

*
The knock on the student council room door was so meagre, it was a wonder Rudolph even heard it over her conversation with Air Groove.
“Come in!” She called.
The heavy door slowly opened, before closing with a gentle click of the latch after Rice Shower hesitantly entered the room.
“Sorry for disturbing you…” She whispered.
“Ah, Rice Shower.” Rudolph said with a warm smile. She gestured to the seating in front of her. “Please, have a seat.”
“I’m sorry if what’s happened has caused any trouble.” Rice began.
“Depends what you mean by what’s happened. Your race result did have an impact in the wider world, but students and staff at Tracen have always and continue to act with respect regarding race results. However…”
“We’ve had your teammates and friends voice their concerns regarding your wellbeing.” Air Groove continued.
“Ah…” Rice shower continued.
“Tracking your recent attendance, you have skipped classes and training on more than one occasion, and a look into your spending in the cafeteria indicates you haven't been eating normally.” Rudolph continued, addressing the information on her laptop.
“I’m sorry…” Rice whispered.
“An apology isn’t what we’re after. We would like an explanation.”
“I- I don’t know.” Rice sobbed. “I fear if I face anyone following the Kikuka Sho, I will bring the same misfortune I brought upon Bourbon. I feel as if I had sunken a blade into her spine on my overtake for the win, and I would hate to have the blood of others upon my hands.”
Air Groove and Symboli Rudolph were taken aback by her description of events. After a moment of silence, Symboli Rudolph turned to Air Groove, but spoke loud enough for Rice Shower to hear her.
“I wonder if Bourbon feels as if she was back-stabbed.”
“Hm, you raise a good point.” Air Groove replied. The two of them turned back to Rice. “Have you spoken to her since the race?”
“I wouldn’t dare!” She exclaimed, before shying away and covering her mouth as if she had insulted them both.
“Go on…” Rudolph said, leaning forward on the desk.
“I mustn’t.” Rice continued, standing up to leave. “I’ve caused enough trouble.”
“Rice Shower.” Air Groove said firmly, her voice an anchor to Rice’s spiral.
“With all due respect, President, how would you feel if the person who made you lose your undefeated triple crown approached you in your dorm?”
“Well, it depends entirely on what they wanted from me.” Rudolph replied. “Mihono Bourbon doesn’t strike me as a sore loser, and you don't strike me as somebody who wants to gloat over your winnings. I can’t imagine your interaction being for the worse.”
“Agreed.” Air Groove continued. “As a matter of fact, Bourbon was one of the people to raise her concern for you. It would be best for you to speak to her.”
Rice Shower let out a sigh, one of despair, and yet a lingering hint of courage. “I suppose I should…”
“As far as I know her schedule, she would be training with the rest of her team. To minimise disturbance, I’d recommend meeting with her later in the afternoon.” Rudolph explained, before once again looking Rice in the eye. “And let me be clear to you: you are not a burden. You are not her enemy. You did nothing wrong.” The three statements echoed in Rice Shower’s head. Simple, yet powerful words that gave her newfound willpower to help overcome her woes.
“Thank you…” She said, wiping the tears from her face. “I promise I will speak to her.”
“We’ll hold you to it.” Air Groove replied, as Rice Shower left the office.
“It’s the kind of situation you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy.” Rudolph sighed as the door closed
“Mm. Watching her on that stage, performing a concert to a silent, spiteful crowd.” Air Groove replied. “It boils my blood, just thinking about it.”
“Then we must press on.” Rudolph replied, taking her hand, which had subconsciously been clenched into a fist. “That said, I have something in mind.”
“”What kind of something?” Air Groove question, her tone raising suspicion at Rudolph.
“Just an idea at this moment in time. I’ll sleep on it, and see how feasible it really is.”

*
The sun had begun to set on Tracen Academy. Rice Shower had been repeating the three sentences said to her by Rudolph all day, as a means to uplift her spirits. However, it wasn't going to be enough if she wanted to face Bourbon before curfew. She watched as the sun began to sink below the horizon, and as the training track cleared, a single soul remained. Mihono Bourbon continued to push herself to her limit until the final second- or at least she planned to, until she saw Rice at the other end of the straightaway, trying to hide behind herself.
“Rice Shower!” she called.
Rice flinched as she heard the voice, and turned to leave as she saw Bourbon approaching her.
“I was told you wanted to speak with me.” she said, her face and tone deadpan, but her ears gave away her concern for her friend
“i- i want to apologise…” Rice whispered, fighting her tears. “I ruined your triple crown.”
“Apology accepted.” Bourbon replied simply. “Though- I feel this is nothing to apologise for. You bested me, fair and square.”
“But I- I killed your dream! How can you forgive me?!”
“Dreams fall every day. What matters is how we push on through them.” Bourbon’s words, despite meaning little to her, meant the world to Rice. “Tell me, what was your dream going into that race?”
“To bring happiness to everyone through my victory…”
“Looks like we both missed our marks.” Bourbon replied with a gentle, reassuring smile.
“I suppose we did…” Rice Shower replied. The two of them silently sat on the grass outside the track and watched as the sun set.
“Yknow, I think your dream can still live.”
“What do you mean? You saw what happened, no?”
“I did. But their reactions should mean nothing to you. You should bring happiness to those who deserve it, and those who don't will live in despair and hatred.”
“I’m not sure what you mean by that.”
Bourbon paused for a moment to re-think her explanation. “You cannot bring happiness to everyone. That’s simply a fact. There are too many people, and everyone is too different.”
“Okay…”
“But, that doesn't mean you can’t bring happiness to some people.” She continued. “Like, the people at the Kikaku Sho aren’t people who deserve to share your happiness.”
“Do you think so?”
“What happened at that concert was disgusting. There’s no two ways about it. Those people should have celebrated your victory, but they were too focused on me to do so. They were ungrateful regarding your efforts and so do not deserve your joy.”
“Maybe that’s true…” Rice replied. “But a change of mind like that isn't gonna be easy.”
“It never is, but I’m more than happy to help you through it.”
“You are?” Rice replied, turning to Bourbon, who looked back with a gentle smile.
“You are my new rival. We grow through our strength, not in moments of weakness.”
Rice Shower shed a gentle tear, but not one of sadness. She moved to embrace Bourbon, who reciprocated the affection after a moment of hesitation. To rice shower, this was nothing more than embracing a close friend, but to Bourbon… this experience was something completely new to her. Her heart rate was rising, her body temperature increasing, and she felt warmth overtaking her heart in ways she didn't understand. She slowly backed away from the embrace after a moment, filled with a combination of joy, confusion, and more emotions she didn't recognise.
“It’s getting late.” She observed, as the sun finished setting past the horizon. “We ought to head back before curfew.”
“R-right.” Rice shower replied, noticing how much Bourbon was blushing. She knew something was different about her friend and now rival, but the last thing she wanted to do was jump to a conclusion.

Chapter Text

Two days after Rice Shower’s conversation with Mihono Bourbon, she found herself almost completely renewed. Absolved of the guilt from ruining her friend’s dream, she had newfound vigor in achieving her own new dream- bringing joy to those who deserved it.

The two of them were out training on the turf tracks, Bourbon pushing the power on her final sprint beyond all limits, while Rice worked on her proficiency on the turns to improve her staying power.
“Keep it up, Rice!” Teio called. She had been watching the two of them train for some time, giving out tips when relevant but otherwise just sticking around for encouragement- and a super secret task assigned to her by Rudolph. “Just a couple more runs and we’ll finish there!”
Rice Shower surged, her acceleration reaching its limit as she hit the apex of the corner. Her legs were able to take the strain of the high speed turn, but the wet turf from the morning’s rain had other plans. As her foot impacted the turf, it continued to slide across the damp blades of grass, and despite her best efforts to stay balanced, she collapsed on the floor in front of her.
“That's gotta hurt…” Teio said to herself after a moment. Another few moments passed, and Rice Shower hadn’t gotten up. Teio ducked under the barrier and ran over to help, but was overtaken on her way there by Bourbon with a sprint that seemed to shatter her training records throughout the afternoon.
“Rice!” Bourbon called, slowing down as she made her way over. “Are you alright?”
In an instant, Bourbon had Rice Shower flipped over onto her back, which consequently allowed Rice to breathe easier.
“I got… winded.” She said breathlessly. “Got the air… knocked straight out of me.”
“I see. Let me help you get up.” Bourbon continued, offering Rice her hand before lifting her off the ground.
“Is she gonna be okay?” Teio asked as she arrived at the corner. “That looked like quite the fall.”
“I’ll be okay… I think.” Rice Shower replied.
“I can’t imagine long term issues from something like this.” Bourbon replied. “But to be safe we should certainly take a break for now if not for the rest of the day.”
“Let's do that.” Teio replied. “We can go into town and grab some lunch, and maybe swing by the arcade or something for a bit of fun. What do you guys think of that?”
They both wordlessly replied with a nod, and set off for the changing rooms.

*
“That ramen really hit the spot!” Teio observed with a smile as the three of them walked down the high street. “I didn't even know that place existed.”
“I’m glad you liked it.” Rice Shower replied. “I was worried it wouldn't be to your taste. What did you think, Bourbon?”
“It was good.” She replied simply. “I enjoyed the food.”
Rice shower was about to speak again when the disappointed cries of a young girl filled the street. The three of them instinctively ran over to see what was going on.

“Mama! Please!” The girl begged.
“I said no.” The mother replied, crouching to her daughter’s eye level. “You’ve spent all your tokens on that machine. It’s time to go, anyway.”
“Oh, I thought she was actually in trouble." Teio said to the others as they slowed their approach. “What’s going on?”
“It appears she didn't win what she wanted in the claw machine, which is to say, she didn't win anything.” Bourbon explained.
“A claw machine?” Rice Shower replied. She frisked her pockets before retrieving her purse. “I’ll give it a go for her.”
“Rice- wait!” Teio shouted, but Rice had already dashed over to the young girl and her mother.
“Excuse me, Miss?” She called. The mother and daughter turned to her. “I couldn't help but overhear- would you mind if I helped your daughter win a prize?”
The young girl’s eyes widened as she recognised the Umamusume in front of her. “You’re- you’re Rice Shower!”
“I am!” Rice shower replied, excitement building as she realised she’d met a fan of hers in person for the first time.
“Cmon, mama! This is fate! Rice Shower is here to help me win a plushie of herself!”
The mother sighed. “If you’re alright with using your own token, then I see no reason why not.”
“Perfect, I’ll be right back!” She replied with a smile as she dashed off to the counter to purchase a token with her money.
“Is Rice good at claw machines?” Teio asked Bourbon as they stood by the machine and the girl.
“She’s the best I know.” Bourbon replied. “She’ll pull one with a success rate of around ninety-five percent.”
“Seems like you’re in good hands.” Teio said, looking down at the girl who looked up at her with a smile.
“Okay, shall we do this together?” Rice asked the little girl, who nodded and grinned with glee. “Which one did you want? I have two turns with this token, so let's make them count.”
“That Rice Shower plushie right by the bucket!” The little girl exclaimed. “I tried so hard to get it out, and I was so close!”
“Alright, let’s start with that one.” Rice said, before locking out all external distractions as she would within the starting gate. She moved the flimsy claw with a sense of elegance nobody could even hope to achieve, and retrieved the plushie with ease.
“Oh my gosh! Thank you, thank you!” The girl cried with joy, as she hurriedly pushed her hand into the rewards tray and pulled out the plushie.
“I still have another go, if you want another one.” Rice Shower said to her. “And I have an idea as to which one you’ll want.” Rice pointed to the jumbo plushie of herself, buried in a mess of Gold Ships and Vodkas, save for her purple hat which stuck out as the sole identifying marker.
“There’s no way…” The little girl replied. “Please?”
“I’ll do my best.” Rice Shower replied.
“What are her odds of pulling a big one?” Teio asked Bourbon, as she pulled her phone out of her pocket.
“Judging by the placement of that one, her odds are slim.” Bourbon replied. “I’d estimate around ten percent. Do not get your hopes up, little one.” She continued, looking down at the little girl.
“I believe in her!” The girl replied.
Once again, Rice Shower focused. She skillfully navigated the claw into the back right corner of the plushie pit. The claw hovered over the jumbo plushie, as if the machine itself was hesitating to send the claw in. With a deep breath in, Rice pushed the button, and the claw descended into the pit. The group watched with baited breath as it wrapped itself around the plushie’s hat.
“Come on…” Teio whispered to herself.
“Please!” The little girl exclaimed.
Time froze as the jumbo plushie plummeted from the claw. The stuffed body landed on the outer rim of the prize chute, but the jumbo head was heavy enough to tilt it over the edge and down the chute.
“YAY!!” The little girl cheered. “You did it!”
“I did it!” Rice replied. Watching her fan rush to grab her new jumbo plushie made the realisation hit her that much harder. This was what Bourbon meant- those who deserve happiness from her would receive it. Acting quickly, Rice thought of a way to make her gift to the fan that much more exciting. “Bourbon! Do you have a pen?”
“I do.” She replied, unable to hide her smile for Rice’s excitement as she reached into her handbag and pulled out a pen for her friend.
“Let me borrow this for just one second, okay?” Rice shower said to the girl, before taking the jumbo plushie out of her hands. The little girl watched as Rice flipped the plushie over before finding what she was looking for- the signing label. All URA-certified Umamusume plushies came with a special label that allowed for easy autographing when fans met their beloved racers, and this jumbo plushie was no exception. Rice scribbled her signature onto the plushie’s label, before handing it to the girl once more.
“Thank you so much!” She exclaimed with glee, before hugging Rice Shower tightly.
“Alright, Katie, that's enough, we need to get going now.” Her mother replied, gently pulling her away from Rice. “Thank you so much for this, it's a day she won't forget now, all thanks to you.”

As the mother and daughter walked away, Rice moved back to her friends as Teio slipped her phone back into her pocket.
“Alright, well that was eventful.” Rice Shower replied. “It feels good to make someone smile like that, though.”
“I can imagine.” Teio replied. “Think about it though- you could do that, multiplied tens of thousands of people in a race.”
“Perhaps not, based on previous experience.” Bourbon clarified, sounding a little more deadpan than usual. “But it’s certainly plausible.”
“I could do this… to everyone who deserves it…” Rice Shower said to herself. “This is it!” Her smile grew once more, and this time neither Teio nor Rice Shower could ignore how much Bourbon was blushing at Rice’s smile.
“Bourbon, are you alright?”
“Unsure. My heart rate and body temperature are rising, though I’m unsure of the cause.”
“Unsure? Please!” Teio scoffed. “It's written all over you.”
“In that case, I ought to be leaving.” Bourbon replied swiftly. “Goodbye.”
Rice and Teio watched as Bourbon sprinted out of their eyeline and around a corner on her way back to Tracen.

*
Bourbon dashed into her dorm room and slammed the door behind her. This early into the evening, her roommate wouldn't be around. With this knowledge, she let out a sigh of safety and flopped onto her bed.
“Why, why why!?” She exclaimed. “Why do I not understand it?!”
Immediately afterward, there was a knock on her door. Bourbon flinched, before taking a second to fully regain her composure and answer the door. To her surprise, Hishi Amazon stood before her, with a look on her face that read both concern and disappointment.
“Amazon.” Bourbon greeted her simply. “How may I assist you?”
“Not everyone charges through the dorms at sprinting pace, only to bellow at the top of their lungs. Is everything alright?”
“No…” Bourbon said with a sigh. “But I cannot understand my issue, so explaining it to another is going to be difficult, to say the least.”
“Alright…” she replied. “In any case, do try and keep it down, yeah? And if you need to chat, you know where to find me.”
“Thank you.” Bourbon replied with a bow, before closing the door and falling onto her bed once more. Her emotions felt like a maze, and in trying to understand them, she had only gotten more and more lost. What was this feeling in her chest, and why did it only grow stronger with Rice Shower?

*
Teio said her goodbyes to Rice Shower as the two of them parted ways to their dorms. She lifted her phone from her purse and checked her messages- one unread conversation with Symboli Rudolph awaited her.
“This video will work perfectly. Are you able to upload it?”
Teio giggled as she replied. “I got it covered. What’s the plan after this?”
“We wait. We have as much of phase three in place as we can at this time.”
“Sounds like a good plan.”
“And Teio- thank you for your help with this. I'm sure we will see the fruits of your labour soon.”
She chuckled as she slid her phone back into her pocket and reached for her dorm keys. She was about to unlock the door when her phone rang in her pocket. With a sigh she took it out again, and the name on the screen was one of the last names she was expecting.
“Bourbon? What’s going on?”
“Can you come to my dorm? I need to speak with you immediately. It’s important.”
“I’ll be right there.” Teio replied. With what little she could pick up from Bourbon’s tone, this really was important to her.

*
“-and when she smiles? I feel like my body is going to melt, but in a good way?” Bourbon continued her explanation. “I don't understand it at all.”
Teio gave her a reassuring smile. “This is exactly what I was talking about.”
“What do you mean?”
“This is love, Bourbon!”
“Incorrect.” Bourbon replied after a moment. Teio looked at her, confused, so she elaborated. “I love my family, but this doesn't feel the same. I love my friends, but this doesn't feel the same either.”
“What about loving a partner?”
“I- do not know. I lack experience.”
Teio snapped her fingers. “This is what that is.”
“You’re certain?”
“Positive.”
Bourbon thought for a moment. “What do I do about this?”
“The short answer? Find the right time and confess to her.”
“How will I know when the right time arrives?”
“Your heart won’t be able to take another second of withholding the confession. That’s when you’ll know.”