Rice Shower's Perspective
The winter air was even sharper than I'd expected. I really should have worn a thicker coat. I thought a light jacket would be enough for a quick trip to the shrine, but now I'm shivering. I'll have to make sure to warm up properly once I get back to the dorms.
Still, I couldn't skip this. This year marks the beginning of the most important time for a racer—the Classic season. I have to make sure the gods hear my prayer!
"Rice-san? Is something wrong?" Robroy-san asked, tilting her head.
"Ah, no! It's nothing, I'm okay."
"Come on, come on! Let's hurry!" Urara-chan chirped, skipping ahead.
"Right!"
I was at the shrine with Zenno Robroy and Haru Urara. We'd wanted to come earlier, but since Robroy-san and I both get overwhelmed by big crowds, we decided to wait until the New Year's rush had died down a bit. There were still people around, but it was peaceful—the perfect time to offer our prayers.
"You both remember the proper etiquette, right?" Robroy-san asked.
"Mhm, I remember," I nodded.
"Of course!" Urara added proudly. "Bow twice, clap twice, make your wish, and then bow one last time, right?"
"Perfect," Robroy-san smiled. "Let's join the queue, then."
"Hey, hey!" Urara-chan whispered as we waited. "Have you guys decided what you're going to wish for?"
"I have," I said softly. "But they say if you say it out loud, it won't come true, so it's a secret."
"I've made my decision as well," Robroy-san added. "What about you, Urara-san?"
"I already decided! I even stopped by the fountain to ask the Three Goddesses before we left!"
I blinked, a cold sweat breaking out. "Wait... Urara-chan, you didn't... you didn't throw money into the fountain, did you?"
"Of course not!"
Robroy and I both let out a massive sigh of relief. If she'd done that, we'd be dealing with a lot more than just unanswered prayers.
Soon, the line moved forward, and it was finally our turn. I stepped up to the offering box, tossed in a five-yen coin, and reached for the thick braided rope.
Clang! Clang!
I bowed once. I bowed twice. Then, I brought my hands together for the first clap—Smack!—and then the second—
Thwack.
"Huh?" My hands didn't meet air. I was... holding something? Something heavy and cold.
"Hello there~♪" the bell seemed to chime from right between my palms.
"EEEEEEEEEKK?!" I shrieked.
"Rice-san?!" Robroy jumped back in shock. "What happened?! Why are you... why are you holding the shrine bell?!"
"I-I-I don't know! It just fell! I went to clap and it just... landed right in my hands!"
"That's amazing, Rice-chan!" Urara cheered, eyes sparkling. "You're like a magnet for luck!"
"This isn't the kind of 'luck' I want!" I wailed.
The shrine staff had to come out and reattach the bell. Apparently, the same thing had happened last year, but that time, the bell had bounced off the offering box and hit someone right on the nose. I felt terrible for that poor person, but I couldn't help but feel a tiny bit relieved it hadn't happened to me.
--- The Way Home ---
"Man, that was a surprise!" Urara-chan was still buzzing as we walked back. "Who would've thought the bell would just drop out of the sky like that? You're definitely special, Rice-chan!"
"I'm telling you, catching a falling bell isn't exactly a good omen..." I sighed. "But I guess it's better than getting hit in the face like that person last year."
"In a way, both are incredible feats," Robroy-san said, trying to be encouraging. "Whether it's luck or just a strange coincidence, I'm sure it means this year will be full of surprises for you."
"I hope you're right..."
"Oh, speaking of the future," Robroy-san continued, "have you and the Trainer decided on your next race?"
"Yes," I said, my voice firming up. "We've decided on the Yayoi Sho. We're staying at the same distance and the same track as the Satsuki Sho—Nakayama. Bourbon-san is taking the Spring Stakes route to get there. Big Brother decided it was better if we didn't run the exact same path as her until the big day."
"The Yayoi Sho... the royal road to the Triple Crown," Robroy-san whispered, her eyes filled with respect. "Good luck, Rice-san. I'll be rooting for you!"
"Me too!" Urara-chan added, punching the air. "If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word! I'm your number-one assistant!"
"Thank you both," I smiled. "That means a lot."
As we rounded the corner near the academy grounds, a familiar, tall figure came into view, walking with a precision that was impossible to mistake.
"Good afternoon, Rice-san. Zenno Robroy-san. Haru Urara-san."
"Ah... Bourbon-san," I gasped. "Good afternoon."
"Are you three out on an excursion?" Mihono Bourbon asked, her voice as level and cool as ever.
"Yes, we're just getting back from our New Year's visit," Robroy-san explained.
"And you, Bourbon-san?" Urara asked. "Were you praying too?"
"No. I am simply performing a scheduled walk."
She paused, her blue eyes fixing on me with an intensity that made my breath hitch.
"I understand your next destination is the Yayoi Sho," Bourbon said. "I will be competing in the Spring Stakes. It appears our next encounter will be at the first peak of the Triple Crown... the Satsuki Sho."
"Y-Yes... that's the plan."
"As you are aware, I have remained undefeated thus far," Bourbon continued. There was no arrogance in her voice, only a statement of cold, hard fact. "The same is true for you. Therefore... I have a request. Ensure you win your next race. I intend to be the one to hand you your first defeat."
My heart hammered against my ribs. "...!"
"Excuse me."
With a sharp nod, she turned and walked away. Her words were blunt, almost clinical—but I could feel the heat of her spirit behind them. She wasn't just a machine; she was a competitor. And she was waiting for me.
I felt a spark ignite in my chest. She wants to win? Well... so do I! I have my own pride as a racer, and I won't let Big Brother down!
"Right!" I declared, clinching my fists. "I'm going to work even harder in training starting tomorrow!"
"That's the spirit, Rice-chan!" Urara cheered.
"We'll be right there behind you!" Robroy-san added.
The cold didn't seem to bite quite as hard anymore.
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