Hachiman's Perspective
A month has already passed since we returned to Tracen Academy from Rice's family home. Even now, with the New Year well underway, Rice hasn't let up on her training for a single day. I forced her to take the first two days of the year off to rest, but she's been at it ever since. Her reasoning was simple: "I got to rest so much at home, so now I want to focus on getting stronger." She's currently in the middle of a high-intensity block as we prepare for her next race.
I have to wonder, though—ever since that trip, her motivation has been through the roof. It's almost scary. I haven't even done anything special, yet she's more driven than I've ever seen her.
"Big Brother! How was that one?"
"Another personal best," I said, checking the stopwatch. "You're making steady progress. At this rate, the Nikkei-sho should be a walk in the park."
"But the race I'm really aiming for is the Tenno Sho (Spring)," Rice said, wiping her brow. "I have to work even harder!"
"It's good to have high goals, but don't burn yourself out before we even get there. There's no point in overextending yourself. You're the type who wins by building things up bit by bit, Rice. You're smart, too. Let's just focus on adding one new piece to the puzzle at a time."
"Right! I understand!"
Her honesty and willingness to listen are some of her greatest virtues. I knew it from the first time I saw her run, but Rice never wastes energy on useless movements. Where other horse girls might tense up or over-effort, Rice remains fluid. She follows my instructions to the letter, which makes her one of the most technically proficient runners I've ever seen.
"U-um... Big Brother?"
"Hmm? What is it?" I asked, reaching out to pat her head without thinking.
"E-eh... I was just wondering why you were petting me," she murmured, her face turning red.
I pulled my hand back immediately. "Ah! Sorry. Habit. I did it subconsciously."
"N-no! It's not that I didn't like it! It's just... I just finished training, so I'm all sweaty..."
"...You're right. That was a bit indelicate of me. I'll be more careful."
"P-please do... I mean! On normal days it's totally fine! I just didn't want your hand to get dirty because of my sweat!"
What a sweet, considerate kid. Seriously, the difference between her and a certain free-spirited Triple Crown winner who forces her way into training sessions and uses my lap as a pillow is staggering. I wish some people would take a page out of Rice's book.
— After Training - Club Room —
"Oh, that's right, Big Brother! When I went shopping the other day, the shopkeeper gave me some lottery tickets for the New Year draw. Would you like to use them?"
"Me? Why? Aren't you going to pull them, Rice?"
"Well... whenever I do it, I only ever win the consolation prize. It's always pocket tissues. Ehehe..."
I felt a small pang of annoyance on her behalf. Of course that would happen to her. But then again, isn't that how lotteries usually go? I haven't done many of them, so I wouldn't know.
"Isn't that what most people get, though?" I asked.
"Last year, I went with Urara-chan and Rob Roy-san," she said, looking down at her shoes. "I only got the tissues, but they both won second prize—the 'Heaping Pile of Carrots.'"
"..."
I'm starting to suspect the shopkeepers are rigging the wheel against her.
"Alright, let's go give it a shot. I actually have a ticket from my own shopping too, so we can each have a turn."
"B-but are you sure? What if it's just tissues again...?"
"Then that's fine. It means I won't have to buy a box of tissues for a while."
— Shopping District —
[NEW YEAR LUCKY DRAW FESTIVAL!!]
"This is it, huh?" I muttered.
"The prizes... look the same as last year," Rice noted.
"Let's see the lineup."
New Year Lottery - Prize List
Grand Prize: Hot Spring Resort Trip
1st Prize: Premium Carrot Hamburger Steak
2nd Prize: Heaping Pile of Carrots
3rd Prize: Single Premium Carrot
Consolation Prize: Pocket Tissues
"Hmph. Standard New Year stuff," I said.
"D-do you think we'll win anything...?"
"Look, if it's tissues, we save money. If it's carrots, we've got groceries. If it's the hamburger, I don't have to cook dinner. And if it's the hot spring trip... well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it."
"Step right up! Try your luck at the New Year Draw!" the attendant called out.
"Two turns, please. One for me and one for her. Here are the tickets."
"Right you are! Spin away!"
I stepped up to the wooden drum, gripped the handle, and gave it a solid turn.
Clack-clack-clack-clack...
A small ball tumbled out.
"WE HAVE A WINNER! 2nd Prize! A 'Heaping Pile of Carrots'!"
Ring-ring-ring!
"Oh, second prize. Not bad," I said.
"Wow! That's amazing, Big Brother!" Rice cheered.
"Good. This means I can make you something special for dinner tonight. I'll whip up the best carrot dish you've ever had."
"Ehehe... thank you, Big Brother."
"Alright, your turn, Rice."
Rice handed her ticket to the old man with trembling fingers. She gripped the handle with both hands, looking incredibly nervous, and gave it a slow, deliberate turn.
Clack... clack... clack...
A single ball rolled out. It wasn't white.
"WHAT!? NO WAY! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! WE HAVE A GRAND PRIZE WINNER! 'HOT SPRING RESORT TRIP'!!!"
RING-RING-RING-RING-RING!!!
Rice froze. "...Fueh?"
"...Whoa," I breathed.
"I... I did it? I really did it!? Big Brother, I won the Grand Prize!" Rice jumped up and down, clutching the golden ticket to her chest.
"I can't believe you actually pulled the top prize... that's incredible, Rice. And it's a voucher for a really famous inn, too."
"It's because you were with me!" she beamed, her eyes sparkling with tears of joy. "I've never won anything like this before!"
"Better keep that ticket somewhere safe, then."
We headed back, Rice practically floating on air with excitement. As for me, I had to start thinking of a carrot recipe worthy of her newfound luck.
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