"On your marks, get set… go!"
The white and black girls dashed forward, straight toward the goal.
They lacked proper technique — they simply ran with all their might. It could hardly be called a race.
Yet, the expressions on their faces, filled with radiant smiles, were brighter than the sun itself.
The two girls ran neck and neck for a while, but gradually the black-haired girl pulled ahead and crossed the finish line — well, the "finish line" was just a water bottle placed as a marker — first.
"Haah! Rice wins!"
"Unini…! Rice-chan, you're so fast! …Ah! Congrats, Rice-chan!"
Out of breath from giving their all, both girls collapsed onto their backs, panting heavily.
Despite the white girl's words sounding disappointed, her face was bright and cheerful.
"Phew… phew… thank you, Lily-chan. …Aren't you frustrated that you lost to Rice?"
The black-haired girl tilted her head curiously as she asked.
Tilting her own head cutely, the white girl murmured "Uni?" and then answered,
"Of course I'm frustrated. But, you know, you have to praise the one who won. Because that means she tried the hardest! …And also—" she paused for a moment, then said,
"If no one praises you… you'd feel sad, right?"
Then, cheerfully, she added, "But next time, I won't lose!"
The black-haired girl was struck speechless.
"…If Rice won… and no one praised her…"
If she were to win a race, and no one cheered for her —
if everyone ignored her victory —
she imagined that world, and fell silent.
She realized she wouldn't be able to endure it.
Worse — she might even come to hate running altogether.
──A future that could have been.
As she imagined that dark, lonely possibility, the black-haired girl's eyes overflowed with large, heavy tears.
"…If that ever happened, Rice wouldn't want to run anymore… that would be… awful…"
The white-haired girl, shocked by the tears rolling down her friend's face, panicked for a moment, then stood up, tightened her expression, and gently took the other girl's hands in hers.
"Rice-chan!"
"...Fueh?"
That serious face — those eyes shining brighter than a sky full of stars — froze Rice in place.
──A future where no one celebrates her.
──A future where she's called a villain, a "heel."
But in this world, that future will never come.
"Because I'm here. So, it's okay!"
"…Lily-chan."
──Thump. Her heart leaped.
"Even if the whole world turns against you, I'll still be here. So—"
──"I'll protect you, no matter what!"
The white-haired girl declared with a pure, untainted smile.
The tears that had flowed so freely stopped at once.
Her heart — her very soul — was filled with warmth.
"…You're a hero."
"...Uni?"
"Lily-chan… you're Rice's hero."
"Hero?" The white girl's eyes sparkled. "Oooh! That sounds so cool!" she laughed, beaming.
The black-haired girl's chest tightened with heat.
──Her heart felt warm.
"…I love you, Lily-chan."
──She didn't yet know what this feeling was called.
"I love you too, Rice-chan!"
──The black-haired girl didn't yet know the name of this emotion.
---
Ehehe! I love Rice-chan!
I'm the strong, smart, and cute Shirono Lily!
Since that day, Rice-chan and I have been racing every single day.
Ahh… Rice-chan is so fast! No matter how many races we've done, I've never managed to win even once. Rice-chan really is amazing!
But you know, I have a secret move! Do you want to know? Of course you do! Then I'll tell you!
It's called the "Lily-chan Bomber" That thing that made the grass explode under my feet the other day!
It's a super-cool move that uses that power to boost my speed!
Though, the time I launched myself about five meters straight up into the air, Mama had to catch me. That was so much fun!
Since then, "Lily-chan Bomber" has been banned. I wonder why?
Oh! Speaking of which — when I enter Tracen Academy, I'll be racing against strong people like Mihono Bourbon-san and many others.
I know I don't have much talent, and I'll probably lose a lot of races.
…But even if I lose again and again, I'll definitely win in the end! I'll never give up! Lily-chan is a strong girl!
Ah! Mama's coming this way! Mamaaa!
---
"Girls! Are your races over yet?"
Shirono Suzuran called out to the two who were playing and laughing together.
Ever since her daughter — Shirono Lily — first learned to run, the girls had been playing together in the park every day, never getting bored, running endlessly with boundless energy.
Even as an Uma Musume herself, Suzuran prided herself on her stamina — but she was beginning to feel exhausted from the children's endless energy.
Could they have more stamina than an active stayer? she wondered, half-joking, half-serious.
"Mama's tired, so how about we head home soon?"
They'd started running around one in the afternoon, and it was now around four. A good time for little girls to start heading home.
But the girls protested with adorable pouts, "Eeeeh!? Just one more! Please, Mama?"
"…Rice wants to run one more time too. Please?"
Unable to resist their pleading eyes — and their overwhelming cuteness — Suzuran gave in.
"…Just one more, okay? After this, we're going straight home!"
"Yayyy!!"
The girls cheered with sparkling smiles, their joy radiating through their whole bodies.
I'm too soft on them, Suzuran thought, though she justified it in her mind with, Well, it's not my fault they're too cute!
She guided them back to the starting line.
Once ready, the girls crouched into position.
"All right then — on your marks… get set, go!"
──The white and black girls ran. Straight ahead, toward the goal.
Only two racers.
Only one spectator.
And only one word of praise for the winner.
But that one word — that single praise — was more precious than any honor or trophy.
"──Congratulations!!"
---
Spring ended — the season when the white and black girls met.
──Summer came.
Their bond grew stronger — like a plant stretching toward the heavens, unyielding under the summer sun.
Their memories sparkled — like the surface of the sea reflecting the dazzling light of the sun.
──Autumn came.
Their hearts matured — like fruit storing nourishment in preparation for the coming cold.
The world changed colors — and the brilliant red leaves stole their hearts.
──Winter came.
They learned warmth — that within the cold, white world lies the warmth of human kindness.
Snow fell.
The white and black girls ran through the pure white world together.
And then—
---
To my dearest person,
my most precious friend.
More beautiful than the starry sky,
brighter than the sun,
and kinder than anyone else.
You are my dearest person,
my most precious friend.
The warmth you gave me,
the memories you shared,
I treasure them all.
So today, I'll tell you —
from the bottom of my heart—
---
February 27th.
The day Shirono Lily was born into this world.
A small party was held to celebrate the white-haired girl turning six.
"Happy birthday!!"
Her parents' voices rang out in joy —
celebrating the miracle of her birth,
the happiness of seeing her grow healthy and strong.
"Ehehe! Thank you, Mama, Papa!!"
Receiving their overflowing love, the girl beamed.
"Today's cake is your favorite — chocolate cake!"
"Really!? Yay!! I love you, Mama!!"
As her daughter hugged her tightly, Suzuran smiled and looked toward her husband.
"And from Papa… there's a present! Ta-daa!"
He pulled out from behind his back a large stuffed bird and held it out in front of her.
"Waaah!! It's the one I wanted! Thank you, Papa! I love you!!"
She hugged the plushie and rubbed her cheek against it lovingly.
Though Suzuran often teased her husband for being a "hopeless doting dad," the truth was that he was just as bad — if not worse.
He secretly wanted to be spoiled and adored by his daughter too.
(And of course, Suzuran knew this perfectly well.)
As Lily happily clutched her plushie, Suzuran spoke again.
"Lily-chan. Today, we have… a special guest!"
"Special guest?"
"Yes~. Someone you love very much. Can you guess who?"
Without hesitation, Lily shouted,
"Rice-chan!!"
"Oh my… you're fast. All right then — come on in!"
At her cue, the black-haired girl who had been hiding behind the door stepped out.
"Happy birthday, Lily-chan!"
"Rice-chan!! Thank you!!"
Beaming with the brightest smile of the day, Lily ran up and hugged her tightly.
"Awah! …T-today, Rice has a present too!"
"Really!?" Lily's eyes sparkled even brighter.
"Really. Rice made it herself — Mama taught me how. I hope Lily-chan likes it…"
From behind her back, Rice pulled out a small gift —
a white lily, folded carefully from origami paper.
"The flower is beautiful, just like you."
Lily's face lit up as she accepted it, holding it gently to her chest as though cradling something precious.
"Lily-chan, there's something I want to tell you."
Rice looked into her eyes.
"Before I met you, I didn't have any confidence. I was scared of other people… I always hid behind my mama's back."
Lily listened closely, not missing a single word.
"But then I met you — and every day since has been shining! I realized the world is beautiful and warm!"
Rice took Lily's hands, wrapping them softly in her own.
"Thank you for being my friend, for giving me kindness, for making me happy. There's so much I want to say — too much to fit into words — so instead, I'll say this."
She smiled gently and said,
"I've been waiting for this day so I could tell you… Lily-chan, thank you for being born."
──"I love you."
Tears spilled down Lily's cheeks — but her smile was brighter than the sun.
"Thank you… thank you, Rice-chan!!"
Rice wiped her tears with her fingers and gently hugged her —
to feel her warmth,
to convey her heart.
February 27th.
The day Shirono Lily was blessed.
The kindest day in the world.
The white and black girls would never forget it.
---
March 5th. Rice Shower's birthday.
The present you gave me —
a paper blue rose.
The miracle of meeting you,
the warmth and kindness you gave me —
I've wrapped it all inside this flower.
Thank you. Thank you.
March 5th — the day I was born.
My name is Rice Shower.
My name means Blessing.
Rice Shower.
---
──The seasons turn.
Spring comes, and then summer.
The girls will never forget this summer.
──Summer comes.
---
"…Lily, there's something important I need to tell you."
---
Rice Shower had a precious friend —
a girl more beautiful and kind than anyone else.
She believed this friendship, these memories,
would last forever.
---
"──Lily-chan?"
---
──Summer had come.
---
──The summer of parting.
---
Tomorrow, Shirono Lily would leave Rice Shower behind.
Her parents were being transferred for work.
The girls had no way to stop it.
Light flowers bloomed in the night sky —
the summer festival's fireworks.
The white and black girls sat side by side,
watching silently.
---
The black-haired girl glanced at the white-haired one beside her.
──More beautiful than any firework in the sky.
She wanted to take her hand and run away — to the edge of the world —
just to stay together.
But she knew that would make the girl sad.
The kind, gentle girl would cry, worrying for her family.
And besides — she was just a child.
Powerless. Helpless.
──Was there really nothing she could do?
As she stared at the white-haired girl, she thought desperately.
──What could she do…?
"Children are weak, aren't they…"
The white-haired girl spoke softly.
"We're weak and can't do anything…"
Still staring at the fireworks, she continued.
"…But I found a way."
Her eyes reflected the flowers and the stars.
"A way for us to stay together, Rice-chan."
Her beautiful face turned toward her.
"──Tracen Academy. The Twinkle Series."
In her eyes, the black-haired girl's reflection shone.
"A way for us weak children to be together."
Her eyes sparkled brilliantly.
"──If we're on the turf, we can be together."
That untainted light —
"…So wait for me."
Ah, those eyes—
"──I'll come find you there."
──They drove me mad.
"──Okay. I'll be waiting."
---
The toy rings they found at the festival stall.
Blue and white fake gemstones.
They sealed their promise within those rings,
and placed them on each other's right ring fingers.
They hugged tightly, not wanting to forget the warmth.
She kissed the white-haired girl's head.
The white-haired girl kissed her black hair.
They would never forget this promise.
So she would not cry again.
Not until the day the white girl died.
She made her vow upon that ring.