Uma Musume: Pretty Derby story · Character stories
Rice Shower's story
7 scenes, 428 lines
1. Legs, Don't Give Up on Me Now
58 linesOn my way back to the academy after a shopping trip, I see a Tracen student in front of me.
Phew... Okay, break time's over.
I need to hurry back... and move on to the next training exercise.
You can do this, Rice! Believe in yourself... Yeah!
(What an elegant running form...)
Rice Shower runs with a strong spring to her step. The aura she possesses in spite of her small build piques my curiosity.
Entranced by her running form, I continue following her down the road towards the academy.
...
She gets stopped by a red light...
Sigh.
And another red light...
How many red lights is this now?! Today is definitely not her lucky day...
We end up waiting at every single crosswalk, so by the time we finally arrive at Tracen Academy, the sun has already long set.
No big deal. I wasn't in a rush or anythi...
Um... I-I'm so sorry!
Huh? Are you talking to me?
Wha?!
I mean... It only took you this long to come back to the academy because I was running next to you the whole time...
I'm so, so sorry!
Don't sweat it, it wasn't y...
No, it was clearly my fault. I'm a hopeless girl who only brings misfortune upon everyone...
So let me apologize... D-don't worry! If I leave, everything will be fine! Goodbye!
Rice Shower dashes off without giving me a chance to stop her... I feel bad for making her worry so much about me.
(I need to go tell her she was just overthinking things!)
I head off in the same direction as Rice Shower.
Pant, pant, pant... Sigh.
...Uuugh. I wonder if the person just now was okay being this late.
What if they were really, really hungry... Or what if they missed the newest episode of their favorite TV show...
Sigh... Why am I always like this?
Seems like she worries an awful lot about other people. Perhaps she just needs some encourageme...
Nuh-uh, I have to try even harder!
I already made up my mind to enter the upcoming tryouts. I'll actually enter, actually run, and then...
I'll make my debut and win a bunch of races. Then, I won't be a burden anymore!
Mhm... And that means more training! Rice, you can do this! Believe in yourself...
Yeah!
She suddenly starts training with such intense fervor that I can't bring myself to interrupt her. Ultimately, I miss my chance to talk to her.
Rice Shower... I'm looking forward to seeing her run at the upcoming tryouts.
Finally, it's the day of the tryouts. The venue is filled to the brim with trainers looking to scout talented runners.
Suddenly...
Rice! Ricety-rice-rice! Wherefore art thou, Riiiiice?!
As class rep, it's my duty to inform you that your race is about to begin!
Sakura Bakushin O, isn't your race the one after? Make sure you don't miss your race either!
Wha?!
So Rice Shower is boycotting even the tryouts now? She has talent, but it's all going to waste.
She can have all the talent in the world, but if she doesn't want to race, then that's that.
The tryouts reach their conclusion, but Rice Shower is nowhere to be found.
Later that night, I spot her out of the corner of my eye.
Hic... Waaa, waaaaah!
I'm such a dumb dummy! I even said I was going to try my very, very best...
Sniffle... Why... Why am I so worthless?
I can't just stand by and watch her cry like this, so I walk up and call out to her.
Hey, you okay?
2. With You by My Side
70 linesAfter not seeing her at the tryouts, I find Rice Shower crying near a stump.
Sniffle... Um, I'm sorry, but... could you not get any closer?
Why not?
Because... I only bring misfortune upon the people around me. I'll weigh you down... I'm just a nuisance...
I wanted to be useful, to be strong... I was going to give it my all and enter a race, but in the end...
Looking at Rice Shower crying in front of me, I think back to when I saw her the other day.
Nuh-uh, I have to try even harder!
I already made up my mind to enter the upcoming tryouts. I'll actually enter, actually run, and then...
I'll make my debut and win a bunch of races... Then, I won't be a burden anymore!
I don't know the details, but I do know that she was trying to change herself for the better. She was training harder than anyone else.
Sob... sniffle... I'm... I'm nothing more than...
I can't leave her like this!
Rice Shower, I want to scout you!
Only if that's what you want too.
Ahhh... I-I'm, um... very, very happy, but!
I'm... just a good-for-nothing, you know? I only cause trouble for others, and I can't even enter a race I signed up for...
Knowing all that, do you still want me?
I want to help you move past all that.
Big brother?
Ah! N-never mind, forget that!
But, um, if you're sure... then let's get along, Trainer.
I'll give it everything I have!
Wiping away her tears, Rice musters all her strength and flashes me a warm smile.
It's time for my first training session with Rice. I'm already at the track waiting for her.
Huff, puff...
Rice appears, lugging an enormous backpack stuffed to bursting. She drops it by the edge of the track and runs over to me.
Pant, pant... S-sorry for the wait! I'm looking forward to today's training!
What's up with the luggage?
Ah, um... They're all insurance in case bad things happen while we're here. Like bandages, or sports tape...
Not to mention an umbrella in case it rains, a change of clothes, and of course, mayonnaise if we get stranded on the way back!
B-better safe than sorry, I guess?
Ah... I-it's our first training session after all, so I wanted to make sure I didn't mess things up... Am I being weird?
Mess things up?
Mhm. Ever since I was little, I've been causing all kinds of misfortune.
The kids around me would trip, their shoelaces would tear, and sometimes even bird poop would land on their heads...
I'm a hopeless girl who causes trouble for others...
They all sound like unlucky accidents to me, but I guess she's the kind of person who feels responsible for things like that.
(She really is a kind and caring soul...)
Ah! I've been talking too much again! I'm so, so, so sorry!
Let's just start training already!
Despite being our first training session, Rice diligently completes the entire training menu I prepared for her.
Pant, pant... Um... how was my time?
Faster than expected! I'm super impressed!
Really?! Th-that's a relief!
Um... Trainer, do you mind if I go for another run? I-I'm still full of energy!
I want to work some more on that technique you taught me for running around curves.
I feel like I'm getting the hang of speeding up my pace! I-is that a no?
Not at all, go for it!
Thanks to Rice being eager and quick to learn, we finish today's training without a single problem.
Ah... M-Mr. Sun is already going to bed...
I didn't notice at all until now... I was just so happy to be running.
I'm glad you had fun today.
Y-yeah! It was super fun, really! You're so nice, Trainer... just like a real big brother...
Growl...
Huh?! Ah, ah, ahhh, I'm sorry! Miss Tummy, shhh, I said shhh!
To commemorate an amazing first training session, I decide to treat her to dinner.
Um, Trainer, is it really okay for me to get anything I want?
It's on me, so don't be shy!
Anything I want! Anything... anything, hmmm...
Following her gaze, I see a huge banner in front of a ramen shop that reads, "Mega Mountain Deluxe."
Not wanting to waste a single second, I suggest that we head inside.
With that, the Mega Mountain Deluxe is sold out for today! Please come back again tomorrow!
Ah! Oh...
Rice, go ahead and order every topping on the menu!
R-really?
And so, with smiles and surprisingly large bellies, our first day of training comes to an end.
3. The Blue Rose of Good Fortune
67 lines...
Oh, Rice! I didn't know you were already here.
B-Big Br, I mean, Trainer! H-hello.
What're you reading?
A picture book. It's my favorite, "The Blue Rose of Good Fortune."
It's set in a rose garden. A garden filled with roses of all kinds of colors, which people loved to go and see.
But one day, a new rose buds in the garden, with a deep blue hue that nobody has ever seen before.
All the other flowers and visitors to the garden looked down on the blue rose, calling it "creepy" or a "bad omen."
After a while, the blue rose thinks to itself, "They're right. I'm a failure of a flower," and starts to wilt.
Oh, b-but, the story doesn't end there, okay? Because one day, Big Brother appears before the drooping blue rose.
Big Brother?
That's right, a really kind person with a gentle smile! And when this new visitor saw the blue rosebud, they said...
"Why, this blue rose is simply magnificent! I can't wait to see it blossom. Please let me purchase this rose!"
After that, Big Brother replanted the blue rose in a flowerpot, and he talked to it every day until it bloomed into a lovely flower.
The blue rose decorated his windowsill, where it brought good fortune to anyone who would pass by.
That's a really nice story.
...Y-you think so too, Trainer?! Hehe, that makes me happy!
I read this book for the first time when I was little. And it made me think, maybe even I can become like the blue rose.
Instead of staying a useless girl of misfortune... I could grow into a blue rose of good fortune.
Around the same time... Mother took me to go see a race.
There were so many people at the racecourse... I kept worrying about how I didn't want to cause trouble for anyone, and it made my head spin.
But you know, there's one thing I clearly remember! Everyone watching the race had big smiles on their faces.
And when their favorite won the race... they all looked so happy.
That's why I... I thought I'd love to be like that too someday.
From a nuisance who brings misfortune upon others... to a runner who can make everyone smile.
If anyone can do it, it's you, Rice.
Since then, Rice has kept on training as hard as she can.
And finally, the time has come!
Trainer, you said you had big news?
Yep, I've booked your debut race!
You think you'll be okay?
Ah, um!
I-I'll be fine. I won't repeat what happened at the tryouts...
Trainer, you're with me this time... So I'll give it my all! C'mon, Rice... You can do this, yeah!
Oh, um... That's a little mantra that Mother taught me. She said it would pump me up and get me motivated.
Trainer, do you want to try too?
We can do this, yeah!
We immediately return to training, this time with Rice's debut race in mind. The preparations go swimmingly, and Rice's morale is at an all-time high.
...Or so I thought.
The morning of the debut race...
(Rice isn't here?!)
Ah, there you are! Hey hey, you're Rice's trainer, right?
All righty, to the Miho Dormitory we go!
Wait a second, what's going on?!
Uh, you see, Rice has been playing hide-and-seek with everyone at the dorm since this morning!
Hishiama, Bakushin O, everyone's out looking for her! It looked fun, so I decided to play too!
I peeked into one of the empty corner rooms, and Rice was actually in there, but the thing is...
She was mumbling, "Trainer..." in a real teensy voice!
So I thought maybe Rice wants her trainer to find her, and nobody else.
(Rice!)
C'mon, let's go already! Just follow me.
Oh, Urara! Didja find Rice, What the?! Why'd you bring her trainer here?!
Don't tell me you're planning on bringing them inside. You know that trainers aren't allowed inside student dorms!
Huh?! My bad! But Rice wanted them to come...
Augh, fine! I'll let ya off this one time! Dorm mom is givin' ya permission, so scurry off, wouldja!
U-Urara... how did you know I was here?!
Well you see, you were calling for your trainer, so I brought them here!
Rice, can we talk?
T-Trainer!
4. One Single Step
67 linesSigh... Trainer...
Do you think you're up to racing today?
There's no need to apologize.
Yes you do, Rice. No doubt about it.
No, I don't! I'm... I'm hopeless, worthless, useless!
...I tried to change myself, you know. Not just this time... so many times.
It was hard moving away from Mother, but I still came to Tracen Academy. I trained so much, and I even signed up for races!
But... it was no good. Whenever I think about running in an actual race, I get so scared... Like at the tryouts, like now!
What are you afraid of?
That I'll never become a blue rose.
That even if I enter a race, I won't be able to make even a single person happy.
That once I run, I'll find out the truth, that I'm a good-for-nothing... Not just now, but forever after too.
When I think about all that... I get so scared, and I can't stop trembling!
I'm sorry, Trainer. You don't need to put up with me... You shouldn't put up with me anymore!
So you want to change yourself that badly...
Huh?
You're scared, but you don't want to give up, do you?
W-well... But...
As long as you haven't given up, I won't give up on you.
I'll be waiting for you at the racecourse, Rice!
Ah!
Hm, hm, hm, hmmm! Hm, hm, hmmm! ♪
You can do this, Rice! Believe in yourself...
Ah, Rice! You came out!
Ah! Urara, you waited for me this whole time?
Yup! Rice, are you gonna race? Then I'll be cheering for you! You can do it, Riiice!
Urara... Yeah! Thank you...
I can do this, yeah!
Exhale...
(My legs... and my hands... they're still shaking. And my fingers are ice cold!)
(But...)
Rice!
Rice, it's your turn to bloom!
...!
Right. Here... I go!
(I... I hate myself.)
(All I do is bring misfortune upon others and cause trouble. For as long as I can remember, I've hated myself.)
(But maybe now...)
Pant, pant, pant...
And they round the third turn! Running up from the outside, it's the jet-black racer, Rice Shower!
(I will change! I won't give up! I won't be the same, weak girl any longer, never again!)
(Because even I... can bloom into a beautiful blue rose that brings people happiness!)
200 meters left until the finish line, and Rice Shower leads the pack! It's a fierce fight for first on this final stretch!
100 meters remaining! Who will emerge victorious?!
I will... become the me I've always wanted to beeeee!
Finish! A fierce battle, but Rice Shower takes the title! A round of applause for your winner, Rice Shower!
Yeaaaaah!!! Woooo!!!
Nice goin', Rice Shower! Now that's what I call a good race!
I was on the edge of my seat! I'll come to your next race for sure!
A request?
If that's what you want, go for it.
5. Until I Carry Out My Duty
42 linesI have some time on my hands, so I head towards the track to get a head start on preparing for today's training.
Rice, you're here early.
Huuuh?! B-B-Big Brother?!
Um, I-I'm sorry. I figured you wouldn't come for a bit longer, so I was practicing!
What were you working on?
Do you not like being in charge of class duties?
Huh? N-no! It's not like that.
I know I'm not the best person for the job... but if it's for my class, then I always try my best.
I write our class journal all the way to the margins... And I keep the chalkboard clean, even if it means I have to jump to reach the top.
But... I'm really, really bad at the class greeting...
It's hard for me to speak up... And when I get nervous, my voice turns all funny.
If that's the case, I'll help you out.
You will, Big Brother? You mean it?!
We find an empty classroom to practice Rice's class greeting.
Wh-what's wrong?!
Ah... I-I'm sho shorry. I bwit my twongue!
Ugh... Sorry for being such a failure. Even with you helping me out...
There's no hope for me...
Still...
You don't want to give up, right?
Mhm... Exactly! I can't give up here!
I... may be hopeless, but that doesn't mean I want to stay like this!
O-one more try. I'll nail it this time, Big Brother!
I can do this... Yeah!
The next day...
Stand up! Bow! Big Brother, thanks so much for helping me yesterday!
I'm guessing your greeting went great?
Uh-huh! Wow... When I'm with you, I feel like I can change myself for the better, one step at a time.
Haha, hehehe! I think I can go the extra mile in today's training!
Drip...
Eep?! That's cold! Wh-what th...
...
Whaaaa?! But it was sunny just a moment ago!
Ugh... it's all my fault. I'm the only reason why it would suddenly start raining!
Waaah, I'm so sorryyyy!
I rush to comfort Rice Shower, whose torrent of tears threatens to rival Mother Nature's own.
6. Watch Over Me, Notice Me
65 linesI did it... I did it, I did it! Hehe!
It's my day off, so I head downtown. There, I bump into a rather jovial Rice Shower.
Looks like you're in a good mood, Rice!
Ah, Big Brother! Hehe... Mhm. Today's a good day!
A good day, you say?
Well, um... I got a ticket for the stage adaptation of "The Blue Rose of Good Fortune."
If I recall correctly, that's the picture book Rice loves.
That's great news!
Thanks!
You know how I always end up bringing misfortune... So usually I avoid places like the theater, with lots of people.
But... But, you see... Th-this play is special, because...
Meooow!
Eep?!
Out of nowhere, a black cat snatches Rice's ticket from her pocket and runs away!
N-no way! Mr. Kitty, wait up!
Rice Shower gives chase to the black cat, and I quickly follow behind!
Pant, pant... It went this way!
Slow down there, missy! Sorry, but this road's blocked off for construction.
Huh?! Wh-what should I do? Mr. Kitty definitely went this way!
Well, I could show you the detour... But that hill's a real killer.
Ah... Sh-show me, please! A hill won't be a problem... I can run!
Big Brother, let me know if you get tired, okay? I can hold your hand!
Pant, pant... There you are!
Meow! Meow!
Let's sneak up to it!
Mhm, sneaky beaky-like! Come here, Mr. Kitty, I won't bite, promise!
Rice and I slowly creep up to the cat, when suddenly, I feel something under my foot!
By the time we're back on our feet, the cat is nowhere to be seen. We didn't even see which direction it ran off in...
(What can we do now?)
Big Brother, I'll go ask around and see if anyone's spotted Mr. Kitty.
Rice Shower stands up, musters all her courage, and begins asking the people nearby for info.
E-e-excuse me! Have you seen a black cat around here?
Rice and I keep searching for the black cat. Some time later, around sunset, we finally make a breakthrough!
Meow!
Mr. Kitty! You still have the ticket in your mouth... Thank goodness!
All right, I'll take it from here.
Big Brother... I appreciate it.
But... I have to give it my all. I want to give it my all.
So... here I go!
Having made up her mind, Rice walks over to the bush where the cat is hiding.
Mr. Kitty! P-please don't run away, I have something to tell you.
That ticket is very precious to me... S-so I want you to give it back!
Pretty please... Meow!
Meow.
Ah...
The black cat puts down the ticket and walks away!
It's because you never gave up, Rice!
Mhm... Only because you were with me.
When you're by my side, I feel like I can give it my all, like I can do anything.
So, um... Big Brother...
Please take this ticket!
Wait, me?!
Um, actually... I bought two tickets. You know, as thanks for always looking out for me.
W-would you come see this with me? Or is going with me... just a bother...
Not at all, I'm happy you invited me!
You mean it?! Th-thank goodness!
But as I take the ticket from Rice, something concerning catches my eye...
These tickets are for today!
In the end, Rice and I make it to the theater in the nick of time, somehow managing to catch the evening show.
7. The Me I Want to Be
59 linesToday marks the start of our summer camp. To make the most of our time, we make a beeline for the beach.
Pant, pant... Huff, puff... Big Brother, how was my time?
It's definitely improving, but...
But I haven't reached our goal yet, right? Ugh, I'm so sorry. It's because I'm no good...
Still, I know what I need to work on. S-so... I just need to work on it until I get it perfect.
That's the spirit, let's keep going!
Yeah! I'll work on things one step at a time, improve myself little by little...
I'll do whatever it takes... to get faster!
Here I go, Big Brother!
Rice runs off without showing even a hint of fatigue. As I watch over her progress, a small figure approaches.
Amazing. She just keeps on trucking.
And you are?
Ah! S-sorry. Forget that!
The mysterious girl disappears as quickly as she had arrived...
Pant, pant... Whew!
Nice going, Rice, that was a new record!
Huh... R-really?!
I-I did it... I really did it!
It took a ton of time... but I'm happy I did it.
You're really something.
Huh?
Suddenly, the girl from earlier is standing next to Rice Shower.
Rice, was it? You're incredible... I can't believe you can just keep going like that.
Incredible? Wait... you mean me? N-not at all! Th-that's not true!
Yes it is! You never gave up on running... Meanwhile, I want to give up as soon as anything goes wrong...
I-I've thought about giving up before too! More times... than I can count.
I can barely do anything right... I hate seeing myself be so useless. I can't tell you how many times I almost gave up out of frustration.
Really? Then... what makes you keep going?
"The me I want to be?"
Mhm. I want to enter a bunch of races, win a lot, and make everyone happy. That's the me... I want to be.
And when I think about that dream, I can't stop myself. I can't give up, I have to run, no, I want to keep running!
...!
U-um, I'm sorry for not giving you a good answer! I-I'm not the best at talking...
Wait... Eep?!
Splash!
Out of nowhere, a giant wave crashes down, completely drenching us.
Cough, cough... Ah, I'm so sorry! I mixed you up in my misfortune!
Cough, cough! Hehe. Hehe, hahaha!
H-huh? Why are you laughing?
Haha... My bad. Not sure if it was the wave just now, but my head feels a lot clearer now.
Thanks, Rice. You helped me remember something important.
Huh? ...Wha?
Wanting to be faster, to be stronger... I almost forgot what that felt like. I can't give up when I haven't achieved my goals yet, now can I?
All right, I'm going for a run! Rice, next time we meet, it'll be at a race!
You gave her the courage to move forward.
By the time I finish comforting Rice, it's dark outside.
Sniffle... I'm sorry for crying. I was just... so happy.
It's the first time, you know. The first time I've cheered someone up... instead of bringing them misfortune.
You made her happy.
Mhm! If that's the case... then I'm happy too!
For as long as I can remember, I've always hated myself.
But after today... Maybe I can learn to like myself. Hehehe.
Rice smiles from ear to ear, her eyes sparkling brighter than the starry night sky.