As the Pluto Academy vehicle slowly drove away from central Tracen Academy, all the Umamusumes who knew Rice Shower swarmed around her, showering her with concern and care.
"Rice Shower, Rice Shower, I saw you were badly injured at Takarazuka Kinen! It's amazing you recovered so quickly!"
"Rice! I told you you'd be alright!"
"Rice Shower, I watched your match at Takarazuka Kinen! You beat Ms. Teiō and Ms. McQueen! Now that you're back, you should be the strongest Umamusume on active duty!"
"Rice Shower, you're amazing!"
The students surrounded Rice Shower, chattering away, making the usually shy Rice Shower awkwardly cross her arms, blushing and stammering for a long time without uttering a word.
Although Rice Shower wasn't good at handling such overly enthusiastic situations, she was actually quite happy to receive such warm treatment.
"Rice."
Suddenly, Rice Shower heard someone call her name.
She looked in the direction of the voice and saw it was Mejiro McQueen.
Mejiro McQueen walked up to Rice Shower with a smile, extended a hand, and spoke.
"Welcome back, Rice Shower. Thank you for speaking up for me!"
"No problem! Rice, I believe Miss McQueen can definitely beat her!" Rice Shower replied.
--
Meanwhile, on the Pluto Academy bus.
Golden Crown Eagle leaned against the window, her chin resting on her hand, gazing at the scenery outside, lost in thought.
Suddenly, Golden Crown Eagle felt someone sit down next to her.
She turned her head and saw it was Obey Your Master.
"Looks like you've adjusted your mindset quickly. Are you confident you can win the Japan Cup now?" Obey Your Master said.
"Of course, my year's Umamusume is much worse than your before. Japan didn't even have a single Umamusume with a Zone this year," Golden Crown Eagle said.
"In terms of Zone, it's definitely not as good as mine, but it might not be easier."
"Heh." Golden Crown Eagle chuckled, not expecting to lose to Mejiro McQueen in the Japan Cup.
"By the way, let me tell you something. I ran a race with Sakura Baimu."
"Oh, were you doing it to get revenge for me, or just for your own amusement?"
"It was for myself, of course." Obey Your Master laughed.
"So, what was the result? Did you scare her? Did you overtake her by a few seconds at the finish line?" Golden Crown Eagle asked, looking out the window.
"I lost. I completely lost to her," Obey Your Master chuckled leisurely.
Golden Crown Eagle, upon hearing this, remained motionless, gazing out the window.
However, through the window's reflection, it was clear that Golden Crown Eagle's eyes widened visibly upon hearing this.
"I watched her match against you before, wanting to see just how strong her aura was. So this time, she held onto it until the very end, dismantling my Zone when I was 300 meters from the finish line."
"She's that strong? Her aura could even break through your Zone?"
"No, her aura wasn't directly aimed at me; she used shouts to force my Zone to disintegrate. In short, this time I've learned what it means to be outmatched."
"Never mind, I won't be facing her again anyway. Thank goodness she's not on active duty," Golden Crown Eagle said calmly.
"Let me remind you again, the Mejiro McQueen you're facing this time is her sister. Think about it carefully," Obey Your Master patted Golden Crown Eagle on the shoulder. "If you haven't improved in four months, your chances of losing are very high."
Golden Crown Eagle trembled upon hearing this, turning sharply to see Obey Your Master already back in her original position.
"Mejiro McQueen hasn't even mastered her aura yet. Four months is still a long time… My Zone is about to advance to a higher level…"
Golden Crown Eagle murmured to herself.
But this time, even she didn't realize that the confidence she had before was gone when she uttered those words in her mind.
--
Rice Shower was summoned to the student council president's office by Symboli Rudolf, while the TCB Umamusumes huddled together again.
"Rice's back. She looks the same as before and seems capable of running again," Mejiro McQueen said first.
"Although Trainer-san's treatment of Rice was definitely well-intentioned, I still think Trainer-san wants to recruit Rice to our TCB," Tokai Teio analyzed.
"That's right, Teiō, I think so too," Mejiro McQueen nodded in complete agreement.
"So, do you think Miss Rice Shower will agree?" Smart Falcon asked.
"I reckon it'll be pretty difficult. Rice's always been alone, training and eating all by herself. It seems like only Miss Bourbon is close to her," Tokai Teio said.
"What do we do then? Trainer-san has been taking care of Rice Shower for so long. What if she doesn't agree to join our TCB?" Satono Diamond asked anxiously.
"So, I have a suggestion."
Tokai Teio grinned mischievously and leaned forward.
The remaining four Umamusumes in the room also leaned closer, listening intently to Tokai Teio's plan.
--
In the Student Council President's Office.
Symboli Rudolf solemnly explained to Rice Shower again the knowledge about her level of expertise and the things she needed to pay attention to.
She emphasized two things:
First.
Before Rice Shower's physical condition improves, she must never again use the level of Zone she used in Takarazuka Kinen.
Secondly.
Knowledge of this level of Zone must absolutely not be taught to the Umamusumes weaker than her.
After giving these instructions, Symboli Rudolf briefly recounted the events that had transpired at the academy to Rice Shower, then signaled that Rice Shower may leave.
Rice Shower left Symboli Rudolf's student council president's office, recalling Symboli Rudolf's instructions and similar words Sakura Baimu had said to her before.
"Rice, your physical abilities aren't currently sufficient for this level of Zone, so improving your core skills is your most important task going forward."
"I know you're not very good at interacting with others, so I won't force you to join my team. However, I still hope you train with my team every day; it will be far more effective than training alone."