Uma Musume Pretty Derby: To The Basement [24]

"Oh, right! Rice-chan, let me introduce you to my trainer!"

"Hm? Urara-chan, you already have a trainer?"

"Yeah, just now! Trainer-san scouted me!"

"Eh?" Rice Shower looked confused.

Wasn't Urara just talking to herself earlier, cheering alone? Where had this trainer suddenly appeared from?

"Ta-da!" Urara proudly pointed at Sora, who was half-kneeling on the ground.

"Allow me to formally introduce, my trainer—Trainer-san, are you alright?!"

Urara stared worriedly at Sora, puzzled by why he'd gone from standing right beside her to kneeling on the ground, clutching his chest as if having a heart attack.

Did he really have a heart condition?

At this moment, Sora could only think: If this was a heart attack, please give me more.

"I'm fine," Sora waved weakly. "Just practicing my ninja techniques."

"Oh~ I see!" Urara's eyes sparkled with admiration.

Whatever weird thing Sora did, if he called it a ninja technique, it instantly made sense.

Even if she didn't understand it, it had to be amazing!

"Eh?" Rice Shower gasped softly, finally noticing Sora crouched on the ground—someone she hadn't noticed at all earlier.

He wore such strange clothes, too, completely hiding his face. Rather than a trainer, he looked more like an assassin.

Yet, he chose to become Urara's trainer despite her finishing last—he must be a very gentle person.

"Mizuno-san is that super-amazing ninja trainer who gave you that gift last night, Rice-chan!" Urara explained proudly.

"Eh?!" Hearing that, Rice Shower looked at Sora with astonishment, her eyes immediately changing.

"You…you're Mizuno Onii-chan?"

"Guh—!" Sora's knees went weak, and he momentarily forgot how to breathe.

Rice Shower just called me Onii-chan!

Sure, she'd used his surname, so it wasn't exactly a pure "big brother" moment, but still—he'd never been happier! His heart was about to stop!

Medic! I need a medic!

"Onii-chan, are you really alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, just practicing—"

"Trainer-san is practicing ninja techniques~!" Urara quickly chimed in.

"Ninja techniques?"

"Yes, yes! [Ninja Art: Something-Something Technique]! Anyway, it must be super powerful! Right, Trainer-san?"

"Exactly!" Sora nodded vigorously.

"Oh, wow, amazing! I never knew ninjas really existed!" Rice Shower didn't question further, readily believing the explanation.

"Oh, right, Mizuno Onii-chan, thank you so much for your gift. I love it!" Rice Shower smiled sweetly, gently touching the lucky charm around her neck.

Ever since receiving it, the constant misfortune that haunted Rice Shower had miraculously vanished.

Last night, when she arrived at the dining hall, she found plenty of delicious food left—apparently because Oguri Cap, Tracen's notorious Big Eater, had already eaten earlier, leaving enough food for Rice Shower to finally enjoy a proper meal.

Afterward, she went shopping with Urara and participated in a raffle at a store. Instead of her usual consolation prize—a pack of tissues—she won the grand prize: a hot spring travel voucher!

Even the walk back to the dorm went perfectly. Every traffic light turned green just as she reached it, ensuring she got back comfortably before curfew.

All these wonderful changes had begun with the charm Onii-chan had given her.

It had only been half a day, yet for someone like Rice Shower, whose entire life had been overshadowed by misfortune, her world suddenly seemed bright and hopeful, just like her favorite picture book, The Blue Rose of Happiness.

The story began in a garden filled with roses of all colors, a place that brought happiness to all who visited.

But one day, a strange blue rosebud appeared. The other roses and visitors found it eerie, whispering, "That blue rose is creepy," or "It must be unlucky…"

Eventually, the blue rose itself believed it was worthless and began wilting.

But then, a kind-hearted Onii-sama appeared. He was gentle, smiling warmly. When he saw the blue rosebud, he exclaimed joyfully, "Wow, a blue rose! How beautiful! It'll surely bloom beautifully. Please, let me buy it!"

He carefully replanted the rose in a new pot and talked to it every day, eventually coaxing it into blooming gorgeously.

From then on, the blue rose was displayed in Onii-sama's window, bringing happiness to everyone who passed by.

And Mizuno Onii-chan—who'd given Rice Shower the charm that dispelled her misfortune, who'd kindly chosen to train Urara instead of avoiding them like others did—was exactly that kind, gentle Onii-sama.

Rice Shower felt deeply grateful.

"Mizuno Onii-chan…can I ask…for something selfish?"

"What is it?"

"Um… Can I call you by…a new name?"

"Of course!" There was no way Sora could refuse Rice Shower's request.

But please, don't let it be "Ninja Onii-chan." Even if it had Onii-chan in it, that would be far too embarrassing.

With a surge of courage, Rice Shower softly murmured, her voice adorably gentle:

"Onii-sama~"

"!"

Hearing Rice Shower's new name for him, Sora stopped breathing entirely.

Onii-sama!

She'd actually called him Onii-sama!

I can die happy!

Sora's eyes rolled back, his heart stopped, his soul drifted skyward, and he dropped dead on the spot.

(The End.)

...

...

...

Just kidding.

Sure, he was an Onii-sama enthusiast, but calling him that wouldn't literally kill him. The worst he'd do was wriggle around on the ground like a worm, making weird noises.

After explaining yet again to Rice Shower that he was merely practicing ninja techniques, Sora swiftly brought Urara toward the student council president's office.

Rice Shower was way too dangerous. She absolutely destroyed his composure. Spending too long around her would inevitably turn him into a Rice-only idiot.

Being called Onii-sama once was already enough; he didn't need any further reward.

If Rice Shower knew the charm had even altered her future fate of dying tragically on the racetrack, and that he'd almost gotten himself killed delivering it, she might even feel obligated to repay him with herself.

But Sora chose not to tell her the truth. Rather than turning Rice Shower into someone who existed merely to repay him, he preferred watching from afar as she pursued her dreams, found joy in small fortunes, and lived happily—that was enough for him.

That was the spirit of a true Onii-sama.

System: "I'm moved to tears."

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[Weekly Task Unlocked—Guiding Rice Shower]

Description: Provide training guidance to Rice Shower.

Reward: Doctor's Outfit extended by one day (available once per week).

Penalty: None.

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Eh? What's this weekly task?

[A recurring task available every week.]

Where did it come from?

[Your pure Onii-sama heart moved me deeply, so I've decided to make things easier on you.]

Haha, never thought you, a system hell-bent on tormenting me, could actually be moved.

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[Side Quest Unlocked—Kiss Tokai Teio]

Penalty: …

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I'm sorry, Onii-sama! Please forgive me!