The long-awaited day had arrived for the Uma Musume—a chance to prove their efforts and dreams were true. Today, two made their debut: Machikane Tanhoiza and Rice Shower. The Canopus duo had poured everything into preparing for this moment, not with grand notions of legacy, but with a simple desire to show their teammates their best.
"Go get 'em! Hup, hup, hooah!"
Tanhoiza pumped herself up as she stepped onto the 1700-meter turf for her debut race. Her strength was stamina, best suited for mid-to-long distances. But she'd already crafted a unique running style, blending Ikuno's pacing, Turbo's explosive start, Nature's long spurt, and Rampage's raw power into something entirely her own.
"Here we go!"
At the 600-meter mark, Tanhoiza unleashed her spurt. It wasn't Turbo's earth-shaking burst, but a controlled release of pent-up energy that propelled her forward. She surged, disrupting the others' rhythm, and shot to the lead, powering through to the finish.
Announcer: "Machikane Tanhoiza storms from the back! She's passing them left and right—a textbook overhaul! At 200 meters, she's five lengths ahead! What a debut! Canopus has unleashed another star—Machikane Tanhoiza crosses the finish line!"
"I did it, I did it, I DID IT!" Tanhoiza cheered, giggling.
Despite her dominant performance, she was unfazed, practically bouncing with energy. The other Uma Musume stared in disbelief—how could she look so carefree? Her infectious joy and innocent grin disarmed their frustration, melting away their competitive edge. Fine, they thought. Next time, we'll be the ones smiling like that. They turned their focus to the races ahead.
Meanwhile, in Niigata, Rice Shower prepared for her debut—a grueling 1000-meter sprint. For a stayer like her, short distances were a challenge, but Rice met the prospect with a steely resolve.
"Watch me, Big Sis," she whispered. "I'm going to shine."
Before entering the gate, Rice's demeanor shifted. The timid, petite girl vanished, replaced by a predator—sharp-eyed, poised, like a beast sizing up its prey. Her intensity rippled through the field, unnerving her rivals. They'd expected a nervous rookie, but this was something else entirely.
Announcer: "And they're off! Oh, Taikoku Ouka and Hands Claus stumble! Nerves getting to them in their debut? The others look tense too! But breaking away is Canopus's rising star, Rice Shower, with a flawless start, taking the lead!"
The field was already rattled, their pacing thrown into chaos. Panic set in, sapping their strength, trapping them in a vicious cycle. They struggled to keep up, but Rice—supposedly out of her element in a sprint—was untouchable.
Announcer: "Rice Shower is unstoppable! Forged by Canopus, she laughs at debut jitters! A debut worthy of her name, a shower of blessings! She claims victory!"
"I… I did it, Big Sis!" Rice gasped, her face alight with joy.
"You crushed it, Rice!"
A sudden tackle enveloped her as Rampage, unable to contain herself, rushed from the stands to hug her. Such displays weren't exactly encouraged, but teammates celebrating a debut win was common enough to be overlooked. Besides, when the undefeated nine-crown Rampage was the one doing it, only Trainer Minamisaka could object—and he just grinned.
"Big Sis, everyone's watching… it's embarrassing!" Rice squeaked.
"Nothing to be shy about!" Rampage boomed. "They're all cheering for you! Right, everyone!?"
The crowd erupted, their roars shaking the stands. Rampage hoisted Rice onto her shoulders, letting her feel the adulation. Slowly, Rice's embarrassment gave way to joy, her face breaking into a radiant smile as she waved back. The other Uma Musume, however, froze in awe.
"Is she… really the same Uma Musume?"
The transformation was staggering. The delicate, timid girl had become a ruthless executioner on the track. Her intensity had swallowed them whole, leaving them unable to muster half their strength.
"More than I expected," Minamisaka mused, analyzing the race.
He'd entered Rice in a sprint to test her limits, curious how far her potential could stretch. Victory was anticipated, but the extent of her dominance was staggering. Her debut nerves, the stark contrast to her usual self, and her chilling transformation had shattered her rivals' spirits.
"She's like Rampage, but… different," Minamisaka noted.
Victory was decided before the race began, built on preparation and the will to win. Rice had been fighting from the moment she stepped onto the track—not unfairly, but decisively. The battle started long before the gates opened, and Rice had mastered it.
"Rampage's bewildering escape, Ikuno's precise pacing, Turbo's explosive burst, Nature's long spurt, Tanhoiza's all-around prowess, and Rice's race-day transformation…" Minamisaka chuckled. "I couldn't ask for a better team."
Turbo's Nicknames: The Duo's Signature Moves
Machitan Form: Never overreaching, Tanhoiza blends the best of Canopus—Ikuno's pacing, Turbo's start, Nature's spurt, and Rampage's power—into a unique style that stays true to her strengths.
Rice Switch (a.k.a. Matoba Install): When the race begins, Rice's timid demeanor vanishes, replaced by a fierce, almost unrecognizable intensity. Her aura overwhelms opponents, especially those who know her gentle side, making escape nearly impossible.
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