Childhood arc
It seems I've died. That's the thought that crosses my mind as I drift in a pitch-black void where nothing can be seen.
Surprisingly calm, aren't you? Truly admirable, me.
…No, wait, I'm actually panicking a lot. Okay, let's try remembering how I died.
That day… I think I finally got a day off after 120 consecutive days of work.
What a hellish black company that was. Hah… whoops, I let out a weird laugh. Skipping home in an odd little dance to my thirty-thousand-yen one-room apartment, I booted up the Uma Musume app.
> "Welcome home, onii-sama. …I'm sorry for making you work so late. Rice will work harder too…"
I love her. Ah! I'm home, Rice-chan! You're always doing your best, Rice-chan! Onii-sama will praise you lots and lots! You're amazing! I love you! Aah~! My five senses are overflowing with happiness!
…What's that? You say I can only experience her through sight and hearing? Amateur. Listen up—sight and hearing are obvious: the cutest girl in the universe is right before me. Ah, her face is so beautiful… love. Her eyelashes are long… love. Ugh, I'm gonna die… ah, guess it was only a fatal wound. Next is that divine voice, the sound of pure happiness itself… so precious… love. I'm crying in awe right now.
Still don't get it? Fine, I'll explain smell, taste, and touch. First, you sense Rice-chan's very existence. Then suddenly, there's a fragrance like sunshine and flower fields. That's her scent. Next, your tongue touches the air itself, and it's like tasting the sweetest candy. That's her aura. If you actually licked the real Rice-chan, the universe would end—no, I would end it. Nothing's impossible for Onii-sama. Understand?
Oh? She's looking at me with worry now. Don't worry, Rice-chan, Onii-sama's fine. She smiles—so cute. I pat her silky hair, feel her warmth like sunlight, and the love brimming within her. Now you understand. I've experienced Rice-chan with all five senses. That makes me a proper onii-sama.
…Wait, where was I? Oh right, remembering how I died. After saying "I'm home, Rice-chan," my consciousness just faded, and before I knew it, I was here in this dark void.
Well, nothing I can do now but wait. Will I vanish, or will I be reborn?
If I could choose… maybe a flower. A blue rose, ideally. Then maybe Rice-chan would pick me. White lilies would be nice too—they were beautiful when I looked them up while searching about blue roses. Their meaning—purity and innocence—isn't really connected to me, but if I could live again…
──Someone is holding me. Warm, calming. Sparkling tears drip down, and I realize they're from a person.
> "Ahh… welcome, my precious, precious child. I'm your mother."
"You're adorable, just like your mother. I'm your father. …What's the matter, Suzuran?"
"A name came to me. Your name is Shirono Lily. Isn't it lovely?"
"So it's already been decided, huh? Then, Lily…"
Their voices overlap:
> "Thank you for being born."
And so, today, "She" lets out her very first cry.
---
Mama! Boobies!!
Oops, don't report me for that—it works too well against me, stop!
To explain, I seem to have reincarnated as an Uma Musume. And as a baby, I have the legal right to breastfeed. Perfectly legal, forgive me. As such noble thoughts run through my head, I greedily drink.
Glancing up, the one nursing me smiles softly, asking "What's wrong?"
Pure white hair with horse-like ears, yellow-green eyes like jewels, flawless skin, lips like the finest fruit.
──She's beautiful. My pitiful vocabulary can't describe it.
Mama… I love you…
Dangerous, dangerous, I almost ascended on the spot.
Her name is Shirono Suzuran. My mother—and an Uma Musume. Watching her ears twitch, I realized: she and I are both Uma Musume. Moving my own ears was strange but fun.
Honestly, this is lucky. I thought I'd be reborn as livestock or a plant, but no, I get to live as an Uma Musume. The gods must have pitied the poor corporate slave who died after 120 days of work.
I've never prayed to God outside of pulling gacha, but for the first time, I offered sincere gratitude: thank you. This time I'll avoid black companies and devote my life to supporting Uma Musume.
But the most important thing—does Rice Shower exist in this world? If she doesn't, I'll flip off God himself. No spitting, that feels a bit too mean.
Ah, Rice Shower… my beloved Rice Shower. I want to meet you again. If I can, then I will──
---
Time skips by. I babbled, I crawled, I toddled, and before I knew it, I was five years old.
I asked my parents (oh, my dad's name is Shirai Kenji, forgot to mention) to let me watch races. "You really are a proper Uma Musume," he laughed, and put on the TV.
There were so many Uma Musume I'd never seen in the app. My little eyes sparkled with excitement.
I thought about "Uma Souls," those legendary horses said to dwell within them. Since I reincarnated from a human, I probably didn't have one. But I was a corporate slave, working like a cart horse, so maybe that counts. My Uma Soul: "Shachiku Black" or "Renkin Shachiku." Terrifying names—glad I don't actually have them.
My actual name is Shirono Lily. Cute and fitting for me. My looks? Gorgeous. Pure white hair, doll-like features, jewel-like eyes. I'm basically a living piece of art. The first time I saw myself in the mirror, I blurted, "Who's this cute girl?" and embarrassed myself.
Life was peaceful. Until one day, because of my parents' work, we moved houses.
I love my parents. They're healthy, happy, and not corporate slaves. Please live long, Mom and Dad.
And then, on moving day, while greeting the neighbors… I met her. The girl I loved most in my past life.
---
"Mother, is it true someone new is moving in next door today?"
"Yes. Maybe you'll make a new friend."
"Wow…! If I do, I want to read picture books with them!"
"Haha, that's wonderful."
The doorbell rings.
"Oh? Could that be them already? …Rice, want to come greet them?"
"Yeah! I can't wait!"
From the door, voices drift in: a gentle man, a kind woman, and… a cute little girl.
"Excuse us, we just moved in today. We're the Shirai family—"
Peeking from behind her mother, Rice sees them: a gentle-looking man with glasses, a beautiful white-haired Uma Musume like a princess, and a fairy-like small girl. The little girl's beauty steals her breath away.
"…like a fairy… huh?"
Their eyes meet. The little girl bursts into tears.
"Lily!? W-what's wrong!? Does your stomach hurt!?"
"Lily-chan!? Oh my, I'm so sorry, she's never done this before… are you okay, Lily-chan?"
Her parents panic. Normally, shy Rice Shower would hide behind her parents in such moments. But this time, something compels her. Fate, perhaps. She takes the crying girl's hand.
"It's okay, don't cry…"
Gently, kindly, she soothes her.
The girl, still crying heavily, blurts out:
"…You know… I was born so I could meet you…"
Such words, spoken at first meeting, leave the parents bewildered. But Rice accepts them easily. Surely, this is fate.
"Rice feels the same. I don't know why, but even though this is the first time… I'm Rice Shower. …What's your name?"
Their fingers intertwine. Their eyes meet.
"…My name is Shirono Lily. Please! Be my friend!"
"Of course! Rice wanted to be your friend too!"
The little girl beams like the sun and hugs her tightly.
"Rice-chan! I love you!!"
Rice flushes bright red like a tomato, flustered. But the girl only buries her face happily against her, whispering over and over: I love you, I love you.
Seeing this, Rice smiles through her blush and gently pats Lily's head.
Their parents exchange wry smiles—but also relief. The two will surely be close friends.