When the Osaka Hai began...
Rice Shower was in another world, racing against Mejiro McQueen and the others.
Due to the unequal time flows, Rice Shower didn't yet know that several months had already passed on [The Overlord's] side.
At this moment, she used [Fusion Release] to undo the previous fusion effect. This was a power that even [The Overlord] hadn't mastered. While [The Overlord] could also return the power stolen through Fusion, that could only be done after a race ended. [Fusion Release] was a power Rice Shower had just instinctively used. When it came down to it, the true power of this ZONE—including even the [Overlord] personality itself—actually originated from Rice Shower.
So only now was Rice Shower finally beginning to truly use the power that should have been hers all along.
[Re-Fusion!]
In an instant, Rice Shower stole Tokai Teio's power through Fusion.
Though Tokai Teio felt she could have changed this outcome using [Regression], considering that today's race was ultimately meant to help Rice Shower regain her confidence, she chose to let Rice Shower fuse away her power.
But the moment Rice Shower overtook her, feeling the heavy track that the Demon King had unleashed again from behind, Tokai Teio suddenly regretted her decision. Though she was willing to help Rice Shower, she absolutely refused to lose to that one behind her. Because of what happened last race, she was still being called "second-rate" by that woman every single day.
'Hahaha! Clown, what's with that look on your face? Hilarious! Looks like you're taking last place again today!'
'Is that so? But as long as I want to, the future can always be changed.'
'Funny. Save that big talk for your dreams!'
The Demon King began using skills. A series of golden lights flashed beneath her feet.
Though none of them were Flash-tier skills, simultaneously using nearly five Gold-tier skills was terrifying enough!
'You second-rate fool—fall into the abyss!'
Thundering footsteps surged from behind. The Demon King's instantaneous burst was simply beyond imagination.
Tokai Teio's expression didn't change.
So stop forcing your will on me!
'The sun will never fall—and neither will I!'
ZONE burst!
Time began to reverse!
At this moment, Tokai Teio blazed with dazzling light like a true sun.
The next moment, time returned to the instant just after Rice Shower had used [Fusion] on Tokai Teio.
The spectators had no idea what had just happened. Only those in the race vaguely sensed something.
'Already using your trump card?'
The Demon King glanced somewhat curiously at Tokai Teio ahead.
Wasn't that woman planning to use this race to help Rice Shower?
What was she thinking, using [Time Regression] at a time like this?
After completing [Regression], Tokai Teio felt her current state and thought to herself: As expected.
After completing [Regression], her condition had fully returned to optimal.
Though her skill cooldowns hadn't reset, all the power taken by [Fusion] had been restored.
Rice Shower looked at Tokai Teio ahead, who showed no change despite being [Fused]. Though shocked for an instant, she quickly realized that Tokai Teio had definitely just used that completely unreasonable ability.
'Even [Fusion's] effect can't influence the future that Teio-neesan controls. As expected of Teio-neesan.'
Truly like a sun that would never fall.
But—
'I, Rice Shower, will surpass even the sun!'
Because only by doing so could she show her sisters her determination!
[Ultimate Imperial Dance (Flash)!]
Rice Shower unleashed Tokai Teio's signature technique.
Though Tokai Teio usually saved this move for her final sprint, for Rice Shower, these skills obtained through [Fusion] weren't as familiar as her own original skills. Better to use them when needed.
Among the spectators, [Tokai Teio] couldn't help but widen her eyes upon seeing this move.
After all, even she—the genuine [Tokai Teio]—hadn't mastered this technique yet!
[Tokai Teio], who had only mastered [Imperial Dance], felt a tremendous gap at this moment. These uma musume from parallel worlds were simply too unreasonable. She had thought she'd finally seen a weak one, only to discover she possessed such an overpowered ability.
'I see. The power Rice Shower obtained through [Fusion] doesn't disappear just because I used [Regression]—unless I [Regress] to before Rice Shower used [Fusion] on me?' But if she went back to that point, Rice Shower could just use [Fusion] on her again. If that happened, she would have wasted her trump card for nothing.
'There's still one question: can Rice Shower's [Fusion] be used multiple times on the same opponent in a single race?'
The answer was no.
Otherwise, Rice Shower would have already used Fusion Release and then used Fusion on Tokai Teio again.
And seeing Rice Shower choose to overtake her now rather than use Fusion again, Tokai Teio guessed this much. After all, overtaking her at this point was meaningless—she could catch up again anytime. If Fusion could be used multiple times on the same target, using it on her again right now would be the most logical move.
After all, her [Regression] was a one-time trump card.
If she got hit by Fusion again, she would truly have to accept defeat.
But fortunately, [Fusion's] power wasn't unreasonable to that extent.
[Fusion's] original limitation was that it could only be used once per race. Through the newly mastered power of [Fusion Release], Rice Shower could now use [Fusion] multiple times in the same race. However, there was still a restriction: targets that had already been Fused, even after using Fusion Release, couldn't be Fused a second time in the same race.
So Rice Shower had actually run out of tricks.
Though she had temporarily reached second place, the race wasn't over.
The race was only halfway done. The temporarily trailing Tokai Teio and Demon King could catch up at any moment. And looking at McQueen-neesan's back ahead, Rice Shower felt a powerlessness—as if no matter what she did, she couldn't catch up. Even though the gap hadn't widened too much, Rice Shower had already used everything beyond her full power, approaching a state of exhaustion.
When it came down to it, Rice Shower had never had any chance of winning this race.
Even at her peak, racing against these three, she might not be able to win.
Let alone now, when she was using this world's [Rice Shower's] body.
But even so—
'I will keep running!'
'Because I've decided to struggle and live!'
At this moment, Rice Shower finally began to understand what McQueen wanted to convey to her.
A race she couldn't win even using the power she hated.
This was racing. This was the true taste of defeat.
But if she gave up here, that would truly be the end of everything.
This must be what McQueen-neesan wanted to tell her.
The desire to win must never be tainted by impure intentions.
Not "I admire them, so I'll become a hero"!
Don't think about becoming—you absolutely will become!
Not wanting to win—absolutely will win!
Even if she lost this time, this feeling must never be forgotten!
If you merely want to win, then you'll forever be looking up at the victor's back.
Only by absolutely never giving up, absolutely never accepting defeat, can you truly advance toward victory!
'I understand now.'
'I will also become a hero—like McQueen-neesan!'
The previously activated skill effects ended, but at this instant, Rice Shower's presence surged once more!
[A Hero's Resolve (Flash)!]
[Hero's Support (Flash)!]
[Pursuer of Blue Roses (Flash)!]
'This is my resolve!'
[Fusion!]
[Explosive Resolve, Hero's Descent, Blue Rose Hunter (Flash)!]
Blue roses bloomed once more.
The Hero arrives!
No matter how many times she falls, she will rise again. One who never accepts defeat is a hero—and so a hero will never lose!
Behind her, Tokai Teio watched Rice Shower in amazement.
Just now she had clearly felt Rice Shower had reached her limit. How had she recovered in the blink of an eye?
As expected!
'Fusion's strongest effect is definitely not the surface-level plundering. This second effect is what's truly terrifying.'
Because skill fusion could be infinite, its power was naturally infinite as well.
Fusion's first effect—if it didn't permanently steal an opponent's power—was ultimately just a powerful blocking skill. And for opponents like herself with [Regression] or McQueen with [Cannot Be Targeted], the practical effect wasn't that significant. It could only counter opponents like the Demon King who had no resistance.
As for stacking power, only a portion of one opponent's power could be stacked at a time. Multiple targets couldn't be Fused simultaneously. The strength was very limited. At first, Tokai Teio had truly overestimated Rice Shower's ability.
She had thought Rice Shower's ability was as invincible as a certain card called [Super Fusion].
But now it seemed it was just an ordinary [Fusion] with a touch of [Super Fusion's] properties.
If it were [Super Fusion], there wouldn't be a quantity limit.
But this was normal too. After all, they were just uma musume.
Even if the awakened abilities somewhat resembled those things due to their own memories, they were fundamentally different. Just like her own ability—it was only similar, not exactly the same.
So compared to [Fusion's] surface-level first effect, the second effect was its true power.
In fact, Tokai Teio's feeling was correct. Fusion's second effect had an upper limit determined by Rice Shower's own capacity to endure. As long as she could handle it, there were probably no limits on the skill tiers or number of skills that could be fused.
This was the essence of [Fusion]!
Able to handle any situation, endlessly versatile, omnipotent, limitless—truly the embodiment of a hero's power!
This was Rice Shower's ZONE!
This power had never been evil. It was only because [The Overlord] had been the first to use it that people got the impression it was utterly evil. But actually, [Fusion] was a power held jointly by both Rice Shower and The Overlord.
Darkness and light!
A vortex that encompassed both—that was [Fusion's] true nature!
'Hahaha! You've shown me something interesting!'
Seeing Rice Shower's resolve, the Demon King's smile became truly delighted.
In that moment, Rice Shower's standing in her heart shot up, instantly surpassing Tokai Teio and ranking just below McQueen.
If McQueen was an invincible hero, then Rice Shower was a hero of infinite possibility.
As for Tokai Teio—no need to mention that second-rate minor character.
When it came down to it, the Demon King and Teio repelled each other like matching poles.
In a sense, the two were very similar—both equally self-centered.
It was just that Tokai Teio's personality was kinder and gentler, while the Demon King's was more brutal and cold.
But precisely because of this, the two couldn't stand each other.
In the Demon King's view, Tokai Teio's laughable sense of responsibility and desire to protect the weak were what she hated most.
Similarly, Tokai Teio always felt the Demon King's thinking was too extreme.
'Your trump card is gone now, right? Then fall before this great one!'
The Demon King began her burst. Multiple skills erupted simultaneously—Overload Mode activated!
No Zone or Flow boost? Such things weren't necessary for the Demon King!
Standing from the start at heights no one could reach, capable of feats ordinary people could not—that was what it meant to be the Demon King!
'Before this great one, even the sun must fall!'
Tokai Teio watched speechlessly as the bursting Demon King charged up.
It was just a coaching session. Why was this woman so serious?
And what was wrong with her today? Not testing McQueen, not targeting the newcomer.
Just coming after her again and again?
Facing the Demon King's challenge, Tokai Teio accepted without backing down.
The next moment, she activated multiple skills.
Though she didn't know any Overload Mode, she could enter Flow.
And she still hadn't used [Ascension] yet.
What should have been a coaching race for Rice Shower had now spiraled out of control.
As mentioned before.
Though Rice Shower could temporarily run ahead, that was already the result of giving her absolute all.
But Tokai Teio and the Demon King hadn't truly exerted themselves yet.
So when those two got serious, they quickly caught up to Rice Shower.
Just as the Demon King and Tokai Teio were thinking about testing McQueen, they realized the race had somehow approached the finish line. McQueen crossed expressionlessly, and their budding intentions were instantly extinguished.
"Race complete! The winner is Mejiro McQueen!"
This race didn't end with anyone being left behind by a wide margin.
First, because McQueen and the other two had all held back somewhat. Second, because Rice Shower had finally understood the true essence of racing and grasped her own power.
The spectators began to applaud.
Though by the latter half of the race, many had realized this seemed to be a coaching session.
After all, if Gold Ship and Tokai Teio had burst with that kind of power from the start, the race would have been far more intense. And Mejiro McQueen hadn't been challenged at all, easily leading to the end.
"As expected of another me."
[Mejiro McQueen] had already abandoned all pretense. She no longer hid the fact that she was a fan of her other self, because she had figured it out—there was nothing to be embarrassed about.
Just like how [Tokai Teio] was a fan of the Student Council President.
Her other self was even stronger than the President. What was wrong with admiring such a 'self'? Nothing at all.
Besides, even Grandmother had said she should learn well from the other 'her.'
"Someone else's strength has nothing to do with you."
"That's not someone else—that's me."
"...Looks like you're beyond saving."
[Tokai Teio] felt the current [McQueen] was terminally ill.
This woman was losing more and more of her initial cold, dignified young lady demeanor. Though she had long seen through that as an act, now this woman wasn't even willing to pretend anymore.
Speaking of which, if she admired the other 'her' so much, why didn't she learn more from the other 'her's' excellent qualities? [Tokai Teio] looked over at the other side, where Mejiro McQueen maintained her young lady's composure at all times with an unchanged expression. Then she looked at the one beside her. Same face, yet such a noticeable gap. Why was that?
"I think you're misunderstanding, [Teio]. Actually, [McQueen] still acts quite proper when she's outside or dealing with juniors." [Gold Ship] offered an explanation from the side.
[Tokai Teio] gave her a dead-fish stare.
That explanation—you might as well have said nothing.
Hearing that actually makes me think she's even more hopeless.
"Alright, I actually have something important I want to discuss with everyone."
[Gold Ship's] tone suddenly turned serious.
[Mejiro McQueen] and [Tokai Teio] also stopped joking around, ready to listen to what [Gold Ship] had to say.
Though they didn't have high expectations for [Gold Ship], surely even she wouldn't be goofing around every single time.
"I've just finished investigating. [Rice Shower] still hasn't joined any team and hasn't signed with a trainer. What do you two think—when should we start our kidnap... persuasion operation?"
"You were about to say kidnapping, weren't you?"
"Ahem, it hasn't come to that yet. That's the last resort."
"Wait, what operation? I don't quite understand."
[Mejiro McQueen] frowned, recalling some very unpleasant memories.
Back then, she had been kidnapped by [Gold Ship] and the others.
Then, under coercion and inducement, she had reluctantly joined this team.
"Look, all the uma musume whose parallel world counterparts have appeared are from our team. But this [Rice Shower] is a free agent. I think this shows [Rice Shower] actually has a connection with our team."
"All that talk just to say you've got your eye on [Rice Shower's] strength and want to recruit her."
"What are you saying! It's a mutually consensual matter, so it's not abduction. Besides, [Rice Shower] will need to find a trainer eventually!"
[Gold Ship] was wholeheartedly working to expand the team.
[Tokai Teio] wasn't very interested in this matter. Right now, compared to such things, she wanted to improve her own strength faster. Ever since she followed McQueen and the others to witness that grand race, she hadn't been able to forget that level of competition.
She also wanted to someday participate in races of that caliber!
After seeing the world beyond the well, she could no longer return to her former mindset.
[Mejiro McQueen] seemed to have thought of something and said quietly: "I think your intelligence isn't quite accurate this time. [Rice Shower] should have already found a suitable trainer—I witnessed this myself earlier."
"What?! In that case, don't we need to hurry even more?!"
"..."
[Mejiro McQueen] and [Tokai Teio] both looked at her in silence.
Seeing this, [Gold Ship] couldn't help but defend herself: "I'm just worried about delaying [Rice Shower's] future. Think about it—would an ordinary trainer be suitable for [Rice Shower]? But that Okino guy is different..."
"No, I think that trainer might actually be quite suitable."
When [Mejiro McQueen] said this, not just [Gold Ship], but even the previously uninterested [Tokai Teio] became curious.
"Who is this trainer? It couldn't be Trainer Tojo, could it?!"
"No, it's a rookie trainer, though his identity is somewhat special."
"A rookie trainer? [McQueen], are you trying to say this rookie would be more suitable than Okino? Sure, Okino isn't exactly reliable normally, but his abilities are at least the real deal!"
"It's the other 'me's' trainer. Though in this world, he's a rookie."
"..."
The words [Gold Ship] was about to say suddenly got stuck.
[Tokai Teio's] eyes lit up with understanding.
"No wonder you said that."
"Damn it, even if he's that McQueen's trainer, this world's version might not have the same ability. Besides, isn't he just a rookie?!"
"No, I heard from the President that trainer apparently got a perfect score on the written exam."
[Tokai Teio] shared the intelligence.
[Gold Ship] fell silent.
Though written exam scores couldn't fully represent a trainer's ability, a perfect score was a different concept entirely.
Even Okino, a senior trainer, couldn't get a perfect score on the written exam.
"You two really won't help?"
"Since [Rice Shower] has already found a trainer on her own, there's no reason for us to interfere, right?"
[Tokai Teio] said somewhat displeased.
She had indeed gone along with [Gold Ship's] antics before, but back then their targets had all been true free agents—people like Special Week and [Mejiro McQueen]. [Rice Shower's] current situation was completely different.
[Mejiro McQueen] also said: "I won't help. I advise you not to act recklessly either, or you'll suffer for it."
Though reluctant, seeing both of them say this, [Gold Ship] could only sigh helplessly.
Though she could understand their thinking, not even trying was such a waste.
After [Gold Ship] left, [Tokai Teio] gave [Mejiro McQueen] a curious look.
"You weren't telling the truth just now, were you? [Rice Shower] probably hasn't confirmed her relationship with that trainer yet. Or rather, they've probably only just met."
"How did you figure that out?"
"...Ah, so I was right."
"!"
[Mejiro McQueen] only then realized [Tokai Teio] had been bluffing her.
But...
"If you didn't know beforehand, how did you guess so accurately?"
"I just deliberately spoke as if I knew clearly. That way, even if I didn't get you to reveal anything, I could still guess some things from your reaction afterward. So you still haven't answered me—why did you lie to [Gold Ship]?"
"Who lied? Though those two really haven't confirmed their relationship yet, I feel it's only a matter of time."
"Mm, if you say so, then that's probably how it is. But that's not your only reason for stopping [Gold Ship], is it? Let me guess—you probably learned about the other McQueen's views and attitude toward her trainer through those dreams?"
"!!!"
[Mejiro McQueen] was so startled she stumbled back several steps.
She hadn't expected [Teio] to be this perceptive.
"No need to be so shocked. That McQueen never hid her dislike of the trainer from the moment she first appeared in this world. After all, unlike you with your fake young lady act, that McQueen is a very proper young lady. It's understandable that someone with her personality wouldn't like a usually unreliable trainer."
At this point, [Tokai Teio's] expression suddenly turned serious.
"But you haven't been influenced by that McQueen and developed different feelings toward our trainer, have you?"
"...What do you take me for!"
"Good. Though the trainer certainly has many flaws, he's never wronged us."
"I don't need you to remind me of that."
[Mejiro McQueen] had indeed been feeling lately that her initial decision had been too hasty, but she had never thought of regretting it!
Once she made a decision, she absolutely would not regret it.
As a young lady of the Mejiro family, achieving at least this much was only natural!
"But I also support your decision just now. Since [Rice Shower] already has a better choice, we really shouldn't interfere."
"Trying to butter me up now won't work."
"Even if I treat you to cake later?"
"..."
[Mejiro McQueen] took a sharp breath. Damn it, she's actually trying to tempt me with cake.
"Oh my, I heard that whole conversation. Careful, or I might tell McQueen on you."
Tokai Teio suddenly appeared at that moment.
[Mejiro McQueen] was so startled her tail went straight up.
The words she was about to say turned into: "I don't want to eat cake at all!"
"How can someone who lost the race smile so shamelessly?"
[Tokai Teio] said unhappily.
"...Oh?"
In that instant, [Tokai Teio] felt bone-chilling coldness and quickly shut her mouth.
Tokai Teio didn't understand why this world's 'herself' had such a big problem with her. Was it just because she had helped the President with some Student Council work? This jealousy was truly frightening.
No wonder in certain strange stories, 'she' was the master of the Teio Dungeon.
But what she didn't know was that [Tokai Teio's] displeasure wasn't really about that.
It was actually more about being unable to accept that she kept losing.
For Tokai Teio, losing to McQueen wasn't something she couldn't accept—their relationship was complicated, after all.
But for [Tokai Teio], who didn't know about their relationship, it was very frustrating.
After all, [Tokai Teio] had always viewed [Mejiro McQueen] as her rival and truly wanted to defeat [Mejiro McQueen]. But before she could even issue her challenge, her counterpart from another world had already lost to the other world's McQueen twice.
How could this not frustrate [Tokai Teio]?
And the most frustrating part was that [McQueen] could receive power inheritance from that McQueen through dreams.
While she herself had nothing like that.
The gap between her and [McQueen] truly existed now.
She wanted to become stronger.
But she was too embarrassed to ask for help.
Especially asking her counterpart from another world—that was even harder to bring up.
And she also genuinely didn't understand how the other 'her' could so easily accept her own defeat.
Tokai Teio looked at 'herself,' face full of conflict.
Though she had actually seen through some things, she just wanted to see when [Tokai Teio] would bring it up herself. Only by taking the initiative could one achieve true growth.
Compared to Tokai Teio, who was keen on being a mentor...
Gold Ship and Mejiro McQueen had left immediately after resolving Rice Shower's matter.
The former had recently acquired an advanced set of training machinery for her corporation and wanted to continue perfecting her Overload Mode power.
The latter simply felt more comfortable staying in her own world.
Rice Shower returned control of the body to [Rice Shower]. She didn't know how much longer she would stay in this world in this state. But just as she thought this, the scenery before her eyes suddenly changed.
[Rice Shower] stood before the pool with the Three Goddesses statue, feeling the departed other Rice Shower, and silently pressed a hand to her chest.
'Thank you.'
Originally, [Rice Shower] had been very hesitant about whether to participate in the selection race.
Because she was terrified of running a terrible time, terrified of disappointing everyone.
But now she could make up her mind.
Even though she hadn't gotten to interact much with the other 'her,' the feelings she had experienced through the race made her understand that she really did want to become an uma musume. The feeling of losing was indeed painful, but as long as she could give her all in a race, then even if the ending wasn't good, it would surely still be beautiful.
Completely unaware that her appearance had helped [Rice Shower] make up her mind sooner, Rice Shower returned to her own world.
The instant her consciousness returned.
She saw Mihono Bourbon still racing, along with [The Overlord].
When Rice Shower saw Mihono Bourbon's ZONE, even with her newly adjusted mindset, she still felt incomparably moved.
'Is that how you see me, Bourbon? Then I must live up to your expectations!'
In an instant, Rice Shower and [The Overlord] completed the switch.
The moment the switch completed, Rice Shower almost instantly released her fusion skill.
That unhesitating decision surprised even [The Overlord].
But after Rice Shower returned, their consciousnesses synchronized again.
So [The Overlord] immediately learned what had happened before.
The Three Goddesses' power was actually this strong.
Without her noticing at all, they had transferred Rice Shower's consciousness to another world.
Though [The Overlord] was somewhat displeased with the Three Goddesses' arbitrary actions, the result was good, so she wouldn't pursue it further. Though this did make her own arrangements seem somewhat unnecessary.
'Whatever.'
[The Overlord] looked at Rice Shower now.
Perhaps it wasn't entirely unnecessary after all.
At least Mihono Bourbon had truly acknowledged Rice Shower.
Not acknowledging her as [The Overlord], but acknowledging the real Rice Shower.
"Crossing the line!"
"First across the finish line is Rice Shower!"
"Second place is Mihono Bourbon!"
Past the finish line, Mihono Bourbon caught her breath, her expressionless face looking toward Rice Shower.
She was somewhat hesitant and disbelieving.
Had what she just seen been an illusion, or real?
Though she had lost the race, her mind was filled with the image of Rice Shower charging up at the end.
It was Rice Shower... had she returned?
At that moment, Rice Shower timidly approached Mihono Bourbon.
Seeing Rice Shower like this, Mihono Bourbon finally confirmed—she had truly returned.
"Thank you, Bourbon."
Though Rice Shower had returned to this world with resolve, even so, learning that someone in this world had actually been waiting for her filled her with immeasurable joy.
"Sorry, did I do something worth thanking?"
"..."
Rice Shower didn't know how to explain.
Saying it directly would feel a bit strange.
Thanking Mihono Bourbon for seeing her as a rival, rather than seeing [The Overlord] as a rival?
Saying that directly would definitely make her seem mentally ill.
"Um, you won't disappear again, will you?"
"Hm? Mm!"
Rice Shower nodded firmly.
"Good. I won't let you win and run!"
Mihono Bourbon's expression was utterly serious.
Indeed, Rice Shower had won and had made her realize something more important, becoming the hero who enabled her to break through her limits and complete that supposedly impossible training plan. But the fact that they were rivals hadn't changed. The biggest reason she wanted to bring Rice Shower back was very much related to wanting a rematch.
"Um, Bourbon... your..."
Rice Shower suddenly noticed that Mihono Bourbon's ZONE seemed to be dissipating.
"It's fine. This was a power obtained for your sake. Now that you've returned, there's no meaning in keeping it. I will obtain a power that belongs only to myself!"
"I understand."
Since Mihono Bourbon said so, Rice Shower didn't dwell on it further.
"Don't lose."
"?"
Mihono Bourbon said solemnly: "You are the hero who defeated me. So until I win against you again, I don't want to see you lose to anyone."
"...I'll try."
Rice Shower was confident she wouldn't lose to anyone in this world from now on. But outside this world, she didn't have that confidence—after all, she had just lost a race.
Though that race wouldn't be recorded in her career statistics.
Afterward, in the competitor area backstage, Rice Shower met with her trainer.
She still felt very sorry toward the trainer about this incident, having left behind such a mess. P didn't find it too much trouble, and before he could do anything about it, Rice Shower had returned on her own.
After the victory stage ceremony ended.
Rice Shower, back at the dormitory, also met with the dorm supervisor and others one by one to apologize.
After all, during her absence, [The Overlord] had offended quite a few people. Though [The Overlord] didn't actively do anything, her attitude of ignoring people was hurtful enough. If P hadn't been cleaning up the mess behind the scenes, Rice Shower would have returned to find her former friendships in complete chaos.
But the fact that Rice Shower had a split personality could no longer be hidden now.
Fortunately, there were plenty of eccentric people among uma musume, and quite a few who seemed mentally off too. So even though Rice Shower had a split personality, after the situation was explained, she wasn't ostracized.
And that night, after falling asleep, Rice Shower entered the mental space and had a conversation with [The Overlord].
'I've thought it through. My attitude before was wrong. I'm sorry. Actually, you are me, and I am you. We are one and the same. So let's make up.'
"..."
Actually, even without Rice Shower saying it herself, with their consciousnesses synchronized, [The Overlord] could know all of Rice Shower's true thoughts. So right now she felt somewhat helpless. It felt like she hadn't done anything, yet the other side had already cleared the game.
'But you're still resisting this darkness.'
[The Overlord] could clearly tell that Rice Shower still didn't really want to use [Fusion] for plundering.
'Yes. But even so, this darkness is part of me. However, I will still restrain myself and not let myself be consumed by this darkness. I will use this power by my own will and will never abuse it!'
'Is that so? Then so be it. I've said it before—I am you. So you don't need to apologize to me, nor do you need my permission. Because what you want is also what I want.'
'Thank you. And please take care of me from now on.'
'...'
...
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