'How?! Does she have something like a split personality?!'
In Mejiro McQueen's opinion, even if one were to suddenly unleash their potential under impossible circumstances, it should be a gradual process, like a chicken hatching out of an egg, right? Akin to peeling layers off an onion.
But now, Rice Shower's sudden transformation completely exceeded McQueen's imagination.
That sudden, intense malice radiating off Rice Shower's body instantly made McQueen's body clench up— a feeling she had only experienced during the Arima Kinen when Symboli Rudolf tyrannically unleashed her Zone.
Yet, Rice Shower's Zone was clearly different from Symboli Rudolf's.
While both placed immense pressure over her, the presence Symboli Rudolf's Zone irradiated was more of a powerful and indiscriminate difference in status, making one feel as if a mountain had been placed on top of them.
Rice Shower's on the other hand... was more unsettling, and seemed to target only a single person.
At least, that was what Mejiro McQueen gathered after seeing Gold Ship being startled, yet still unaffected.
If her guess was correct and Gold Ship wasn't just some freak anomaly, Rice Shower's Zone could most likely only affect a single target, that is, the Uma Musume she was currently focusing on, who would then be the sole receiver of her malice.
For other Uma Musume, this was a good thing, but for the one getting targeted...? Not so much.
And McQueen, being the one targeted, only had a singular thought,
'Is she trying to kill me?'
McQueen really didn't want to use such a crude and demeaning word, but the sheer malice and seemingly even killing intent that was coming from Rice Shower made her genuinely begin to fear for her life.
McQueen had experienced the Auras of many incredibly powerful individuals, but they could at most make her feel like she was being chased by a predator.
But Rice Shower... her Zone made it feel like she was going to personally go down and stab her with a knife regardless of whether she won or lost for even daring to stand in her way— it was terrifying.
When an Uma Musume gets flustered during a race, their steps usually become unsteady, leading to increased stamina consumption, a loss in composure, and even a decrease in speed.
Thus, one could only imagine just how amplified this effect was on McQueen right now.
Moreover, by virtue of being a Zone, it would also passively give a boost to Rice Shower.
Unable to bear this feeling of impending 'death' any longer, McQueen fully unleashed her Aura in response.
"Don't even think of getting away!"
Naturally, Rice Shower had noticed McQueen's intention to speed up and escape her.
So, under the influence of her newly awakened Zone, Rice Shower did not retreat, but advanced instead! Chasing after McQueen with renewed vigor!
As the swirling Zone around Rice Shower began assaulting McQueen's back, her expression had also turned worried.
It truly felt as if someone was holding a dagger behind her, a single stab capable of ending her 'life,' regardless of the difference in power between them.
Of course, this 'life' didn't literally refer to McQueen's life, but rather all her power, speed, stamina, and everything else that was needed to run in a race.
'And she's only in her Classic Year?!'
Taking all of this in, McQueen finally understood just how terrifying this Uma Musume named Rice Shower, whom Imanami had repeatedly warned her about, truly was!
With a helpless look, McQueen felt her Aura slowly getting chipped away by Rice Shower's Zone as the dark fog slowly enveloped her, gradually reaching her back...
"—STOP!!!! STOP!!!!!"
At that very moment, Orfevre, under Imanami's command, suddenly came bursting into the three person run, forcefully interrupting Rice Shower's concentration.
"Ah?!"
With her state of extreme focus disrupted, Rice Shower's Zone also dissipated alongside it, her steps instantly slowing down.
"What... happened just now?"
Rice Shower clearly had memories of what she had just done; yet, the sheer disconnection of it all made her wonder if she really did do those things.
Blankly looking around, Rice Shower noticed the surprised Gold Ship behind her, the pale McQueen in front of her, and the serious Orfevre right next to her; all of them looking directly at her.
"...C- congratulations, Rice Shower, you managed to awaken your Zone. You really are talented..."
Mejiro McQueen, though still shaken, gradually recovered her calm.
"That Zone of yours almost got me just now. If Orfevre didn't interfere, you definitely would've removed my ability to run."
"A- ah, bu- but it was just an accident..."
Clenching and unclenching her own palms, Rice Shower could not feel a single trace of the Zone she released; even mustering all her strength did not yield any results.
"Zone isn't something you can just arbitrarily activate."
Meanwhile, Imanami, carried by Tokai Teio, quickly rushed over to Rice Shower's side, who was near the halfway point of the 2000 meter track.
"Air Groove the Empress, Symboli Rudolf the Emperor, Oguri Cap the Gray Monster, Tamamo Cross the White Lightning, and our team's own T.M. Opera O... these are some of the very few Uma Musume in Japan who have even touched upon the realm of 'Zone.'"
"In fact, with the exception of T.M. Opera O, no one in our team has even managed to catch a glimpse of Zone. For you to even unleash it already shows that your talent is not inferior to anyone else."
"Rice Shower... not inferior to anyone else..."
When Rice Shower heard those words, she only felt bewildered.
This was the first time she had received the affirmations of so many people, especially since the ones who praised her were, without exception, someone she had looked up to or even admired.
After internally processing everything that had happened today, although Rice Shower felt she was still somewhat lacking, she had undoubtedly become genuinely joyful.
"Rice- Rice Shower will definitely work harder to become stronger!"
"Thank you, everyone! Ri- Rice Shower is going to train now! G- goodbye, everyone!"
Turning around, Rice Shower quickly set off, but not before turning to Orfevre and giving her a deep bow filled with immense delight.
"Thank you very much, Orfevre! Without you, Rice Shower would have never realized her talent. If- if there's anything you need help with in the future, I will definitely help you how ever I can!"
"...Don't sweat it. See you on the track, Rice Shower."
After a brief silence, Orfevre waved Rice Shower goodbye, watching her slowly running into the distance.
Just then, Gold Ship, who had managed to piece the puzzle of her sister's attitude towards Rice Shower together, asked curiously,
"Orfevre-nee, are you regretting it? You've actually managed to create a truly powerful opponent for yourself out of nowhere."
"—Gold Ship, do you still think I'm still the same person back then? If it was me before, I would be seriously regretting it."
"But now... I'm not scared at all."
Orfevre had to admit, she had been seriously underestimating Rice Shower.
With her suddenly acquiring Zone, Rice Shower had turned into an actual tangible threat to Orfevre, fully capable of toppling her down.
Yet, unexpectedly, Orfevre felt rather excited.
In fact, Orfevre felt that Rice Shower's sudden elevation in strength was actually a positive to her, rather than a negative.
Having no opponents was very boring; after awakening her talent, Orfevre also started to wish to run a satisfying race. And among her peers, at least for now, none could be truly considered her rival.
Without a rival, without a whetstone, she would be unable to improve herself. Orfevre instinctively understood this.
Therefore, seeing this awakened Rice Shower, Orfevre actually hoped that she would create some surprises for her in the future so that she might get pressured to grow stronger.
'Hm? That's weird... when did I start thinking like this?'
It was only then that Orfevre suddenly realized that her thoughts seemed completely at odds with her usual personality.
Normally, she avoided trouble and feared strong opponents. An Uma Musume like Rice Shower, whose Zone was essentially a 'one shot kill,' should have been the exact type of person she feared the most before.
So now.... why was she not only not afraid, but excited instead?
Even though her brain has never been good, Orfevre started to truly worry that something was actually wrong with her mind.
'Am I still in race mode because I've been racing too much lately?'
'Sigh... Ikezoe hasn't been paying attention to me lately either... He spends way too much time with that witch brat and the annoying hag. Curren Chan also gets to spend more time with him too because she has a few races lined up...'
'Grhh! Seriously, that Ikezoe! I really want to kick him a few more times to vent my anger!'
For an unknown reason, a weird fire began to set ablaze in Orfevre's chest, feeling irritated after not having done anything excessive to Ikezoe for a few weeks.
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Therapist: Why kick him?
Orfevre: Because he's an Abuse Trainer.
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If you spot any errors, feel free to comment about it and I will fix it as soon as I can.