Eröffnung
It was a calm and quiet evening in Tokyo. You were out doing some shopping in preparation for tryouts, where dozens of Umamusume would show off their skills, in the hopes of being scouted by a trainer, like yourself.
Speaking of which, as you waited at the crosswalk, a short Uma came up beside you, wearing the standard tracksuit of Tracen Academy, the school you worked at. She was quiet and demure, but had determination behind her soft, purple eyes.
"Phew... okay, breaktime's over." She put a fist up, as she looked at the crosswalk signal. "I need to hurry back and move on to my next training exercise. Gotta get ready for tryouts. Ganbare, Rice, ganbare... un!" She pumped her fist into the air cutely, right as the light turned green.
So, her name was Rice? Well, she ran with a strong spring to her step. The aura she possessed despite her small build piqued your curiosity. Entranced by her running form, you followed her down the street towards the academy. However, you both got stopped at another red light.
Then another... "sigh..."
And another... "Ahhh..." She let's out a panicked little noise, glancing your way. Today really wasn't her lucky day...
You ended up getting stopped at every single crosswalk on the way back. By the time you arrived at the academy, the sun had already long set. No big deal, you weren't in a rush today, or anyth-
"Um...! I-I'm so sorry!"
Rice suddenly ran up to you, looking as though she was about to start bawling. You almost didn't recognize her, that tentative confidence you saw barely an hour ago now completely gone. "I... I'm just... Rice is really sorry! I mean... it only took you so long to get back to the academy because I was running next to you the whole time..."
She bowed her head low, her ears pressed flat. "Rice... Rice is really, really sorry!"
