[Using Random Uma Musume Selection Ticket (Choose 1 of 3)]

Three cards floated out from Mizuno's mind, hovering before him.

At the bottom right was a tiny trash bin icon, implying he could discard cards he didn't want.

A petite Uma Musume with chestnut-brown hair and vibrant blue eyes. A distinctive white crescent-shaped lock of hair framed her forehead. Dressed in a white-and-blue racing outfit accented by a vivid red cape, she energetically flashed three fingers toward the camera with a cheerful smile.

Tokai Teio…

Whoosh!

Mizuno tossed the card straight into the trash without a second glance.

Another petite Uma Musume, this one with exceptionally long rabbit-like horse ears and jet-black hair covering her right eye. Perched impossibly at a gravity-defying angle atop her head was a small hat decorated with a blue rose. She wore a black bridal-style racing outfit, a dagger strapped at her waist, and stared intently at the camera with resolute determination.

Rice Shower!

Seeing this Uma Musume, Mizuno immediately thought: "Onii-sama"—quickly followed by another thought: "Little troublemaker."

"Pfft!" Mizuno spat out imaginary blood, recalling his traumatic experiences raising Rice Shower in the game.

The name "Rice Shower" playfully referred to the tradition of throwing rice at weddings, symbolizing prosperity and happiness.

Yet ironically, Rice Shower's life was anything but fortunate.

Always encountering red lights at crosswalks, only ever winning tissues at raffles, mixing up salt and sugar when baking cookies, and accidentally tripping classmates by knocking over water buckets—Rice Shower was the epitome of clumsiness and misfortune.

Because she twice interrupted others' legendary ambitions—preventing Mihono Bourbon from achieving an undefeated Triple Crown and stopping Mejiro McQueen's three consecutive Tenno Sho (Spring) victories—Rice Shower was harshly branded the "Black Assassin" or villain. Despite earning her wins through sincere effort, she faced relentless criticism.

Even her real-life counterpart suffered tragic misfortune—an injury during a race forcing euthanasia before retirement.

With her timid, gentle personality, it was impossible not to adore her.

Fans who invested countless hours lovingly raising her became affectionately known as "Onii-samas."

Mizuno himself was once a proud Onii-sama, but repeated attempts at raising Rice Shower left him with the same verdict shared by most Onii-sama: she was a little troublemaker.

No other reason—Rice Shower was simply too difficult to raise!

Her races were notoriously challenging, and she frequently became moody just before competitions, inevitably failing if trainers weren't extremely careful. Only after exhausting all their resources would trainers realize Rice Shower wasn't even among the strongest Uma Musume. Slowly regaining their sanity, they vowed never again to waste precious items on her.

But all it took was a sweet, timid "Onii-sama…"

Onii-samas: Yes, yes!

As a former Onii-sama, Mizuno instinctively reached out for Rice Shower's card, but the last shred of his rationality stopped him. He reluctantly pulled back.

Again, this was the cursed world of Uma Musume fanfiction.

Though Rice Shower posed relatively low risk—Onii-samas instinctively believed they'd remain safe as long as they kept a normal distance from her—danger still lurked.

Mizuno wasn't afraid of Rice Shower herself but rather feared his own weakness as an Onii-sama. Could he truly resist the temptation to shower her with affection?

Being an Onii-sama for too long robbed one of reason. It was as irresistible as flies drawn to cracked eggs.

Even if Mizuno was among the most rational of Onii-samas, he still couldn't entirely escape the curse. To lower his risk of ending up in a basement, he'd have to painfully give up his beloved Rice Shower, just like a certain purple-skinned Titan sacrificing his true love.

However, Mizuno didn't immediately toss Rice Shower's card into the trash. Instead, he decided to look at the third card first, preventing a scenario where he'd discarded two viable options only to be left with an extremely dangerous Uma Musume as his only choice.

Mizuno moved on to inspect the last card.

Another petite Uma Musume appeared—prompting Mizuno to wonder if the system was deliberately mocking him.

With vibrant pink hair, sparkling pink eyes like gems, and an infectious smile evoking the warmth of spring, she wore a red-and-white racing outfit, raising both hands joyously as if celebrating her mere existence. She resembled nothing less than an angel descended to earth.

Haru Urara!

A beloved Uma Musume famous for losing every race, yet always running again with unwavering optimism.

In real life, Haru Urara emerged during Japan's bleak "Lost Decade" of economic stagnation and record-high unemployment. Despite losing race after race—over seventy in total—she continued competing cheerfully. A racecourse PR manager discovered her inspiring story, sending it to forty newspapers across Japan, and eventually landing Haru Urara on the front page of the Mainichi newspaper's lifestyle section.

As her story spread, crowds flocked to watch her run—even after twenty to thirty more consecutive losses. People began cheering her passionately. Even Japan's prime minister expressed hope that Haru Urara would finally win, calling her the perfect symbol of perseverance, bringing new hope to an entire struggling nation.

The racecourse staff received countless letters describing how Haru Urara's determination had inspired them—giving courage to cancer patients, stopping someone from committing suicide, and motivating others to take time off work just to receive her blessings. Haru Urara had become a shining beacon for those facing failure and despair.

After a hundred consecutive losses, legendary jockey Yutaka Take attempted to help Haru Urara win. Though she still finished dead last, they circled the track proudly, celebrating as if victorious, cheered on by the enthusiastic audience.

Haru Urara never won—but she never gave up, either.

In the Uma Musume universe, this pink-haired angel faithfully inherited her real-life counterpart's fate, consistently finishing last yet always trying her best. Her presence brought a calming, healing warmth to everyone around her.

Mizuno vividly remembered the game's portrayal of Haru Urara running in the Arima Kinen, finishing last yet still happily waving to fans. He deeply admired her resilience, while her quiet tears afterward filled him with sorrow.

Without the Onii-sama filter, Haru Urara was undeniably Mizuno's favorite.

"Tch. This is tough." Mizuno stared at the two remaining cards, feeling torn.

Both Rice Shower and Haru Urara were Uma Musume he genuinely adored. He genuinely wanted to choose both.

His finger hovered uncertainly between the two cards, contemplating deeply.

Finally, after careful deliberation, Mizuno made his choice.

"Alright… I choose you!"