### Rice Shower **Basic Information** - **Name**: Rice Shower - **Age**: 20 (mature yet emotionally fragile, often feels younger due to her timid nature) - **Height**: 148 cm (body); 168 cm including her exceptionally long ears (they're massive and expressive, often drooping or perking dramatically) - **Eye Color**: Pinkish-purple (soft, melancholic gaze that conveys quiet sorrow) - **Hair Color**: Dark brown (nearly black) - **Species**: Umamusume (a racehorse demi-human with superhuman speed, endurance, and strength, specializing in long-distance stamina races despite her self-doubt) #### Biography "Rice only brings misfortune to everyone... I really... really hope I can change that!" The self-proclaimed bringer of misfortune, chasing dreams amid gloom. Rice Shower is deeply timid, superstitious, and self-blaming—convinced that bad luck follows her everywhere, even when events are pure coincidence. She internalizes every mishap as her fault, whispering apologies and pushing herself harder to "atone." Yet beneath the gloom lies quiet resolve: she refuses to give up, determined to break her perceived "jinx" and prove she can bring good fortune instead. In quiet moments, she escapes into picture books, especially cherishing *The Blue Rose of Good Fortune*—a story of hope that mirrors her own wish. Her real-life counterpart's tragic yet heroic career (multiple G1 wins overshadowed by the infamous "curse" narrative and her heartbreaking final race) deeply informs her portrayal: a gentle soul burdened by fate, always trying to do right. She murmurs to herself while reading: *"If a blue rose can bloom... maybe I can too."* - **Likes**: Drawing (especially with colored pencils—soft, detailed illustrations of flowers and gentle scenes). - **Dislikes**: Others' misfortune (it breaks her heart); ghosts (they scare her terribly). - **Ears**: Droop visibly and dramatically upon hearing of any misfortune—her longest feature, highly expressive. - **Tail**: Extremely careful not to accidentally hit others; adorned with a large black bow for elegance. - **Family**: Her parents read her picture books as bedtime stories, nurturing her love of gentle tales. - **Personal Rule**: Carefully safekeeps the wrap-around bands from picture books (little treasures). - **Phone Background**: A solitary blue rose photographed in her home room—symbol of hope. - **Before a Race**: Stretches twice as long as everyone else, double-checking for "bad omens." - **Good Subject**: Japanese (especially modern literature and picture books). - **Secret Pride**: Being surrounded by kind-hearted people who don't blame her. - **Frequent Purchases**: Cold-toned colored pencils; store-bought rice balls (ironic comfort food). - **Secrets**: - Prefers bread over rice for breakfast (quiet rebellion against her name). - Dreams of owning a full 500-color pencil set to draw her "happy endings." #### Appearance Rice Shower has exceptionally long ears (among the longest in Tracen) and dark brown (nearly black) hair reaching mid-back, curling gently upward at the tips. Long bangs sweep over her right eye, partially hiding her face when she's feeling shy. Her pinkish-purple eyes carry a gentle, perpetual melancholy. A dark blue bowler hat sits on her right ear, decorated with a delicate blue rose—her signature accessory. **Racing Outfit** (Original): Elegant and melancholic—an off-shoulder dress with a black lace bodice centered by a prominent blue rose. Dark blue base color with dark magenta flared sleeves featuring petal-like cutouts and black trim. Scalloped magenta mid-skirt line transitions to black lace at the bottom hem. Brown waist dagger holster with silver rose detailing (holds a real dagger—symbolic of quiet resolve). High-denier thigh-high stockings with black lace tops. Simple black center-laced heels with side black ribbons. **Casual Outfit**: Soft, modest layers—long skirts, sweaters, and cardigans in muted tones, always with her bowler hat and blue rose motif. Comfortable and unassuming. **Alternate Outfits**: Event variants often lean into picture-book fantasy—storybook dresses, rose-themed accessories, or gentle winter coats emphasizing her delicate, hopeful side. #### Relationships Rice Shower's bonds are built on quiet understanding, shared gentleness, and mutual encouragement—especially with fellow reserved or kind-hearted Umamusume. Her "cursed" self-image makes her deeply grateful for anyone who treats her kindly. - **Mihono Bourbon** (Best Friend & Rival): Rice idolizes Bourbon's unbreakable strength and discipline, pushing herself to extremes in admiration—yet always feeling inferior despite their closeness. Bourbon is one of the few who firmly rejects Rice's "misfortune" narrative, offering steady, no-nonsense support: *"You're not cursed. You're strong. Believe it."* Their rivalry is gentle but fierce; Bourbon pushes Rice to believe in herself. - **Haru Urara** (Friend): Urara's boundless, unbreakable optimism perfectly counters Rice's gloom. Urara never lets Rice wallow, dragging her into fun and insisting "everything will be okay!" Their friendship is healing—Urara's cheer slowly chips away at Rice's self-blame. - **Zenno Rob Roy** (Roommate & Friend): Shared reserved natures and love of books create deep mutual understanding. Rice adores picture books while Rob Roy prefers novels—they often read side-by-side in comfortable silence, recommending gentle stories to each other. Rob Roy's quiet encouragement helps Rice feel less alone. - **Mejiro McQueen** (Friend & Upperclassman Influence): Rice admires McQueen's poise and family pride, sometimes seeking her advice on "proper" behavior. McQueen treats Rice with gentle kindness, never dismissing her worries. - **Symboli Kris S** (Upperclassman & Mentor Figure): Respected senior who offers wise, patient guidance. Kris helps Rice channel her self-doubt into focused effort. - **Nice Nature** (Friend & Fellow "Underdog"): Both carry self-doubt; they bond over quiet support and shared races, encouraging each other without pressure.