An hour later, Team TAC's young girls gathered as usual on the grassy edge of the academy's practice field, standing quietly in front of Mizuno, awaiting his announcement of today's training plans.
But today was slightly different from usual, because standing beside Mizuno were three additional beautiful girls, each with shoulder-length short hair.
"Ahem..." Mizuno cleared his throat and raised his left hand, pointing at Air Groove, who stood to his left, as he explained to everyone:
"Today's senior guest, invited to share her experience with everyone, is the Vice President of Tracen's Student Council—Air Groove-san. Like President Rudolf, she's an incredibly strong Uma Musume. Everyone met and talked with her last night, so I won't say much more here..."
Then, Mizuno switched hands, facing the other side, beginning his introduction of the young human woman and the white-haired Uma Musume standing on his right—clearly the ones everyone cared about more right now.
"Also, for our new members, this is my friend, Trainer Kiryuin Aoi, and her assigned Uma Musume, Happy Meek. They'll be training alongside us today, so please treat them kindly."
Since Kiryuin Aoi had messaged Mizuno this morning, agreeing to his request and suggesting they meet today, Mizuno thought: sooner or later, Kiryuin Aoi would have to meet his Uma Musume anyway. Rather than letting them start fighting over some misunderstanding, he might as well take advantage of today's opportunity and invite both her and Happy Meek to join training. This not only saved time explaining but also ensured Kiryuin Aoi's safety…
And as Mizuno introduced Kiryuin Aoi and Happy Meek to everyone, he discreetly checked their Intent Glasses' ratings overhead.
[Kiryuin Aoi]: White Heart, 68/100.
[Happy Meek]: White Triangle, 53/100.
"Hello, everyone~" Kiryuin Aoi waved warmly at the gathered Uma Musume, her face radiating kindness.
"Hiya~!" Urara enthusiastically waved back, clearly delighted by Kiryuin Aoi's arrival.
But the other girls weren't nearly so happy.
"Stare——" These Uma Musume, overflowing with jealousy, squinted sharply, fiercely scrutinizing Kiryuin Aoi from head to toe, as if desperately searching this vile woman for some incredible trait they themselves lacked. Otherwise, they wouldn't accept it—just why did this woman have the right to steal away their beloved?!
Especially Rice Shower—her eyes already turned empty, her tiny hand slowly reaching toward the small knife hidden at her waist, as though the only thing capable of soothing her bitter heart was the thought that she could pull out a blade at any moment and quietly remove this annoying threat.
Feeling the thick hostility radiating from the girls, Kiryuin Aoi awkwardly smiled, took a cautious step closer to Mizuno, then leaned down slightly, covering her mouth as she whispered nervously:
"Trainer Mizuno, your Uma Musume seem really unhappy with me… I'm not in danger, am I?"
"Relax. I've already vaccinated them against that..." Mizuno also covered his mouth, responding quietly:
"As long as you never accept my so-called 'confession,' you'll never be in danger. In fact, they'll even protect you, since it suits their purposes."
"Really? Then I'll trust you on this, Trainer Mizuno." Kiryuin Aoi visibly relaxed, breathing a relieved sigh.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something important, she lightly tapped Mizuno's shoulder and continued whispering:
"Oh, by the way, Trainer Mizuno—have you prepared a gift for me?"
"A gift?" Mizuno raised an eyebrow, clearly confused about what she meant.
"Yes, a gift," Kiryuin nodded, smiling playfully as she raised one finger. "When you pursue someone romantically, don't you usually give them gifts? Like Trainer Kaneshiro—he sends me gifts every single day."
"..." As Mizuno tried to process her words, he suddenly caught hold of a critical problem in her statement.
"Wait! Who did you say sends you gifts?! Trainer Kaneshiro?!"
Mizuno's eyes widened in shock, the image of a certain yasashii trainer—who should long ago have been thoroughly Uma Pyoi'd by his own Uma Musume—immediately surfacing in his mind…
Kaneshiro Takeru! The overly gentle man who constantly danced on the very edge of the Uma Pyoi abyss!
Yet somehow, that guy still hadn't been locked away in a basement by his own assigned Uma Musume, Daisy? And he even had spare energy left to send gifts to another woman?!
"Trainer Kaneshiro is pursuing you?!" Mizuno asked incredulously.
"Yeah…" Kiryuin Aoi sighed, rubbing her forehead with an expression of mild annoyance. "He's been sending me a bouquet of roses every single day for two weeks now, constantly inviting me out for meals, hoping I'll accept his feelings and become his girlfriend."
Mizuno went silent, feeling his face heat up slightly with irritation.
Not out of jealousy because Kaneshiro Takeru was pursuing Kiryuin Aoi, but simply due to sheer anger at the unfairness of heaven!
Why had that bastard Kaneshiro Takeru, who'd been courting death every single day—openly provoking Daisy countless times—still not been punished? How could he possibly have the leisure to pursue other women?!
Meanwhile, Mizuno himself, despite carefully following every rule and maintaining maximum vigilance, was still being pursued aggressively by a group of Uma Musume, completely unable to escape his fate of eventually being Uma Pyoi'd…
This isn't fair! Mizuno clenched his teeth bitterly, fists tightening unconsciously.
Heavens above, open your eyes already! Hurry up and get that bastard Kaneshiro Takeru locked away—otherwise, I'll never feel satisfied!
"Trainer Mizuno?" Seeing Mizuno's sudden silence, Kiryuin Aoi worried that Mizuno had become upset hearing about Kaneshiro pursuing her. Feeling nervous, she quickly explained:
"Trainer Mizuno, please don't misunderstand! I never agreed to Trainer Kaneshiro's invitations, nor did I accept his roses—I don't have any feelings for him at all!"
"Also…" Kiryuin Aoi pressed her hand earnestly to her chest. "It's not that I'm greedy or vain; it's just, since you want to pretend you're pursuing me, if you don't do something symbolic and just act the same way toward me as always, your Uma Musume won't buy it, right?"
"Hmm… that's true enough…" Mizuno felt she made a good point, so he stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"A gift, huh…"
Mizuno hadn't prepared anything beforehand for Kiryuin Aoi—after all, he wasn't truly pursuing her, so naturally he hadn't thought of bringing any gifts along.
But if he ran off now and fetched roses, it might seem like he was genuinely serious, causing misunderstandings. The safest move was to check his four-dimensional pocket to see if there was anything suitable lying around—this way, he could save face and complete the mission simultaneously.
Thus, Mizuno reached into his four-dimensional pocket, rummaging for a moment before finally pulling out a bamboo basket filled to the brim with fresh carrots.
"Uh… carrots?"
Mizuno blinked innocently, holding out the basketful of carrots toward Kiryuin Aoi. They were part of the supplies he kept regularly to improve his team's diet.
Kiryuin Aoi stared at what Mizuno was holding, momentarily stunned. Then, after realizing what he'd offered, she broke into a bright, amused smile.
"Pfft—! I'm not an Uma Musume, you know! Who gives carrots when pursuing a human girl?"
Though Kiryuin Aoi pretended to complain, she still reached out happily and accepted the carrots, laughing softly:
"Still, I actually really like this gift. Happy Meek was just recently craving a big carrot feast, so your timing is perfect, Trainer Mizuno~"
"As long as you like it." Mizuno shrugged nonchalantly.