Though Top Gun didn't understand why Mizuno had crawled across the floor only to crawl back again, nor why he suddenly looked so dejected now, that didn't stop her from continuing to chat with this strangely interesting Trainer.
"Trainer-san?" Top Gun leaned forward, her curious eyes fixed on Mizuno, who sat with his head down.
"You and Teio really don't have anything?"
"..." Mizuno's whole body flinched. Slowly he raised his head, facing Top Gun's eager expression, his mouth twitching uncontrollably.
This girl... why was she asking about him and Teio again? Was she seriously trying to ship them?
Stop it already! Some people can't be shipped! Shipping everything recklessly will only hurt you!
"Top Gun-san, the relationship between me and Teio is a pure Trainer–Uma one. I see Teio the way an older brother sees his little sister. I don't have any improper thoughts, so please don't misunderstand." Mizuno pressed a hand over his chest, as if swearing to his sincerity.
"Ehh~ just like a brother?" Top Gun clearly wore a yeah right, I don't buy it face.
"Then why is Teio's scent so strong on you?"
Scent was a kind of mark.
Uma not only used it to recognize where their Trainer was—they also marked important people with their own body fragrance.
Just like animals in nature use fluids to stake out territory, when an Uma left her scent on someone, it was her way of declaring to all others: this one belongs to me.
And right now, Trainer Mizuno's body was thick with Teio's scent...
This Trainer had already been claimed by Teio.
Mizuno sniffed his own clothes. Sure enough, there was a trace of Tokai Teio's fragrance—probably from when she'd been sweaty and clinging to him during training, rubbing against him.
Just now, when he'd tried his stealth escape, he'd been cautious to make no sound at all. Yet Teio had still sensed him. Maybe it was because of this scent—that's what betrayed him...
Mizuno rubbed his chin in thought, then pulled out a deodorizing spray Gold Ship had invented, misting himself several times before asking:
"How about now—can you still smell it?"
Top Gun twitched her nose, leaned close to sniff carefully, then shook her head.
"Good." Mizuno tucked the spray away, slid naturally off the bed, turned over, and once again began crawling toward the door.
"?" Top Gun tilted her head.
Hadn't she seen this scene before?
But she really couldn't figure out what he was trying to do. Maybe, like he'd told Teio earlier, he really did want to "tour the room" in this strange pose?
So she didn't question or stop him—just watched curiously.
"Just a little more... just reach that spot!"
In truth, Mizuno was planning another escape.
Once he saw even a sliver of hope, he would bet everything on seizing it.
With last time's experience, he crawled faster, quieter this time, no sound at all. Soon he was at the door. And now, without Teio's scent clinging too strongly to him, she wouldn't notice.
But this time was more dangerous than before. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍
Because the water sounds from the bathroom had already stopped.
Maybe Teio was just soaping herself—pausing the flow temporarily.
Or maybe she had finished entirely, and was dressing now, about to come out.
In front of Mizuno lay only two options:
One—gamble. Bet that Teio was still washing with soap and wouldn't come out. If he opened the door now, he could slip away.
Two—play it safe. Retreat, act like nothing happened, and wait until the water started running again to move.
But hope was right in front of him. Mizuno couldn't bear to give it up. And girls didn't bathe that fast—surely Teio was still scrubbing down. She wouldn't come out yet.
So Mizuno chose to gamble.
"No choice but to go all in!"
He reached for the door.
Before his hand could touch it, the frosted glass bathroom door burst open.
"Ta-da~" A cloud of white steam billowed out, and Tokai Teio, dressed in a fresh school uniform, leapt out happily, landing with a thud.
"Pff!" For some reason, the floor beneath her feet gave a faint groan.
"Trainer Mizuno~ I finished bathing!" Teio called excitedly toward her bed.
She couldn't wait to see him again. She'd even cut her shower short, scrubbing herself spotless all over, just to return quickly to the embrace that had been cut off half an hour ago.
If only Trainer Mizuno would help blow-dry her hair and smooth her tail afterward...
"Where is he?" Teio blinked. Mizuno was nowhere to be seen.
Looking around, she found only Top Gun staring at her in shock, like she'd just done something terrible.
"Top Gun, where's Trainer Mizuno?" Teio asked.
"Uh... right under you." Top Gun scratched her cheek awkwardly and pointed down at Teio's feet.
"Eh?" Only then did Teio notice the unevenness beneath her. It felt like she was stepping on something.
She looked down—and there was Mizuno.
He lay sprawled on the ground, left index finger stretched toward the door, as if something of utmost importance waited there, just out of reach.
But Teio's warm, still-slightly-damp foot had come down squarely on his back as she leapt out, cutting off his escape completely.
"I bet wrong..." Mizuno muttered in a frail voice, weak as if his life had been drained away.
Teio jumped back in panic, dropped to her knees, and turned him over, cradling him in her arms.
"I'm sorry! Trainer Mizuno! I didn't mean it! Are you alright?!"
She shook his limp body, eyes filled with guilt.
What if she'd actually injured him badly? He looked so weak now—like he'd really taken a serious blow.
Her eyes brimmed with tears as she fussed over him, hands flying everywhere in panic.
"I'm fine!" Mizuno's eyes shot open. He quickly grabbed her hands, both to reassure her and to stop her from groping all over him.
"Eh? But you looked so weak just now..." Teio blinked in confusion.
A moment ago, his murmuring voice had been faint, lacking all strength. How was he suddenly this lively?
"I really am fine," Mizuno said firmly.
"I was just a little tired, that's all. You didn't injure me. With your weight, at most it was like getting a massage."
Teio was light. He could usually pick her up with ease. And her landing had been a light jump—enough to sting his back, but not enough to cause internal damage.
What Teio had truly injured wasn't his body—but his heart.
Success had been right there. And once again, at the final moment, he was caught. Mizuno was beginning to feel disheartened.
Am I really destined never to escape the Monarch's Basement...
That was why he had collapsed like a dead man—not because of any real injury.
"Really?" Teio still didn't seem convinced.
To prove it, Mizuno sat up and thumped his back with his fist, showing her he was fine.
"Phew... that's good..." Teio exhaled in relief at last.
But as soon as she relaxed, something struck her as odd.
Strange. Trainer Mizuno's body should carry her scent. If he passed by, she should sense it.
Why hadn't she noticed just now?
Lowering her head, she sniffed his body. Her expression gradually darkened.
The scent... was gone.
The mark she had worked so hard to leave on him—how had it vanished in the time it took her to shower?
No good. She would have to redo it later!