A new day, a fresh start.
Although last night's layered nightmare nearly scared Mizuno Sora half to death, his mental fortitude was strong enough to shake off such emotional trauma with a good night's sleep.
Or at least, it should have been…
Strong enough, my foot! I'm on the verge of a mental breakdown!
He hadn't slept a wink due to sheer terror!
He'd spent the entire morning psyching himself up just to leave his dorm room. Even running into the caretaker downstairs nearly gave him a heart attack. His mental state was completely shattered!
In this exhausted condition, his mind wasn't functioning well, and he nearly fell prey to the System's mischievous suggestion to stand in front of the Three Goddesses statue and shout, "I'm the hottest guy in Tracen!"
Fortunately, Mizuno's brain, even at its dullest, always seemed to regain clarity at crucial moments, narrowly dodging the System's devious prank.
To cope with his poor mental state, Mizuno adopted a strategy of "quenching thirst by imagining plums."
Indeed, he began picturing his two adorable girls, Urara and Rice Shower.
Just the thought of seeing Urara's healing smile in the afternoon—and possibly Rice Shower's presence too—filled him with renewed determination, washing away all his fears.
Tokai Teio? Who even is that?
He spent the morning reading and soothing his wounded heart. When the appointed time approached in the afternoon, Mizuno headed to the training grounds ten minutes early to meet Urara.
As soon as he arrived, he spotted his little angel, Urara. His weary soul instantly felt restored.
To his delight, Rice Shower, his favorite little sister, was also present!
"Haa~" Mizuno let out a contented sigh.
Then he noticed King Halo, their group's unofficial mom, probably here for more honey drinks, just like yesterday.
Hm? It looked like they'd made a new friend and were chatting happily.
New friends were always good—it meant Urara could benefit from even more friendship training.
Four beautiful girls stood at the edge of the track, joyfully sharing stories, all smiles and laughter.
Everything was so perfect.
Yet this perfection had a single glaring flaw...
Why was their new friend Tokai Teio?!
Small build, chestnut hair, bright blue eyes, and that unmistakable white crescent-shaped bang—who else could it be but Tokai Teio?!
Painful memories of last night surged back, prompting Mizuno's instinctive scream.
Immediately realizing his scream might attract unwanted attention from the "monster," he hastily covered his mouth.
Watching Urara and the others laughing merrily with Tokai Teio utterly baffled him.
What the hell happened?! How did Tokai Teio end up connecting with them?!
Teio seemed a little restless, repeatedly glancing around as if waiting for someone.
"I'd better run first." No matter who Teio was waiting for, Mizuno's choice was retreat.
But before fleeing, Mizuno had a duty to fulfill.
He quickly pulled out his phone.
"Ding-dong~" The girls' pleasant chatter was interrupted by Urara's phone notification.
Urara checked the message—it was from Mizuno.
"Eh? Trainer-san said he can't come today because he has some business. He sent me a detailed training plan to follow on my own," Urara explained.
Another message arrived with a clearly outlined training schedule. It was simple and easy to understand, perfect for Urara.
"What?! Mizuno-san isn't coming?! Does that mean no delicious honey drink today?!" King Halo immediately looked crestfallen.
"Eh? Why isn't he coming? And I was waiting specifically to meet him..." Tokai Teio beside her appeared even more disappointed.
Ever since tasting the legendary S-grade honey drink, Tokai Teio had become hopelessly addicted.
Compared to that masterpiece, all store-bought "premium" honey drinks tasted like concrete.
Yesterday, desperate for another taste, Teio had spent the entire day searching for the "God of Honey Drinks," even waiting all afternoon in the meeting room that Oguri Cap-senpai mentioned, neglecting her training entirely.
However, the legendary God of Honey Drinks had remained elusive.
Just as despair had nearly consumed her, and Teio thought she might never taste that heavenly nectar again, she happened to spot Urara and friends drinking the unmistakably colorful and fragrant honey drink as she passed the training grounds.
After rushing over to inquire, she learned that the drink was crafted by Urara's trainer. The kind-hearted Urara even offered Teio her own portion.
Just one sip confirmed it: Urara's trainer was undoubtedly the Honey Drink God she'd searched so hard for!
Determined, Tokai Teio decided today she'd stick close to Urara, hoping to finally meet this trainer and request another heavenly drink.
But now, filled with expectation, she'd just heard the devastating news that the Honey Drink God wouldn't be coming...
"Uuuu..." Tokai Teio sank once more into despair, her ears and tail drooping pitifully.
Mizuno didn't witness her depressed state. He'd already turned and fled the moment he finished sending the message.
"Onii-sama isn't coming today...?" Rice Shower also seemed disappointed upon hearing Mizuno wouldn't appear.
Her ears drooped sadly as she whispered unconsciously:
"I really wish I could see Onii-sama today..."
As soon as Rice Shower expressed that quiet wish, a mysterious force emanated from the lucky charm hanging around her neck, swiftly punching Mizuno with karmic precision.
Mid-escape, Mizuno suddenly slipped.
He slid rapidly down the grassy slope, unable to stop himself, finally landing at Rice Shower's feet.
"What?!" Mizuno stared in shock.
Why does this kind of slip feel so familiar? Hadn't Rice Shower's God of Misfortune already been exorcised? Why am I still falling?!
"Eh? Onii-sama!" Rice Shower exclaimed joyfully upon noticing him sprawled on the ground, her ears twitching with excitement.
How lucky! She only had to think about him, and he appeared right away!
At Rice Shower's exclamation, the other three girls quickly noticed Mizuno too.
Within seconds, Mizuno was surrounded by four eager girls—escape was now utterly impossible.
Awkwardly, Mizuno stood up, looking sheepishly at the four Uma Musume encircling him.
Damn it! I almost got away! Slipping at that crucial moment... this has the God of Misfortune written all over it!
Mizuno: God of Misfortune! Damn you!
God of Misfortune: ???
"Mizuno-san! What are you doing here? Didn't you say you had business?" King Halo asked curiously.
Mizuno prepared to respond, but Urara eagerly answered first.
"Trainer-san is a super powerful ninja! He must have finished his important business already, right, Trainer-san?" Urara gazed at Mizuno admiringly.
"Ah... yes, everything's taken care of..." Mizuno scratched his head sheepishly.
"Yay~!" Urara cheered joyfully. "Let's start training, Trainer-san!"
"Alright..." Mizuno sighed in resignation.
If running was impossible, he had no choice but to face his greatest fear head-on. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✦𝓷𝓮𝓽
He turned to face Tokai Teio.
"Hello there, Miss Hokuto Sei—no, wait... Mizuno-san~" Tokai Teio greeted him sweetly, eyes sparkling mischievously.
Just as she'd suspected! The person who'd sent her President Rudolf's rare photos under the name Hokuto Seiji, the legendary Honey Drink God Nakiri Erina, and the new trainer Mizuno-san—they were all the same person!