The honey drink in McQueen's hand was split into six portions, just enough for one teacup each.

The six Uma present all raised their cups together and drank.

Mejiro Dober: "So fresh. So delicious."

Mejiro Ryan: "Ohhh—this is way too good! I feel like every muscle in my body is boiling over!"

Mejiro Palmer: "Indeed! As if my whole body has been cleansed! Fatigue and gloom all vanished into thin air!"

Mejiro Ardan didn't speak, still maintaining her graceful silence, but from the shock on her face it was clear—inside her heart, a tidal wave was crashing.

Even their grandmother, usually so strict, never praising anything lightly, gave a rare approving word after tasting it.

"Mm. It is indeed delicious." For the first time in a long while, Grandmother showed a happy smile.

"Yes… yes, it is…" But McQueen herself didn't look so happy.

She stared at her now-empty teacup, heart breaking.

Uuu… her full glass of honey drink had been split apart, leaving her with only a tiny bit. She had finished it in a sip, utterly unsatisfied…

"McQueen." At that moment, Grandmother turned to her.

"Y-yes, Grandmother, do you have orders?" McQueen immediately straightened.

"How much does one glass of this honey drink cost? If it is not expensive, I plan to establish a long-term contract with its maker and appoint him as our family's exclusive honey drink master."

She had already decided: this honey drink must be added to the Mejiro family's daily menu.

Because Grandmother had sensed it clearly. This was not just tasty—it carried mysterious effects. It lifted the drinker's spirit, melted away fatigue. Its value far surpassed ordinary beverages, already touching the realm of high-grade medicinal cuisine!

Whether she drank it herself did not matter. The important thing was the girls before her—the Mejiro family's future. If they could each drink one every day, perhaps they could grow even stronger than fate originally allowed.

"To be able to drink this every day? Amazing!" The four younger sisters all cheered at Grandmother's words.

"Uh…" McQueen hesitated for a moment, then answered:

"That… might not be possible…"

Grandmother: "Why? Is it too expensive?"

McQueen: "No… in fact, it's free…"

Grandmother: "Free?"

McQueen: "Yes. Even to the point that if I want more, there's always more…"

Grandmother: "So whenever you want, it appears?"

McQueen: "Not exactly. But almost. Even if Trainer Mizuno often vanishes without a trace… if I ask him, and tell him my location… then before long, a honey drink will appear nearby…"

The more McQueen explained, the smaller her voice became.

Because she suddenly realized… Trainer Mizuno was treating her far too well.

But Mizuno was always so mild, always keeping a little distance with everyone. He helped people without asking for thanks, often slipping away before they even realized it. She had grown used to it, so she never noticed.

Only now, recounting it step by step to her grandmother, did she finally understand—Trainer Mizuno really was yasashii to the core…

"Trainer Mizuno?!" Grandmother was slightly startled.

She rarely interfered with the children's choice of trainers. But as their elder, she had to think of their futures. She needed to know what kind of man was guiding them.

So from the moment the butler reported that McQueen had joined a certain team, Grandmother had ordered an investigation into that team's trainer.

The report came back: this "Mizuno Sota" trainer had no background at all. From his name alone one could guess he was at least Japanese, but beyond that—nothing.

Who would have thought such exquisite honey drink came from this unknown man.

"But what has that to do with him being our exclusive honey drink maker? Surely the pay of a mere trainer cannot compare with the benefits of working for the Mejiro family?" Grandmother pressed.

"Cough, cough…" McQueen's face flushed red as she explained:

"I already invited him once. But Trainer Mizuno said… because he has formed a bond of responsibility, he must devote himself to his charge. Before fulfilling his Uma's dream, he will never abandon the work of a trainer. Because he and his charge… are of one body and one heart."

"One body and one heart…"

Grandmother lifted her head slightly, as though recalling something from the past.

To turn down better treatment for the sake of one's Uma… yes, that was the mark of a good trainer.

Since he had refused so clearly, with one body and one heart as his reason, though it was a pity, Grandmother dropped the thought of hiring him. After all, the Mejiro were no gangsters—how could they forcibly abduct someone for their own gain?

But still… a trainer had his own worth. Trainer Mizuno was so responsible, perhaps she could truly entrust McQueen to him.

And judging from McQueen's bashful, fidgeting look right now, it seemed the girl herself also leaned that way…

Grandmother asked, "McQueen, is this the matter you wished to announce, the one concerning the future of the Mejiro family?"

McQueen shook her head. "No. The matter of the family's future… is something else."

She turned and gave the butler an order:

"Butler, bring it in."

"Yes."

The butler bowed and stepped out. Soon he returned with two servants, carrying in a strangely shaped treadmill, setting it down in the hall's open space.

"This is…?"

"Trainer Mizuno built this treadmill by himself," McQueen said.

Wanting everyone to witness Mizuno's skill in craftsmanship, with his permission, she had brought back the Burn-the-Boats Treadmill.

Of course, Mizuno himself didn't know she was going to display it to the Mejiro family. He thought she was hauling it back for extra practice, secretly trying to overtrain—so he had agreed.

"He built this alone?" Grandmother examined the treadmill closely.

Though its shape was odd, the materials and the joints clearly showed—it was not some shoddy thing. Quite the opposite, its quality was very high.

So this Trainer Mizuno not only made desserts, he could build treadmills on his own?

Was he not far too versatile?

"Grandmother, the excellence of this treadmill is beyond your imagination," McQueen said seriously.

"Let me demonstrate."

She returned to her room, changed into training clothes, then climbed onto the treadmill, showing them all its functions.

"!" The other Uma were struck dumb with shock.

This contraption was leagues ahead of the training gear in their own estate! With it, their training would be vastly more effective!

"Grandmother, and this isn't even the most astonishing part…"

McQueen revealed that this treadmill was only the basic version.

"You mean… he will make even more advanced equipment in the future?" Grandmother asked.

"Yes." McQueen nodded.

"…"

The hall fell silent. All eyes fixed on the treadmill Trainer Mizuno had built, minds racing.

Especially Grandmother, the head of the Mejiro household—her thoughts ran deeper than the young ones'.

"McQueen, do you know Trainer Mizuno's age?"

"He should be quite young. Around twenty, I think…" McQueen replied.

Though she had never seen his true face, from the way he played easily with Gold Ship, treated Rice Shower like a little sister, his habits and speech—all pointed to someone around twenty.

"Twenty?" Grandmother was stunned.

She had assumed this trainer must be a master in his fifties or sixties. But he was only twenty?!

So young, and yet already this skilled. His future was limitless!

Such a world-class talent could never be let go. He must be bound firmly to the Mejiro family!

Grandmother pondered for a long while, then finally gave her command to the five young Uma before her:

"No matter the cost—capture his heart!"