Mizuno Sora truly hadn't expected Tokai Teio to bring Mejiro McQueen along. Hadn't she said she wanted extra honey drinks to take home for a midnight snack? Why had she shared them with someone else?!

And out of all people, it was Mejiro McQueen! Alone she wasn't frightening, but paired with Tokai Teio, they'd trigger each other's competitive streaks, accelerating his one-way trip to the dreaded basement!

But the biggest shock was Mejiro McQueen's earlier request:

To hire him as the exclusive Honey Drink Specialist for the Mejiro family?

"Mizuno-san." Mejiro McQueen handed him a bank card.

"This is an advance payment containing 100 million yen. If you agree, your salary will be several times higher."

The 100 million yen was several months' worth of McQueen's saved allowance. Initially, she'd planned to secretly buy loads of desserts, storing them to indulge herself whenever she pleased. But after tasting Mizuno's heavenly honey drink, she decided she'd happily give up all future snacks (probably) if she could just secure this master honey-drink-maker for her family.

McQueen's plan was straightforward. If Mizuno agreed, she wouldn't need to consult her grandmother. Instead, she'd simply gather her sisters, using their combined allowances to pay his salary, ensuring they could drink his delicious honey drink every single day.

If he refused, she'd reluctantly inform her grandmother. With her grandmother's wisdom, she'd instantly recognize the honey drink's immense value and mobilize the family's power to kidnap—no, to forcibly hire—Mizuno anyway, and McQueen would still get her daily fill of honey drinks.

Absolutely perfect.

"Hiss—" Mizuno sucked in a sharp breath.

100 million yen—that was roughly 5 million RMB! And this was just the advance payment?!

So this was the financial might of the legendary Mejiro family. A single casual offer was enough to match what Mizuno could earn after a lifetime of hard work.

But it made sense, after all. Mizuno was the only person in the world capable of creating S-grade honey drinks. Honestly, 100 million yen probably wasn't enough.

He was currently broke, desperately needing money to buy specialized training equipment for Urara. Accepting this tempting offer wouldn't actually be a bad choice.

However...

"I'm sorry, but I must decline," Mizuno refused without hesitation.

Accepting the position as the Mejiro family's Honey Drink Specialist meant quitting his job as a trainer. Without his trainer status, he'd lose the Doctor's Outfit that protected his life.

When the remaining time ran out, the Doctor's Outfit would disappear, revealing his "horse catnip" constitution, and then he'd be utterly overwhelmed by all the Mejiro girls!

Besides, if he resigned as a trainer, what would happen to Urara? Abandoning her was something Mizuno simply couldn't bring himself to do.

He'd already established an official trainer-Uma Musume relationship with Urara. He'd even made a vow. Mizuno would never betray that bond for money, not even for all the wealth in the world.

"Is it about the salary? We can negotiate—"

"No, that's not the issue." Mizuno shook his head, gently pulling Urara over to stand in front of him.

"Because I've officially become Urara-san's trainer, it's my responsibility to raise her into a powerful racehorse girl. Until she takes first place in the [Arima Kinen], I won't resign from being a trainer," Mizuno declared firmly.

"[Arima Kinen]?!" Both Mejiro McQueen and Urara exclaimed in shock.

The [Arima Kinen] was a prestigious [Grade 1] international race held by the Japan Racing Association, with a distance of 2500 meters. It was hosted at Nakayama Racecourse in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, on the final Sunday of each year. Being one of Japan's most significant races, it attracted only the absolute elite among Uma Musume. Anyone who managed to win such a prestigious race would instantly gain worldwide acclaim and admiration.

In short, winning the [Arima Kinen] was every Uma Musume's ultimate dream.

Yet Mizuno had boldly declared that he intended to help Urara achieve first place in that very race—an extraordinarily ambitious goal!

"Trainer-san~! Urara is so moved~!" Tears streamed from Urara's eyes as she leapt into Mizuno's arms.

Urara knew perfectly well she lacked talent and natural speed. No matter how hard she trained, she'd likely never even achieve a single victory. No trainer had ever wanted her, let alone believed she could place first.

But Trainer-san was different. Not only did he praise her constantly, but he'd also sworn to never give up on her until she stood victorious at [Arima Kinen]...

Her trainer was truly strong and gentle. Urara absolutely couldn't disappoint his expectations! She resolved to become strong enough to win the [Arima Kinen] one day!

"Trainer-san~!" Urara squeezed Mizuno's waist tightly.

Owowowow—!

Mizuno felt a sharp, intense pain in his lower back and nearly cried out loud. But, considering his rule of never showing weakness in front of Uma Musume, he desperately endured.

Indeed, human and Uma Musume strength couldn't be compared. Although Urara was much smaller than him, her strength was monstrous. A bit more force, and she'd easily snap him in half!

While Urara was deeply moved, Mejiro McQueen was worried.

McQueen admired people like Mizuno who took responsibility seriously. Turning down a lucrative offer for his trainee's sake was truly admirable.

But admiration was admiration. If Urara-san never took first place in the [Arima Kinen], then wouldn't that mean McQueen could never taste the delicious honey drink daily?

Such a tragedy couldn't be allowed!

Thinking carefully, Mejiro McQueen came up with a brilliant idea.

"Mizuno-san, I actually have a win-win solution."

"Please speak," Mizuno replied politely, gently freeing himself from Urara's crushing embrace and discreetly massaging his aching back.

He obviously wouldn't accept any new proposals, but at least he could hear McQueen out first before politely declining.

"Mizuno-san, you want Urara-san to win the [Arima Kinen], correct?" McQueen began.

"Yes." Mizuno nodded sincerely.

Winning [Arima Kinen] wasn't just an excuse to refuse the Mejiro family's offer—it was truly Mizuno's personal aspiration.

He could never forget the hopeful video he'd once seen online, uploaded by a fellow fan, depicting Haru Urara triumphantly winning the [Arima Kinen]. Every time he remembered it, his blood surged with excitement.

If possible, he genuinely wanted to see that dream become reality—to personally witness Urara's glorious victory.

"But you're still a rookie trainer, correct?" McQueen continued.

"Yes, that's true. As a rookie trainer, I'm inexperienced and far from becoming a seasoned professional," Mizuno admitted honestly.

At his current low skill level, helping Urara win the [Arima Kinen] was practically impossible. Thus, Mizuno assumed there'd never come a day where he'd resign from training and become a Honey Drink Specialist. McQueen surely realized that as well.

However, Mizuno's polite refusal unknowingly played right into McQueen's hands.

"Hehe," Mejiro McQueen smirked subtly, realizing her plan had succeeded.

"If Mizuno-san truly wants Urara-san to win the [Arima Kinen] but acknowledges his current inexperience, why not do this instead..."

"Our Mejiro family can dispatch an experienced, veteran trainer who's previously coached an [Arima Kinen] winner, to assist you in training Urara-san."

"You'd simply serve as that trainer's assistant, training alongside them. Not only would you gain valuable experience, but you'd also have extra free time to work for our family as our exclusive Honey Drink Specialist."

"This arrangement fulfills your dream for Urara-san's victory and grants our Mejiro family the skilled Honey Drink Master we desire—a perfect win-win."

"What do you think?"

After hearing McQueen's suggestion, Mizuno froze.

Eh? Why… did that sound oddly reasonable?