"Burn-the-Boats Treadmill?"

Everyone tilted their heads in confusion, eyes fixed curiously on the strangely designed treadmill.

Mizuno nodded and began his introduction:

"The running belt is covered in synthetic grass—the texture and toughness are the same as real turf, and the belt itself has the softness of soil. Stepping on it feels almost identical to running on a real track."

"The treadmill has different modes. In competition mode, the sides will occasionally push against the runner—simulating the jostling from other Uma Musume."

"And most importantly, the treadmill automatically adjusts its speed."

"If the runner speeds up, the belt speeds up. If they slow down, the belt slows too, preventing them from tripping."

"And if they do fall, airbags pop up immediately from beneath to protect them."

"And this is only the basic version. There's also an advanced one—with more functions, like simulating weather conditions or running through turns. Unfortunately, I don't know how to build that one yet." Mizuno laughed.

"Waaah~" Everyone's eyes sparkled at the thought of so many functions. They crowded around, marveling at it.

"This!" Mejiro McQueen was more shocked than anyone else, her gaze locked firmly on the treadmill.

She had thought Mizuno-dono was only a honey drink master—but he was also a master of training equipment design!

This treadmill outclassed even the latest high-end machines her family owned—several times more advanced, far beyond anything on the market.

"Mizuno-dono, may I ask—how long did it take you to build this basic treadmill?" McQueen asked.

"Uh… about one morning."

"One morning?!" McQueen's pupils trembled, utterly shaken.

In her heart, Mizuno's status shot up several levels—from Master of Training Equipment to God of Training Equipment.

Do you know what "one morning" means? On a factory assembly line, dozens of workers collaborating for efficiency would need a full day to make a single ordinary treadmill. And Mizuno-dono, alone, had made a treadmill several times more advanced—in just a morning?!

This wasn't a master.

This was a god.

A talent like this was a priceless treasure no Uma Musume family could afford to let slip away. With his support, a minor family could rise into a major one; a major family could grow so powerful it outstripped all rivals, becoming the single dominant clan.

If the Mejiro family obtained this technology, they wouldn't just dominate long-distance races—they could reign supreme across every event.

He must join the Mejiro family! McQueen decided firmly.

Before, she had only thought of Mizuno-dono as a honey drink dispenser. But now, she couldn't use force to drag him in. A god had to be invited.

Otherwise, if Mizuno-dono refused to cooperate, the family's future for centuries would collapse—and she would go down in Mejiro history as a sinner, scorned by descendants forever.

So how to make Mizuno-dono willingly join the Mejiro family?

Hiring him was impossible—he was too responsible to abandon his own Uma Musume for money. She had learned that already when he refused her earlier offer to become the Mejiro family's exclusive honey drink maker.

Then there was only one option.

Marriage.

McQueen recalled the word often used by her elders—it was the classic way for families to absorb talent.

If Mizuno-dono married into the family, he would be part of Mejiro. Then his technology would become a family heirloom.

And she could drink his honey drinks every day. Perfect.

But… which sister would be suitable to marry him?

Bright? Ryan? Dober? Ardan?

Or… herself…

"Ahem…" McQueen's cheeks flushed red as she coughed awkwardly.

True, Mizuno-dono was generous, gentle, smart, responsible, funny, and made delicious honey drinks—perfect husband material…

"Ahem…" She coughed again, even more flustered.

But she had never seen his real face under the hood. What if he wasn't her type? Better to let one of her sisters handle it.

This weekend, she must go home and report to Grandmother.

While McQueen was plotting to bring Mizuno into the Mejiro family, the other Uma Musume were lining up to try the treadmill.

Urara went first.

"It really feels like the track~" she said happily as she ran.

The texture and firmness were identical to grass.

And since the treadmill adjusted automatically to her pace, she could train both slowing down to conserve stamina and bursting past rivals—without splitting her focus. She could just enjoy running.

"Happy~" Urara grinned brightly.

But then, an accident.

"Ah!" Her foot slipped, and she pitched forward.

"Urara-chan!"

Just as everyone thought she would crash, an airbag popped out from under the treadmill, catching her.

"Eh?" Urara blinked, stunned inside the soft cushion.

She had expected the usual scrapes and bruises—or worse, a swollen knee that would put her out of training for days.

But this time, thanks to the airbag, she wasn't hurt at all.

"Heh." Mizuno smiled confidently.

This was exactly the purpose of his design—to drastically reduce training accidents for Uma Musume.

"My turn! My turn!" The others each took a turn on the treadmill.

"I'll try." McQueen was the last.

After one run, her determination to marry Mizuno strengthened tenfold.

At that moment, Rice Shower raised a question:

"Using this Burn-the-Boats Treadmill… do you really need someone behind you threatening you?"

"No." Mizuno shook his head and explained:

"The name was just something I made up. You don't actually need someone threatening you from behind."

"Compared to the negative motivation of danger chasing you, the drive to pursue a goal is much more fitting."

"So the best way is to put something you most love—or most want—right in front of you. That's what will motivate you to keep running."

"Something we love… or want most…" The girls thought it over.

And in this place… wasn't there already something, right in front of them?

"…" One by one, all their gazes turned toward Mizuno.

"Hisss…" Feeling the weight of every Uma Musume's stare, Mizuno suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

Th-this… isn't right…