"Young man? Young man?"

Through the haze of half-sleep, Mizuno heard someone calling.

He opened his eyes—it was the bus driver.

"Young man, we're at the school now," the driver reminded him.

"…" Mizuno pulled himself up from the seat, looking out the window at the gates of Tracen Academy.

"How strange…" He shook his still-foggy head.

He could've sworn just a second ago, he was still on the bus back from the secret dorm… but in the blink of an eye, they were already at the academy gates?

After thinking for a bit, he realized the cause.

He must have been overstimulated, and with how tired his body was, he'd passed out.

And the source of the "stimulation"…

He pulled out his phone and saw King Halo's message: [And then?]

"Pff—" Mizuno couldn't hold it in, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

What the hell did that even mean? Did she want him to keep praising her?

But he'd already drained his brain dry coming up with compliments all night—how could she still not be satisfied?

He could already predict: King Halo's future husband was doomed. The poor soul would be wrung out both physically and mentally, left as a husk collapsed in a chair.

Just like Mizuno right now.

"Oysterrr…" Mizuno slumped again, nearly fainting a second time.

Terrifying. He wanted to lie flat, give up. He didn't want to praise King Halo anymore…

Seeing Mizuno collapse again, the bus driver offered advice:

"Young man, take care of your body. Don't stay up late. Your health is the most important."

"Thank you, sir… I'll try…" Mizuno answered weakly.

The driver's words stirred a faint spark of energy in him, and he forced himself upright.

The world wouldn't stop for his fear. To overcome fear, he had to face it. Turn fear into fuel—become stronger because of it.

Mizuno understood this truth. No matter how harsh things got, he couldn't quit. He'd keep going.

What was a little more praising King Halo? Easy. He could do it for several more nights and still get up the next day for work! It would even improve his eloquence. Sweet deal.

"Come, fear! Show me what you've got!"

He stepped off the bus.

And saw—standing as always by the gates—Hayakawa-san.

"Trainer Mizuno, good morning~" She immediately noticed him getting off, set aside her phone with his photo on it, and greeted him.

"…" Mizuno froze.

Wait—she actually came?!

He glanced at her.

Compared to before, she looked much better today—her spirit full and lively. She must have gotten a super restful sleep yesterday.

Of course, the cost of that was Mizuno being used as a fragrant body pillow…

"…" He hesitated, but in the end walked toward her.

"Good morning, Hayakawa-san."

He greeted her just like usual, as though yesterday's corner-trapping incident in the dark warehouse hadn't happened.

"Trainer Mizuno…"

The fact that he still dared approach her left Hayakawa-san with mixed feelings.

She had thought, after the disrespectful thing she'd done yesterday, he would avoid her the next day.

But to her surprise, Mizuno-dono was so magnanimous.

Not only had he not taken advantage of her while she slept, or abandoned her in the warehouse alone—he had carried her all the way to the infirmary…

And now, he wasn't avoiding her at all. He treated her the same as always.

"Trainer Mizuno, thank you for your generosity," Hayakawa-san said sincerely.

"It's fine, I didn't mind." Mizuno waved it off.

"If it let Hayakawa-san get a good night's sleep, then I'm honored."

"And besides, to be the pillow of the beautiful Hayakawa-san—others would be jealous. How could I feel unhappy about it?" He smiled as if he truly didn't mind yesterday at all.

Of course, reality was different.

He very much minded being used as a pillow. Just remembering how close he'd come to being pounced by Hayakawa-san yesterday made him shiver.

The only reason he wasn't deliberately avoiding her now… was because he had confidence.

That confidence was…

Ship-bro!

In his mind, Gold Ship's mighty figure appeared.

Heh, Hayakawa-san—now that I've got Ship-bro protecting me, you'll never corner me again, never use me as your pillow!

"Hmph." With that brother at his back, Mizuno straightened proudly.

"Trainer Mizuno…" Looking at his calm expression, Hayakawa-san's heart started racing.

Guilt, gratitude, joy, admiration—all mixed inside her, giving birth to a feeling she'd never had before.

Sour-sweet, itchy, warm, wanting to rely on him…

From that moment on, Mizuno was no longer just a friend in her eyes. He was a closer, more intimate confidant.

But what she didn't realize… was that maybe these feelings were even stronger than she herself thought.

Clutching her chest, eyes glistening with tears, she looked at him.

"Trainer Mizuno, to apologize for my improper actions yesterday, from now on, I'll cover all the costs of your parts purchases."

"Hm?" Mizuno raised his brows.

All the costs? That good a deal?

Those special parts were expensive. And he needed a lot. If he wanted to build everything in his book, even the money McQueen had given him wouldn't be enough.

And yet Hayakawa-san was saying she'd cover all of it. Was she that wealthy?

"No need, Hayakawa-san. My little savings are enough, really. No need for you to spend." He shook his head, refusing.

Sure, he'd love to be sponsored by a rich lady—but only if she wasn't an Uma Musume. Otherwise, no matter how much money he had for supplements, it wouldn't be enough to restore a body drained dry.

And besides, the book's equipment was tiered by difficulty. Only someone with the right skill level could build each one. Mizuno was still at the lowest tier. What he could make was limited. For now, his savings were enough.

Mizuno wasn't the type to freeload, so he refused.

"…Alright." Hayakawa-san looked a little disappointed, but quickly brightened and gazed at him with anticipation.

"Trainer Mizuno, if there's ever anything I can help you with, please tell me. I'll do my utmost."

She wanted to do something for him.

Simple or difficult, anything—anything to ease her guilt, to lessen the torment in her heart.

Even if it meant giving him half her salary. Even if it meant taking on hard labor in his stead.

As long as it didn't endanger the academy or the girls, she was fine with it.

Even if Mizuno asked her to be his girlfriend right now… she would accept.

"…" Thinking that made her cheeks burn. She touched her face, embarrassed.

Why did she… almost look forward to it?

"A favor, huh…" Mizuno thought.

Was there something only she could do?

Actually—yes.

"Then, Hayakawa-san, can I ask you something?"

Her eyes lit up. "What is it?"

"I need another batch of special parts. Could I trouble you to contact that friend of yours again?"

Last time, he'd only bought enough to make a single treadmill, since he wasn't sure of the quality.

But they'd proven excellent.

So now he wanted enough to make several treadmills—so everyone could have their own, instead of taking turns.

But he didn't know the craftsman. He could only ask Hayakawa-san again.

"Of course!" she said firmly.

"If you order now, the parts will arrive by afternoon. I'll take you to pick them up."

"Alright, but… where's the pickup point?" Mizuno asked cautiously.

"The same warehouse," she said.

"Ah…" Mizuno tensed.

Again?! Was this really not deliberate?

You want to corner me again?

"…" He instinctively stepped back.

Seeing his suspicion, Hayakawa-san hurriedly explained:

"Sorry—my friend's shy, doesn't like showing up in public. That's why the drop-off spot has to be secluded."

"But Trainer Mizuno, please believe me. This time I'll control myself. Absolutely no repeat of yesterday!"

"Trainer Mizuno… will you trust me?" She pressed a hand to her chest, gazing earnestly at him.

"Haha, of course I trust you."

Of course he didn't.

Last time, she had also said just to smell.

And then?

She ended up touching his face all over! Then hugging him as a pillow!

If not for her exhaustion making her fall asleep mid-hug, he would've lost his chastity right there!

So no—he absolutely did not trust her.

Quietly, Mizuno pulled out his phone and messaged his good bro.

[Conversation with Ship-bro]

[Mizuno]: Ship-bro, free this afternoon?

[Gold Ship]: Yup.

[Mizuno]: Be my bodyguard. Come with me to pick up some stuff.

[Gold Ship]: No problem.

[Mizuno]: Promise you'll come!

[Gold Ship]: Got it!

[Gold Ship]: [Confident expression sticker]

With her promise, Mizuno finally felt at ease.

Good bro, once you guard me through this pickup, I'll immediately build you that UFO.

"Thank you for trusting me, Trainer Mizuno," Hayakawa-san said gratefully.

"Then… this afternoon."

"See you this afternoon."