But no matter how loudly Mizuno screamed for help inside, it was fated that no one would save him anytime soon.

Because everyone else always arrived early—there was still half an hour until the agreed time. Which meant Mizuno might have to endure being clung to by these two terrifying Uma Musume for another thirty minutes before it ended!

Half an hour. Not long, not short.

If you spent it playing a game, it would feel far too little—not nearly enough, you'd want to keep playing for hours.

If you spent it staring at a blank wall, it would feel boring but tolerable—you'd just wish you could do something more meaningful.

But if you were Mizuno, in this Tracen world, being hugged tightly by two Uma Musume—one of whom was Tokai Teio...

Half an hour wasn't about "boring or not." It was about life and death!

Who knew what might happen in that half hour? If the two Uma Musume got angry and tightened their grip even slightly, his fragile human body would snap instantly!

The only small comfort was that although Teio and King Halo seemed to be competing with each other for some reason, they were still holding back. They hadn't even argued out loud yet, just puffed up their cheeks and glared at each other. His arms remained intact.

But in fact—that was even worse.

Teio and Halo had locked his arms firmly without hurting him. That meant they probably already knew Uma Musume strength far exceeded humans, and they were deliberately controlling it, afraid to injure him.

And then there was what Teio had said earlier—she was just treating him like an onii-chan, which was why she acted so intimately...

If that were true, it would be fine. That would mean Teio had no special feelings for him, and as long as he treated her normally, there would be no problem.

But if it was a lie—and she was hugging him this close anyway...

I'm doomed!

Mizuno didn't dare even imagine what the future held. He only knew he was absolutely finished!

In two different ways!

And he couldn't even fight back now. He had this instinct: if he tried to pull his hands free, his fate would be even more miserable...

"Ababa..." So Mizuno imitated a certain immortal space junk—completely abandoning thought.

Meanwhile, the contest between Halo and Teio continued.

"Halo-san, why are you hugging Trainer Mizuno too? Isn't that a little inappropriate?" Teio narrowed her eyes and pressed her.

"I..." Halo stammered.

She couldn't just say outright that Trainer Mizuno was her destined lover...

That would be a perfect reason to crush Teio's flimsy "onii-chan" claim, but saying it herself would be too humiliating. She didn't have that courage yet.

So instead, she argued: "I also see Trainer Mizuno as my onii-chan. Naturally, that makes it fine."

As she said it, she squeezed his arm tighter.

"Onii-chan?" Teio frowned.

Not only had Halo stolen her precious alone time with Trainer Mizuno—she wanted to steal being his little sister too?!

"Trainer Mizuno's favorite little sister is definitely the future undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume—me, Tokai Teio. Isn't that right? Onii-chan~" Teio looked at him expectantly.

Mizuno stayed silent.

"See~" Teio took his silence as agreement, smiling brightly.

"Grr..." Halo was not pleased.

Trainer Mizuno's favorite Uma Musume had to be the first-class King Halo. Even as a little sister—that should be her!

"Trainer Mizuno's favorite little sister is definitely the first-class King Halo. Isn't that right, Trainer Mizuno?" Halo demanded, staring at him.

Mizuno continued his silence.

"Ohohoho—! Trainer Mizuno agrees~" Halo lifted her chin proudly.

"Grr..." Teio puffed out her cheeks.

"Trainer Mizuno's favorite Uma Musume isn't anyone else—it's the Invincible Teio!"

"No—it's the First-class King Halo!"

"Teio, Teio, Teio—!"

"Halo, Halo, Halo—!"

The two Uma Musume bickered, rubbing their faces frantically against Mizuno, as if competing for closeness.

"Trainer Mizuno, say something!" Teio and Halo demanded at the same time.

But Mizuno still said nothing.

"Trainer Mizuno?" They finally realized something was wrong.

They saw his body had gone limp, unmoving and speechless, like an empty husk with no soul.

Quickly, they let go of his arms.

Without support, Mizuno toppled backward, collapsing onto the grass.

He had already fainted...

...

When Mizuno's consciousness returned, half an hour had passed.

"Where... am I?"

He felt a prickling sensation on his back, like he was lying on grass. His head seemed to be resting on something—not a pillow, but soft. A faint, lovely scent drifted around him.

It wasn't fabric. More like the lap of a small-bodied Uma Musume.

Mizuno opened his eyes—and saw the adorable Rice Shower gazing down at him.

"Onii-sama, you're awake~" Rice Shower smiled.

Waa it's Rice Shower, the one Onii-sama likes best!

And judging from their positions... Rice Shower was giving him a lap pillow.

"A dream..." Mizuno thought it must be. Because in reality, he always held back his "big brother" instincts—something like Rice Shower giving him a lap pillow could never actually happen.

But since this was a dream, he might as well enjoy it~

So Mizuno turned his head, nuzzling into Rice Shower's stomach.

"Sniff sniff sniff~"

"Mm... Onii-sama... that tickles..." Rice Shower blushed scarlet at his rubbing.

"Rice Shower is so cute, sniff sniff sniff." Mizuno rubbed harder.

"Onii-sama, don't tease me... Rice... Rice Shower... will turn bad..." Rice's hands gently pressed against his head, her legs shifting restlessly.

Mizuno immediately declared: "It's fine! No matter what Rice Shower becomes, I'll still like you. Even if you force me to Uma Pyoi, I won't resist~"

"Onii-sama, do you mean it?"

"Of course I do~" Mizuno said with conviction, continuing to nuzzle her.

"Onii-sama... everyone's watching..." Rice Shower's voice trembled.

Mizuno froze.

Everyone?

"Trainer Mizuno..." A voice—Teio's—came from beside him.

Bzz!"

His brain jolted awake.

Wait—that couldn't be! Why would Teio appear in his sweet dream?!

Mizuno stiffly turned his head toward the sound. Teio and King Halo were staring at him with mournful eyes.

And not just them—Urara and Mejiro McQueen were there too.

His gaze darted around, taking in the scene.

Sky: Clear.

Location: Training ground.

Time: Around two in the afternoon...

This wasn't a dream! It was the exact spot where he'd given up thinking while trapped between Teio and Halo!

"....." Mizuno slowly turned back to Rice Shower.

"Onii-sama..." Rice Shower's eyes shimmered with tears, reflecting his face.

Mizuno's heart lurched.

"Heh-heh... if I say I was just joking just now... will you believe me...?"