BANG!
The deafening crash of the door being kicked open jolted Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka out of their dreamy daze, their tails shooting straight up in shock.
Their minds went blank. All they knew was that the once warm, cozy air had turned icy cold, filling them with unease.
"E-Ehh?! What's going on?!"
The two young Uma Musume flattened their ears, eyes wide as they turned toward Mizuno—their source of comfort just moments ago.
But the black-clad figure who'd kept his face hidden was gone. In his place stood a boy about their age, his back turned protectively toward them as he faced off against a sinister woman at the doorway, blood trickling from her lips.
Even though they could only see his profile, the faint scent of sweet carrots that drifted from him erased any doubt about who he was.
Could it really be…? Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka stared at the boy's back, their hearts racing.
Noticing their startled looks, Mizuno glanced over his shoulder.
And the moment his eyes met theirs—the two Uma Musume froze completely.
That unfamiliar yet unforgettable handsome face was now laid bare before them. Those eyes, full of nervous tension yet still brimming with warmth and concern…
It's really him! They were a thousand percent sure—the boy in front of them was the same person they'd met that day.
Mizuno, meanwhile, was baffled. Why were they staring at him like they'd just seen a ghost?
A few seconds later, realization hit him.
Wait… did I forget to cover my face?!
"GAH!" Mizuno yelped, fumbling to pull his hood up.
But no matter how he tugged, it wouldn't budge. It was stuck tight, as if glued to his back.
A foul, nauseating energy of Misfortune seeped from the gap beneath the hood.
Mizuno turned toward the doorway and found the culprit herself—Misfortune—smiling gleefully.
"Hehe~ You're not allowed to hide~"
"DAMMIT!" Mizuno groaned, clutching his head.
This was bad. Not only had the enemy boss invaded the safehouse, she'd even sealed the only thing that could hide his Uma Mint constitution.
She really was trying to back him into a corner.
"Mizuno-dono!" Sensing danger, Gold Ship stomped hard on the skylight above.
Crash! Glass shards glittered like stardust as they rained down.
Gold Ship dropped through the opening, landing beside him.
"Mizuno-dono…" She steadied herself, grabbing his arm. "Should we run?"
"Run…?" Mizuno repeated, blankly staring at her before giving a bitter smile. "Where could we even go?"
Misfortune had barged right into the place with the highest concentration of Hope Energy. Even if they fled to the ends of the earth, she'd still find them—and he'd just drag Gold Ship down with him.
But if they stayed—
"…" Mizuno glanced at Gold Ship, then looked back at Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka, frowning deeply.
If he stayed, what would happen to these three innocent Uma Musume?
Knowing Misfortune's cruel nature, he doubted she'd spare them. She'd never hesitated to threaten him with bystanders before.
Staying here was just as bad.
"Ugh…" Mizuno bit his lip, staring at Misfortune in frustration. There had to be a way out of this.
He didn't notice that the air around the three Uma Musume had begun to heat up the moment he spoke.
Misfortune, watching him flounder, grinned mischievously.
"Fortune's little servant, let me remind you—you just spoke~"
"Huh?!" Mizuno stiffened, goosebumps rising.
He swallowed hard and glanced back—only to be met with the sight of Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka's flushed, trembling faces.
Vodka's cheeks were burning, steam practically rising from her skin as she hugged herself, shaking uncontrollably.
Daiwa Scarlet was no better—panting, her thighs rubbing together as she tried to quell an unbearable heat.
Their ears and tails flicked wildly, betraying their excitement.
Even Gold Ship wasn't spared—her face red, eyes averted, a thin line of drool glinting at the corner of her mouth.
"Mizuno-dono," she muttered weakly, "eye contact would've been enough… why'd you have to talk…?"
"GAH!" Mizuno realized it at once—his voice, under stress, had triggered its uncontrollable aphrodisiac-like effect on Uma Musume.
But it hardly mattered now.
He was about to be captured by Misfortune anyway. Whether or not his secret was exposed no longer made a difference.
Ignoring the three flustered girls, Mizuno focused on the enemy before him. There was only one move left—
He shoved his hands into his pockets and strode straight toward Misfortune.
"Hoh?" Her eyes glimmered with amusement. She spread her arms wide, smirking. "Instead of running, you're coming to me?"
"How else am I supposed to kick you out of this warehouse?" Mizuno shot back, glaring.
"Hehe~ Then come closer." Misfortune's smile widened as she stepped forward to meet him.
It was just like their first confrontation—except this time, without Fortune's charm, Mizuno had no way to win.
So he tried a different tactic.
"MISFORTUNE!" he shouted, suddenly charging as they closed within five meters.
"MIZUNO!" Misfortune answered eagerly, raising her fist. "Come on! MUDA—!"
But just before impact—
"Misfortune-oneesan!" Mizuno dropped to his knees, sliding forward and clutching her pale leg.
Looking up with teary eyes, he pleaded desperately, "Um, can we just talk this out?"
Face twisted in despair, Mizuno shamelessly pulled his signature move—begging for mercy.
He had no way to beat her; all he could do was stall, hoping to lure her out of the warehouse before she noticed the Hope Energy weakening her.
"Misfortune-sama, I deeply respect you~!" he said loudly, clutching her leg like a loyal servant.
But his plea-for-mercy trick had never worked on Uma Musume who enjoyed teasing him—and Misfortune was far worse.
"Begging? Now? Really?" she scoffed, grabbing his collar and yanking him up effortlessly.
"You think I broke the seal early for fun? No, I did it so I could Uma-Pyoi you thoroughly while Fortune's asleep!"
She squeezed his cheeks, forcing his lips open. Her body dissolved into energy, flowing toward his mouth—
Once inside, she could control him completely, turn him into her perfect puppet.
Then she'd have all the fun she wanted…
Glancing at the three immobilized Uma Musume, her grin turned wicked.
"Next, I'll use your body to get thoroughly Uma-Pyoi'd by these cute little girls~!"
"NOOOOOO!" Mizuno screamed in despair as Misfortune's energy surged into him, sealing his fate.