"Hmm…"
After hearing Mizuno's request, Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka frowned, clearly unhappy.
"Just touching your face?" Vodka tilted her head, resting her chin in her hand. "Can't we just look directly? We've already seen it before—so what's the harm in seeing it again?"
"Exactly!" Daiwa Scarlet puffed out her chest proudly. "If you're worried your special constitution will affect us, don't! With our willpower, we can totally handle it!"
"…" Mizuno hesitated, then shook his head firmly.
"No."
He knew all too well that Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka had seen his true face before—they were among the ten Uma Musume who had once endured the full effect of his Uma Mint constitution. They hadn't just seen his face; they'd heard his voice, inhaled his scent, experienced it.
But tasting it once didn't make them immune.
It was like addiction. Everyone thought, I can stop anytime, but once they'd felt that euphoric rush, they'd always crave another taste—telling themselves, Just once more… this time will be the last.
In Mizuno's eyes, those ten Uma Musume were essentially addicts. If sheer willpower could have saved them, he wouldn't have had to grant their special "wishes" afterward.
So there was no way he'd ever allow Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka to see his face again. Letting them smell him at all was already his absolute limit.
"If you don't accept my terms, I'm leaving," Mizuno declared, standing abruptly and brushing off his clothes with feigned irritation.
Of course, under normal circumstances, the two girls could've easily pinned him down and stripped him on the spot. But Mizuno had to bluff. If they realized how simple that option was, he'd be doomed.
Fortunately, his act worked perfectly.
The moment Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka saw Mizuno turning to go, they panicked and grabbed his sleeves.
"Wait!"
They exchanged quick glances, whispering in hushed tones as they debated his condition.
After some murmured discussion, they turned back toward him, clearly reluctant but resigned.
"Fine. We agree."
They couldn't bear to lose this precious chance to experience the Mysterious Gentleman's Uma Mint constitution again—even if they could only smell it this time.
Besides, there'd be plenty of opportunities later to convince him to show them everything.
"Okay, deal."
Mizuno exhaled quietly, relieved. Sitting back down cross-legged, he nodded.
"Now close your eyes—I'm removing my hood," he instructed, hand resting on it to show he was serious.
"Alright~" Daiwa Scarlet chirped, closing her eyes at once and crossing her arms, face expectant.
"Mmm…" Vodka, on the other hand, was too nervous to relax—her hand still clutched Mizuno's arm tightly, as if afraid he might vanish the moment she blinked.
"…" Mizuno looked up toward the skylight, where Gold Ship was peeking in from above.
"Hello~" Gold Ship waved brightly when their eyes met.
Good. Everything was under control.
Mizuno looked back down at Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka, both sitting obediently with eyes closed.
He took a steadying breath. Then slowly pulled back his hood.
"—!"
Three simultaneous reactions followed the moment his face was revealed.
"Mizuno-dono…"
From the skylight, Gold Ship gazed down, pupils contracting slightly. No matter how many times she saw that face, it never lost its charm.
"So fragrant~"
Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka were instantly overwhelmed by the familiar, intoxicating scent. Their bodies trembled as their ears and tails flicked like butterflies drawn to nectar.
There was no doubt now—he was the Mysterious Gentleman from that day before the Three Goddesses statue, the one who'd stolen their hearts completely.
"Huff… haah… huff…"
Their breathing quickened. They unconsciously leaned forward, noses almost brushing his skin as they greedily inhaled that irresistible scent—the aroma of the world's finest carrots, warm and faintly sweet.
The fragrance wrapped around them, soothing and addictive. And then, inevitably, came the thought—what would it taste like?
Their minds went hazy. Their faces drew closer—
"...!"
But Mizuno was ready this time. Having once suffered the trauma of El Condor Pasa licking his fingers, he immediately raised both hands to block their approaching mouths.
"Eh?!"
The two girls jolted back to awareness, realizing in horror what they'd nearly done.
"Ugh…" Vodka covered her flushed face with both hands.
"Ahem…" Daiwa Scarlet straightened stiffly, coughing in an attempt to hide her embarrassment.
They fidgeted awkwardly, eyelids twitching as they fought the desperate urge to peek.
But they'd made a promise—and Uma Musume always kept promises. Grinding their teeth, they endured. Still, just sitting there wasn't enough. They needed something to satisfy the unbearable curiosity and longing.
"I recall you saying… we could touch your face, right?" Daiwa Scarlet murmured softly.
"Eh? That's right!" Vodka's ears perked up as she remembered too.
"…"
Mizuno didn't reply aloud—he couldn't risk speaking—but he gently guided their hands to his cheeks, silently giving permission.
"Then… thanks for the meal~!" Daiwa Scarlet exclaimed, her fingers immediately squishing his cheeks with gleeful abandon.
"M-me too…" Vodka whispered, her palm brushing lightly across his face, fingertips trembling.
"…"
Mizuno kept perfectly still, lips pressed thin, as the two young Uma Musume explored his features.
Their personalities showed in every touch—Daiwa Scarlet bold and playful, tugging and pinching as she pleased; Vodka hesitant and tender, barely grazing his skin as though afraid to hurt him.
But no matter how much they felt, they could glean nothing concrete about his appearance.
Eventually, the touches grew slower, gentler… their breathing softened…
The sweet carrot fragrance filled the air, lulling them toward drowsiness. Their heads drooped as sleep crept in.
Perfect… once you're asleep, I'll have no more worries…
Mizuno smiled faintly, ready to lay them gently down on the mat—
BANG!
The warehouse door burst open with a thunderous crash.
"?!" Mizuno spun around—
Misfortune stood in the doorway, blood trickling from the corner of her lips, a dark grin twisting her face.
"You foolish servant of Fortune," she sneered. "Did you really think I'd avoid this place just because the Hope Energy here is strong?"
Her laughter was cold, cruel. "In countless anime, I've learned one thing—never leave your enemy half-defeated!"
"I'm here to Uma-Pyoi you thoroughly, servant of Fortune!"
"Gah!" Mizuno froze, breaking into a cold sweat as Misfortune produced a sinister-looking spiked collar from nowhere.
But worse than her sudden intrusion—was that Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka, startled by the noise, had already opened their eyes.