"It's over! It's all over now!"
Mizuno could only watch as Misfortune's energy poured halfway into his body, his heart sinking into despair.
He should've known better. There was a reason he called this cursed place the Mizuno-Fall Warehouse. Every time he came here, he lost something precious—and this was his fourth visit.
He wasn't usually superstitious, but at this point, even he couldn't help cursing under his breath. Four really was an unlucky number. The first three times, he'd only partially exposed his Uma Mint constitution. This time—the fourth time—he'd revealed everything. And now, he was about to be mind-controlled by Misfortune herself.
Worse, judging by her earlier taunts, the first thing she planned to do was make him get Uma-Pyoi'd by his own Uma Musume. Absolutely twisted.
Lying limply on the floor, Mizuno stared at the three girls inside the warehouse, his eyes empty and lifeless—a broken doll of a man.
He'd struggled so hard in this bizarre Tracen world, only to end up Uma-Pyoi'd by the very girls he'd sworn to protect… even by his dear bro, Gold Ship.
Anything but that.
The image of Gold Ship and the others apologizing while energetically Uma-Pyoi'ing him made tears slip down his cheeks.
"Mizuno-dono…"
Gold Ship's heart twisted at the sight of him. She wanted to help—but the ache deep in her abdomen and the trembling of her thighs left her frozen in place.
"Ugh…"
Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka weren't any better. Slumped on the floor, they tugged anxiously at their sweat-soaked clothes, eyes hazy as they stared at Mizuno.
They understood. His pathetic kneeling, his begging—it wasn't cowardice. It was his way of protecting them. He'd swallowed his pride to shield them from a threat they couldn't fight.
It wasn't the gallant image they'd once imagined—of him defeating evil in a blaze of glory—but it carried its own kind of courage. The strength to endure humiliation for the sake of others was far greater than the bluster of those who only talked about heroism.
They wanted to help him so badly. But they couldn't. Just resisting the overpowering heat from his exposed Uma Mint aura was already draining every bit of their strength.
Right now, the best they could do for him… was not pounce on him.
"Ugh…" Mizuno turned weakly toward his flushed bro. "Broshi… maybe don't Uma-Pyoi me?"
"Don't worry, Mizuno-dono…"
Gold Ship solemnly placed a hand over her heart, trying to keep a straight face. "I promise I'll keep it to just ten times."
"GAH—!"
Mizuno's last shred of spirit cracked.
By now, Misfortune had invaded him completely. The nausea hit like a wave. Any second now, he'd probably start dancing toward the girls, cheerfully singing, 'You love me~ I love you~ Let's all Uma-Pyoi together~'
He couldn't bear it. Shutting his eyes tight, he accepted his fate.
And then—
BANG!
A violent collision burst from deep within his chest.
"Guh—!" Mizuno's body arched off the floor as though struck by an invisible hammer. A surge of energy exploded outward—
"BUGAA—!"
Before he could even register the pain, he was hurled into the air. The world spun in a blur.
At first, he thought Misfortune was just toying with him—another of her sadistic games.
But at that same moment, Misfortune herself—still halfway inside his body—was suddenly blasted out by the same force!
"BUGAA—!"
She screamed the exact same sound, flung backward toward the warehouse entrance.
CRASH!
Both of them slammed into opposite walls, crumpling like rag dolls.
"?!"
Misfortune staggered up, clutching her side, blood trickling from her lips as she stared at Mizuno in disbelief.
"You bastard—you actually tempered your body with Fortune energy?!"
"Huh?" Mizuno groaned, holding his aching chest. He blinked, confused.
Wait—this wasn't Misfortune's doing? Then why had they both been blown apart like magnets repelling each other?
And what was that about "tempering his body with Fortune energy"?
Fortune had never mentioned anything like that. The only time she'd used her energy on him was when he'd trained himself half to death and she'd spent her core energy each night repairing his body to keep him alive…
A spark of realization hit him.
Wait—don't tell me…
Those nightly restorations—could that have been what tempered his body with Fortune energy?!
No wonder her invasion felt so revolting. His Fortune-infused body had instinctively rejected Misfortune's energy.
"Damn it!" Misfortune slammed her fists into the floor, furious.
She'd planned this so carefully—waiting until Fortune was asleep, sending her clone to wipe out Fortune's precious servant.
But she hadn't expected him to have built up resistance with Fortune's own power.
And this clone of hers was weak—nowhere near her full strength. Possession was her only reliable weapon, but with Mizuno's body rejecting her, that option was gone.
She could still possess Gold Ship or the others… but Mizuno's stance made it clear he'd protect them to the last breath.
Tch. Not worth the risk.
"You just wait!" she snarled, spinning toward the exit. "I'll definitely be back to Uma-Pyoi you thoroughly next time!"
But as she crawled toward the door, a pair of black boots stepped into view, blocking her path.
"!" Misfortune froze, looking up—straight into the eyes of Mizuno, who'd been begging at her feet just moments ago.
"Sorry, Misfortune-chan~" Mizuno leaned forward, a dark, wicked smile curling across his face.
"Now it's my turn to Uma-Pyoi you~♪"