"Huh?" Tokai Teio tilted her head in confusion.

Thanks to Mejiro McQueen's reminder, she noticed a Honey Special Drink had appeared next to her plate at some point. There was even a small note attached: "For Tokai Teio," clearly indicating it was meant as a gift.

But she hadn't seen anyone place it there…

Tokai Teio examined the mysterious drink closely.

The cup looked simpler and plainer than the ones sold in shops. It had no cute packaging or appealing colors—if it were sold in public, no one would ever buy it.

Yet, despite the cup's ordinary appearance, the liquid inside was irresistibly captivating. Clear and shimmering faintly with rainbow colors, its sweet and refreshing aroma drifted to her nose, giving Tokai Teio an overwhelming urge to taste it.

Gulp~

Both Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen swallowed involuntarily.

Clearly, Tokai Teio wasn't the only one attracted by this drink's extraordinary charm.

"But who gave this to me?" Tokai Teio picked up the Honey Special Drink with a conflicted look.

Though it seemed delicious, the unknown origin made her hesitant to taste it.

She'd heard rumors about a certain Uma Musume in the academy who loved mixing strange potions and secretly slipping them into trainers' tea as experiments. Apparently, any trainer who drank the concoction vanished along with their Uma Musume for three days and nights, only to reappear thin, pale, and confined to a wheelchair.

Yet, despite the horrifying nature of these incidents, the Uma Musume community gave these potions rave reviews. Some even publicly offered high prices on official forums to acquire them, enthusiastically slipping the concoctions into their own trainers' tea. Tokai Teio found this strange phenomenon rather perplexing.

After wavering for a moment, Tokai Teio finally gave in and decided to take a small sip.

The rainbow-hued liquid was simply too alluring—just like carrots were irresistible to Uma Musume, it felt as if it was calling out to her very soul.

Unable to resist the temptation, Tokai Teio placed her lips around the straw and gently took a sip.

"So delicious!" The moment the Honey Special Drink touched her tongue, she couldn't help but cry out.

Even though it wasn't her favorite extra-rich flavor, this was the tastiest drink she'd ever had!

The honey was sweet but not overwhelming, smooth and velvety, perfectly complemented by a blend of subtle, exquisite flavors. It was unforgettable from the first taste.

It felt as if she'd entered a magnificent sea of flowers, surrounded by blissful memories that left her unwilling to leave.

"So yummy!" Tokai Teio's face lit up with pure joy, her horse ears twitching happily.

"I feel like I won't ever be able to live without this taste anymore~!"

Seeing Tokai Teio's ecstatic reaction, Mejiro McQueen became extremely curious.

"Is it really that delicious?"

"McQueen! Try some! It's incredibly good!"

Tokai Teio eagerly handed over the drink.

Mejiro McQueen accepted the cup and hesitantly took a small sip from the same straw Tokai Teio had used.

"Amazing!" McQueen gasped as the liquid hit her tongue.

Despite being a refined lady of the esteemed Mejiro family who had sampled countless premium beverages, she had never tasted anything quite so delectable!

Slurp~ Slurp~

The Honey Special Drink was so heavenly that McQueen couldn't resist taking a few more greedy sips.

"McQueen, you're drinking all my Honey Special Drink!"

"Ah, cough, cough—I'm sorry…"

Blushing slightly, Mejiro McQueen reluctantly handed the cup back.

Although she wanted more, her upbringing as a noble young lady prevented her from shamelessly stealing someone else's drink.

"Kimoji~" Tokai Teio reclaimed the Honey Special Drink and blissfully resumed enjoying this divine treat, her mood soaring as if she'd ascended to heaven.

"Uuu..." Mejiro McQueen watched enviously as Tokai Teio savored the rest of the drink.

Whoever created this masterpiece had to be one of the greatest drink masters alive. She made up her mind right then—she would hire this genius as the Mejiro family's personal beverage master. He'd make drinks of this quality for her every day, and if he refused…

Well, she'd simply use the Mejiro family's resources to kidnap him!

Incidentally, Tokai Teio was entertaining similar thoughts.

Unfortunately, she didn't have any connections or power, so she'd have to kidnap him herself…

Haha, just kidding! After all, kind-hearted Uma Musume would never use forceful methods to abduct a human…

Probably…

"But who exactly made this Honey Special Drink?"

While Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen were speculating about Mizuno Sora's identity, a white-haired Uma Musume suddenly approached their table.

Having just finished a towering plate of rice in merely seventeen seconds, Oguri Cap was about to leave when the Honey Special Drink in Tokai Teio's hands caught her attention.

With her huge, pregnant-looking belly, she stared expressionlessly at the Honey Special Drink.

"Did that person stop by here just now?"

"Oguri Cap-senpai?" Both Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen were shocked that Oguri Cap had suddenly approached and spoken to them.

Oguri Cap was a famous senior Uma Musume. Naturally, younger students like Teio and McQueen recognized her, but their relationship was distant. They'd never interacted much, at most exchanging respectful nods in passing.

Moreover, Oguri Cap only cared about food, making conversation nearly impossible.

Yet now, this legendary senior had approached them directly because of this Honey Special Drink, leaving both younger Uma Musume feeling unexpectedly honored.

Could Oguri Cap be connected to the master who made the drink?

"Oguri Cap-senpai, do you know the master who created this Honey Special Drink?" Mejiro McQueen asked carefully.

"Yes." Oguri Cap nodded solemnly, her eyes filling with quiet reverence. "She is the Honey Special Drink God."

"Honey Special Drink God?"

"Yes. Her name…is Nakiri Erina."

Oguri Cap recounted her afternoon encounter with Mizuno Sora in the meeting room to the two younger Uma Musume.

Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen listened in awe.

"Incredible! So there really is a god in this world! And it's even the god of my favorite Honey Special Drink!" Tokai Teio exclaimed delightedly, her mood soaring into the stratosphere.

Today was incredibly lucky. Not only had she obtained a precious swimsuit photo of President Rudolf from a mysterious trainer in the morning, but now she'd received a Honey Special Drink personally crafted by the drink's god herself. Its taste was so exquisite she knew she'd never be satisfied with ordinary Honey Special Drinks ever again.

Tokai Teio eagerly hoped the godly Nakiri Erina would reappear someday. She'd completely fallen under Nakiri Erina's spell, unable to live without her Honey Special Drinks anymore.

But there was something bothering her.

Why did Oguri Cap's description of Nakiri Erina, the Honey Special Drink God, perfectly match the mysterious trainer Hokuto Seiji she'd met that morning?