"Eh?" Tokai Teio blinked in confusion, still holding her victory pose.

I definitely felt someone watching me just now, but… why can't I see anyone there?

As a genius Uma Musume who adored attention, Tokai Teio was particularly sensitive to others' gazes. She'd clearly sensed someone staring at her earlier—Mizuno Sora's gaze.

Yet, when she turned around to look, she only saw the group of new trainers guided by Hayakawa Tazuna. They were busy looking around, none paying attention to her specifically.

Tokai Teio hadn't debuted yet, and these new trainers had just arrived at Tracen, so naturally, no one would recognize her—except Mizuno, of course.

But I'm sure someone's looking at me! I can still feel their eyes on me right now, yet there's no one!

"So weird~" Tokai Teio flicked her horse ears, puzzled.

Seeing Teio's confused expression as she failed to find him, Mizuno quietly breathed a sigh of relief. It looks like she really can't see me.

"Thank you, System. Thank you, Doctor's Outfit," Mizuno whispered gratefully.

As long as Tokai Teio couldn't see him, Mizuno would be completely safe—he'd never have to fear ending up in "Teio's Basement."

He cautiously began stepping away, deciding to put as much distance between himself and Teio as possible before anything unexpected happened.

Ding—

A sudden notification halted Mizuno's retreat.

---

[Side Quest Triggered—Emperor's Fan]

Task: Give the special quest item from the system inventory to Tokai Teio, and become fellow fans of Symboli Rudolf with her.

Quest Item: Emperor's Rare Swimsuit Photo ×1

Reward: Doctor's Outfit duration extended by one day

Penalty: None

---

"Eh?" Mizuno froze at the abrupt appearance of this new quest.

Checking his system inventory, he found something strange called [Emperor's Rare Swimsuit Photo].

Taking it out, Mizuno's eyes nearly popped from their sockets—it was an intimate swimsuit photo of Symboli Rudolf! Worse, it was taken from a scandalously provocative angle, shot upward from below her thighs, as if she were stepping on the viewer.

"Pfft—!" Mizuno nearly spat blood in shock.

System, you absolute bastard!

Symboli Rudolf was the undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume known as the "Emperor," beloved President of Tracen's Student Council with legions of devoted fans. If Mizuno dared to show this swimsuit photo publicly, he'd be branded a pervert and lynched!

And asking him to approach Tokai Teio and bond with her over Rudolf fandom? That was no different from willingly jumping into Teio's Basement!

No way! Definitely not!

Mizuno quickly resolved to hide until Tokai Teio left. Once safe, he'd rejoin the group and continue the campus tour.

Yet, just then, Tokai Teio's nose twitched curiously.

"Hmm? Sniff sniff...President Rudolf's scent!"

Like she'd just had a shot of adrenaline, Tokai Teio eagerly followed the fragrance—straight toward Mizuno.

"Huh?" Mizuno glanced at the Rudolf swimsuit photo in his hand, then back at the approaching Tokai Teio, eyes widening in horror.

This photo actually has a scent?!

Mizuno instantly tried to shove the photo back into his system inventory. If he could remove the source of the scent, Teio would have nothing to follow.

But…but…

It won't go back in!

No matter how hard he tried, the photo refused to disappear into his inventory.

Teio was already just two meters away!

Then I'll throw it away!

Facing imminent doom, Mizuno made a perfectly rational decision without a moment's hesitation—he attempted to toss the photo onto the ground. Teio would surely be distracted by it, stopping her pursuit.

But…but…

It won't come off!

The photo seemed stuck to Mizuno's gloved hand, completely impossible to throw!

One meter left!

Seeing Tokai Teio nearly upon him, Mizuno turned around in panic and bolted.

Mizuno Sora | Speed: G | Stamina: G | Power: G | Guts: G | Wits: A |

Decision: Run!

Whoosh! Mizuno took off at a turtle-like speed of five meters per second.

"Ehh? The scent's running away?"

Teio chased after the scent leisurely. She wasn't even using her full speed, just curious about why President Rudolf's fragrance seemed to move around on its own.

When Mizuno glanced back and saw Teio following, his pupils shrank.

Change strategy: RUN FASTER!

Whoosh! His speed increased—to an astounding six meters per second!

…Which Tokai Teio matched effortlessly with a few relaxed strides.

Mizuno kept running desperately, circling the school building multiple times. Looking back again, he still saw that tiny, terrifying figure trailing easily behind him, casually sipping her honey drink without even breaking a sweat.

"Teio is still chasing me!"

Sweat poured down Mizuno's forehead as despair set in.

After running so many laps, his stamina was nearly exhausted.

Humans truly had their limits. The harder he tried to run, the clearer the gap between him and an Uma Musume became.

Was his only choice really to interact with Tokai Teio?

"No! I refuse to accept defeat!" Mizuno roared.

Who dared assume his loss before the race was over?

Even if hope was slim, as long as he kept moving forward, he'd surely reach the stars.

If he kept going, the path ahead would keep stretching onward.

Can't win? I don't understand what you're saying!

"Bring it on! Let me show you the strength of humanity!"

Right now, Mizuno would use his pitifully low-level guts to show Tokai Teio what a true miracle looked like!

"Yaaaaaaaah—!" Mizuno accelerated once more.

...

...

...

Three minutes later…

"Haa…Hello…Tokai Teio-san…I'm also…a fan of the Emperor…Symboli Rudolf…haa…Here's a gift from me…Let's cheer for President Rudolf…together…"

Panting and completely out of breath, Mizuno knelt respectfully before Tokai Teio, holding out the photo with trembling hands.

Guts? Completely worthless!