"Eh? I can stay?!"
Mizuno's invitation stunned Rice Shower. She stared at him in disbelief, her previously drooping ears springing upright, all gloom wiped clean from her face.
"Mhm." Mizuno nodded.
Though having a man and a young Uma Musume alone together in one room wasn't exactly ideal—especially when she was his assigned trainee—if someone found out, rumors would spread, and both their future careers could suffer.
But more than worrying about his own reputation, Mizuno was far more concerned about Rice Shower running into danger on the way back.
Even if, in this world, almost no one would be stupid enough to try robbing or kidnapping an Uma Musume who could casually kick them into a medical ward for life, there was always the chance some idiot existed—willing to risk dying young just to test the power of a hoof.
Better safe than sorry. So Mizuno decided it was best for Rice Shower to stay the night, and he'd escort her back to Tracen tomorrow.
But whether Rice Shower wanted to stay overnight—he needed to ask her directly.
"Rice Shower, would you rather not stay?"
"Of course I want to!" She answered without hesitation, excitement written all over her face.
She'd thought Onii-sama calling her over to live together had been a misunderstanding, and once the misunderstanding was cleared up, she assumed she'd have no reason to remain here…
But now Onii-sama was personally inviting her to stay the night! She could hardly believe it!
Even if it was just one night—it was precious, one-on-one time with Onii-sama!
Back at Tracen, there were always other Uma around, so she could never find the chance to have a proper "relationship-deepening" talk with him.
But now the chance was right in front of her—how could she possibly miss it?!
Maybe after tonight, their relationship wouldn't just be polite nods between teacher and student. Maybe they could become lovers who could cling to each other openly without raising suspicion! And if the mood was good… maybe even go a step further!
"Then… sorry to intrude!" Rice Shower hurriedly dragged her suitcase inside, even shutting the door behind her with almost panicked speed, as if afraid Mizuno might change his mind.
Yet just before the door closed, she seemed to sense something. She glanced sideways—toward the shadow beneath the stairwell.
There, sitting in the darkness, was a cardboard delivery box.
And as if realizing Rice Shower was looking, the box trembled—just slightly. Clear as day, someone was hiding inside.
Rice Shower felt, in some hazy instinctive way, a faint psychic link to whoever was in that box. Maybe the one hiding inside was the very Maruzensky-senpai Onii-sama had mentioned.
Rice Shower wasn't especially close to Maruzensky, but since Maruzensky always looked after her kouhais, Rice Shower was no exception. Whenever they had time, Maruzensky would invite her for a spin in her sports car. Even though every single time Rice Shower rode with her, they hit traffic and got stuck, Maruzensky never once complained—caring for her like a doting grandfather spoiling his granddaughter…
So to Rice Shower, Maruzensky was a gentle and kind senpai, and hearing about her current predicament genuinely made Rice Shower feel sorry for her.
Maybe… she could do something to help her…
"Onii-sama, maybe we should let Senpai also—"
But just as she was about to ask Mizuno to let Maruzensky stay the night too, the cardboard box under the stairs vanished.
"What is it?" Mizuno asked, seeing her start to speak but stop halfway.
"It's nothing." Rice Shower shook her head and closed the door.
"Senpai probably wasn't ready yet…"
"Hah?" Mizuno blinked.
The senpai she mentioned… surely she meant Maruzensky?
He didn't quite get what Rice Shower meant by "not ready," but considering their grandparent-grandchild dynamic, she was probably worried for her.
"Don't worry, Rice Shower. I can handle Maruzensky's situation. You don't have to." Mizuno said seriously.
"Mhm. I believe in Onii-sama." Rice Shower nodded with a soft smile.
She had never once doubted him. If Onii-sama promised something, no matter how difficult, he would always make it happen.
"Onii-sama…"
Rice Shower looked up at him. Heat pooled in her stomach, her feet inching forward without her realizing. Since Maruzensky-senpai couldn't come out for certain reasons… this moment was now a space meant just for her and Onii-sama alone.
With only the two of them here, she could finally do something private with him.
"Onii-sama, can I look at your true face again?" She tugged lightly at Mizuno's sleeve, cheeks flushing as she made her shy request.
Ever since she'd experienced Mizuno's Uma Mint scent directly, whenever she had the chance, she'd ask him for this.
And for an Uma who had once tasted Uma Mint—it was impossible not to get addicted.
A graceful girl draws a gentleman's gaze!
A handsome youth drives an Uma to Uma Pyoi!
Besides, Mizuno's Uma Mint constitution was even more tempting than ice cream to a hormonal young filly.
Even if everyone appeared composed on the surface and hadn't taken action yet, in their heads they'd fantasized thousands upon thousands of times about spending passionate days and nights with Mizuno—until he was squeezed dry.
Rice Shower was no exception.
Though she acted like the obedient little sister in Mizuno's eyes, inside she desperately wanted to dye every part of him in a color belonging only to her.
Her rational mind barely kept the thirst in check. Combined with Mizuno's promise that he would always stay by her side, that was the only thing stopping her from becoming a full-blown home-invading monster.
But desire always surpasses reason eventually. And in those moments, taking just a light taste of Uma Mint helped her vent the pressure—preventing her emotions from overloading and shattering her self-control.
Mizuno understood that, so he agreed every time she asked.
"Alright." Mizuno nodded and smoothly pulled down his hood, revealing his real face to her once more.
Of course, the main reason was simply that he spoiled Rice Shower.
If it were any other Uma, he'd dodge the request, wait until they weren't looking, and slip away.
"Hehe~"
Rice Shower wrapped her arms gently around his waist and lifted her face toward his handsome features, nose twitching as she basked blissfully in the reward given by the one she adored.
But it wasn't without consequences.
Every time Mizuno satisfied her Uma Mint craving, her anticipation for the next time only grew—and so did her threshold.
Which meant… she was no longer satisfied with just smelling him…
"Onii-sama…"
Five minutes later, Rice Shower was sprawled against Mizuno's chest, tail coiled around his leg, panting heavily, hearts in her eyes as she stared at the mouthwatering beauty right in front of her.
"Onii-sama… Rice Shower… feels like she can't hold back anymore…"
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T/N: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
im back, did a poll on my patreon on the new schedule and releases for webnovel so yeah
beep boop