Mizuno Sora truly hadn't expected Tokai Teio to bring jiro McQueen along. Hadn't she said she wanted extra honey drinks to take ho for a midnight snack? Why had she shared them with soone else?!
And out of all people, it was jiro McQueen! Alone she wasn't frightening, but paired with Tokai Teio, they'd trigger each other's competitive streaks, accelerating his one-way trip to the dreaded basent!
But the biggest shock was jiro McQueen's earlier request:
To hire him as the exclusive Honey Drink Specialist for the jiro family?
"Mizuno-san." jiro McQueen handed him a bank card.
"This is an advance paynt containing 100 million yen. If you agree, your salary will be several tis higher."
The 100 million yen was several months' worth of McQueen's saved allowance. Initially, she'd planned to secretly buy loads of desserts, storing them to indulge herself whenever she pleased. But after tasting Mizuno's heavenly honey drink, she decided she'd happily give up all future snacks (probably) if she could just secure this master honey-drink-maker for her family.
McQueen's plan was straightforward. If Mizuno agreed, she wouldn't need to consult her grandmother. Instead, she'd simply gather her sisters, using their combined allowances to pay his salary, ensuring they could drink his delicious honey drink every single day.
If he refused, she'd reluctantly inform her grandmother. With her grandmother's wisdom, she'd instantly recognize the honey drink's imnse value and mobilize the family's power to kidnap—no, to forcibly hire—Mizuno anyway, and McQueen would still get her daily fill of honey drinks.
Absolutely perfect.
"Hiss—" Mizuno sucked in a sharp breath.
100 million yen—that was roughly 5 million RMB! And this was just the advance paynt?!
So this was the financial might of the legendary jiro family. A single casual offer was enough to match what Mizuno could earn after a lifeti of hard work.
But it made sense, after all. Mizuno was the only person in the world capable of creating S-grade honey drinks. Honestly, 100 million yen probably wasn't enough.
He was currently broke, desperately needing money to buy specialized training equipnt for Urara. Accepting this tempting offer wouldn't actually be a bad choice.
However...
"I'm sorry, but I must decline," Mizuno refused without hesitation.
Accepting the position as the jiro family's Honey Drink Specialist ant quitting his job as a trainer. Without his trainer status, he'd lose the Doctor's Outfit that protected his life.
When the remaining ti ran out, the Doctor's Outfit would disappear, revealing his "horse catnip" constitution, and then he'd be utterly overwheld by all the jiro girls!
Besides, if he resigned as a trainer, what would happen to Urara? Abandoning her was sothing Mizuno simply couldn't bring himself to do.
He'd already established an official trainer-Uma Musu relationship with Urara. He'd even made a vow. Mizuno would never betray that bond for money, not even for all the wealth in the world.
"Is it about the salary? We can negotiate—"
"No, that's not the issue." Mizuno shook his head, gently pulling Urara over to stand in front of him.
"Because I've officially beco Urara-san's trainer, it's my responsibility to raise her into a powerful racehorse girl. Until she takes first place in the [Arima Kinen], I won't resign from being a trainer," Mizuno declared firmly.
"[Arima Kinen]?!" Both jiro McQueen and Urara exclaid in shock.
The [Arima Kinen] was a prestigious [Grade 1] international race held by the Japan Racing Association, with a distance of 2500 ters. It was hosted at Nakayama Racecourse in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, on the final Sunday of each year. Being one of Japan's most significant races, it attracted only the absolute elite among Uma Musu. Anyone who managed to win such a prestigious race would instantly gain worldwide acclaim and admiration.
In short, winning the [Arima Kinen] was every Uma Musu's ultimate dream.
Yet Mizuno had boldly declared that he intended to help Urara achieve first place in that very race—an extraordinarily ambitious goal!
"Trainer-san~! Urara is so moved~!" Tears stread from Urara's eyes as she leapt into Mizuno's arms.
Urara knew perfectly well she lacked talent and natural speed. No matter how hard she trained, she'd likely never even achieve a single victory. No trainer had ever wanted her, let alone believed she could place first.
But Trainer-san was different. Not only did he praise her constantly, but he'd also sworn to never give up on her until she stood victorious at [Arima Kinen]...
Her trainer was truly strong and gentle. Urara absolutely couldn't disappoint his expectations! She resolved to beco strong enough to win the [Arima Kinen] one day!
"Trainer-san~!" Urara squeezed Mizuno's waist tightly.
Owowowow—!
Mizuno felt a sharp, intense pain in his lower back and nearly cried out loud. But, considering his rule of never showing weakness in front of Uma Musu, he desperately endured.
Indeed, human and Uma Musu strength couldn't be compared. Although Urara was much smaller than him, her strength was monstrous. A bit more force, and she'd easily snap him in half!
While Urara was deeply moved, jiro McQueen was worried.
McQueen admired people like Mizuno who took responsibility seriously. Turning down a lucrative offer for his trainee's sake was truly admirable.
But admiration was admiration. If Urara-san never took first place in the [Arima Kinen], then wouldn't that an McQueen could never taste the delicious honey drink daily?
Such a tragedy couldn't be allowed!
Thinking carefully, jiro McQueen ca up with a brilliant idea.
"Mizuno-san, I actually have a win-win solution."
"Please speak," Mizuno replied politely, gently freeing himself from Urara's crushing embrace and discreetly massaging his aching back.
He obviously wouldn't accept any new proposals, but at least he could hear McQueen out first before politely declining.
"Mizuno-san, you want Urara-san to win the [Arima Kinen], correct?" McQueen began.
"Yes." Mizuno nodded sincerely.
Winning [Arima Kinen] wasn't just an excuse to refuse the jiro family's offer—it was truly Mizuno's personal aspiration.
He could never forget the hopeful video he'd once seen online, uploaded by a fellow fan, depicting Haru Urara triumphantly winning the [Arima Kinen]. Every ti he rembered it, his blood surged with excitent.
If possible, he genuinely wanted to see that dream beco reality—to personally witness Urara's glorious victory.
"But you're still a rookie trainer, correct?" McQueen continued.
"Yes, that's true. As a rookie trainer, I'm inexperienced and far from becoming a seasoned professional," Mizuno admitted honestly.
At his current low skill level, helping Urara win the [Arima Kinen] was practically impossible. Thus, Mizuno assud there'd never co a day where he'd resign from training and beco a Honey Drink Specialist. McQueen surely realized that as well.
However, Mizuno's polite refusal unknowingly played right into McQueen's hands.
"Hehe," jiro McQueen smirked subtly, realizing her plan had succeeded.
"If Mizuno-san truly wants Urara-san to win the [Arima Kinen] but acknowledges his current inexperience, why not do this instead..."
"Our jiro family can dispatch an experienced, veteran trainer who's previously coached an [Arima Kinen] winner, to assist you in training Urara-san."
"You'd simply serve as that trainer's assistant, training alongside them. Not only would you gain valuable experience, but you'd also have extra free ti to work for our family as our exclusive Honey Drink Specialist."
"This arrangent fulfills your dream for Urara-san's victory and grants our jiro family the skilled Honey Drink Master we desire—a perfect win-win."
"What do you think?"
After hearing McQueen's suggestion, Mizuno froze.
Eh? Why… did that sound oddly reasonable?
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