Mejiro McQueen really missed Mizuno…
No, to be precise, she missed the Honey Drink he made.
Ever since Mizuno suddenly vanished a few weeks ago, leaving her unable to enjoy that delicious daily Honey Drink, Mejiro McQueen felt overwhelming regret.
Yes, regret.
Regretting why she hadn't sent a truckload of Mejiro family bodyguards to forcibly kidnap Mizuno back home while he was still around.
That way, not only would she still be able to savor his Honey Drinks every day, but it would also be much easier to fulfill the mission her grandmother assigned her and her sisters—capturing Trainer Mizuno's heart.
Mejiro McQueen thought bitterly: It's all Trainer Mizuno's fault for being too thoughtful!
Previously, whenever she sent Mizuno a message, within minutes a fresh Honey Drink would mysteriously appear at her side—like a loyal servant always close by. This constant reliability meant she never once thought about what would happen if Mizuno suddenly vanished.
It was exactly like electricity or internet nowadays: you wouldn't think they were crucial while using them daily, but the moment the power or network was cut, you'd realize you couldn't live even a second without them!
And Mejiro McQueen also noticed that the prank-loving Gold Ship had also mysteriously disappeared during these weeks.
Since Gold Ship vanished around the same time as Mizuno, McQueen briefly suspected that perhaps Gold Ship had abducted Mizuno to Mars—and that's why neither had appeared since…
Between her desperate longing for Honey Drinks and her grandmother's constant urging, Mejiro McQueen had endured a very stressful few weeks.
If not for the soothing smiles of Haru Urara, constantly healing everyone's hearts, Mejiro McQueen felt that these past weeks of Mizuno's absence would have plunged not only her, but every Uma on the team, into absolute despair.
Trainer Mizuno, where have you gone? Mejiro McQueen sadly rested her delicate chin on her palm, slowly walking towards the academy's practice field.
Today, she likely wouldn't see Trainer Mizuno again. It would probably be Kiryuin-san helping with their training once more.
If only the other trainers were exactly like Mizuno—kind-hearted, skilled in training, able to prepare delicious Honey Drinks, and capable of inventing high-quality training equipment…
Unfortunately, there was only one Trainer Mizuno in the world. If someone else took him, there'd be no more second chances!
Mejiro McQueen swore silently that if she ever saw Mizuno again, she would immediately gather her sisters. Whether by gentle persuasion or brute force, she'd definitely kidnap Mizuno back to the Mejiro Estate and complete the mission assigned by her grandmother!
Just as she was heading to the training grounds, she encountered a teammate from their group.
"Morning, McQueen-chan~!" Haru Urara, wearing her usual radiant smile, cheerfully hopped over and greeted her warmly.
"Good morning, Urara-chan," McQueen politely responded.
"McQueen-chan, try this~!" Haru Urara took out a drink from behind her back, inserted a straw, and offered it to McQueen.
"What's this?" Mejiro McQueen stared at the drink, suddenly feeling a strange familiarity…
Why does it seem like a Honey Drink?
"McQueen-chan, you really wanted a Honey Drink, right?" Haru Urara clenched both fists earnestly.
"So I went to ask the lady who sells Honey Drinks in the shopping district and worked as her assistant for a few days, learned how to make it, and then made one myself just for you~"
[Haru Urara's Homemade Honey Drink]
Stamina +0
Motivation +0
Healing +100
"Thank you, Urara-chan…" Mejiro McQueen drank Urara's Honey Drink, deeply touched by her teammate's kindness.
Although Urara's version tasted like an ordinary Honey Drink, nowhere near Mizuno's S-Grade version, the heartfelt thought behind it genuinely warmed Mejiro McQueen's gloomy heart.
"McQueen-chan, let's head to the track together~!"
"Sure."
Since the two Uma had already bumped into each other, they decided to walk together to the training grounds.
"McQueen-chan, I have a feeling Trainer-san will definitely come back today!" Urara said cheerfully, her carefree optimism lifting the mood of anyone around.
"Yes… perhaps." Mejiro McQueen politely smiled, though worry still clouded her heart.
In fact, Urara had been saying the same thing to everyone every single day, urging them never to lose hope that Mizuno would return.
Precisely because of this hope, everyone was able to endure these unbearable days, constantly imagining that Mizuno might appear at any moment to laugh and play with everyone like before (doubtful).
It could be said that without Urara's constant reassurance, Mejiro McQueen might have already used her family's resources to scour every dark corner of the world and drag Trainer Mizuno back into the daylight.
As they arrived at the track, Mejiro McQueen was still pondering where Mizuno might be hiding when Urara suddenly seemed to spot something, excitedly pointing towards a certain place on the track.
"McQueen-chan! Look! It's Trainer-san!"
"Who?" Mejiro McQueen's ears perked up instantly, looking in the direction Urara indicated.
But at first glance, she only saw Tokai Teio, Rice Shower, and Kiryuin Aoi standing there. Mizuno was nowhere in sight.
Mejiro McQueen twitched her nose, carefully sniffing the air.
Although there was a faint milk scent mixed in, that unmistakable aroma of honey was definitely Mizuno's!
After persistent observation, a black figure gradually appeared clearly in her view.
"Trainer Mizuno!" Mejiro McQueen covered her mouth in shock, unable to hide her overwhelming joy.
After weeks of absence, Mizuno really had returned today!
But…
"Hm?" Mejiro McQueen suddenly realized Mizuno's posture looked rather odd—as if he was holding something tightly in his arms.
Narrowing her eyes suspiciously, Mejiro McQueen took a closer look… and saw something astonishing.
"King Halo-san?!" Mejiro McQueen gasped loudly, her tail instantly straightening in shock.
Because Trainer Mizuno was holding one of their teammates—King Halo—in his arms!
Why is Trainer Mizuno embracing King Halo-san?! And why were they standing in such an intimate posture?!
Mejiro McQueen clearly remembered that King Halo should have had no idea where Mizuno went either. How could their relationship possibly have progressed this far within just a few weeks?!
Could it be that Trainer Mizuno's disappearance was actually him secretly dating King Halo-san? Were they now even daring enough to openly cuddle on school grounds as a lovey-dovey couple?!
"Oh no!" Mejiro McQueen clutched her head anxiously, feeling the situation turning dire.
If this was true, what would happen to the mission her grandmother entrusted her with?!
Is it still possible to find Ardan to hurry and seduce Trainer Mizuno?!