Just as everyone in the izakaya was reveling joyously, sounds of commotion suddenly echoed from the tunnel entrance.
At first, nobody paid it much mind, assuming the next group of trainers returning by bus had just arrived, explaining the noise.
But after quite a while, the ruckus not only didn't fade away, but seemed to grow increasingly chaotic…
And oddly enough, this extremely popular izakaya had received no new customers during this entire period—completely unlike when a fresh batch of trainers arrived.
Only now did everyone sense something deeply wrong.
"Why's it so noisy over there?" A mid-level trainer, irritated by the strange disturbance interrupting his leisurely drinking, abruptly rose from his seat. Annoyed, he stomped toward the door and pulled aside the curtain, intending to see who exactly was causing this fuss.
But he'd barely stuck his head outside for five seconds before frantically pulling it back, face pale and filled with terror as he shouted:
"It's Uma Musume! There are Uma at the tunnel entrance!"
"—!!" Everyone in the izakaya froze immediately upon hearing the words "Uma Musume," all of them petrified in place.
If it weren't for their eyes trembling violently with fear, you might've thought time itself had stopped.
It wasn't until another horrifying scream pierced through from outside that everyone finally snapped back to their senses.
"Uma Musume?! How could Uma possibly be here?!"
Most trainers still held on to faint hopes, believing perhaps the mid-level trainer and his friends were pulling some elaborate prank to scare them.
Unfortunately, the pure horror etched across that trainer's face didn't look remotely fake…
"I don't know why they're here either, but they're definitely out there! And not just one or two—there's tons of them!"
The mid-level trainer clutched his head in agony, the image he'd glimpsed just now clearly scarring him deeply, perhaps even permanently.
Before anyone could press for more information, he bolted out of the izakaya, vanishing swiftly into the darkness in panicked flight.
"..." This mid-level trainer's abrupt flight instantly plunged the izakaya into tense anxiety, the atmosphere thickening oppressively.
After a brief but heavy silence, everyone hesitantly stepped outside to verify if his words were true.
And as they looked toward the tunnel, witnessing countless Uma Musume flooding into the hidden dormitory grounds, everyone instantly understood that he'd told no lie!
"It's true! The Uma have invaded!"
Upon spotting the Uma, the trainers gathered in front of the izakaya scattered instantly, fleeing desperately toward their dorm rooms.
Staying here meant certain doom—only by retreating to their dorm rooms, protected by doors strong enough to withstand a tank shell, could they possibly avoid the tragic fate of being "joyfully" devoured by their beloved Uma Musume!
Thus, these trainers—all fighting desperately for survival—began moving at inhuman speeds: crutches swung like blurs, wheelchair tires burst into flames from sheer acceleration; everyone pushed themselves to the very limits to escape safely back to their rooms!
"An Uma siege, huh…" Mizuno's mouth twitched as he gazed upon this surreal scene unfolding before him.
I've barely been employed here a few months, and I'm already experiencing the Fifth Uma Siege Incident?!
However, unlike the majority who had already fled in chaotic panic, Mizuno himself remained calmly standing in place, seemingly unfazed and choosing not to escape along with the others.
After all, there was no need for him to run…
First off, one must remember that Uma Musume were creatures fiercely loyal to love. Once an Uma genuinely accepted someone in her heart, she would only pursue that person for life, emotionally bound forever.
Thus, even if an Uma's desires became uncontrollable, prompting her to "Uma-pyoi" someone, she'd exclusively target her beloved trainer, completely ignoring anyone else.
Within this rampaging herd of Uma, Mizuno spotted none on his own extremely dangerous watchlist—like Tokai Teio—nor did he see familiar faces such as Rice Shower, Mejiro McQueen, or King Halo. Therefore, he had no reason to fear being kidnapped for an "Uma-pyoi," and frankly didn't believe they'd do such things to him anyway…
Second, Mizuno was still wearing his [Doctor's Outfit], significantly reducing his presence.
As long as he stayed quiet and refrained from sudden movements, these Uma wouldn't even notice him, let alone capture him.
Thus, Mizuno didn't need to flee. He simply had to find some quiet, shadowy corner, wait patiently for Tracen Academy authorities to intervene, and safely ride out this crisis.
The reason Mizuno still lingered at the scene was simply to observe how his senpai trainers handled such emergencies, gathering valuable data he could apply in future escapes.
"…" Like a spectator watching gladiators battling desperately in an arena, Mizuno watched the trainers frantically scrambling to survive, silently holding his breath with worry for their fates.
Good luck, senpais! Don't get caught no matter what! Mizuno prayed quietly in his heart.
But to Mizuno's mild surprise, he wasn't the only one still standing in place—another person remained as well.
"Yamamoto-senpai, aren't you running?" Mizuno asked in confusion, turning around to find Yamamoto Sennin still calmly standing behind him.
Mizuno was puzzled—did Yamamoto not fear capture by his own Uma?
"…" Yamamoto Sennin gazed quietly at the approaching Uma, now less than 500 meters away. With a bitter sigh, he shook his head helplessly.
"My dorm room is too far away… There's no hope of escape for me this time."
He then raised a hand, pointing solemnly at one particular Uma within the approaching horde. "That's my partner, Italian Bubble. She's already spotted me."
"I see…" Hearing Yamamoto's explanation, a deep sorrow welled up inside Mizuno.
It seemed Yamamoto-senpai's fate tonight was sealed; there was no hope left for escape…
Mizuno sighed softly, genuinely powerless to help.
After all, he was just a frail human. Directly confronting powerful Uma Musume was utterly impossible for someone like him…
But just as Mizuno turned around, preparing to quietly slip away to find a safe hiding place, Yamamoto suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Yamamoto-senpai, what are you—?" Mizuno questioned, bewildered.
"Sorry, Mizuno-kun, I don't mean any harm…" Yamamoto quickly let go of Mizuno's arm, raising both hands earnestly to express his sincerity.
"I just have one request to ask of you."
"A request…?" Mizuno blinked in confusion. "What is it?"
"I know this request is extremely selfish, but I still sincerely hope you'll agree…" Yamamoto fixed Mizuno with a deadly serious stare.
"Could you please… save the secret boys' dormitory?!"