The two clear bottles Rice Shower had taken out were labeled [Want-A-Hug Potion], one of Tachyon's dubious inventions.
The potion came in two types—bottle A and bottle B. Drinking from bottle B would cause one's body to emit a special scent, while anyone who drank from bottle A would instantly crave hugs from the person who consumed bottle B.
This invention was made primarily to help Uma who struggled in one-sided relationships, where trainers acted as unresponsive as wooden blocks, leaving Uma frustrated. Although Uma could always rely on brute force to hold their trainers close, most preferred the thrill of having their trainers actively approach them.
Thus, as long as trainers unknowingly drank bottle A, and their Uma companion drank bottle B, the trainers would cling to them affectionately for an entire week.
Eating, sleeping, bathing—they wouldn't let go even for a second. Unsurprisingly, almost every Uma who used this potion ended up wanting more than just hugs, often leading to trainers being thoroughly "taken care of."
So Tachyon usually recommended that customers buying the [Want-A-Hug Potion] also stock up on [Stamina Drinks] and [Pelvic Durability Enhancers], to ensure a safe and enjoyable week-long bonding experience.
But when Rice Shower initially bought the potion, she didn't think that far ahead. She genuinely only wished her beloved Onii-sama would hug her of his own volition.
However, as soon as she'd paid for the potions, regret began to set in.
Secretly drugging Onii-sama wasn't something a good little sister should ever do.
Feeling guilty, Rice Shower hid both potions in her locker at the training room, covering them up with the coat that Trainer Mizuno had once wrapped around her shoulders. That gesture symbolized reason triumphing over desire.
Yet, now Onii-sama had just said that he would forgive her no matter what she did?!
Wasn't that exactly like a husband's promise to his bride—that he would remain loyal, no matter how she changed?
With that, the hidden desire within Rice Shower's heart burst forth again: How wonderful it would feel to hug Onii-sama every day for an entire week!
Rice Shower handed the A bottle—the one that would make the drinker actively desire hugs—to Trainer Mizuno, looking up at him expectantly:
"Onii-sama…would you please drink this water for me?"
"All right!" Without any hesitation, Mizuno took the potion from her and drank the entire contents in one go, without even bothering to ask what it was.
Glug, glug, glug— Within five seconds, Mizuno completely emptied the bottle.
"Ahh~" Seeing Trainer Mizuno obediently drink it down, Rice Shower turned to the B potion in her hand, trembling with excitement.
Now she only had to drink this colorless, odorless liquid herself, and Onii-sama would remain inseparably at her side for the next full week!
Rice Shower already couldn't wait to feel Onii-sama embracing her from behind, resting his chin gently atop her head, whispering softly next to her ears. Every word, every breath, every touch of his skin against hers…
"Ehehe~" Just imagining it filled Rice Shower with blissful euphoria.
Yet just as her fingers touched the bottle cap, Mizuno's voice suddenly interrupted her.
"Rice Shower, this is the [Want-A-Hug Potion], isn't it…?" Mizuno held up the empty A bottle, questioning Rice Shower.
"Onii-sama, you knew?" Rice Shower stared blankly at Mizuno, fingers frozen mid-motion, barely holding onto the B potion bottle.
"Yes," Mizuno nodded.
In truth, when Rice Shower first pulled out the potion clearly showing its appearance, Mizuno had already recognized exactly what these bottles were.
"Then…why did you drink it?!" Rice Shower gasped, completely bewildered.
She couldn't understand—if Onii-sama knew what she'd been plotting, why did he still obediently drink the potion as she'd asked?
"That's obviously because…" Mizuno placed the empty bottle down on the table and gently looked straight into Rice Shower's confused eyes.
"I wanted to show you that I meant what I said earlier—when I told you you're not a bad girl…" Mizuno placed a hand earnestly over his chest:
"As your Onii-sama, I adore you, Rice Shower. I adore you so much it's beyond words!"
"If you wanted me to hug you, you never needed this potion in the first place. All you had to do was ask. I would never refuse you—in fact, being able to hug Rice Shower is already a reward in itself…"
"Even if you secretly made me drink the potion, I still wouldn't blame you. Because it was my fault to begin with—I left without explanation for so long, making you all worry, making my cute little sister feel lonely. That's why you did this in the first place…"
"Onii-sama…" Rice Shower was stunned speechless by Mizuno's heartfelt confession. Her mind blanked out entirely, her grip on the potion nearly slipping.
Before she could recover, Mizuno stepped forward and gently wrapped his arms around her.
"O-Onii-sama?!" Rice Shower's body stiffened slightly in surprise.
This was the first time Mizuno had ever embraced her while fully conscious. For Rice Shower, who had always longed for Mizuno's affection but feared rejection, this sudden hug was overwhelming. Her heart raced uncontrollably.
Pressed softly against her Onii-sama's broad chest, feeling his gentle fingers tenderly brushing through her hair, Rice Shower's troubled eyes slowly brightened, filling with crystal-clear tears.
A single, jewel-like tear slipped from her eye, gently soaking into Mizuno's clothes.
But this time, these tears were tears of joy.
Because at this very moment, Rice Shower finally understood—
Getting hugs from Onii-sama…was actually this easy all along…
"I understand now, Onii-sama…" Rice Shower quietly placed the B potion back onto the table, opening her arms wide and lovingly hugging Mizuno back.
All this time, she had misunderstood—
The bond between her and Onii-sama never required outside intervention.
Because she loved Onii-sama, and Onii-sama loved her just as much.
She simply needed to express herself openly, speak her thoughts clearly—and surely her feelings would reach him…
After savoring the embrace for a few sweet moments, Rice Shower willingly stepped back, separating herself from Mizuno's comforting warmth.
"Rice Shower?" Mizuno asked, slightly confused.
But Rice Shower smiled gently and shook her head:
"It's enough now, Onii-sama…"
Just as humans no longer feared the darkness because they knew the sun would rise again tomorrow, Rice Shower no longer had to desperately cling to Mizuno. She knew he would never abandon her.
Even if he occasionally disappeared without explanation, Rice Shower didn't need to fear—because, just like today, her Onii-sama would always reappear as her knight from a fairytale, giving her the warmth of his embrace when she needed him most.
There was no reason to forcibly bind Onii-sama to her side. After all, he had always been watching over her—he had never truly left her at all.
"Let's go to the field now, Onii-sama." Rice Shower gently took Mizuno's hand, smiling sweetly. "Everyone has missed you terribly these past weeks—let's go surprise them~"
"Mm!" Mizuno nodded firmly, moved deeply by her lovely smile.
Indeed, Rice Shower was still his adorable, precious little sister: pure, kindhearted, always thinking of others first. He was incredibly fortunate to have such a sweet sibling!
Besides, it was about time he returned to his responsibilities, took back the role of trainer from his coworker Kiryuin-san, and fulfilled his duties guiding his own Uma team!
Hand-in-hand, Trainer Mizuno and Rice Shower left for the practice field together.
...
About ten minutes after they left, another Uma gently opened the partially ajar training room door.
"Hmm? Why's the door open?" King Halo tilted her head, puzzled.
"Hello…anyone here?" King Halo glanced around, but there was no sign of her teammates inside.
"Strange…" King Halo crossed her arms thoughtfully.
Normally, an open door meant either Rice Shower or Haru Urara had arrived before her. But King Halo herself had personally woken Urara and helped her get ready this morning, so it definitely wasn't Urara.
"So…it must have been Rice Shower…" King Halo reasoned aloud.
Rice Shower probably arrived first and already started training out on the field.
"Cough… So thirsty…" King Halo coughed lightly, throat burning with dryness. She hadn't had a single drop of water since last night, leaving her utterly parched.
But the water dispenser inside the training room was unfortunately empty.
Just then, King Halo noticed an unopened bottle labeled [B] sitting on the table.
"This…is water?" King Halo lifted the potion suspiciously, examining it briefly. It appeared clear and odorless, probably just ordinary water someone left behind.
"Oh well…" Shrugging carelessly, she twisted open the bottle cap.
Whoever left it behind surely wouldn't mind if she borrowed it just this once. She could always buy them a replacement later…
"Glug, glug—" Without further thought, King Halo quickly drank down the entire [B] potion.
Mm~ This water is surprisingly sweet~