...
A few days later, Silence Suzuka submitted her withdrawal application.
Though Toujou Hana felt regretful, she chose to respect Silence Suzuka's decision.
"Suzuka, which team are you planning to join next?" Toujou Hana actually thought Silence Suzuka would fit well in Team "Spica."
But for the sake of her pride, she didn't want to say it outright to Nishizaki Ryo.
Doing so would just prove that Nishizaki Ryo succeeded where she couldn't.
"I haven't thought about joining any team for now." Silence Suzuka secretly glanced at Lucian beside her and winked at him.
"You could try out for other teams you might find one that suits you." Not wanting Silence Suzuka's talent to go to waste, Toujou Hana gave a subtle suggestion.
"Trainer, don't worry. I have my own plans."
"Alright." Seeing Silence Suzuka's determination, Toujou Hana didn't press further. "I hope you'll shine brightly on the track in the future."
"Thank you, and I appreciate your guidance during this time."
A rare smile appeared on Toujou Hana's face as she gradually understood something. "Then, shall we talk about another matter?"
"Another matter?" Silence Suzuka wondered since she had already left the team, surely they wouldn't be reviewing past races now.
"Yes, let's talk about 'poaching.'"
"Cough, cough, cough..." Lucian suddenly let out a few forced coughs.
He had been watching the scene unfold, only to find the fire suddenly directed at him.
"Lucian-kun, what's wrong? Do you have a cold?" Toujou Hana looked at him with a stern expression.
"Just a little, but it's nothing serious." Lucian raised his head and happened to meet Silence Suzuka's eyes, which held a trace of amusement.
No time to overthink now he had to deal with this "poaching" accusation.
"If you're sick, you should get it checked soon." Toujou Hana lightly tapped her arm with her fingers.
"Hana-nee is right, then I'll just—"
"Trainer, what did you mean earlier by 'poaching'?" Silence Suzuka raised her hand, feigning confusion.
"Yes, Lucian-kun, what do you think about 'poaching'?" A faint smile tugged at Toujou Hana's lips.
She didn't need to guess Silence Suzuka's withdrawal was undoubtedly linked to Lucian.
Seeing no escape, Lucian put on an indignant expression and declared righteously, "Such behavior is despicable! I never expected Nishizaki Ryo-senpai to be that kind of person!"
"Alright, alright... you two." Toujou Hana sighed in amusement. "I'm not that petty."
Lucian stood obediently to the side and shot Silence Suzuka a sharp glare, but the latter acted as if she hadn't noticed.
"If you've found your path, then keep walking it." These words were Toujou Hana's final advice to Silence Suzuka.
"Yes, I will." Silence Suzuka nodded.
...
Lucian and Silence Suzuka left the lounge together.
With no upcoming races for Silence Suzuka in the near future, training could be taken slowly.
"Suzuka, was that earlier intentional or accidental?"
"Of course, it was accidental." When Silence Suzuka spoke calmly, there was no trace of deception in her voice.
"I think you were intentionally accidental."
"Toujou-sensei wasn't wrong, though. You did poach me and then framed Nishizaki Ryo-sensei for it." As she spoke, Silence Suzuka pulled out a recorder from her pocket and played back Lucian's earlier words.
"You even recorded it and still claim it wasn't intentional..." Lucian pouted.
"Lucian-kun, you wouldn't want Nishizaki Ryo-sensei to find out about this, would you?"
Silence Suzuka turned to face Lucian.
She took a small step forward he took a big step back.
"Y-You... what do you want...?"
...
"Haah~"
Lucian walked down the school corridor, heading to his next class.
He instinctively tried to cover his unrefined yawn, but his arm ached with soreness.
Silence Suzuka had put him through quite the ordeal yesterday.
Lucian was convinced she had planned it how else would the timing perfectly align with a day off?
But there was nothing he could do. With evidence in her hands, he was at her mercy...
The "evidence" being that recording, and the "mercy" referring to nearly two hours of massage.
Surely no one misunderstood, right?
Fortunately, Lucian wasn't one to be bullied either. While massaging, he could adjust his strength as he pleased.
He grabbed Silence Suzuka's legs and pressed hard on a certain acupoint on her sole.
Don't tell me someone misunderstood again?
Silence Suzuka's face turned bright red, but she clenched her teeth, refusing to admit defeat.
Thus, the scene unfolded: Suzuka silent, gritting her teeth; Lucian wordless, pressing relentlessly.
"Ah, this should be the right classroom." Lucian checked his phone, confirmed the room number, and stepped inside.
The students were already seated and ready, with no empty spots.
But Lucian still went through the roll call as per procedure.
"El Condor Pasa."
"Here!"
A horse girl wearing a flashy eye mask raised her hand high from her seat.
Her blue eyes were mesmerizing, like gemstones embedded in her sockets.
Her crescent-moon smile and perked-up ears radiated boundless energy.
This was the previously mentioned El Condor Pasa soon to join "Rigil" and one of the main rivals of the anime's first-season protagonist, Special Week.
"A potential star..." Lucian thought.
But he had no intention of coaxing—er, recruiting her.
Under Toujou Hana's training, El Condor Pasa had already achieved considerable success.
...
"Grass Wonder."
"Here."
The girl raised her hand with a gentle smile, exuding grace and tranquility.
Grass Wonder carried herself like a refined young lady soft-spoken, elegant in every movement.
Though Lucian recalled she had once failed a cultural class and had to retake it.
A shame she was already a member of "Rigil."
Hmm... now that he thought about it, didn't it feel like his chosen horsegirls had been poached by Toujou Hana?
...
"Seiun Sky."
"Seiun Sky?"
"Is Seiun Sky here?"
Lucian called a few times before finally looking up to scan the room.
Seiun Sky was still sprawled over her desk, her sky-blue short hair facing Lucian.
The students nearby were about to wake her, but Lucian raised a finger to his lips, signaling them to stop.
Everyone looked at him in confusion.