...
At the Kikuka Sho, Seiun Sky's grand escape made headlines across major publications, turning her into a momentary celebrity racehorse girl.
Special Week, who came in second, also gained immense popularity.
Barring any surprises, both of them were guaranteed to be selected for the Arima Kinen.
However, Lucian was deeply worried because he could tell that Seiun Sky had pushed herself to her limits during that race.
He was proud of her determination, akin to Ines Fujin's, but he didn't want her to end up with the same fate as Ines Fujin.
...
"What are your plans after the Kikuka Sho?"
"Do you have confidence in beating Miss Seiun Sky next time?"
"Which racehorse girls are you looking forward to competing against?"
...
The swarm of reporters surrounding Special Week disrupted Lucian's daily training routine.
But there was no helping it, as these reporters had the academy's permission.
"Sorry, we're in the middle of training right now. Feel free to take some photos or videos," Lucian said, shielding Special Week behind him as he dealt with the reporters. Then he pulled Special Week along and fled back to the lounge.
"Trainer-san, that was scary~" Special Week said, her expression one of relief.
"Well, our Spe-chan is a celebrity racehorse girl now, after all." Lucian poured her a glass of water. "Here, quench your thirst."
"But being in front of so many people makes me a little panicky."
"Then just run like you did earlier—none of them can catch up to you." Lucian poured himself some water too. "Didn't I give you and Seiun the day off today? Why'd you still come?"
Special Week clutched her glass, muttering, "While Seiun's not here, I want to secretly improve and then surprise her."
"Rest is important too, you know. The Kikuka Sho must have worn you out a lot, right?"
Though Special Week came to the training field as usual today, Lucian only let her jog lightly on her own.
Suddenly, Lucian remembered the text Seiun Sky sent him. "By the way, Seiun's coming by to hang out soon. She's smart enough to avoid the reporters."
"Trainer-san, you're calling me dumb again."
"How could a dumb racehorse girl take second place in the Kikuka Sho?"
A smile just started to bloom on Special Week's face when Lucian continued, "You're just a little silly."
"Trainer-san..."
"Adorably silly."
"Trainer-san, are you praising me or teasing me?"
"Don't move from here. I'll go get you some carrots."
"Carrots!?" A flash of excitement crossed Special Week's face, but it quickly faded. "Trainer, please don't change the subject!"
...
Once the reporters had left, Lucian brought Special Week back to the training field.
Haru Urara, Rice Shower, and Dextrous Bailey were sitting together.
"I step away for a moment, and you're all sitting on the ground?"
"Trainer, where'd you go?" Haru Urara got up from the ground, pouting. "You're falsely accusing me! Urara already finished the tasks you assigned."
"Then I misjudged you, Urara."
Lucian pinched her soft cheeks, finding it too fun to stop. Both hands went to work, molding her face into all sorts of funny expressions.
"Ugh... Trainer won't even apologize to Urara and keeps playing with me..."
"What, I can't even pinch your cheeks anymore? Fine~" Lucian feigned disappointment, pulling his hands back in a calculated retreat.
"Huh... I didn't say you couldn't! I'll let Trainer pinch, okay?" Haru Urara grabbed his hands and placed them back on her cheeks.
"Urara's still the cutest." Under Lucian's mischievous hands, Haru Urara's face morphed like dough. "No wonder Trainer treats you so well."
"Enough, enough, no more pinching... Trainer's gonna ruin my face." Haru Urara held her cheeks. "If Trainer wants to touch more, let Rice-chan take a turn first."
Rice Shower, still out of the loop, was sold out by Haru Urara. "Huh? Me?"
Rice Shower fidgeted with her hands, slowly lowering her head.
Lucian felt too bad to tease her, so he turned to Dextrous Bailey and Special Week.
Dextrous Bailey turned away, seemingly refusing, but her swaying tail spoke otherwise.
Special Week backed away, covering her face. "Trainer, you pinched Urara, so you can't pinch me."
"Then I'll just pinch Urara again."
Seeing Lucian's gaze return to her, Haru Urara covered her face and ran off.
Lucian couldn't help but chuckle, his attention drawn to Silence Suzuka and Tokai Teio still running on the track.
...
"Suzuka-senpai, you're way too fast..." Tokai Teio panted.
Tokai Teio could barely keep up with Silence Suzuka for a while, but overtaking her anytime soon was tough.
Silence Suzuka was quietly surprised by Tokai Teio's talent but didn't shy away from her praise. "Teio, you've actually grown a lot already. Maybe you just need more experience in big races."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, let the person behind you polish you a few more times, and you'll probably get really strong."
"The person behind me? Polish?" Tokai Teio turned around, confused. "Trainer."
"Yo, Teio lost again?"
"What do you mean 'again'!?" Tokai Teio reacted like her tail had been stepped on, huffing, "Suzuka-senpai said I have a lot of talent!"
"Alright, alright, you've got talent, you've got talent. You're the chubbiest!" Lucian gave her a thumbs-up.
"Trainer, it feels like you're brushing me off—" Tokai Teio squinted at Lucian.
"Okay, that's enough training for today. Head to the lounge."
...
Lucian, along with the others, were the last to return to the lounge.
There wasn't much to do today, so everyone could leave after tidying up.
"Comfy?" Lucian asked Seiun Sky, who was sitting in his spot. "So why'd you come by now?"
"Trainer doesn't welcome me?"
"Not at all, it's just that everyone's about to leave."
"Got it~" She didn't come here to see everyone anyway.
"Those on duty stay behind. Today's... Suzuka, right?" Lucian asked.
"Yeah." Silence Suzuka nodded.
"Alright, please take care of sweeping the back area and hanging the washed clothes. I'll handle cleaning the lounge."
"Okay." Silence Suzuka grabbed a broom and headed out the back door.
"Then, Trainer, we're off," Haru Urara and the others said goodbye to Lucian. After an afternoon of training, their stomachs were growling.
"See ya."
The lounge was left with just Seiun Sky and Lucian.
...