...
After the Daily Cup, the next major race was the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger).
On this day, Lucian was chatting with everyone in the Trainer's office.
"Lucian, your team's Suzuka has been stealing the spotlight lately," Nishizaki Ryo remarked while reading the newspaper with great interest, reciting the headline: "'Silence Suzuka Cuts Down Grass and Eagle.'"
"Hey, wasn't El Condor Pasa and Grass Wonder both part of Aka's 'Rigil' team?" Nishizaki Ryo wasn't actually unsure—he was just asking for trouble.
Toujou Hana's forehead twitched with irritation as she retorted sharply, "You should worry more about how to get your team up to five members first. It's almost the end of the year—don't let 'Spica' disband before then."
Nishizaki Ryo took a sip of tea, completely unbothered. "There's a school mock race coming up soon. I doubt any horse girl would turn down an invitation from the 'Spica' trainer."
The mock races held at Tracen Academy were also a way for trainers to scout new team members.
"Really? Then why did you kidnap someone with a sack and drag them to the lounge last time, Senpai?" Lucian exposed him.
"That wasn't kidnapping! That was... an invitation!" Nishizaki Ryo insisted shamelessly, putting on a righteous front.
As the three chatted, the office door was knocked.
Toujou Hana glanced up. "Come in."
A middle-aged man in a suit walked in.
Lucian gave him a quick look and vaguely recognized him—wasn't this the trainer from "Canopus," Minamizaka?
"Trainer Toujou, Trainer Nishizaki," Minamizaka greeted, then turned to Lucian. "And Trainer Lucain, hello."
Nishizaki Ryo nodded in acknowledgment before introducing him to Lucian. "Lucian, let me introduce you. This is Minamizaka, a newly arrived trainer at the academy. He'll also be working as an assistant trainer for 'Rigil' for a while."
"A trainee trainer?" Lucian asked in surprise.
"Yes, I'm a new trainee trainer. I hope to raise outstanding horse girls like you someday, Trainer Lucian." Minamizaka's gaze held a hint of admiration as he looked at Lucian.
Thanks to his team's impressive performances, Lucian had gained quite a reputation among trainers.
"You flatter me. Welcome to Tracen Academy." Lucian stood up and shook hands with Minamizaka.
Canopus—this team included members like Matikanetannhauser, Nice Nature, Twin Turbo, Ikuno Dictus, and others...
Lucian had always assumed the first three had already joined the team. So it hadn't even been formed yet?
Now he had no choice but to poach them.
He shot Minamizaka a sympathetic look. Sorry, but he'd do it again.
"Nishizaki-senpai, I've always had a question."
"What is it, Lucian?"
"With Minamizaka here, we now have trainers representing the east, west, and south. Does our academy have any trainers with 'north' in their name?"
"Is that even a question?" Nishizaki Ryo smirked and pointed at Toujou Hana. "Aka, Lucian's teasing you."
...
After months of preparation, the day of the Kikuka Sho finally arrived.
Lucian once again brought the entire team to cheer for Seiun Sky and Special Week.
Silence Suzuka and the others went ahead to the spectator seats, while Lucian stayed in the waiting room to give Special Week and Seiun Sky some last-minute advice.
"King Halo is the most notable among your opponents, but this is still a G1. Don't underestimate the other horse girls."
Lucian wasn't taking the competition lightly. Nishizaki Ryo's training methods weren't much worse than his, so King Halo would undoubtedly have improved since last time.
He had also already gone through the profiles of the other competitors with Special Week and Seiun Sky multiple times before the race.
"Got it, Trainer!" Special Week was already dressed in her racing uniform, ready to go. "Seiun, I won't go easy on you."
"Same here, Spe-chan~ Don't cry if you lose, okay?"
Special Week shot a glance at Lucian, thinking he had told Seiun Sky about her quietly crying last time.
Lucian quickly shook his head—he hadn't said a word.
Special Week reluctantly retracted her suspicious gaze. "Seiun, aren't we going out yet?"
Special Week had been ready for a while, waiting for Seiun Sky so they could leave together.
Meanwhile, Seiun Sky hadn't even put on her shoes—let alone her socks—and was lazily covering her mouth as she yawned.
Wake up! Don't space out now—this is a G1!
Seiun Sky sat on a chair, swinging her bare, milky-white feet carelessly. "Spe-chan, you go ahead. The crowd favorite has to make a grand entrance~"
In the popularity poll this time, Seiun Sky had taken first place, with Special Week in second.
"Alright." Special Week nodded and left the waiting room first.
"I should head out too. Hurry up and get ready for the race." Seeing that it was about time, Lucian also prepared to leave.
"Nope~ You can't~"
"You're the one who can't." Lucian shot back.
"Oh-ho~ The trainer's grown a spine." Seiun Sky grinned. "Finally got Spe-chan out of the way~ She's so silly~ Now it's just me and the trainer again."
"What are you up to now?" Lucian could already smell trouble brewing.
"Help me put them on~" Seiun Sky teased, then stretched out one delicate foot under the light. "Otherwise... I'll just run barefoot."
"Do it yourself."
"No~ I need to save all my energy for the race. Unless... the trainer won't even stoop to help me with my shoes..."
Her expression shifted instantly to one of melancholy, as if she might cry at any moment.
"Fine, fine... I'll help. Just put them on quickly and go warm up." Lucian sighed and knelt down, picking up Seiun Sky's socks and shoes before gently holding her ankle.
Seiun Sky's feet were well-groomed, and she wiggled her toes playfully in front of him, like a flower blooming. "You can eat popsicles carelessly, but not this~ But if the trainer begs me..."
Lucian: "Shut up..."
If the race weren't about to start, he would've made her regret it with a good tickling.
After putting on one shoe, Lucian moved to the other foot—but Seiun Sky suddenly hooked a finger under his chin, leaning in close.
"Trainer, I don't want you to help me anymore. I need to recharge my energy for today..."
She wasn't asking—Lucian had no say in the matter.
Before he could react, she tilted his head up and kissed him firmly. Usually, she had to stand on her tiptoes, but this time, she was taking charge.
Lucian wasn't flustered, though. To deal with a troublemaker, you had to be just as bold. So he swatted her hand away—only to grab her wrist instead.
Today's kiss went even deeper than before.
...