...
A night without wind, rain, or nocturnal disturbances passed uneventfully.
The next day, the horse girls resumed their routine training.
Compared to the previous week, the intensity of the training programs gradually increased, making it quite challenging for each team to secure a good ranking.
Yet, no matter how tough or exhausting it was, the horse girls persevered and adapted, bringing the training camp to a close with impressive completion rates.
However, the overcast skies that had loomed for days finally gave way to tears on the eve of the camp's conclusion. That night, thunder rumbled, and silver dragons of lightning flashed across the gloomy sky.
If the rain continued into the next day, the final day of training would have to be canceled.
The roaring thunder and pouring rain became the dominant symphony of the night, casting a somber mood over everything.
Noticing the subdued atmosphere indoors, Lucian offered an optimistic remark: "Seems like even the heavens are reluctant to see you all leave this place."
"Maybe the heavens just think we're too tired and are giving us a day off with this rain," Tokai Teio chimed in cheerfully, her thoughts taking a playful turn after Lucian's lead.
"Why don't you all play some games and turn in early tonight? The weather forecast says the rain will continue tomorrow, so we'll take another day off and head back the day after."
Dismantling the camp's signage and tents would take time—they couldn't just leave immediately.
"Yay~ Let's play a game, Spe-chan! I'm gonna win your carrots this time!"
"Teio, I won't lose so easily this time!"
"Urara wants to join too!"
...
Lucian's worries were somewhat misplaced.
The silence during the downpour wasn't due to gloom but because everyone's minds were bubbling with thoughts like hot springs surging from the ground.
Dextrous Bailey: I won't oversleep tonight!
Seiun Sky: I can't repeat last time... Just a suit isn't enough to make up for it, is it?
Silence Suzuka: Will Seiun come again? This time, I won't scare her off... Do I have earplugs with good noise isolation?
Haru Urara: I must sleep with Trainer tonight!
Tokai Teio: If it's just light rain tomorrow, maybe I can go look for honey with Urara... If Urara's busy, Trainer will do too.
Special Week: Rest, play games, win carrots!
Rice Shower: The rain... it's so heavy.
...
A few out-of-place thoughts slipped into the mix.
But oblivious to all this, Lucian excused himself to discuss matters with Toujou Hana and Nishizaki Ryo.
Toujou Hana: "Lucian-kun, we're short on staff. You might need to make extra trips to collect all the signage."
Lucian: "No problem. I remember the locations, and I have my bike. It won't be troublesome."
Nishizaki Ryo: "I'll handle the beach and island areas."
With roles assigned, the three fell into casual conversation.
Nishizaki Ryo: "Hana, 'Rigil' isn't expanding this year, right? You won't poach anyone during the school mock races, will you?"
Toujou Hana: "Originally, no. But now that you mention it, it's not off the table..."
Nishizaki Ryo: "Yamero! (Don't!) Hana, are you really going to stand by and watch 'Spica' disband?"
Lucian: "Don't worry, Ryo-senpai. I'll take good care of your team members."
Nishizaki Ryo: "Pfft, who needs your care? Feels like you've got your eyes on them... Speaking of, Lucian, is your team recruiting?"
Ever since encountering Special Week, Silence Suzuka, and Tokai Teio, Nishizaki Ryo had felt an inexplicable sense of loss.
Lucian: "Quit staring at me, Ryo-senpai."
Nishizaki Ryo: "You're right. So, are you recruiting?"
Lucian: "There are plenty of better trainers at the academy than me."
Nishizaki Ryo: "Recruiting?"
Lucian: "Yeah. Hehe."
...
The banter with the two seniors was enjoyable.
But one thing had become clear to Lucian after witnessing Nishizaki Ryo and Toujou Hana's training methods and experience—he gradually abandoned any thoughts of poaching.
Every trainer at Tracen Academy had passed rigorous evaluations.
While he wanted to recruit famous horse girls, what if he ended up holding them back? Lucian felt he shouldn't be so selfish.
Of course, those who hadn't joined a team yet were a different story.
...
As they chatted, time slipped away, and soon it was 10 p.m.
Outside, the rain showed no signs of letting up, and the sky grew even darker, illuminated only by sporadic flashes of lightning.
It resembled a black ocean, the churning clouds like turbulent waves, as if a whirlpool might form at any moment.
Lucian slid open the door, intending to remind the horse girls to sleep, only to find both rooms already dark.
They're being this well-behaved today?
He wasn't used to it.
After listening carefully for a while and confirming no sounds, he quietly returned to his room.
...
Special Week: "Urara, isn't tomorrow a day off too? Why are we sleeping so early?"
She had lost quite a few carrots today and wanted a rematch, but Urara suddenly stopped playing.
Silence Suzuka: "Spe-chan, Seiun and the others already went to bed. We shouldn't disturb them."
Special Week: "Oh, Suzuka's right."
But Urara's reasoning was similar to Suzuka's—if her roommates fell asleep sooner, she could act faster.
The same thought crossed Seiun Sky and Dextrous Bailey's minds.
This led to the unanimous, albeit deceptive, decision to turn in early.
Yet, the relentless thunder made it hard for anyone to sleep, stirring fear in their hearts.
Special Week was no exception...
Special Week: "Suzuka, are you asleep?"
Silence Suzuka: "Not yet."
Special Week: "Oh..."
Special Week: "Urara, what about you? Are you asleep?"
Haru Urara: "Almost, almost. Spe-chan, stop talking."
Special Week: "Oh."
...
A while later, hearing Rice Shower's steady breathing, Urara prepared to leave with her blanket—only for Special Week to speak up again.
Special Week: "Urara, where are you going?"
Haru Urara: "Spe-chan!? You're still awake?"
Special Week: "I... can't really sleep."
Silence Suzuka, also awake, sighed.
Silence Suzuka: "Spe-chan, are you scared?"
Special Week: "Yeah... of the thunder." She admitted softly. "So, Urara, where are you going?"
She never forgot the original question, no matter how the conversation strayed.
Urara was losing patience. Every minute spent sleeping with Trainer was precious.
She couldn't wait any longer!
Haru Urara: "Urara's going to sleep in Trainer's room because I'm scared of thunder too!"
Clutching her blanket, she dashed out without waiting for a response from Silence Suzuka or Special Week.
...