...
"Travel? Are we going to Trainer's hometown?" Haru Urara's eyes sparkled with a star-like gleam. "I want to go! I want to go!"
Except for Rice Shower and Seiun Sky, all the other Uma Musume wore expressions of surprise.
Lucian nodded. "Yes, the new year in China is later than here, so I thought it'd be nice to take you all back to celebrate."
"Lucian-kun... if we go–
would we be staying at your house?"
Even Silence Suzuka grew nervous at the thought of meeting his parents, feeling just like Seiun Sky had back then.
"Of course. My parents are very kind people, and they love lively gatherings."
"You don't have to give me an answer right away. If you decide to go, I'll need to confirm that you've all discussed it with your families." After all, this was an international trip, and Lucian wanted to consider every detail.
"Trainer, after you mentioned it last time, I already got my family's approval," Seiun Sky suddenly said.
She was the first one invited! (Proud face)
As she spoke, several gazes briefly lingered on her before turning to Lucian.
The ones carrying the most resentment were Silence Suzuka and Haru Urara.
"Uh... I just happened to think of it at the time, so I mentioned it to Seiun first," Lucian said, forcing a smile and offering a weak explanation.
In truth, the first person he told was Rice Shower.
But there was no way he could admit that now.
"Is that so? Trainer, were you only planning to take Seiun alone?" Haru Urara pouted, muttering under her breath.
"No, really, it's not like that. If you don't believe me, ask Seiun."
Having already claimed her mental victory, Seiun Sky didn't make things difficult for Lucian. "Well, Trainer definitely didn't invite just me."
At first, Seiun Sky had been quite conflicted.
Of course, she wanted to meet Lucian's parents alone... but going by herself was intimidating. Going with everyone else would make her less nervous.
"Trainer, you just lured my roommate to the dorm, and now you're trying to whisk us off to China!" Tokai Teio accused with a serious expression.
"So? Are you coming or not?"
"Hmph~ Since Trainer is inviting me so sincerely, I suppose I could consider it a little~"
"Consider? Hesitate? That means you don't want to go. Got it." Lucian made an "OK" gesture with his hand. "I'll just book one less ticket then."
"No way!" Tokai Teio clenched her fists and glared at Lucian, indignant. "Trainer, you can't do that! You can't!"
She had been drowsy moments ago, but now she was fully awake.
Meanwhile, Rice Shower was still covering her mouth, yawning from time to time.
"Rice-chan, are you sleepy?"
"Mhm," Rice Shower nodded.
"Didn't you fall asleep already?" Lucian recalled Haru Urara mentioning that both Rice Shower and Tokai Teio had been asleep earlier.
"Mhm... I woke up when I heard footsteps," Rice Shower said, then quickly waved her hands, worried she might sound like she was blaming others. "It's because Rice Shower's sleep is light. It's not Haru Urara's or anyone else's fault."
"Sorry, Rice-chan, Urara didn't mean to."
"I'm really sorry, Rice, for waking you up. My apologies."
"I'm sorry too. I apologize."
Without needing any prompting, Haru Urara, Special Week, and Silence Suzuka all apologized to Rice Shower.
Rice Shower waved her hands even more frantically. "It's really fine. I can just go back to sleep..."
This scene warmed Lucian's heart.
"Rice Shower, I've told you before that I hope you'll treat 'Dream' like your home, where everyone respects each other. Since they've formally apologized, you should formally forgive them too."
Rice Shower nodded, finding Lucian's words reasonable.
Being cared for and considered by everyone felt truly wonderful... To Rice Shower, it was even more comforting than soaking in a hot spring.
"Haru Urara, Spe-chan, and Suzuka-senpai, it's okay. Rice Shower isn't upset. I forgive you."
On the other side, Dextrous Bailey and Seiun Sky also apologized to Tokai Teio.
Tokai Teio: "No way~ No way~ I wasn't woken up by you guys at all. I just woke up because I needed to use the bathroom."
"Stare—" Seiun Sky immediately narrowed her eyes. "Teio, give me back my apology."
"Nope. There's an old saying in China: 'Words spoken are like water spilled.' No takebacks," Tokai Teio said, wagging a finger.
"Hm? You used that one correctly," Lucian said, slightly surprised. "Haru Urara, did you teach her that?"
Haru Urara shook her head. "It wasn't Haru Urara who taught her, but I remember that phrase."
"Oh? Then explain it."
"Um..." Haru Urara thought seriously for a moment. "It means when you talk, you spit out saliva, which is rude, so Seiun was being rude just now."
"Wow, Haru Urara, that's amazing!" Rice Shower, as always, was quick to cheer her on.
"Uh." Lucian didn't know whether Haru Urara was teasing Seiun Sky or genuinely didn't understand. Ascertain that it was indeed Rice Shower he told first, and now he couldn't admit it. "Haru Urara, where did you learn all these sayings?"
Haru Urara flashed a proud smile. "I learned them from a video. It was a foreigner."
"So, there's a real Chinese native right in front of you, and you're learning from a foreigner?" Lucian rubbed his temples.
"Well, Haru Urara will learn from Trainer next time then~" Haru Urara thought Lucianconstexpr
Lucian sighed, helpless. "One last reminder: make sure to clear it with your families. And it's getting late now—when are you all going to bed?"
"Trainer's right. Haru Urara's getting a bit sleepy too."
Haru Urara was the first to comply, obediently lying back down beside Lucian, pulling the blanket up to cover half her face, and looking at him cutely.
Seiun Sky quickly returned to her own bed. "Sleep time, sleep time~"
Special Week, Silence Suzuka, and Dextrous Bailey also returned to their spots, but no one dared move until the lights were dimmed.
Aside from Lucian, who was still sitting, only Rice Shower and Tokai Teio remained standing.
The two exchanged glances with Lucian, unsure whether to stay or go.
"You two..."
"Trainer, can I sleep next to Haru Urara?" Rice Shower asked softly. "I'm a bit scared to be alone in my room."
"Sure, that's fine."
Lucian thought it made sense.
Plus, with Rice Shower there, Haru Urara probably wouldn't cause any more trouble.
Rice Shower went to grab her bedding, leaving just...