...
The evening wind carried the call of the sea, and the sudden drop in temperature brought a biting chill.
Lucian often reminded his team members not to catch colds, but when it came down to it, while Special Week and Tokai Teio were unaffected, he was the one shivering from the cold.
"Let's set up the tent here," the shop owner said, finding a spot farther from the shore where most tourists had pitched their tents.
"Got it." With the shop owner's help, Lucian managed to set up the tent from the car without issue.
The tent was quite spacious inside and even came with sleeping bags.
Lucian felt his sleeping bag was a bit small—after all, it was originally meant for Haru Urara.
"Get some rest early. We have to wake up early tomorrow."
"Okay, Trainer~"
"Understood, Trainer-san."
...
Lucian turned and went back into the tent. The night wind beat against the fabric, creating a muffled rustling sound.
Just as he lay down, a video call from Silence Suzuka came through.
Lucian turned off his camera and answered the call. "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"Lucian-kun, did you have fun with them today?"
"It was alright. Just wandered around a bit." Even through the screen, Lucian could sense the sharpness in her tone.
"Is that so? It seems Lucian-kun had a great time, considering you didn't send me a single message all day." Silence Suzuka's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Lucian knew he was at fault. "Suzuka… I'm sorry. I really was careless today. I barely had any time to check my phone."
"What about the camera? Why won't you turn it on? Does Lucian-kun not want me to see you anymore?"
"It's too dark, and I'm already under the covers."
"But… I miss you."
Lucian froze for a moment before turning on the camera. However, due to the dim lighting, only a faint outline of him was visible. "See? I told you it'd be hard to see."
"It's fine. This is enough. I haven't seen Lucian-kun all day." Silence Suzuka could be surprisingly clingy at times.
"I'll be back tomorrow. Then you can see me."
"Alright." Silence Suzuka truly couldn't suppress her longing. She had waited for Lucian's message all day and had been sulking the entire time. "Lucian-kun, you didn't message Seiun Sky, did you?"
"No, I really didn't have any free time. I just lay down and was about to go to sleep. I wanted to say goodnight to you."
"This early?"
"We're watching the sunrise tomorrow, so we have to wake up early."
"Fine. Lucian-kun, get some rest. Goodnight."
Lucian was a little surprised. "Aren't you going to ask me to share what I did today?"
"That's something Lucian-kun should tell me in person after you come back." Silence Suzuka's sulkiness gradually faded. "Lucian-kun, I don't have classes anymore. In the afternoons from now on, I want to come study at your place."
"Just studying?"
"What else would it be?"
"Never mind. Study hard, do well on your exams. Goodnight."
"Goodnight." After hanging up, Silence Suzuka tidied the books on her desk.
Today's studying hadn't been very efficient.
She had completely become a little fool who couldn't live without her Trainer…
Studying near Lucian would help her focus. When she got tired, she could hug him, kiss him.
Mhm, she'd study properly. Though she hadn't specified whether she'd be studying coursework… or something else.
Exhausted from the day's fun and travel, Lucian was ready to sleep after exchanging goodnights with Silence Suzuka.
But then, Special Week's message arrived right on time.
"Trainer-san, wait… I'm coming over."
Hm? Was Special Week about to pull something like Seiun Sky or Silence Suzuka? Lucian doubted it.
She probably had something on her mind she wanted to talk about.
Lucian replied with an "Okay" and idly scrolled through his phone as he waited.
...
Before long, the faint sound of a zipper broke the silence.
The sound of the sea breeze remained strong, but Lucian could still hear it clearly.
They had to wake up early tomorrow to see the sunrise, and it was almost midnight already.
Lucian looked up to see Special Week carefully crawling into the tent, then turning to zip it back up.
"Trainer-san…"
"Spe-chan." Lucian sat up, both of them instinctively keeping their voices low. "Teio's asleep?"
"Mhm, sound asleep. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare come over."
"So, Spe-chan, what brings you to your Trainer in the middle of the night?"
Special Week moved closer and sat down hesitantly. "Trainer-san, I brought you some snacks."
She remembered how Tokai Teio had given Lucian bread that morning. "You said you wanted me to feed you, right?"
Lucian was taken aback. He hadn't expected Special Week to come over just for this. "Well… but I don't feel like eating now."
"Why? Did you eat too much for dinner?"
"That's part of it, but not the whole reason."
"Then what else is there?"
"This afternoon, when Teio came back, Spe-chan immediately let go of my hand~" Lucian sighed dramatically. "Tsk."
"No, Trainer-san, I was just afraid Teio would notice…" Special Week leaned forward, bracing her hands on the floor. "Trainer-san, I'm sorry, okay? Please forgive me."
Lucian looked at her, unmoved.
"Trainer-san." Special Week reached into her pocket and pulled out a rectangular piece of candy, clamping it between her teeth as she held it in her mouth.
She hunched slightly, trembling as she inched closer to Lucian.
Though Lucian hadn't touched her yet, he could already feel the scorching heat radiating from her body.
Lucian tilted his head slightly, accepting the candy from Special Week's mouth. But just as she tried to "push her luck," he mercilessly bit the candy in half.
Their eyes met, and Special Week's affectionate gaze was so tender it seemed to melt into liquid.
She froze for a moment, both embarrassed and indignant. But Lucian had already ignited this fire in her—how could she hold back now? She cupped his face and began kissing him fervently.
"Mmph…!" Lucian couldn't break free or speak. This was what they called playing with fire.
A long moment later, Special Week pulled away, panting lightly, a glistening trail still lingering at the corner of her lips.
"Trainer-san… are you still mad?"
"Even madder now." Lucian pulled Special Week into his arms. "Spe-chan, are you going back to sleep now?"
"Mhm. Don't we have to wake up early tomorrow?"
"Not planning to stay here with me?"
"But Teio is…"
"Oh, so Spe-chan is going to let go of my hand again, just like this afternoon."
"I'm not! Trainer-san, stop accusing me." Special Week shook her head and interlaced her fingers with Lucian's.
"Set an alarm. Wake up a little earlier, or just don't sleep at all tonight." A willing body pillow was something Lucian had no reason to refuse.
But some things were still too soon. He was sure Special Week didn't mean anything beyond this, so he wouldn't force her to do anything more.
Two tents were enough. A third one wasn't necessary.
...