...
Lying in Lucian's arms like this wasn't the first time for Special Week.
"Trainer-san, are you cold? Your arm feels a little chilly." Special Week held Lucian's arm, transferring her warmth to him.
"A little." He couldn't use Haru Urara's sleeping bag, and the blanket covering him wasn't very thick. Fortunately, he had an extra thick coat layered on top.
"Then hold me tighter, Trainer-san."
"Mhm." Lucian adjusted his position. Originally, Special Week had been curled up in his embrace, but now he rested at the level of her neck.
Special Week felt like she was cradling a baby.
"Trainer-san, then... let's sleep now, okay?"
"Mhm. Goodnight, Spe-chan."
"Wait... one more kiss before sleeping."
This time, Lucian didn't tease her. He lifted his head to peck Special Week's lips, pulling away after the lightest touch—not giving her the chance to fumble through an inexperienced kiss. "Can we sleep now?"
"Goodnight, Trainer-san."
They exchanged goodnights, but neither of them fell asleep immediately.
Special Week's heartbeat was rapid, and Lucian, pressed against her, listened to its rhythm.
He lay there comfortably, as if hugging a soft bundle of cotton. "Is it because I'm holding you that Spe-chan can't sleep?"
"N-No, just wait a bit... I'll stop being nervous soon."
"Spe-chan is just too adorable."
"A-Adorable... Actually, only Trainer-san has ever said that about me." Special Week felt like she had eaten a piece of honey. "Trainer-san, have you said that to other horse girls too?"
"Of course not. I only whisper it to Spe-chan." Lucian closed his eyes, his light voice tinged with drowsiness.
"T-Trainer-san!?"
Special Week suddenly gasped softly—Lucian's hand had slipped under her clothes and settled on her stomach.
Lucian: "I'm here. Is touching your stomach not allowed either?"
It wasn't entirely unexpected; this wasn't the first time he had done so.
Seeing Lucian's hand resting there quietly, Special Week gradually relaxed, though her voice still trembled. "I-It's okay... but no higher."
"Don't worry, Trainer isn't that kind of person~" Lucian was usually the one being pushed around anyway. "Let's sleep. This time, we're really going to sleep."
"Mhm! Goodnight again, Trainer-san."
...
By 4 a.m., the beach had gradually filled with visitors.
Camping by the shore wasn't the most comfortable, but the advantage was that upon waking up the next day, all they had to do was open the tent to check if the sun had risen.
"So sleepy..." Tokai Teio turned off her alarm and sat up with a yawn. "Spe-chan? Are you already up?"
After freshening up slightly, Tokai Teio unzipped the tent and headed over to Lucian's.
"Trainer~" she called sweetly as she entered, only to find Special Week already there. "Spe-chan, why are you here too?"
The cautious Special Week had woken up early and even gone out to buy breakfast for everyone.
"Teio, I just got back with breakfast. Trainer-san was already up, so we decided to eat here." Special Week rummaged through the bag and handed Tokai Teio a bread roll. "There wasn't any honey-flavored bread, but I got honey-flavored drinks instead."
"Thanks, but any other drink would've been fine too." Tokai Teio covered her mouth as she yawned again. "Spe-chan, how are you so well-rested? You don't even look tired."
"I am tired, but I just washed my face, so I feel a lot better now."
Also, waking up to see Trainer first thing in the morning had chased away most of her drowsiness.
"Teio, did you forget to wash your face?" Lucian reminded her.
"Ah, I did." Tokai Teio smiled sheepishly. "Then I'll go freshen up quickly before sunrise."
"Go ahead."
After Tokai Teio left, Special Week turned to Lucian. "Trainer-san, aren't you going to eat breakfast?"
"Not very hungry. Don't really have an appetite."
"Is it because I came over so late last night and didn't let you rest properly...?" At this thought, Special Week felt a pang of guilt.
From the visible bloodshot veins in Lucian's eyes, she could tell he wasn't in the best condition.
"No, it's not that. I don't stay up late often—occasionally losing sleep isn't a big deal." Lucian himself was a little puzzled by his current state; his head felt faintly dizzy.
"Are you sure you're okay? Maybe you should sleep a little longer, Trainer-san?"
"I'm fine. Besides, the sunrise might start soon."
Special Week gave him a worried look. "...Alright."
...
The sky gradually brightened, though for now, it remained as dull as a well-used iron pot, with gray clouds floating like rust at the bottom.
More and more people gathered by the shore. The three of them packed their belongings, slipped on their sandals, and made their way to the coastline.
Clusters of clouds clung to the horizon, making Lucian uneasy.
"Trainer, is the sun about to rise?" Tokai Teio asked, her view blocked by the crowd ahead.
"Not yet. Let's move forward a bit more." Lucian tugged at Special Week's and Tokai Teio's sleeves, weaving through gaps until they reached the front.
Rubbing his temples, Lucian found that the sea breeze only intensified his dizziness.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long before the edges of the clouds were gilded with gold.
The sun had risen—though, as with all things in life, there was some regret in not witnessing the exact moment it emerged from the sea.
"Too bad... I didn't get to take a picture," Tokai Teio said.
"It's okay. There'll be plenty more chances."
"Mhm, Trainer's right."
The three of them watched as the golden light slowly ascended, finally capturing the fully risen sun in the sky.
"Teio, Spe-chan, let's keep doing our best next year too." Lucian didn't feel much regret—after all, the racehorses by his side were the rising suns in his eyes.
"Trainer too, please continue to guide us."
"Trainer-san, I'll work hard!"
With that, their seaside trip came to an end. After watching the sunrise, the three packed up and set off back to Tracen Academy.
...