...
Another two weeks passed, and even the latest exams had concluded.
Teio and Dextrous Bailey finished their exams earlier, so Trainer Lucian had seen them off at the station two days prior.
Since McQueen had a private car arranged, Nice Nature, Doto, Matikanetannhauser, and Twin Turbo were sent off by her.
Haru Urara, Rice Shower, Seiun Sky, and Special Week were taken to the station by Trainer Lucian yesterday.
The only one left now was Silence Suzuka, whose train was scheduled for today.
That day, the entrance of Tracen Academy was filled with horse girls dragging their luggage as they departed. Trainer Lucian didn't have to wait long before Silence Suzuka arrived.
"Did you pack everything? Do you want to double-check?"
"No need." Silence Suzuka shook her head and continued pulling her luggage on her own.
"The car's out of gas, so I called a taxi today. It should be here soon."
"Mmm." Her tone was somewhat indifferent, as if she wasn't in the best mood.
"What's wrong? Were today's exams too difficult?"
"No, they were quite easy."
"Alright."
If it wasn't the exams, then it must be because of their impending separation.
Though Trainer Lucian understood, he didn't voice it. He had a big surprise planned for Silence Suzuka.
...
Before long, the taxi pulled up in front of them.
Trainer Lucian loaded the luggage into the trunk and got into the car, only for Silence Suzuka to immediately lean against his shoulder.
"Suzuka, are you feeling unwell?"
"Mmm, but it's here." Silence Suzuka pointed to her chest. "From now until after New Year's, it'll be over twenty days. That means over twenty days without seeing Lucian-kun."
"It's fine. I'll video call you every day."
"I'm worried you'll be lonely. Can't you just come home with me?" Silence Suzuka gripped Trainer Lucian's arm tightly.
"This... I'm not mentally prepared yet." Trainer Lucian patted Silence Suzuka's head.
Silence Suzuka sighed softly. "Mmm..."
Outside the window, the scenery blurred past along the endless gray road.
But time seemed to pass even faster. Though the ride should have taken over forty minutes, it felt like mere moments before they arrived at the station.
The entire time, Silence Suzuka had nestled silently in Trainer Lucian's arms.
Thinking she might have fallen asleep, Trainer Lucian gently nudged her as they got out. "Suzuka, we're here."
Silence Suzuka lifted her head, their eyes meeting.
She hadn't been sleeping at all—there was no drowsiness in her eyes. Instead, they were rimmed red, glistening with a thin layer of moisture, as if tiny crystalline stars shimmered in her pupils.
The reluctance she felt was like an intensely spicy flavor, so overpowering that it instantly brought tears to her eyes.
She probably hadn't even realized she would cry.
After holding back her emotions for so long, the moment she looked up at Trainer Lucian, tears fell.
Trainer Lucian quickly pulled her into a hug, comforting her softly. "Don't cry, okay? It's not like we'll never see each other again. Once the New Year's over, I'll come pick you up."
"Mmm..."
Silence Suzuka's soft voice was like a feather swaying in the wind, making Trainer Lucian's heart ache.
He took out a tissue and gently wiped her tears away. "You even put on makeup today. If you keep crying, you'll turn into a little tear-streaked Suzuka."
"I know. I don't want to cry either." Silence Suzuka's eyes were filled with nothing but Trainer Lucian's reflection. "Lucian-kun, I just don't want to leave you."
"I know. I don't want you to leave either."
If he wasn't reluctant, why would he have secretly bought a ticket for the same train as Silence Suzuka?
Or perhaps Trainer Lucian was also afraid of loneliness.
After some coaxing, Silence Suzuka finally got out of the car, holding Trainer Lucian's hand as they walked into the station.
At the entrance, where IDs were checked, her tears threatened to spill again.
"Come on, let's go inside and wait for the train. Send me a message once you get home."
"Does Lucian-kun want me to leave that badly?"
"Of course not. I'm just looking forward to seeing you again." Trainer Lucian smiled helplessly before opening his arms.
Silence Suzuka rushed into his embrace. "Wait for me here. Don't go to any other horse girl's house."
"I won't. Everyone from 'Dream' has gone home, right? Besides staying at my place, where else would I go?"
Silence Suzuka thought about it and realized he was right. "And you can't let yourself go during these twenty-some days..."
The heavy atmosphere of their farewell began to dissipate. How could Silence Suzuka not be gentle?
"Then what if I miss you? Should I just endure it?" Trainer Lucian lightly pinched Silence Suzuka's cheek.
"Just don't let yourself go. Wait for me properly."
"Alright, let's get you inside."
"Mmm." Silence Suzuka wiped her tears, checked in, and kept looking back at Trainer Lucian every few steps before finally disappearing up the stairs.
Once she was gone, Trainer Lucian quickly checked in as well and quietly followed after her.
...
The train hadn't departed yet. After finding a seat, Silence Suzuka lowered her head and began texting Trainer Lucian.
Wearing a face mask, Trainer Lucian spotted her, quietly circled around, and approached her side.
"Miss, is this seat taken? May I sit here?"
Silence Suzuka instinctively frowned. "No—"
Wait, why did that voice sound so familiar?!
Her head snapped up in shock, her eyes widening instantly. "Lucian-kun?! Y-you...!"
"If I can't sit here, then I'll just leave."
Trainer Lucian pretended to turn away, but Silence Suzuka grabbed his hand and pulled him into the seat. "You lied to me. All that sadness was for nothing."
"I wanted to surprise you." Trainer Lucian removed his mask. "Are you still sad now?"
"I am. Lucian-kun has to make it up to me."
"I'm already going home with you. What more do you want? But... won't this be too sudden? Will your family be okay with me?" Now that the impulsive ticket purchase was behind him, Trainer Lucian felt inexplicably nervous about meeting her family.
"They will. I talk about you often at home."
"Talk about me? In what capacity?"
"As my trainer."
"That's good. Then you can't mess around at home, or I'll tattle."
"Hmph." Silence Suzuka didn't respond. Now that they were heading to her turf, she didn't know how Trainer Lucian could still act so bold.
Did he think just because he got away with it once, he could keep doing it?
"What about Lucian-kun's clothes? Will you buy new ones there?"
"I already mailed them to a delivery station near your place." Trainer Lucian had planned ahead. "I'll stay with you for a few days, then visit the others for New Year's greetings."
"Okay." Silence Suzuka wasn't being greedy. "As long as Lucian-kun can stay with me a little longer, that's enough."
All her earlier sadness and sorrow had vanished. Silence Suzuka leaned contentedly against Trainer Lucian's shoulder.
This was perfect.
...