...
Lucian made sure he hadn't misheard. "Teio doesn't mind?"
"Because I usually hang out with McQueen and the President, I know a bit about this kind of etiquette." Tokai Teio sounded more like she was making excuses for herself. "Trainer, are you kissing or not? If you are, hurry up... we'll miss the train..."
"Alright." Lucian leaned in slowly, soon catching the fragrance on Tokai Teio.
Likewise, Tokai Teio breathed in Lucian's scent.
She discreetly took a deep breath, her chest slowly expanding.
But the kiss ended quickly; Tokai Teio barely reacted.
"Done. Hurry through security."
"G-Got it. Trainer, goodbye."
"Goodbye." Lucian hadn't intended to kiss, but with Tokai Teio offering, why refuse?
Actually, it wasn't much—just a light touch and part. Compared to Special Week's "eating style," it was far better.
Lucian once suspected Special Week treated him like a carrot—not biting and swallowing in one go, but constantly savoring.
"But... do foreign countries really have this etiquette?" He'd made it up on the spot to dodge, yet Tokai Teio said it was real.
Watching the Uma Musume disappear from sight, Lucian returned to his apartment.
...
That evening, Lucian called Silence Suzuka, relieved to hear she'd arrived safely.
"Suzuka, you weren't exactly calm before leaving, huh?"
Silence Suzuka chuckled lightly. "Did my bomb hit a lot of people? I only meant to provoke Seiun."
"You'd better!" Lucian recalled. "Seiun was the most indifferent one."
"Oh? Then who did I provoke?"
"Spe-chan." Good thing video wasn't on—otherwise Silence Suzuka would see Lucian's guilty face.
"Spe-chan? I already apologized to her."
"Apologized?"
"In my heart."
"Classic you. Anyway, I'm very angry about your behavior."
Silence Suzuka knew Lucian was pretending. "But I'm far away now. Can't fly over to comfort Lucian-kun."
"I'll comfort myself. When you're angry later, comfort yourself too."
"No way!" Silence Suzuka refused like a cat whose tail was stepped on. "Only this—no."
She softened to Lucian. "Lucian-kun, I was wrong."
"That's more like it."
...
After chatting with Silence Suzuka a bit, Lucian learned she was still hungry and hung up so she could eat.
He sat at the computer desk, browsing the faculty office's messages.
First, a long thank-you for staff contributions, then the outstanding teacher nominees.
Lucian naturally wasn't on it—winners were mainly core subject teachers.
Next came the outstanding Trainer list.
Lucian found his name at the top.
Facing congratulations, he replied in the group: "Thank you, everyone. My team and I achieve each other. This isn't my honor alone."
Of course, Tracen's recognition wasn't perfunctory—just the list now; the opening ceremony would have the awards.
In his small group with Toujou Hana, Nishizaki Ryo, and Minamizaka.
Nishizaki Ryo @-ed him. "Little Lu, don't you owe us a proper meal?"
Lucian: "Of course."
Toujou Hana: "Not some restaurant."
Lucian: "I know, Hana-nee. I'll cook myself~ Minamizaka, come too."
Minamizaka: "Thank you, senpai."
...
Lucian looked forward to his reward, but first, he hadn't forgotten gifts for later joiners like Meishou Doto.
Oh, and a message for Daiwa Scarlet.
But no rush—he needed to understand their personalities first.
Next was tomorrow's class slot grab—not assigned, but teachers racing to claim times.
No way Lucian picked 8 a.m.—a teacher forced into early classes!?
"Actually fired up over this?" Lucian laughed at himself—Dragon Country education trauma. High school meant 5 or 6 a.m.
Finally, course prep. For his elective, he had ideas—no reusing old PPTs; he'd make his own.
Listing tasks, Lucian realized it was a hassle. "Tonight, draft the course first..."
Lucian geared up, but the doorbell interrupted.
"Trainer~"
"This voice..." Lucian opened the door to Seiun Sky smiling with luggage.
Bang. He slammed it shut.
Seiun had gone home. Must've opened wrong.
Knock knock knock—
"Trainer!? Why slam the door?"
Fine, not a hallucination.
Lucian reopened. Seiun Sky lowered her raised fist awkwardly. "Looks like Trainer isn't welcoming me~"
She dragged luggage in, plopping on the sofa, stretching legs and feet.
"Didn't you go home?"
"Yes, and now I'm home~" Seiun Sky lounged.
"Still joking?" Lucian worried she hadn't told her family.
"Fine. I already told my parents I wouldn't return—everything's in the suitcase~"
"Good." Lucian relaxed.
"Hehe, Trainer, can a homeless stray kitten stay many nights?"
"What if no?" Lucian sat too.
Seiun Sky scooted closer. "Then I'll meow outside your window all night~"
"And if yes?"
"Yes, and I'll meow in Trainer's bed~" Seiun Sky lay on his lap. "Mainly afraid Trainer's lonely, so I stayed~ No need to be too grateful—just two meals a day."
"Why two?"
"Because mornings I'll cling to Trainer all morning~" Seiun Sky found a comfy spot, eyes closing peacefully. "Should be three—midnight snack too~"
When glass shatters, only the cannon remains.
Unless a more embarrassing spot than the floor-to-ceiling window existed.
Otherwise, Seiun Sky would evolve like bacteria, rendering antibiotics useless.
"Then why drag luggage to the station this afternoon? Don't say you were sleepy."
"Because no one must know—especially Urara and Bailey?" Seiun Sky sat up. "Trainer, confess. Why were they so worked up?"
"I explained already."
Perhaps conquest's thrill, or youthful vigor—Lucian's hand slowly climbed Seiun Sky's neck.
Seiun Sky tilted her head cooperatively, smiling up at him.
Lucian opened his palm aside; Seiun Sky understood, grabbed his wrist, obediently pressing her cheek to it.
Now truly a Seiun kitty dependent on her owner.
"Gojousama, is this okay?" Seiun Sky's lips parted, eyes suddenly enchanting, intoxicating.
Still a seductive kitty in human form.
"What did you call me?" Lucian pinched her cheek; she puffed it, making a cute face.
"Gojousama~"
Next second, Lucian suddenly seized her cheeks, kissing roughly.
Seiun Sky's eyes widened, then met his kiss, pupils narrowing, gaze growing hazy.
"Trainer, I-I'll shower first, then..." Seiun Sky hugged his neck, whispering in his ear: "I brought the outfit Suzuka bought me."
...