...
"Trainer, aren't we training today?" Ten minutes had passed, and Special Week voiced her question.
After Seiun Sky's earlier provocation, she was now brimming with motivation.
Lucian glanced at the time. "Wait a bit longer. One more person hasn't arrived."
"Another person?" Special Week looked puzzled. During roll call, everyone except Silence Suzuka was present.
Just then, the half-open lounge door was pushed open.
Lucian said, "Oh, here she comes."
The Uma Musume turned toward the door. Ines Fujin walked in, greeting sheepishly, "Sorry, everyone. I'm late."
Many knew Ines Fujin and greeted her back.
"Eh—Ines Fujin-senpai? You joined 'Dream' too?" Meishou Doto's eyes widened in surprise. "But didn't you retire?"
"Um... sort of joined." Ines Fujin cast a pleading look at Lucian.
"Ahem." Lucian cleared his throat. "Let me introduce. This is Ines Fujin. From now on, she's our team's 'assistant Trainer'."
"Eh!!!!"
Ines Fujin smiled shyly. "Everyone's so excited..."
"Senpai, great! Working together again." Meishou Doto welcomed her.
"Thank you, Doto." Ines Fujin felt "working together" wasn't quite right—she was the only one here to work.
"Alright, no more surprises. Now assigning training tasks."
...
After such a long break, high-intensity training right away wasn't feasible.
Thus, the afternoon was light recovery training.
After re-emphasizing pacing, Lucian had everyone start warming up.
He stood leisurely with Ines Fujin on the grass near the finish line.
"Trainer Lu, everyone's full of energy." Ines Fujin watched the running team.
"Good training atmosphere brings motivation."
"Oh~ so enviable."
"Right, Little Ai, who's eligible for this year's Classic Triple Crown?"
During winter break, Lucian had given Ines Fujin the team's data.
He also had her compile confirmed events for the year and post a preference sheet in the group.
Prepared, Ines Fujin answered, "Only Mejiro McQueen."
Before joining "Dream," Mejiro McQueen had already shone in major races.
"I see." Lucian nodded. "The others?"
"Then Nice Nature and Tokai Teio—both signed up for this year's Wakaba S."
"Dextrous Bailey wants this year's G3 'Hanshin Cup'."
...
Lucian nodded as he listened.
Twin Turbo, Matikanetannhauser, and others were in open races; they needed wins to qualify for graded stakes.
Haru Urara would continue at Kochi Racecourse.
Ines Fujin continued, "Seiun Sky and Special Week both intend to enter the Spring Tenno Sho."
"Spring has many G1s—why are those two targeting the same..."
Only one champion.
Both his girls—Lucian felt uneasy watching them compete, unlike others' rivalries.
But then again, races weren't just win-lose.
Ines Fujin: "They also have intentions for other races."
"Follow up later, have them fill it out, then summarize in a table for me."
Race choice was theirs, but scheduling was Lucian's call.
Plus race types—for example, if Rice-chan wanted mile races, he'd advise against it.
Daily training data gave plenty of feedback—don't force unfit distances.
"Trainer Lu, you look troubled? Shall I brew coffee from the lounge?"
"I'm not that delicate. Don't play 'servant' role."
Ines Fujin blinked. "How about maid role?"
"Little Ai, you're getting cheeky."
"Then what were you troubled about?"
"Just that they only need to run, while I think about so much."
Ines Fujin smiled. "Right, I'll get the water."
...
Training ended. Seiun Sky approached Lucian from behind, muttering, "Whispering with Ines Fujin-senpai while I ran... I'll tattle to Suzuka."
"Seiun, sneaky as a ghost?" Lucian turned.
Sweaty Seiun Sky stood with hands on hips, gazing resentfully.
"What's wrong with standing behind Trainer once? So petty."
Lucian skipped the topic. "Since when are you and Suzuka so close?"
"Didn't I say we're besties? Trainer just didn't believe."
Lucian didn't want to argue—he couldn't outtalk Seiun Sky now, and here, he couldn't silence her. "I'm heading to the lounge. Notify stragglers to gather there."
"Got it~"
...
"Off work~ off work~" Haru Urara, last into the lounge, was excited. "Spe-chan, Mimi, what'll we eat later?"
Seiun Sky: "Urara, why not ask me?"
"Hm?" Haru Urara looked puzzled. "Seiun, you joining too?"
"No."
"Didn't ask and you complain! Ask and you refuse!"
"Hahaha~" Seiun Sky laughed, fishing successful. "Just asking. I'm going to Trainer's for dinner~"
Lucian "?"
"At this hour, where do I have time..."
Before finishing, Tokai Teio, Dextrous Bailey, Meishou Doto, Special Week all looked over expectantly.
Lucian glared at Seiun Sky, sighing helplessly. "Er... at most egg fried rice, a few simple dishes to make do."
His Uma Musume—he'd spoil them.
Meishou Doto touched her face. "Anko?!—get to taste Trainer's cooking again. (*σ´∀`)σ"
"No trouble, Trainer. Just me and Doto—three dishes enough." Seiun Sky kept provoking.
...