...
Mejiro McQueen's Hanshin Daishoten victory poster only occupied a small corner of the Tracen Daily.
The main layout covered recent G1 winners, overseas champions, and so on.
It also introduced some rising prominent horse girls, including Mejiro Ryan, Mejiro Palmer, Fuji Kiseki, Legacy World...
"Training ends for today." Lucian called the team back to the rest room.
"Trainer, McQueen is still training over there." Ines Fujin walked over with today's recorded data. "And... Trainer, when exactly is this 'next time' you people from Dragon Country talk about? Hana-chan has been nagging about you for ages."
"I remember." Lucian scratched the back of his head—he had almost forgotten. "Next week then... I'll let you know a day in advance."
"It's a promise, okay."
"Mm, don't worry~" Lucian had considered having Ines Fujin bring her two little sisters to his house, but Ines Fujin insisted the nature of it was different.
But it was true—he had promised them.
He just found it a bit strange. Ines Fujin didn't seem this insistent about things before.
"Little Ai, head back first. I'll go get McQueen."
"Okay~" Ines Fujin handed Lucian a towel and water. "Trainer worked hard today too—wipe your sweat, drink some water."
"Mm, thanks Little Ai."
...
After winning Hanshin Daishoten, Mejiro McQueen didn't slack off—she maintained high-intensity training.
Lucian knew she was extremely self-disciplined, so he didn't nag her much after the race—too much would feel like distrust.
"McQueen, your training session is over, right?"
"Mm, it's done, but I want to run a bit more." Mejiro McQueen bent over, panting.
"No can do. Including weekends, no extra training on your own—just complete what I assign."
Rest after high-intensity work is essential—otherwise it's just psychological comfort through overexertion.
After all this time, Lucian didn't believe Mejiro McQueen didn't understand that.
He saw right through her heart. "Is it nerves about the upcoming Tennou Sho?"
The Tennou Sho was on April 28—roughly two months from now.
Not exactly pressing, so the only thing that could pressure Mejiro McQueen was strong opponents.
"Mm, I... feel pressure. Most of the opponents are very strong."
"That may be, but I think McQueen is the boss-level presence in this race."
"Boss, boss what..." Mejiro McQueen wasn't lacking confidence—she was just shy.
"Don't forget—you're the young lady of the Mejiro family."
Mejiro McQueen: "But..... Ryan and Palmer are Mejiro too."
Lucian paused, then nodded. "Mm, you make a good point... but you're still the Kikuka Sho champion. If anything, they're the challengers."
"They're the challengers?" Mejiro McQueen repeated the words. The next moment, she felt much lighter all over. "Mm, Torena-san is right—the ones who should be nervous are them!"
Lately, besides the frequent races, another matter weighed on Lucian's mind.
But that one could only be left to Silence Suzuka and Seiun Sky.
...
That night.
The lively Tracen Academy by day became a peaceful cradle at night, nurturing the sweet dreams of countless horse girls.
But some still couldn't fall asleep.
"Spe-chan, are you asleep?"
"Not yet." Special Week missed Lucian—wanted to sleep curled in his arms.
Though she still got jealous lately, the soft-hearted Lucian always said sweet, ticklish things when they were together, and he took such good care of her—making her utterly content.
He could never truly cold-shoulder Special Week.
But while he played the noble one, Silence Suzuka and Seiun Sky were the ones with headaches.
Wasn't Lucian the mastermind? How did the plan turn him into a suspected traitor midway?
And Seiun Sky... wasn't exactly reliable either.
But Silence Suzuka truly valued her bond with Special Week—she couldn't be heartless—so she carried everything alone.
"Suzuka, you're not sleeping tonight either? Is something on your mind?" Special Week asked.
"Mm... Spe-chan, I want to prepare a gift for Lucian-kun, so I'm a little conflicted right now."
"Prepare a gift?" Special Week excitedly threw off the covers and sat up, thinking she had overlooked some important occasion. "But Trainer-san said he doesn't celebrate birthdays, right?"
"Not a birthday—just purely wanting to give Lucian-kun a gift." Silence Suzuka also sat up, leaning against the headboard.
Moonlight poured through the window like transparent pillars, slanting between them.
This faint, intangible barrier separated the two—but anyone willing could reach through with a hand.
"Recognition-card-chan... why do you want to give Trainer-san a gift?" The closer she got to the answer, the more frightened Special Week became.
"Because Trainer has given so much for me."
"Ahaha... so that's it." Special Week forced a few unnatural laughs to cover her panic. "It feels like Suzuka really cares a lot about Trainer-san."
"But... with Trainer-san's personality, it's easy for people to like him. Since Suzuka is preparing a gift, shouldn't I also..."
"Spe-chan, it's not that complicated." Silence Suzuka interrupted.
She turned her head—her gaze met Special Week's stunned eyes perfectly.
"I like Lucian-kun. It's that simple."
"Eh... suki (like)?" Special Week forced another smile onto her face, still trying to salvage the crumbling friendship. "Recognition-card-chan, you don't mean... that kind of like between lovers, right? It's probably admiration for Trainer-san... right? Right?"
She unconsciously gripped the blanket tighter, staring at Silence Suzuka's lips—hoping the next movement would give her a lifeline.
"No, Spe-chan—it's the kind of like where I want Lucian-kun to be my boyfriend."
...