...
Is training tedious? Yes, of course it is. And races are undoubtedly fierce and brutal.
But running holds extraordinary meaning for horse girls—their lives don't wither in the act of running; they bloom through it.
The Satsuki Sho is the highest-level race Special Week and Seiun Sky have participated in since their debut.
On the day of the race, Lucian specifically waited in the entrance tunnel for Seiun Sky and Special Week.
Before long, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows of the tunnel.
"Nervous?"
"Not at all~ As long as I run my best, that's enough." Seiun Sky placed her hands on her hips, but her claim of not being nervous was clearly a lie.
She leaned forward slightly. "So? Haven't seen me in my racing uniform before, have you?"
Lucian nodded, giving her a once-over. The light-toned outfit accentuated Seiun Sky's youthful energy. "Cute."
Seiun Sky smugly tilted her chin up, maintaining a calm exterior while her heart rippled like a stone tossed into water.
"Your hairpin's on straight. Is that a sunflower or a chrysanthemum? It looks nice." Lucian naturally reached out to adjust it for her.
He couldn't help but think how nice it would be if her tail had some decoration too—then he'd have an excuse to touch it.
Come to think of it, Seiun Sky's tail fur was much fuller than Dextrous Bailey's, fluffy and soft-looking. He wondered how it would feel to touch.
"Don't worry about what kind of flower it is for now." Seiun Sky cautiously glanced behind her, and seeing no one approaching, she boldly grabbed Lucian's tie, forcing him to lean down. "I'm definitely winning this time!"
"Sounds good. I'll be looking forward to it." Lucian took advantage of the situation, leaning closer to whisper softly by her ear.
After last night's internal struggle, he figured—if she could be this brave, why should he hesitate? Honesty was the best approach.
"Hmph~ I'm done talking to you. Time to head in." Seiun Sky let go, masking the shyness that came from her fragile heart.
"Make sure to enter the starting gate properly this time. No resisting."
"It's just too cramped in there~ I really don't wanna go in~" Her eyes flickered mischievously. "If you don't believe me, Trainer, you can try it yourself."
"You still have to enter properly. Don't delay the race."
"Got it, got it."
Lucian watched as Seiun Sky waved and walked toward the bright tunnel exit.
For some reason, a sense of pride and warmth welled up in his chest.
"Go on. Step into the light."
...
Special Week emerged much later.
Lucian had feared this might happen.
Even though they'd noticed her weight issue half a month prior, there hadn't been enough time to shed the extra pounds.
"Spe-chan, is it the outfit?"
Special Week lowered her head meekly. "Yeah... the zipper's a little tight."
"Should we switch to another one? There's still time."
"It's fine, just a little bit..."
Knowing she still felt guilty, Lucian joked, "Alright then. Just don't let your skirt fall off mid-race."
"Of course it won't! Trainer... H-Hey!"
Special Week's face flushed bright red, her voice rising an octave.
"Alright, go on. Don't let unnecessary thoughts distract you while running. Save whatever you want to say for after the race." Lucian patted her head gently. "Can you do that?"
Lost in his gentleness, Special Week took a moment to snap back to reality before nodding firmly. "Mhm!"
...
"Next up, number ten—the crowd favorite, King Halo!"
A first-class entrance!
But even a young lady like her had to obediently pick up the jacket she'd tossed aside after showing off her racing uniform.
Leaning on the railing, Lucian chuckled. He'd heard Nishizaki Ryo had recently been trying to recruit King Halo—wondered how that was going.
"Lucian-kun, what's so funny?" Silence Suzuka had been quietly stealing glances at his smiling face before finally speaking up.
"I was just remembering how you tossed your jacket during your pre-race showcase, then had to pick it back up."
Silence Suzuka's lips parted slightly. "If you're going to tease me like that, maybe I won't pick it up next time."
"That'd be such a waste."
The cost of the "Dream" team's training uniforms was actually covered by Lucian.
They couldn't just throw one away after every race.
"There's another solution—you could come down and pick it up for me."
"Sure. I'll just hop over the railing and onto the field to get our Suzu-chan's jacket."
Lucian's seating was close to the track, and there were no high barriers.
If he wanted, clearing the railing would be easy.
"Always with the smooth talk." Silence Suzuka turned her cool gaze back to the race.
Calling her "Suzu-chan" again...
If it were just the two of them in private, fine—but Haru Urara was right here.
Come to think of it, with Special Week constantly pestering her for advice lately, Silence Suzuka hadn't found a good time to ask Lucian for a massage.
She missed it.
Though whether she missed the post-massage relaxation, the time alone with him, or the feeling of his touch... that much was unclear.
"Trainer, me too." Haru Urara tugged at Lucian's sleeve.
"Urara-chan, I was just joking. It's a bit high here—no way I'd actually jump down to grab your jacket." He gently patted her head.
"Oh~"
Haru Urara hadn't actually wanted him to fetch her jacket.
She'd wanted him to call her something cute like "Suzu-chan."
But now she was too embarrassed to say it.