...
In the one or two weeks before each race, Lucian would readjust the training program to avoid injuries.
In addition, he paid extra attention to the team members' diet and mental state.
This routine check actually revealed a problem for Lucian.
"Spe-chan, have you been eating very irregularly lately?" Lucian looked at the number on the scale, his expression gradually turning serious.
"I..." Special Week hadn't expected to have gained so much weight. Seeing Lucian's expression, her pale face turned as stiff as plaster.
Fear overwhelmed Special Week's heart as she clenched her hands, not even sure how she stepped off the scale. "I'm sorry, Trainer-san."
The other horse girls also looked at Special Week with concern.
"Lucian-san, it's also my fault. I didn't keep an eye on Spe-chan and let her eat a lot of late-night snacks..." Silence Suzuka, sensing the tense atmosphere, quickly spoke up.
As Special Week's roommate, she obviously knew that Special Week had gained weight because of late-night snacks.
However, the extra fat had all gone to her stomach, making it less noticeable. Plus, with all the sweating during training, Silence Suzuka hadn't expected her to have gained this much weight.
Lucian calmed down. If anything, he himself had been somewhat negligent.
"Spe-chan, don't be nervous. Just control your diet for now and gradually lose some weight. No more late-night snacks, understand?" Lucian tried to keep his tone as gentle as possible.
No matter how angry he was, he couldn't bring himself to scold or hit these little fillies.
The reason for his anger was simply his concern for them.
"I understand, Trainer-san." Special Week's eyes welled up with tears. Lucian's words didn't comfort her—instead, they made her feel even more guilty.
"Alright, alright. Sometimes having a big appetite is a good thing—it helps build muscle. And since training is exhausting, you need proper nutrition too. As for late-night snacks, eating them occasionally is fine, but doing it often will lead to weight gain." Lucian took a tissue, bent down, and carefully wiped the corners of her eyes. "No more crying."
"Mhm." Special Week held back her tears, though her eyelashes were still damp.
After doing all this, Lucian instinctively glanced in Seiun Sky's direction.
Only to see her pursing her lips, her head tilted to the other side.
Sigh... Being a trainer really is a bit tough sometimes.
Silence Suzuka, standing nearby, noticed Lucian's gaze and gave him a suspicious look.
What's with this uneasy sixth sense?
"Today's training ends here. Everyone can head back now, except those on cleaning duty—stay behind for a bit."
The lounge belonged to everyone, so regular cleaning was necessary.
However, it didn't need to be done daily—just once every Friday was enough.
Fortunately, weekends were training-free.
"Yay! Freedom!" Haru Urara was always the first to dash out of the lounge.
Special Week and Silence Suzuka packed their things and prepared to leave.
Before the two left, Lucian reminded them, "Spe-chan, make sure to control yourself, alright? Suzuka, keep an eye on Spe-chan too."
...
After seeing them off, Lucian turned to look at Seiun Sky, who was leaning against the table.
She glanced at him, then turned her head away, her chin raised so high it might as well touch the sky—though her tail was still wagging lightly.
"What... are you angry about again?" Lucian scratched his cheek. When it came to comforting girls, he had no experience.
"This time, I didn't just focus on Spe-chan. The healthy diet plan I made for you even took into account the foods you usually like."
"But Spe-chan has all these things too." Seiun Sky delivered a critical hit.
Lucian licked his lips, momentarily at a loss for words.
But he wasn't stupid—he understood the implication behind Seiun Sky's words: Whatever Spe-chan doesn't have, I should have.
"Then... how about after the race, I take you shopping?" That was the only thing Lucian could think of for now.
If it were Silence Suzuka, she might have agreed right away.
But this was Seiun Sky—a girl whose offensive and defensive capabilities were polar opposites.
"Not interested. I can go shopping with the others too, and we have plenty of common topics to talk about."
"Then... you don't have to do cleaning today. I'll do it for you."
"That's even worse than the first offer." Seiun Sky closed her eyes, arms crossed, though she was secretly humming inside.
Lucian admitted defeat, but he knew this matter needed to be handled properly. If he treated it too casually, Seiun Sky would definitely feel unbalanced, and the previous incident might repeat itself.
"Then tell me, what can I do for you?"
Seiun Sky opened one eye, a playful and slightly triumphant smirk on her face. "Anything?"
"Nothing too excessive, though." For the first time, Lucian felt a flutter of nervousness in front of this petite horse girl.
Such a small body, yet so much energy...
"Of course not. How could I make things difficult for my trainer?" Seiun Sky spread her hands, certain she had Lucian right where she wanted him.
"Fine, go ahead."
"Lately, there are more and more mosquitoes, but for some reason, they never bite me... I kinda want to get bitten by one."
Lucian: "..."
"Are you... an M?"
"I am not!" Seiun Sky clenched her fists in protest, then blushed and huffed, turning away from Lucian.
Lucian clicked his tongue inwardly, surprised that Seiun Sky even knew about that.
"You want to get bitten by a mosquito? That's easy—just run slower when you pass through the woods tonight."
"Fine. Since you won't agree, I'll go do cleaning now."
"Hey... wait." Lucian rubbed his forehead. He was the one who came up with this metaphor—of course he understood what Seiun Sky was really saying. "Didn't we agree nothing too excessive?"
"How is this excessive? You've already been bitten twice..." Seiun Sky's voice grew quieter, her confidence waning.
Even she felt embarrassed talking about this.
Lucian's headache grew worse.
Look at this... She has the nerve to bring up the time she kissed me out of nowhere.
But... no matter how you looked at it, he wasn't the one at a disadvantage here.
Seeing Lucian hesitate, Seiun Sky spoke up again, "Then how about this—only if I win the Satsuki Sho?"
After saying this, Seiun Sky's restless heart felt like turbulent waves in a storm, with an invisible flame scorching her chest and cheeks.
Dammit... Hurry up and answer me!
Why won't you say anything?
"Let's finish cleaning first... then I'll decide whether to agree or not." By the time Lucian spoke, he was already holding a broom, sweeping absentmindedly as if trying to hide something.
Seiun Sky's eyes rolled playfully before she smiled again.
So cute when he's flustered...
Such a tiny trainer—so easy to tease.