...
On the way back to the dormitory, Special Week suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"Suzuka, I just remembered I left something in the lounge. I need to go get it."
"Huh? Spe-chan, it's so late already. Let me go with you."
"No need, you go back to the dorm first. I'll be back soon."
With that, Special Week grabbed her backpack and ran off.
Silence Suzuka watched her retreating figure.
That line sounded familiar—wasn't it the exact excuse she often used to slip away from Special Week and go find Lucian for massages?
"Spe-chan..."
...
The deep hollow of the tree had listened to many words of frustration and held countless tears of sorrow.
Special Week crouched before the opening, her tears falling like rain.
The pain of defeat had torn open a wound in her heart that refused to heal. She had endured the agony all day, forcing herself to stay strong until now.
"I'm sorry, Mom!"
"I lost... I can't become the number one Uma Musume anymore."
"I got too full of myself! I didn't even listen properly to what Trainer-san said..."
Special Week clenched her fists, her eyes tightly shut, but the tears still spilled through the gaps.
She couldn't even face the hollow of this tree—no wonder she couldn't bring herself to confide in Lucian or the others.
Lucian, who had arrived earlier, sighed softly. Adjusting his expression to appear as gentle and reassuring as possible, he stepped out from behind the wall.
Hearing footsteps, Special Week whipped her head around. "T-Trainer-san?! Why are you here?"
She frantically wiped at her tears, but they only fell faster.
"Didn't I say I had something to tell you after the race?" Lucian walked closer, step by step. "Spe-chan, I'm sorry."
Special Week trembled, confused. "Trainer-san, why are you apologizing to me?"
"Your loss is partly my responsibility too. If I'd been more careful, more attentive, maybe you wouldn't have been so anxious before the race. Maybe you could've focused entirely on running."
"No, Trainer-san, this is my fault. I... I didn't listen to you properly."
Special Week hung her head, biting her lip so hard it nearly bled. Fat teardrops struck the ground, splashing into tiny, shattered blossoms.
She was trying so hard not to cry, but her body trembled violently with every choked-back sob.
Right now, a single thought echoed relentlessly in Lucian's mind—hug her.
"Spe..." He took a step forward and carefully pulled her into his arms. "Your career has only just begun. Why be so pessimistic?"
Special Week stiffened at first, then gradually relaxed into his embrace.
It felt so safe...
"But... I can't become Japan's number one Uma Musume anymore."
"Says who? If this path doesn't work, we'll find another. It might be harder, but as long as I'm here, are you really afraid of that?"
Special Week didn't answer, her hands slowly rising.
She wanted to wrap her arms around Lucian's waist but hesitated, her fingers instead clutching lightly at his clothes.
"The road ahead is still long, isn't it? If you ever feel lost or unsure, just try trusting in me."
"My shoulders aren't very broad, but I'll always be willing to carry half your burden."
"Trainer-san..."
For a moment, Special Week remembered that afternoon during her trial at Rigil.
Back then, everyone had laughed at the earnest dream of this country bumpkin Uma Musume—everyone except Lucian, who had applauded for her.
That was when it started, wasn't it? When Lucian's figure began etching itself into her heart.
"Waaah—!"
Special Week threw her arms around Lucian's neck and burst into loud, unrestrained sobs.
Lucian gently patted her back.
Did crying solve anything? No. But crying was never meant to solve problems.
It was good to cry. It made the pain easier to bear—and that was enough.
Moonlight spilled its silver glow, filling the uneven hollows of the grass. Compared to the fleeting candlelight, the moon's embrace was far gentler.
Special Week didn't know how long she cried. Her tears dried, only to well up again.
Only when her eyes ran dry and exhaustion overtook her did her sobs finally fade.
Through it all, Lucian held her, as if building a warm harbor just for her.
If she could, Special Week would've fallen asleep right there in his arms.
"Done crying, Special Crybaby?"
"...Mhm." She sniffled. "Stop giving me weird nicknames."
"Spe-chan, can you tell me what your next goal is?"
"The Derby! The Japanese Derby! I'll train seriously, stay disciplined, and never binge on midnight snacks again." Free of all defenses now, Special Week leaned her head against Lucian's chest. "Trainer-san, I'll listen to you properly from now on..."
"Then you have to answer me every time I call you Special Crybaby."
Special Week lifted her head, puffing her cheeks. "No way."
They were so close...
Her eyes landed on Lucian's Adam's apple, and she gulped unconsciously.
"Alright, how long are you going to keep hugging me? If we don't head back soon, Suzuka might start worrying."
Blushing, Special Week reluctantly let go, mumbling, "You were the one who hugged me first."
"But Suzuka-chan must be worried about me by now."
She wiped her tear-streaked face and took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Trainer-san, I'll go back first."
At the corner, she suddenly turned back and bowed deeply. "Thank you... Trainer-san, you're really kind!"
Lucian rubbed his nose. Another "nice guy" card from Special Week.
In the shadows not far from the grassy clearing, Silence Suzuka leaned against the wall, a faint smile on her lips.
Of course she hadn't been able to let Special Week go off alone after sensing something was wrong, so she'd followed quietly.
She just hadn't expected Lucian to be here too.
Both of them were so important to her.
One was a dear friend. The other...
Well, she couldn't help the twinge of jealousy creeping into her heart.
"That guy... why does he hug girls so naturally? Seems like he's got plenty of experience..."
"Even though... he's never hugged me like that."
But if she lost a race, maybe she'd get the same treatment?
No—Silence Suzuka didn't want to lose just for that. It'd be disrespectful to everyone, and Lucian wouldn't like her any less for winning.
The thought made her chuckle softly. Try as she might, she couldn't picture herself crying and being comforted like this.
"Oops, I should hurry back before Spe-chan notices."
...