...
On the night they were supposed to leave, Kochi was met with rain.
But when one's mindset changes, the rain no longer feels like it's trapping you—instead, it feels like it's asking you to stay.
The night road was hard to traverse and slippery, so Lucian and Urara ended up staying another night at the inn.
Urara, having been comforted by Lucian, was completely at ease now. Emotional storms come and go swiftly. After the rain cleared and the sunlight poured down, everything felt exceptionally fresh.
At the moment, she was cheerfully reporting the day's events to Special Week and the others.
"Urara also worked hard and got fourth place! Fourth place! Hehe... When I come back tomorrow, I'll bring gifts for everyone—for El Condor Pasa, Grass Wonder, andRice Shower too..." Urara counted on her fingers, her brain seemingly whirring.
"Six people, six gifts. No need to count," Lucian chimed in.
"Right! Seven gifts!"
Urara giggled and continued chatting with Special Week for a while longer before ending the video call.
"Done talking? Time to sleep now," Lucian said.
Urara was still in his room, and outside, the scattered drizzle continued its soft, melodic song.
"Mhm." Urara nodded. "I'll go to sleep right away."
A Trainer's embrace is the warmest... I really want to be in his arms again... Is there any way to...?
"Oh, Urara, the team will be expanding soon... Would you like your friend to train with you in the future?"
"You mean Rice Shower?"
"Yeah. You can invite her for a trial training session or just to experience the training routine. See if it suits her."
"Okay, okay!"
"Good. Just let her know after you get back." Lucian sipped his tea leisurely, feeling quite content.
Little Urara, being sold out while still helping him count the money.
"Trainer, Urara will go to sleep now, okay?"
"Mhm, go ahead."
"Trainer, I'll close the door for you. Don't move." Urara oddly emphasized.
Lucian didn't think much of it. "Alright, goodnight."
"Goodnight."
...
The continuous drizzle still whispered through the night, but amidst the monotonous sound of rain, an occasional, discordant light noise could be heard.
Turns out, Urara had left the door slightly ajar for herself.
She tiptoed into Lucian's room.
She couldn't sleep all night because she wanted a hug.
She wasn't afraid of Lucian waking up either. If he did, she'd honestly apologize and explain. If he didn't, she'd stay for just a little while before quietly leaving.
...
The next day, Lucian, who had slept soundly all night, woke up leisurely. For him, the sound of rain at night wasn't noisy—it was more like a lullaby.
"Hm?" He felt something unusual in his arms, a softness akin to skin touching skin. His nose tingled, a familiar fragrance lingering around him.
Am I still dreaming? Otherwise, why would I be hugging a bundle of cotton?
Pink hair entered his vision. Lucian froze for a second before his eyes widened. "Urara!? Why are you here?"
"Mmm... What's the matter...?" Urara also opened her eyes blearily, her voice carrying a hint of grumpiness from being forcibly woken up.
Until she saw Lucian's face.
"Oh no!"
The startled horsegirl nearly jumped off the bed.
Urara knelt on the bed, repeatedly kowtowing to Lucian in apology. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
"Wait—did you... No, did I do anything to you?" Lucian rubbed his temples, momentarily unable to process who was at a disadvantage here.
"Do anything? No, no... Urara climbed up here herself." Carefully, Urara began explaining why she had done this.
After hearing her out, Lucian could somewhat understand her feelings.
Still, to prevent her from blabbing, he warned, "Don't go around telling people about this, okay? If you do, I'll tell everyone about you crying."
"Trainer, don't worry! Urara will keep it sealed tight!" With that, Urara mimed zipping her lips. "So... Trainer, are you still mad?"
"I'm not mad," Lucian answered truthfully.
In the end, he was the one who benefited, so why would he be angry?
The magnanimous Lucian declared that another night like this wouldn't be unwelcome.
"Yay!"
The Trainer isn't mad... Does that mean it's okay to do it again next time?
Open and honest Urara, afraid of nothing—hug if she wants to hug, sleep if she wants to sleep.
"Get ready. We're heading back today." Lucian threw off the covers, still feeling Urara's scent lingering on him after spending the night together.
"Trainer, can you come with Urara to buy souvenirs around here? I promised Spe-chan and the others yesterday."
"Sure. Go wash up first."
...
The two had breakfast on the streets before browsing through shops.
Urara looked left and right, buying all sorts of oddly shaped souvenirs—cute little dog plushies, various models, small sculptures...
Lucian trailed behind her, carrying bags of gifts, somewhat curious about Urara's selection criteria.
But when he saw a dried fish model, he understood.
No need to guess—this one was definitely for Seiun Sky. Fits her personality perfectly.
"Trainer." Urara suddenly turned around, holding a cloud-shaped plushie. "You were wrong earlier. It's seven gifts—this one's for you!"
"Why a 'cloud'?"
"Because Trainer is really gentle. When we hugged at night, Urara felt so warm." Urara whispered, afraid others might hear.
"Mhm... Alright, I'll accept Urara's gift. But you were wrong too, weren't you? It's actually eight gifts."
"Eight?" Urara looked puzzled.
"You bought gifts for everyone else, but what about yourself?" Lucian initially thought Urara might be too strapped for cash to buy herself anything.
But Urara shook her head. "I wasn't wrong. There are only seven gifts to give. As for Urara's own gift..."
She pulled out the woven four-leaf clover from her pocket. "I already got it! I even carried it with me during the race yesterday."
"I see."
"Trainer, let's go back."
"Mhm."
...