...
In the early morning, the air carried a faint chill, and the delicate white frost on the windowsill was gradually beginning to melt. A warm ray of sunlight, showing pity on the world, danced across the verdant leaves and landed on the windowsill.
Though it was a season verging on winter, there was a hint of spring to be felt? Perhaps it was because the window wasn't fully closed, allowing the spring-like warmth from inside the room to seep out.
Lucian, who had woken up early, lay staring at the ceiling.
Even now, he couldn't wrap his head around how Silence Suzuka, always so gentle, could have such a rough side.
Similarly, he hadn't anticipated that after riding racehorses for so long, one day he'd come to understand the feeling of being the one ridden.
But it wasn't a loss—whether horizontal or vertical, standing or lying, it was no loss at all.
As Lucian was lost in thought, he suddenly noticed a stir in the blankets. "Awake? Feeling shy now?"
Silence Suzuka, nestled in Lucian's arms, poked her head out, and the scenery outside the window seemed to brighten a little more.
"Tell me honestly, how far have you gone with Seiun Sky?"
"Huh? Where's this coming from?" Yesterday, he had been completely passive, and it was genuinely his first time—there was no faking it.
"When we kissed, it felt like you were a little… practiced…"
"Would you believe me if I said it was my first kiss?"
Silence Suzuka rolled her eyes. "Does it reset every midnight?"
"Uh, well…" Lucian was momentarily at a loss for words, not expecting Silence Suzuka to so accurately predict his response.
Silence Suzuka's gaze was deep and serene as she stretched her neck and suddenly kissed Lucian again. "Erasing her traces."
The two were still bare, and with Silence Suzuka's movement, Lucian felt a wave of warm, sweet fragrance wash over him.
From her words, Lucian didn't sense any trace of resentment.
"You can't tell anyone about our relationship right now, especially Seiun Sky," Silence Suzuka added.
History is always remarkably similar.
Was Silence Suzuka pulling the same move?
"Suzuka, are you shy too?"
"Too?" Silence Suzuka keenly caught the implication in Lucian's words.
Lucian pursed his lips. "Would you believe me if I said it was a slip of the tongue?"
"Hmph, Seiun Sky has used you to tease me plenty of times." Silence Suzuka leaned closer, her slender arms wrapping around Lucian's neck. "Now… I've finally claimed you, Lucian-kun."
Her shyness had vanished the moment they broke through that barrier last night.
And… Lucian's strength was no match for hers. She easily overpowered him.
"You two can't fight, okay? If you're going to fight, take it to the dance studio."
Or switch to another battlefield—this big bed he was lying in right now would be perfect.
"Who's going to fight her?" Silence Suzuka huffed lightly. "If anyone's getting a beating, it's you."
She held onto Lucian for a while longer, then asked, "Lucian-kun, are you hungry? I'll make you breakfast."
"I'll do it."
"No way, you stay put. Your leg hasn't healed yet."
"Uh, it's fine now."
"Not that leg!" Silence Suzuka shot him an exasperated glare. "Anyway, you're the patient, Lucian-kun, so I'm taking care of you."
"You're not tired? Don't tell me you used all the energy you didn't spend in yesterday's race on me?" Lucian looked at Silence Suzuka, who seemed completely unfazed.
Racehorse girls were just too terrifying.
Silence Suzuka mimicked Lucian's usual tone. "If you say so, then I guess that's it~"
"Then you should put on your victory outfit."
"Not dealing with you."
With that, she threw off the covers to search for clothes.
Unable to find any, she casually grabbed a white shirt and shorts from Lucian's wardrobe.
The heater was on in the room, so it wasn't too cold.
"I'll bring the food in later. You can rest a bit more, Lucian-kun." Silence Suzuka tied up her hair, slipped on some slippers, and headed to the kitchen.
Lucian didn't refuse further and obediently stayed in bed, though he called out to Silence Suzuka's retreating figure, "Suzuka, keep running, okay? From now on, I'll be able to be part of every one of your races."
"Mm."
...
Not long after, Silence Suzuka returned with a bowl of porridge. "Lucian-kun, why are you up? You should be resting in bed."
"It's really fine. A day or two of rest, and I'll be walking normally." Lucian moved his left leg. "Just won't be able to run anymore."
Silence Suzuka set the tray down. "Mm."
"What's wrong, Suzuka? I'm not blaming you." Lucian pulled her into his arms, affectionately nuzzling her cheek. "What about you? What are you eating?"
"I'll eat later."
"Then let's split it. You made such a big bowl, and I don't have much of an appetite in the morning." Lucian picked up a spoon, stirred the porridge, blew on it to cool it, and held it to Silence Suzuka's lips. "You take the first bite."
Silence Suzuka obediently opened her mouth, chewing slowly. "Lucian-kun, I really like it when you hold me like this."
"You like me hugging you from behind?"
"Mm, but… don't touch randomly." Silence Suzuka's pearly teeth bit her lip, her voice soft as a mosquito's hum.
Lucian ignored that and changed the subject. "By the way, have you told Spe-chan and the others about being discharged? They're really worried about you."
"I'll call them over here in a bit and tell them everything."
"Call them here?"
"What, you still want to hide it from the others? Everyone has a right to know."
"Alright, alright, whatever you say."
Since Silence Suzuka already knew, there was no need for Lucian to keep it from the others. Besides, he'd have to tell them eventually—otherwise, a lot of things wouldn't add up.
One bowl of plain porridge, one spoonful for you, one for me, was soon polished off by the two of them.
After cleaning up the dishes, Silence Suzuka slipped back under the covers, pressing close to Lucian.
She felt like she could spend the whole day like this with him, doing nothing—or doing something.
"Lucian-kun, who won the Tennō Shō in the end?"
"El Condor Pasa, I think. But without you as her rival, she wasn't exactly thrilled when she went up to the podium. She came to see you while you were unconscious, too."
"I see…"
Lucian picked up on Silence Suzuka's subtle regret, stroking her smooth back gently. "This time's regret—win it back at next year's Tennō Shō. I believe you'll come back even stronger."
"Mm." Silence Suzuka nodded. "Lucian-kun, I really want to live with you, to keep things like this forever."
"Didn't you tell me not to tell the others? Isn't this you spilling the beans yourself?"
"That's why I said I just want to." Silence Suzuka suddenly flipped over, her orange hair cascading like a waterfall, her eyes locking onto Lucian's. "Lucian-kun, it's still early… I can tell Spe-chan and the others later."
"Huh? Oh." Lucian swallowed hard, sensing danger in Silence Suzuka's gaze.
"So… I want to experience it one more time."
...
Silence Suzuka's lips found Lucian's in a searing kiss, her tongue diving deep, a soft "Mmmph" escaping as she pressed her bare body against his. The warmth of her skin, still flushed from their earlier closeness, sent a jolt through him, her hands roaming his chest with a possessive edge. She nipped at his lower lip, pulling back just enough to meet his gaze, her eyes burning with a mix of love and raw desire.
"Lucian-kun~" she purred, her voice a sultry hum, "I need you~"
Without waiting for a response, she pushed him back onto the bed, her horse-girl strength making it effortless as she straddled his hips. Her lips trailed down his neck, leaving wet, open-mouthed kisses, her tongue flicking against his pulse. "Ahhhn~"
"Mmnh.. so hard already~" she whispered, her lips curling into a playful smile.
She leaned down, her hair brushing his thighs as she took him into her mouth, her tongue swirling with deliberate slowness. "Slurp~" The wet sound filled the room, her moans muffled as she worked him, "Mmmph~" vibrating against his skin. Lucian groaned, his hips twitching under her, fingers tangling in her orange hair as she bobbed, her enthusiasm driving him wild. "Suzuka" he gasped, barely able to form words, the heat of her mouth overwhelming.
She pulled back with a slick pop, crawling up him again.
"I want you inside me~" she murmured, her voice thick with need, guiding him to her entrance. She sank down, taking him in with a slow, her head tipping back as she moaned loudly.
"Ahhhn so good~" Her warmth enveloped him, tight and slick, and Lucian's hands gripped her thighs, his own low groan mingling with hers.
Suzuka began to move, her hips grinding, each motion drawing a fresh Moan from her lips. She leaned forward, capturing his mouth in a sloppy, desperate kiss, her tongue dancing with his as she rode him harder.
"Lucian ohhh~" she cried, her voice rising, the bed creaking under their fervor. Lucian's hands roamed her back, pulling her closer until their chests pressed together, her heartbeat pounding against his.
He flipped her suddenly, pinning her beneath him in a missionary embrace, her legs wrapping tightly around his waist.
"Ahhhn! Yes~" she moaned, her nails digging into his shoulders as he thrust into her, deep and relentless. The sound of their bodies colliding was punctuated by her constant moans.
"Mmm harder Lucian~" Her hips met his with every thrust, her body arching, chasing the pleasure building inside her. He kissed her fiercely, swallowing her moans, his tongue tangling with hers as he drove deeper, the heat between them electric.
"Suzuka fuck" he groaned, his lips brushing her ear, her neck, anywhere he could reach. Her moans grew louder, more frantic.
"Ahhhn~ I'm close." Her body tensed, thighs trembling as she clenched around him, her release hitting like a wave.
"Ohhh~!"
They collapsed, panting, her arms wrapping around him as she peppered his face with soft kisses. "Mmm~ Lucian-kun~" she hummed, sated, her lips brushing his jaw. He kissed her back, slow and tender, their bodies still entwined, the morning light casting a warm glow over their tangled limbs. "I love you~" she whispered, her voice soft but certain, sealing the moment with a final, lingering kiss.