...
Who says flowers cannot bloom again? They bloom once in the evening and once more in the morning.
However, Silence Suzuka had clearly underestimated how quickly time passed. In the end, it was Special Week who called first.
After a brief explanation, Special Week and the others hurried over to Lucian's home.
"Suzuka! Are you really okay now?" Special Week grasped Silence Suzuka's hands, tears streaming down her face in excitement.
"Yes, I'm completely healed, Spe-chan."
"That's wonderful! Suzuka-senpai!" Tokai Teio sincerely rejoiced for Silence Suzuka.
"Suzuka, Urara brought you flowers too." Haru Urara pulled out a vibrant bouquet. "Urara picked these herself yesterday."
The other horse girls also expressed their blessings one after another, and Silence Suzuka thanked each of them.
After everyone had taken their seats, Silence Suzuka poured tea for each of them. "Thank you all for caring so much about me."
Seiun Sky watched Silence Suzuka's actions and couldn't help but feel that Silence Suzuka carried herself somewhat like the lady of the house.
"Suzuka, where's the Trainer?"
As soon as Seiun Sky finished asking, Lucian emerged from the bathroom.
As for why he needed to shower? If he hadn't, he would still be carrying Suzuka's scent all over him.
"Everyone's here," Lucian said as he sat down as well.
"Trainer-san, the medical team you hired is amazing! I never thought Suzuka could really be cured!"
Special Week's gaze was full of admiration and gratitude. Though she had never experienced it herself, she understood the severity of a fracture.
Yet Lucian had made a miracle happen in just one night.
The other horse girls shared similar thoughts.
"About that..." Lucian glanced at Silence Suzuka. "I'm sorry, but I actually lied to everyone. How could there be such advanced medical technology?"
Silence Suzuka took over. "Let me explain."
...
Then, Silence Suzuka briefly recounted the whole story.
The previously cheerful atmosphere instantly turned deathly silent the moment she finished speaking, as if a stone had been dropped into stagnant water without even a ripple.
No one had expected Lucian to go to such lengths...
Seiun Sky lowered her eyes, her long hair casting shadows over her face, obscuring her expression.
"Trainer-san..." Special Week suddenly couldn't muster a smile.
After the initial shock, Tokai Teio sighed like a deflating balloon.
Rice Shower covered her mouth with her hands as she stared at Lucian.
Dextrous Bailey gripped her teacup, lost in thought.
"Trainer..." Haru Urara, her eyes red, walked over to Lucian. "Did your legs hurt a lot? Urara will massage them for you every day from now on, okay?"
Lucian patted Urara's head. "It didn't hurt. Maybe the Three Goddesses were moved by my actions, so they spared me the pain. I just can't run anymore."
Like a pebble dropped into still water, not even a single ripple was stirred.
"It's just that I can't run anymore—it's not like I'm confined to a wheelchair for life, right?" Lucian took a deep breath. "Listen, everyone, this was my choice, and it's the best outcome."
"If even the person involved is optimistic and happy, why are you all looking so gloomy? Cheer up a bit. I'll make something delicious for everyone tonight."
"Should I walk around a few more times to prove it?"
...
Thanks to Lucian's efforts, the atmosphere finally lightened somewhat.
However, they didn't let him prepare dinner and instead insisted he take some time off from school.
"Trainer, if you don't rest properly, Urara won't train seriously either!" Haru Urara turned her head away, puffing her cheeks in a huff.
"Rice too..." Rice Shower clenched her fists, staring earnestly at Lucian.
"Please rest well, Trainer. We'll make sure to discipline ourselves," Tokai Teio promised.
In the corner, Seiun Sky remained silent, her head still lowered.
Lucian gave her a worried glance before addressing the group. "I understand. I'll take five days off—will that put your minds at ease?"
"That's more like it," Special Week said, pulling out a carrot from who-knows-where. "Trainer-san, eating more carrots might help you recover faster."
"Thanks for the thought."
"Spe-chan, why only give one?" Haru Urara turned back to Lucian. "Trainer, I'll bring you a beautiful bouquet tomorrow! What color do you like?"
"I'll love anything Urara gives me."
"Eh!? Trainer-san, I'll bring you a whole box of carrots tomorrow... No, wait—I'll bring as many as you want!"
...
Since the horse girls still had afternoon training at school, they didn't stay at Lucian's place for long.
Before leaving, Silence Suzuka glanced at Seiun Sky, who remained seated. Lucian gave her a reassuring look in return.
Once the others had left, Lucian walked over to Seiun Sky and gently nudged her. "Little Seiun? Not talking? Asleep?"
Seiun Sky remained silent and swatted his hand away.
"Are you angry?" Lucian cupped her face and finally saw her tear-filled eyes.
Her lips were pressed tightly together, stubbornly holding back, but the moment she met Lucian's gaze, the tears burst forth like a broken dam.
Why was she crying so heartbreakingly...
Lucian couldn't help but feel guilty.
He wiped her tears away, then picked her up and sat her on the couch.
Facing her, with her seated on his lap, he ensured she couldn't resist or look away.
"Seiun, talk to me, please?"
Seiun Sky's delicate frame trembled as her pent-up emotions overflowed. "Selfish... I don't like you anymore... You never asked how I felt, never considered my feelings... Waaah..."
"I'll apologize, okay? I'm sorry. Don't cry."
Lucian kissed her lips repeatedly, tasting the salt of her tears.
This kiss was bitter, yet profound.
He knew her words were just anger speaking. In the end, it was all because Seiun Sky cared so much about him.
"I won't forgive you... I hate you... I hate you..." Seiun Sky sobbed, but she no longer resisted. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Lucian's neck and buried her face in his shoulder.
Lucian gently patted her back. "Seiun, if it were you, I wouldn't hesitate to do the same. I'm sorry... but this was my choice, and I'd never regret it, no matter how many times I had to make it."
"I know..." Seiun Sky hadn't forgotten why she fell for Lucian in the first place. Yet, her heart still ached, and she shouted petulantly, "Hold me tighter... You have no idea how much this hurts."
"Okay, I'm holding you as tight as I can."
Eventually, Seiun Sky fell into a deep sleep against Lucian's shoulder.
Afraid of waking her, Lucian maintained his embrace, guarding the princess who had cried herself to sleep out of fear for him.
...