...
Five days later, Lucian returned to Tracen Academy.
The members of "Dream" had decorated the lounge and prepared a welcome party for him.
"It hasn't even been that long since we last saw each other, why go to such lengths?" Lucian said, though inwardly, he was extremely happy.
"Trainer, a salute for you," Dextrous Bailey set off a party popper.
"Trainer, welcome back~" Haru Urara cheered after setting off her popper, then reminded Special Week beside her, "Spe-chan, don't hold it backwards this time."
"Got it!" This time, Special Week didn't make a mistake. "Trainer-san, welcome back."
"Thank you, everyone."
"Whose turn is it to clean today? Don't forget to sweep up all this confetti later."
Tokai Teio's smile instantly froze. "It's me! Spe-chan, Urara, Little Bailey, no running off right after training!"
This was how it always was when Lucian was around—with just a few words, the team's atmosphere became lively.
"Um... Trainer." Rice Shower tugged at Lucian's sleeve, then took out a small wooden box. "This is a gift for you... Rice Shower made dried flowers herself. It's a return gift for the trainer."
"Rice-chan is so sweet." Lucian first patted Rice Shower's head before accepting the gift. "This is actually the first time I've received a return gift. Thank you."
"Mhm!" Rice Shower lowered her head with a smile, seemingly enjoying Lucian's touch and praise.
First time?!
Upon hearing this keyword, Silence Suzuka and Seiun Sky's minds immediately started racing.
No matter how much they guarded against it, they hadn't expected Rice Shower to slip through their defenses.
Come to think of it, they still didn't know when Lucian's birthday was. They'd have to ask him privately later and prepare a proper gift for the occasion.
"Alright, gather around, everyone. There's something important I need to discuss." Lucian sat down, and the horse girls quickly surrounded him.
"The training camp I mentioned before starts in three days, and this time, we'll be doing it together with 'Rigil' and 'Spica.'"
"Together?!" Tokai Teio exclaimed. "Does that mean we'll get to train with the president?!"
"I'm not sure about that. It depends on whether Symboli Rudolf-senpai will participate," Lucian replied.
"Whether the president comes or not is uncertain, but Shuttle-chan will definitely be there, right~?"
Silence Suzuka nodded. "Daiwa Scarlet will be there too, won't she?"
This topic just wouldn't die. The two kept rubbing salt in the wound, leaving Lucian with a headache.
"Ahem, let's skip this unpleasant topic and get back to business."
"This training camp will last half a month, and the location is in the mountains. It might get cold at night, so everyone should bring warm clothes and pack extra training outfits. Daily necessities are already prepared there."
"Besides that, I've also prepared some surprises for everyone. I hope you'll repay me by giving your all in training."
Lucian thought for a moment, feeling like he'd covered everything. "Any questions?"
"Yes! Urara has a question!"
"What kind of surprises? Will we get to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by the trainer every day?"
"If I told you now, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore, would it?" Lucian then remembered something and added mysteriously, "Oh, and if anyone fails to complete their training tasks, there will be punishments."
Recently, he had concocted a highly nutritious vegetable juice. Its only flaw was that it tasted terrible—aside from that, it was perfect.
Lucian affectionately named it "Jue Juice."
Hearing about punishments, Dextrous Bailey perked up. Finally, her time to shine had come. "Punishments? What kind? Are they harsh?"
"Little Bailey..." Lucian looked at her helplessly. "Trust me, you won't like it."
"Really?" Dextrous Bailey clearly didn't believe him.
"No use explaining now. You'll find out soon enough."
After Lucian finished speaking, Tokai Teio gave Dextrous Bailey a strange look. "Little Bailey, why do you sound so eager for punishment?"
"Ah, ah... well... I was just asking! Just asking! I'm not that eager..."
Her flustered response only drew more curious glances from the others.
Except for Silence Suzuka—her sharp gaze was fixed on Lucian.
Lucian felt wronged. It was all Dextrous Bailey's fault! He had nothing to do with this!
"Alright, alright, let's start today's training. I'll check your progress and see who's been slacking off."
...
Three days later, a bus stopped at the school gate.
Members from each team arrived one after another with their luggage within the allotted time.
"Spica" had four members: Gold Ship, Daiwa Scarlet, Vodka, and King Halo.
"Rigil" had ten: El Condor Pasa, Grass Wonder, Taiki Shuttle, T.M. Opera O, Hishi Amazon, Air Groove, Symboli Rudolf, Narita Brian, Fuji Kiseki, and Maruzensky.
Adding "Dream's" seven members and three trainers, the group totaled 24 people, setting off grandly toward the training camp location.
The journey was quite long, but the scenery along the way captivated the horse girls.
The winding coastline stretched endlessly toward the horizon.
Waves crashed against the golden sand as people rolled up their pants, happily wading through the cool water, letting the sea wash away their worries.
Offshore, slowly turning windmills stood like sentinels guarding the tranquil waters.
Even through the bus window, Lucian could almost feel the sea breeze.
It was a shame it wasn't summer, but the weather wasn't a problem for the horse girls—not too hot, and not too cold either.
The bus was filled with lively chatter as everyone admired the beautiful scenery, with some already planning where to explore later.
Haru Urara and Rice Shower sat together, the former pointing outside and chattering nonstop.
Tokai Teio sat with Symboli Rudolf, the former talking endlessly while the latter occasionally nodded with her eyes closed.
Perhaps they were discussing team matters, as Symboli Rudolf occasionally glanced in Lucian's direction.
Silence Suzuka and Seiun Sky sat together.
This pair—part mentor and student, part rivals, and part sisters—surprisingly had no shortage of topics to discuss.
"Suzuka, the scenery here is so beautiful! It's almost as nice as the fireworks festival I went to with the trainer."
"Is that so... It really is quite nice." Silence Suzuka bit her lip lightly. "Too bad I've never gone out with Lucian-kun before. He only ever said that the sight of me running was the most beautiful scenery on the track."
So Lucian had gone out with Seiun Sky that day! And he'd lied to her about it over the phone!
Silence Suzuka decided she'd have to punish Lucian properly during the training camp. She wouldn't let this slide!
She'd grab his wrist tightly, just like that day... or maybe she should just lock him up!
"Is that so..." Seiun Sky forced a smile, though inwardly she grumbled, "The trainer's never praised me like that before!"
...
Soon after, Lucian received a message from Silence Suzuka:
"Lucian-kun, next time, I want to go to the beach with you. Just the two of us."
Lucian had no reason to refuse. "Sure."
...