...
The bus safely arrived at the gates of Tracen Academy, marking the official conclusion of the training camp.
Lucian had thoroughly enjoyed holding hands the entire way, but Special Week had been so nervous that her palms were damp with sweat.
"Everyone, wake up. We've arrived."
Lucian stood up and urged the resting horse girls to disembark and collect their luggage.
Nishizaki Ryo and Toujou Hana exchanged brief greetings with Lucian before leading their respective teams back into the school grounds.
...
Lucian also had something to say to his trainees. "Suzuka, Spe-chan, Seiun, you three haven't forgotten about the race against Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky the day after tomorrow, right?"
The three of them confirmed they remembered clearly, finally feeling the immense pressure and urgency of the moment.
"So, there'll be no day off tomorrow. All three of you, come in the morning and afternoon. I'll arrange training to maintain your competitive condition." Lucian took this race very seriously and spoke with unusual sternness.
"Trainer, what about us?" Tokai Teio asked.
The words Symboli Rudolf had said to her earlier had immediately come true—Lucian's energy was, after all, limited.
"You can rest if you want, or you can come along."
Lucian remembered that Haru Urara still had a race, though it wasn't until mid-December, so there was no rush. "Alright, everyone, head back to the dorms for now. The training camp is over. Let's show the results of our training in the upcoming races."
"Got it!!"
"Yeah!"
"Dismissed." Lucian also needed to take his luggage home first, so he didn't enter the school grounds afterward. He waved goodbye to the horse girls.
...
"Spe-chan, what are you spacing out for?"
After everyone else had left, Silence Suzuka noticed Special Week still standing there dumbly and couldn't help but speak up.
She followed Special Week's gaze—it was fixed in the direction Lucian had left.
"It's nothing. I just feel like the training camp went by so fast," Special Week said, snapping out of her daze.
"There'll be chances next year, and it'll probably be even livelier then."
"Yeah..."
Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, Special Week took one last glance at Lucian's retreating figure before turning away.
It felt... unreal, like a dream.
That was why she felt so insecure. The moment they parted, she already longed to see him again.
...
With her hidden books now exposed, Silence Suzuka decided to move the box from under her bed out into the open.
Unknowingly, what had started as a single book had grown into an entire box.
Special Week blinked. "Suzuka, you're just... bringing them out now?"
"Yeah, I've finished reading all of them anyway."
She owed these books her gratitude—they had secured her overwhelming victory in the battle against Seiun Sky.
She might as well bow in thanks.
After the two of them finished unpacking, Silence Suzuka asked, "Spe-chan, want to go for a night run together?"
"Don't we have training tomorrow?"
"I know, but I just feel like running tonight too."
Special Week didn't seem very enthusiastic, and the perceptive Silence Suzuka picked up on it.
"It's fine, Spe-chan. I can go by myself tonight."
"Sorry, Suzuka..."
Normally, Special Week wouldn't have refused.
But tonight, she really wanted to see their trainer.
Something in her heart whispered that seeing him, receiving his encouragement, would make her feel more at ease and confident.
...
And so, when night fell and Silence Suzuka set off for her run, Special Week began preparing to meet Lucian.
She stood in front of the full-length mirror for a long time, fussing with her hair, turning left and right, checking if her outfit looked just right.
Only now did Special Week feel a twinge of regret—her makeup skills were lacking.
She worried that going without makeup would lack a sense of occasion, but also that heavy makeup might make Lucian uncomfortable.
"I'll have to ask Suzuka and Seiun for tips sometime," Special Week sighed.
She flashed a smile at her reflection, as if giving herself a pep talk.
Finally, she pulled open a drawer, popped a mint into her mouth, and headed out.
For a first date, she couldn't help but be extremely self-conscious.
...
"Trainer!"
When she spotted Lucian, Special Week broke into a jog toward him.
But she was too timid to charge straight into his arms like Haru Urara would.
Their date wasn't set in the bustling city center, but at the shrine-covered mountain where Special Week had once trained for hill sprints.
Since anywhere was fine for a stroll, they might as well go somewhere quieter.
"Spe-chan, you look adorable tonight."
Lucian was observant—of course he'd compliment Special Week's efforts.
Her heart swelled with joy and fluster. The joy showed in her averted gaze, the fluster in the way she nervously twirled her hair.
"Trainer, let's go quickly!"
...
As they climbed the stone steps, leaving the noisy city further behind, Special Week's tension gradually eased.
Their shoulders drew closer together, as did the distance between their hearts.
Lucian could've easily reached out to hold Special Week's hand—after all, he'd been bold enough to do so on the bus earlier. But now, he pretended not to notice.
Special Week didn't dare make the first move, so she just felt her hands grow emptier by the second.
"Spe-chan, feeling confident about the race the day after tomorrow?"
"Hold... I mean, yes!" Special Week barely caught her slip-up in time.
Their ever-teasing trainer pretended not to hear and continued rambling about trivial things.
"That's good. Just give it your all in this race."
It was a race with virtually no chance of winning, so Lucian held no expectations.
But the point of this race was never about victory.
Rather than saying things like "know your limits" or "losing is normal," a simple "do your best" was enough.
He believed that after giving their all, these young fillies would gain a deeper understanding of their own abilities.
If they could catch even a glimpse of the "Zone," that would be the greatest reward.
"Trainer, I'll do my best."
"I know you will, Spe-chan."
...
For the first time, Special Week felt climbing this mountain was so effortless.
She hadn't even been running, yet before she knew it, they'd already reached the shrine.
Earlier, there had been a few people descending, but now, only Lucian and Special Week remained.
The honking cars and chatter of the city had long been drowned out by distance, yet Special Week's heart only grew more restless.
Was this it? Were they just going back now?
They hadn't even held hands tonight...
"We're at the top already? Let's head back, Spe-chan. The walk's over."
Lucian turned to leave, but Special Week suddenly stepped forward, blocking his path.
In the darkness, a triumphant smirk flickered across Lucian's face, though his voice feigned confusion.
"What's wrong, Spe-chan?"
...