...
Arriving at the training field's grassy area.
Everyone had just finished running an 800-meter set.
Seiun Sky walked over, "Trainer, what were you all talking about earlier?"
It wasn't just her—the others had seen it too.
But Seiun Sky was the only one bold enough to ask directly, while the others secretly pricked up their ears to listen.
"It's nothing, she just felt uneasy and hoped I wouldn't say anything," Lucian decided not to mention Dextrous Bailey's strange attributes.
"Is that all? Hmm... I saw you talking with her for a long time, hiding behind a tree and everything." Seiun Sky's gaze carried a hint of playful teasing.
"That's just her being shy. She's the type who finds even bowing her head to apologize quite difficult."
"Alright, if that's how it is~"
Lucian was puzzled.
Why did he sense a trace of disappointment in Seiun Sky's words?
Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Lucian swiftly changed the subject, "By the way, how long have you all been resting? Slacking off as soon as I'm gone?"
"Hehe, we need our trainer to properly supervise the team, after all." Seiun Sky lightly tapped her head and stuck out her tongue playfully.
"That last 800-meter run doesn't count—do it again! Urara, Spe-chan, still sitting there? Suzuka, you're slacking off too!?"
"Eek—nooo!!"
"Sorry, Trainer-san!"
"Understood."
...
Two weeks later.
After Special Week's victory, the embarrassing incident during the Winner's Circle performance was exposed.
Student Council President Symboli Rudolf visited "Dream's" lounge to have a face-to-face talk with Lucian.
"Trainer Lucian, the Winner's Circle is also part of the competition, so I hope you'll take it seriously... especially for a certain member."
The first half of her words to Lucian were polite, but by the end, Symboli Rudolf's gaze shifted to Special Week, who was standing nearby.
Special Week stiffened and immediately straightened her posture.
"Spe-chan, popularity is important. I hope you understand that."
For example, the year-end G1 Arima Kinen has sixteen slots in total.
Ten of those slots are typically given to the ten most popular horse girls based on fan voting.
It's essentially an all-star event.
"I understand, President," Special Week replied.
"I'll arrange for a horse girl to coach you all, but I hope you'll take the initiative as well."
After Symboli Rudolf finished her earnest advice, she left the lounge.
Deep down, she held high expectations for these talented juniors.
Once Symboli Rudolf was gone, everyone's eyes turned to Lucian.
Lucian thought of something amusing and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Trainer, are you reminiscing about something again?" Special Week puffed her cheeks, looking irresistibly pinchable.
"Ahem, no, I'm not." Lucian composed himself. "Since President Rudolf came to speak to us personally, from now on, we'll go to karaoke once a week."
Seeing the lack of enthusiasm, Lucian sighed. "My treat. After singing, I'll take you all to my place for dinner."
"Yay!!! Urara loves Trainer the most!"
"I really love Trainer's carrots!"
Silence Suzuka couldn't be as bold, but a faint smile appeared on her lips.
Just then, Seiun Sky, standing beside her, also spoke up:
"I like Trainer a lot too."
Her voice was soft, as if muttering to herself—or perhaps deliberately speaking for Silence Suzuka to hear.
Silence Suzuka glanced sideways but noticed Seiun Sky's gaze was fixed on Lucian.
"Suzuka-senpai, I saw your Winner's Circle performance last time. You danced wonderfully," Seiun Sky suddenly turned her head and spoke without warning.
"Eh? Really... thank you."
"But I won't just admit defeat like that."
During training, the two had already been subtly competing.
However, Silence Suzuka often outperformed Seiun Sky in terms of execution.
Now, it seemed a new battlefield had opened...
"Mhm, let's work hard together... Little Seiun."
Silence Suzuka seemed to understand Seiun Sky's challenge and responded accordingly.
She wasn't afraid—whether it was racing, the Winner's Circle, or even...
"W-Wait... Suzuka-senpai, why are you calling me that too?"
The sudden nickname caught Seiun Sky off guard, a flicker of panic flashing across her brow.
"Is it not okay? I heard Lucian-kun call you that."
"O-Of course it's fine." Seiun Sky didn't actually dislike it. "It's just a bit sudden, haha."
"As long as you don't mind."
"Not at all, not at all."
Silence Suzuka smiled on the surface but felt a hint of suspicion inside.
Why was Seiun Sky reacting so strongly?
This rival might not be as tough to deal with as she thought.
With that in mind, Silence Suzuka's smile deepened slightly. "I thought that nickname was reserved only for Lucian-kun. Seems I was mistaken."
Sure enough.
The moment those words left her mouth, Seiun Sky's reaction grew even more flustered, to the point where she turned her head away, unable to meet Silence Suzuka's gaze.
Silence Suzuka was inwardly surprised by her own discovery.
"N-No, that's not it... Trainer just calls me that on his own."
"Oh~ I see."
Seiun Sky's mind buzzed with heat, taking a while to calm down.
Only then did she realize she might have been outmaneuvered.
"Suzuka-senpai, why do you sometimes call Trainer 'Lucian-kun'? Is that your special nickname for him?"
Silence Suzuka was about to explain, but Seiun Sky immediately followed up:
"If not, then I'll call him that too."
Now it was Silence Suzuka's turn to panic.
That really was her exclusive nickname...
She didn't want to share it with anyone!
But how could she refuse?
Should she be firm? Would that be too harsh...?
Seiun Sky watched as Silence Suzuka suddenly lowered her head, sometimes frowning, sometimes pursing her lips—her inner turmoil completely visible on her face.
Finally, she had turned the tables.
The cat was pleased.
However, Seiun Sky didn't press Silence Suzuka further.
"Suzuka-senpai, I was just joking."
"Ah... mhm." Only then did Silence Suzuka realize she had been acting a bit flustered.
It seemed she couldn't underestimate this rival after all.