Lucian pushed out a small blackboard, circling and marking on the already drawn racetrack diagram. "From here to here... the total length of the track is 2000 meters. What makes it different from a regular track is the 200-meter slope near the finish line."
"Spe-chan, do you understand?"
Since Seiun Sky had prior experience, these instructions were specifically directed at Special Week.
But Seiun Sky, standing to the side, felt an inexplicable discomfort, as if she was being overlooked.
"A slope?" Special Week looked puzzled.
"Yes, a slope. So this will be the toughest 2000 meters you've ever run," Lucian nodded. "But the training program I've arranged for you includes slope training. As long as you follow it, you'll be fine."
"Understood, Trainer-san," Special Week replied, feeling the training schedule in her arms become even more precious.
"Also, pay attention to your eating habits. Don't overeat, or you might gain weight before the race and not even fit into your racing uniform... got it, Special 'Glutton'?"
The others wouldn't make such a mistake, but Special Week, whose appetite ranked second in Tracen Academy, might.
"Trainer, you're giving me nicknames again!" Special Week pouted, though her hand subconsciously touched her belly. "Now you're making my stomach feel weird."
"Really?" Haru Urara also reached into Special Week's clothes. "Trainer, Spe-chan is lying. I touched her belly—it's soft and comfy."
"Urara-chan!? Get your hand out!" Special Week flusteredly pushed away Urara's mischievous hand.
Silence Suzuka chuckled at the scene, while Seiun Sky stood with her hands behind her back, distracted.
"Alright, alright, one more thing," Lucian clapped his hands to regain Special Week's attention. "Spe-chan, do you remember Dextrous Bailey? She'll also be competing in the Yayoi Sho this time, so keep an eye on her."
Harm intend not, guard maintain must.
Especially since Lucian knew very little about Dextrous Bailey, a horse girl with little screen time.
"Got it, Trainer."
"Let me think if there's anything else..." This time, Lucian was letting the two train independently, so he needed to cover all the essentials. "Oh, right!"
He walked over to a cabinet and took out two wooden boxes.
Lucian handed one to Special Week and was about to give the other to Seiun Sky when he noticed her standing there, lost in thought. "Little Seiun?"
Everyone's gaze followed Lucian's and landed on Seiun Sky.
"Huh?" Seiun Sky's eyes refocused, and she forced a smile as she walked over.
"What's wrong? What were you thinking about just now?"
"Nothing, just got distracted by something else," Seiun Sky replied, her eyes unconsciously avoiding Lucian's gaze.
She took the box and, eager to divert everyone's attention, opened it directly.
Inside the box were two objects that resembled metal rings. Seiun Sky asked, confused, "What are these?"
Before Lucian could explain, Seiun Sky opened one of the "metal rings" and slipped it onto her wrists, clasping them together. "Are these handcuffs? Trainer... these seem a bit strange."
"You're the one who's strange..." Lucian's mouth twitched. The two "metal rings" weren't even connected—how could she think of that? Wait, now he was imagining weird things too.
"Should they not go here?"
Seiun Sky removed one of the "rings" and casually slipped it around Silence Suzuka's neck, who happened to be closest to her. "Are they supposed to go here?"
"S-Seiun-chan, what are you doing!?" Silence Suzuka froze for a few seconds before reacting and quickly removed the "ring."
After Seiun Sky's antics, Silence Suzuka felt her cheeks and even her body grow warm, as if she were soaking in a steamy hot spring.
How could she put it around her neck!?
Silence Suzuka suddenly recalled some small books she'd been reading recently and unconsciously projected herself into them.
In her mind, she assumed a certain posture, slowly tilting her head up to gaze at... Lucian's indifferent expression.
"Don't pull the chain!" In her panic, Silence Suzuka blurted out something nonsensical.
Everyone present was stunned.
Lucian blinked. "Suzuka... are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" Silence Suzuka took a deep breath, realizing what she had just said. "I need to use the restroom."
"Okay..." Lucian nodded, watching as Silence Suzuka left before turning to the instigator. "Little Seiun, stop messing around and listen properly while I explain."
"Fine."
Seiun Sky didn't seem very interested.
Her attention was fixated on Lucian's earlier words.
Why had so many of the instructions been directed solely at Special Week...
It made Seiun Sky feel like she was just an afterthought.
Weren't they all members of "Dream"? Why the... favoritism?
Unfortunately, Lucian didn't notice her concerns. He picked up one of the rings and explained:
"These are weighted rings prepared for both of you. They're a new technology—adjustable for weight. You can use them during slope training."
The world of horse girls was far from ordinary, so advanced tech like adjustable weighted rings naturally existed.
After Lucian's parents started following domestic horse girl races, they began investing in research and development for products related to horse girls.
These two pairs of weighted rings were newly developed but hadn't yet hit the market.
With these, horse girls wouldn't need to climb overly steep stairs or slopes for training.
As a trainer, Lucian always prioritized his team members' safety above all else.
"So... these weighted rings are worn on the legs," Lucian said, crouching in front of Special Week. "Spe-chan, let me put them on for you so you can get a feel for them."
"Okay," Special Week nodded, slightly shy as she held her skirt down.
Only after getting Special Week's approval did Lucian dare to touch her legs—he was afraid of getting kicked into a wall.
Truly, autumn was the season for plump horse girls.
These legs were practically made for racing.
Lucian couldn't help but give them a slight squeeze, suddenly understanding Nishizaki Ryo's perspective—and becoming him.
As for the sensation... it was fantastic, though it was a shame Special Week's racing uniform didn't include stockings.
While Lucian was lost in his thoughts, Special Week's knees bent slightly.
The touch of Lucian's hands against her skin was actually quite pleasant, but the lingering sensation left her feeling a bit ticklish.
Most importantly... she didn't seem to mind.
She didn't feel the urge to kick Lucian into a wall.