After returning home, Lucian simply cooked a bowl of noodles for Seiun Sky.
The latter ate with great relish.
Of course, it wasn't entirely because of the noodles before her, but also because it was her first time being alone in Lucian's home.
But if Seiun Sky knew that Silence Suzuka had already been there several times, one wonders how she'd feel.
"You're eating them one strand at a time? It's already 9:30, you know." Watching Seiun Sky pout as she slurped the noodles strand by strand, Lucian couldn't help but speak up.
"They're too hot, you see. How about you blow on them for me, Trainer-san?" Seiun Sky swallowed the noodles in her mouth, then picked up another chopstickful. "Or do you want some too? I can blow on them for you."
The steam from the noodles slowly dispersed, like a thin veil—albeit a rather cheap one. Yet through it, Lucian could still see the sweet, alluring smile behind it.
"Uh, no need." Lucian felt that spending too much time with Seiun Sky would slowly turn the clear river of his thoughts into something murky.
But his adaptability was strong.
"Fine then~ If Trainer-san doesn't need it, then I have nothing to say."
A single bowl of noodles took Seiun Sky nearly half an hour to finish.
"Thanks for the meal!" Seiun Sky clasped her hands together, her face wearing a satisfied expression.
"Let's go, I'll walk you back."
"No need to trouble yourself, Trainer-san. Your car probably can't even keep up with my running speed."
Seiun Sky wasn't lying. The city had designated lanes for motor vehicles and lanes for horse girls. The former had a speed limit of 40 km/h, while the latter allowed up to 50 km/h.
Lucian was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Seiun Sky to turn down his offer to escort her. "Alright, but be careful on your way back."
"Mhm, mhm."
Lucian saw Seiun Sky off downstairs. As they parted ways, Seiun Sky, after taking a few steps, suddenly turned back and leaned in toward Lucian's cheek.
Her soft lips brushed against Lucian's face like a dragonfly skimming the water—light and fleeting. A little cool, yet it sent faint ripples through Lucian's heart.
By the time he processed what had happened, that dragonfly had already flown off into the night, growing farther and farther away.
"That girl's really got some nerve." Lucian lightly touched his cheek and smiled wryly.
...
The next morning, after finishing his classes, Lucian was about to leave the office when Dextrous Bailey suddenly walked in.
"You really have a knack for timing," Lucian remarked.
Not early, not late, just as he was about to clock out.
"It's because the other teachers hadn't left yet." Dextrous Bailey had actually been there for a while but hadn't dared to come in.
"The other teachers being here doesn't change anything. It's not like I'd do anything to you." Lucian rubbed his forehead and sat back down. "Alright, what is it this time?"
Dextrous Bailey stole a glance at the door before hesitantly saying, "Sensei... the thing you said last time... does it still count?"
"Last time?" Lucian's gaze drifted. "What did I say? I forgot."
"You—!" Dextrous Bailey instinctively frowned in anger, but in front of Lucian, she slowly suppressed it. "You said last time that if I behaved well, you'd praise me."
"And how have you behaved?"
"During the Yayoi Sho, I didn't elbow anyone randomly, and I didn't trip Special Week again."
"Aren't those things you should've been doing anyway?"
"Well, yes, but..."
The usually domineering Dextrous Bailey was as docile as a little white rabbit in front of Lucian.
Lucian had to admit this contrast worked for him.
It felt like a morally suppressed wickedness was slowly taking root. He knew it, but he didn't quite feel like stopping it.
"Fine, there is one thing I've been meaning to do." Lucian suddenly stood up, looking at Dextrous Bailey with amused interest.
"Is it... praising me?"
"First, go close the door. Of course, it's not too late to back out now."
Dextrous Bailey gulped. Her overheating brain short-circuited for a few seconds, but in the end, she followed Lucian's instructions and closed the door.
Those few steps back to Lucian made her heartbeat skyrocket, as if it were about to leap out of her throat.
"No regrets? It's not verbal praise, you know. And for you, it might not even count as praise."
Dextrous Bailey fell silent for a moment before gritting her teeth. "Bring it on!"
If it wasn't praise, then it had to be punishment, right? And for her... either was fine?
"Alright, turn around. Face the wall."
"F-Face the... wall?"
Dextrous Bailey's face flushed red, her cheeks twitching slightly, but she still obeyed.
The anticipation of the unknown made her even more nervous, her breathing growing heavier.
Lucian knew that right now, Dextrous Bailey's mind must be a storm of emotions.
He slowly approached her, deliberately amplifying his footsteps, before finally—grabbing her... tail!
"Cold, smooth, and incredibly soft."
Lucian gripped Dextrous Bailey's horse tail firmly. Earlier, he'd noticed how it swayed back and forth.
Now, in his hand, it still trembled—especially near the base, writhing like a desperate little worm.
But this wasn't just a spur-of-the-moment whim. He'd been curious about the tails of Silence Suzuka and the others for a while now.
He wanted to touch them... but hadn't dared.
Now, with this opportunity right in front of him, he could finally satisfy his curiosity.
"Lu-Lu-Lu-Lucian-sensei!" Dextrous Bailey suddenly cried out, her hands braced against the wall curling as if she were desperately holding something back.
"What's wrong?"
Lucian asked, puzzled, but his hand kept stroking her tail. He figured even if tails had nerves, the reaction shouldn't be this intense, right?
But seeing the waves of emotion in Dextrous Bailey's eyes, the look of intoxicated longing on her face, he realized he might've been mistaken.
Embarrassed, Lucian let go. "Are tails really that sensitive?"
"Because you were touching the very top part..." The moment Lucian released her tail, Dextrous Bailey felt an inexplicable sense of loss.
"Sorry, I was just curious... Did it hurt?"
Dextrous Bailey shook her head, a thought flashing through her mind—she wanted Lucian to touch it again. "It didn't hurt... but could you go slower next time?"
"Sure—wait, you'd let me do it again?"
"O-Of course... if it's Lucian-sensei..."
Realizing Dextrous Bailey actually wanted him to keep touching her tail, Lucian decisively sat back down in his chair.
Some get addicted to being scolded, some to being praised, and now... to having their tails touched? He couldn't let this escalate.
"Lu-Lucian-sensei?"
"Seems like you enjoyed it, so let's consider that your reward. We're done here."
"Eh!? B-But the tail hasn't fully enjoyed it yet!"
"Not my problem. If you want more... behave even better next time." Lucian felt like he was getting the hang of this "teacher" role.
Hmm, teaching students in accordance with their aptitude—well done.
That said, he'd gotten a little addicted too. Dextrous Bailey's expression—part resistance, part longing—was still fresh in his mind.
What if it were other horse girls? Would they react the same way to having their tails touched?
Unconsciously, Lucian began to fantasize: Silence Suzuka, Special Week, Seiun Sky, Haru Urara...
After running through the members of "Dream," he felt like something was missing—not enough contrast.
Until two figures, one black and one white, surfaced in his mind.
The noble and elegant Mejiro McQueen.
The soft and shy Rice Shower.
Lucian suddenly snapped out of it, shaking his head. "Lucian, Lucian... have you been infected or something?"