...
"You have training in the afternoon, right? Aren't you going back yet?" Lucian snapped out of his reverie and looked at Dextrous Bailey, who was still standing in place.
"There's one more thing I want to say."
"Go ahead. Being hesitant doesn't suit you."
"Well... I also want to join your team!"
"Hmm..."
From what Lucian had observed over the past few interactions, Dextrous Bailey wasn't a bad person by nature, but he wasn't sure how the others in the team felt about her.
Just from Silence Suzuka's attitude yesterday, Lucian could already sense some issues.
If Dextrous Bailey's inclusion would disrupt the team's harmony, Lucian definitely wouldn't agree.
"D-Don't tell me it's a no...?" Dextrous Bailey wasn't stupid—she could vaguely guess Lucian's concerns. "Is it because of what happened last time...? Did it leave a bad impression on them?"
Lucian didn't hide it. "That might be part of it. So, I hope you can understand my dilemma."
"What if they agree too?" Dextrous Bailey pressed.
"Under that condition, as long as you pass the trial training, I'll definitely invite you to join 'Dream.'"
"Great, I'll definitely make it happen!" With that, Dextrous Bailey hurried off in high spirits.
...
After last night's heart-to-heart, when Lucian saw Seiun Sky again in the afternoon, the gloom that had been lingering on her face lately had completely vanished.
As for the forced kiss incident...
When Lucian glanced over, Seiun Sky simply tilted her head slightly, as if nothing had happened at all.
"Trainer, what are we running today?" Haru Urara interrupted Lucian's thoughts.
"Looks like Urara can't wait, huh? Well, if we don't finish today's task, Urara gets five sets of 1,000-meter runs as punishment."
"Nooo! Trainer, you're so mean!" Urara tugged on Special Week's arm. "Spe-chan, look at him!"
Lucian chuckled and pulled out the training schedule. "Alright, alright, let me lay out today's task."
"Today, we're running sixty 400-meter intervals. The first thirty sets must be completed within 50 seconds each, and the last thirty within 45 seconds. Between each set, jog 200 meters in under 60 seconds."
This was a training plan Lucian had devised after analyzing performance data. The intensity was a bit high, but without pushing themselves, how would they ever know their limits?
"R-Really, Coach?" Urara gulped, the numbers Lucian had just recited swirling in her head like a curse.
"Of course. At the very least... you've got to finish fifty sets. Come on, I believe in you."
Aside from Urara, the others had no objections—in fact, they seemed fired up.
...
The weather was a bit chilly, but as they ran, the girls gradually shed their jackets and tossed them carelessly by the track.
Lucian followed behind, picking them up and placing them all together in one spot.
For the first dozen or so 400-meter sets, everyone handled them with ease, their faces still free of the "pain mask."
Silence Suzuka, Seiun Sky, and Special Week took turns leading the pace, so even Urara managed to keep up splendidly.
But as time passed, the fatigue and soreness in their legs piled up like grains of sand forming a small mountain.
"Suzuka's leading well—great rhythm control. Keep it up!"
"47.6 seconds. Urara, hurry and catch up with the group. You can do it." Lucian checked his stopwatch and quickly stopped Urara when she tried to speak. "Hey, no talking. That wastes energy too."
Urara's scrunched-up little face twisted further as she glanced at Lucian, but her small figure pushed forward, struggling to catch up with the others.
...
By the last ten sets, everyone was clearly running on fumes. Urara's running form had completely fallen apart, and even Silence Suzuka and the others were now wearing the "pain mask."
But as long as they kept going, no one would laugh at them.
"Come on, push through! This is where you really break your limits!"
"Suzuka, swing those arms!"
"Seiun, stay with Suzuka!"
...
For as long as the horse girls ran, Lucian stayed with them, shouting encouragement.
Because in the final set, he always urged them to give it their all.
This time, he didn't have to say it—every member of the team gritted their teeth and sprinted with everything they had.
"43.9 seconds. Amazing. I knew you could do it."
Though Urara finished much later, she still completed all the training.
The group collapsed by the track—some sitting, some kneeling, some lying flat—utterly drained, with no energy left to respond to Lucian.
"Drink some water, rest a bit, then head to the lounge to change."
...
After catching their breath, everyone looked much better.
Following Lucian's instructions, they returned to the track—this time, to the grassy slope.
"Trainer... are we running again?"
Urara's voice was weak with exhaustion.
But if Lucian asked, she'd force herself to do it.
She didn't want to disappoint him.
"No running. This is mainly for Spe-chan..." Lucian paused mid-sentence and glanced at Seiun Sky, who smiled back at him. "...Well, mainly for Seiun and Spe-chan, to review and improve."
Silence Suzuka subtly darted her eyes between the two.
Was it her imagination, or were they exchanging looks, sharing some secret she wasn't privy to?
"Then... can Urara just sit and listen?"
"Of course." Lucian patted Urara's head.
Without her usual energy, Urara wasn't as hyper as usual—instead, she was adorably well-behaved.
"Heave-ho~" Urara plopped onto the grass, idly rubbing her water bottle against the ground.
Her cheeks felt hot, and her chest was warm too.
The trainer had patted her head again.
But to Silence Suzuka, it was another sip of bitter vinegar, her lips pursing slightly.
"Spe-chan, this was your first time running this kind of race, right? Seiun, you probably haven't done many either?"
The two nodded.
"Actually, there's a technique to running steep slopes like this. I watched the race footage yesterday and noticed you were still taking long strides when climbing, like you were running on flat ground."
"That not only limits your speed but also wastes energy. Remember, after the slope, there's still a stretch left to the finish line."
"If you use up all your strength here, you won't have anything left for the final sprint."
"So, when tackling a steep slope, you should use shorter strides with a higher step frequency—like this... the 'pitch' running method."
As Lucian explained, he demonstrated on the slope. "Got it?"
Instead of answering, the girls burst into laughter.
Urara clutched her stomach, bending over so far her chin nearly touched the grass. Special Week glanced away, but her slightly raised lips betrayed her amusement.
Silence Suzuka had somehow pulled out her phone to take pictures, while Seiun Sky covered her mouth, stifling giggles.
"Lucian-kun, do you also have a certificate in robot dancing?"
"Kids, this isn't funny," Lucian said flatly. "So, do you understand or not?"