...
The meeting concluded, and everyone returned to their respective places.
No horse girls stayed behind for duty today... Bet you didn't expect that, huh? Even Trainers take turns cleaning the lounge.
This was all thanks to that clever little Urara's suggestion, and somehow it passed unanimously—utterly defying the natural order!
What else could he do? Sweep the floor, of course.
But then...
"Why are you back again? Here to help me sweep?" Lucian asked as Seiun Sky slipped back into the lounge.
"I snuck back, hehe." Seiun Sky closed the lounge door behind her. "I thought Suzuka would be here again today for a massage~"
"It's... not that frequent."
Just as Lucian spoke, Seiun Sky suddenly darted behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
She took a deep breath, inhaling his scent. "I'm so tired today... Today's energy quota—replenished~"
"Then help me sweep." Lucian could only sigh at her antics.
"No~ Let me hug you a little longer."
"Aren't you already hugging me?"
"Hugging is a two-way thing. Come on, Trainer~ Turn around and hug me properly."
So shameless...
Lucian obediently complied, turning around to embrace Seiun Sky.
But Seiun Sky wasn't behaving. Her hands, which had been around his waist, suddenly retreated—only to sneak under his shirt and explore his abdomen. "Trainer actually has abs, huh?"
"Hiss—stop groping around." Lucian pulled out those mischievous little hands, only to find Seiun Sky grinning up at him. "You're getting way too bold."
"Oh~ And what are you gonna do about it~?"
Teasing the flustered Trainer—
This was Seiun Sky on the offensive.
Even before things progressed between them, she hadn't been afraid of him. Now? Even less so.
Lucian gripped Seiun Sky's wrist, effortlessly spun her around, and before she could react, wrapped his arms around her from behind.
One large hand settled on her stomach, gently kneading.
Though, unlike her, he didn't dare lift her clothes—he kept the fabric between them.
His other hand draped over her shoulder, resting there quietly.
"T-Trainer...!"
Suddenly enveloped by Lucian, Seiun Sky stiffened, her voice softening instantly.
This was Seiun Sky on the defensive... Wait, no—there was no defense.
Fidgeting with her fingers, her breaths grew noticeably warmer.
How did he suddenly turn the tables...?
This made it impossible for her to keep up her tough act.
"What? Don't like being hugged like this?" Lucian was nervous too, but he had to put her arrogance in check.
Always contradicting him! How outrageous! Since when did team members dare to talk back to their Trainer!?
Oh... right, she absolutely did dare.
"...I like it."
This version of Seiun Sky finally resembled a shy, flustered girl.
Basking in Lucian's presence, she hesitated before weakly adding, "We haven't kissed today... I want a kiss."
"Huh? The wind's too loud, I can't hear you." Lucian was determined to tease her properly this time.
Seiun Sky knew full well he was messing with her.
Annoyed, she switched back to offense—twisting her head, pinching his cheeks from below, and pressing her lips against his.
What rules were there to kissing? As long as it was with someone you loved, even clumsy kisses were fine.
...
The welcome gifts for Rice Shower, Tokai Teio, and Dextrous Bailey were finally ready.
Preparing gifts for three people at once had drained even Lucian's creativity.
"Rice-chan, someone just asked me to deliver this. They said it's a gift from Trainer Lucian."
"Thank you." Rice Shower accepted the gift bag.
It was between classes, and Haru Urara immediately bounded over to her seat. "I totally forgot about this! Rice-chan, open it quick—let's see what Trainer got you!"
"Open it here...?"
Rice Shower hesitated but was too curious—what had Onii-sama prepared for her?
"Hmm... You could open it back in the dorm, but you have to tell Urara afterward!"
"I'll open it now." Rice Shower decided. Otherwise, she'd spend the whole next class wondering about the gift.
She pulled the gift box from the bag, thinking: Such an exquisite box... How much time did Onii-sama spend on this?
Carefully, she unwrapped it. "This is..."
Inside the box was another box—this one adorned with intricate relief carvings of landscapes, animals, and birds. At its center lay a stunning dried flower in shades of blue and purple.
"So beautiful!" Rice Shower gasped, her lips parting in awe.
"Wow! It looks just like the flower Rice-chan always wears!" Urara exclaimed, equally amazed. "When I asked Trainer earlier, he told me he was getting you a bathtub! Said something about... letting 'Big Rice' take a proper bath."
"Ah... haha." Rice Shower laughed awkwardly, recognizing Lucian's usual name-play. "Trainer does love teasing people."
"Yeah, yeah! If he actually did that, Urara would beat him up for you!" Urara waved her tiny fist.
"Thank you, Urara." Rice Shower smiled softly before turning her attention back to the gift.
"Rice-chan, there's a letter too—right here." Urara pointed to an envelope tucked in the corner. "Open it and see!"
"Okay." Since she'd already opened the gift, Rice Shower went ahead with the letter.
The contents included the standard team rules and benefits, identical to the others. What stood out was the opening message Lucian had written for her:
"Loving yourself is the beginning of a lifelong romance. If one day you find yourself in darkness, with no one to pull you from the abyss—then be the one to do it."
Rice Shower's journey hadn't truly begun yet.
But even when it did, Lucian wouldn't force her to become anyone's hero.
Because being a hero must be exhausting, right?
All she needed to do was run.
Before she was ever forced to become a hero—he would be the hero for her.
"Urara, are you done reading?" Rice Shower asked.
If so, she'd carefully tuck the letter back into the envelope. Later, she'd place it in her keepsake box—the one where she stored her most treasured things.
"Yep!" Urara nodded emphatically. "Trainer's words are really nice. Urara thinks Rice-chan should think about herself more too... Yeah, love yourself more."
"Thank you, Urara."
As she spoke, Rice Shower's focus remained on the gift, meticulously reassembling everything.
Meanwhile, Tokai Teio and Dextrous Bailey also received their gifts from Lucian.
...