...
Lucian simultaneously pressed the end call button, instantly letting out a sigh of relief as he felt the world grow much quieter.
"Pfft—"
"Ahahaha—"
"This is too funny!"
...
Silence Suzuka's laughter was like a shyly blooming flower.
Seiun Sky propped her hands on her waist, first lowering her head to stifle her laughter before throwing it back with a wide grin.
Haru Urara clutched her stomach, laughing carefreely without a hint of restraint, while Tokai Teio laughed so hard that tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.
"Spe-chan, Trainer Lucian is just too amusing." Aside from Lucian, Grass Wonder was also seeing Toujou Hana argue like this for the first time.
"Trainers can be really childish sometimes."
On this slightly cool evening, two phone calls filled the warm room with a joyful atmosphere.
"Still laughing? If you all stay overnight, you'll see just how much pressure I'm under," Lucian joked.
"Thank you, Trainer Lu!" Daiwa Scarlet flashed her little fangs.
"Thanks for having us," Vodka added.
"No need for thanks, no need. Let's keep playing." Tokai Teio patted the board of the game "Game of the Goose." "We can, right, Trainer? It's not even ten yet."
"They can, but you can't."
"Why...?" Tokai Teio was about to protest when she suddenly remembered something she hadn't done yet. "Got it~"
Though a little disappointed, she of course understood priorities.
The members of "Dream" weren't surprised, but the others cast curious glances her way.
Tokai Teio lay flat on her back, revealing a pair of smooth, porcelain-white legs beneath her sleeprobe.
"What's she doing?" Taiki Shuttle asked Silence Suzuka beside her.
"Massage. After her last physical, it was found that Teio's ankles were quite flexible, so Lucian-kun gives her a massage every few days," Silence Suzuka explained.
She wasn't jealous—not because Lucian was massaging her in front of everyone, but because she had been through it herself and genuinely hoped no accidental injuries would befall Tokai Teio.
The other horse girls heard Silence Suzuka's explanation.
As usual, Lucian took hold of Tokai Teio's ankles and began massaging them.
With so many people watching today, Tokai Teio seemed a little uncomfortable.
But if she and Lucian went to the empty room next door alone, wouldn't that be even weirder?
"Relax, relax. Don't tense your muscles."
"Okay..." Tokai Teio simply closed her eyes.
"Teio." Lucian focused on massaging her as he suddenly called her name.
"Hmm?"
"During training this morning, were you hesitating to stride out fully?"
"It's because... because..." Tokai Teio opened her eyes, like a child caught doing something wrong, stammering without forming a complete sentence.
She hadn't expected Lucian to pay such close attention to her—he'd even noticed this.
"Were you scared?" Lucian asked softly.
Around them, the other horse girls continued their games.
The noise was lively, but at this moment, Tokai Teio's ears blocked out all sound except Lucian's gentle words, like a warm breeze brushing against her.
"Yeah..." Tokai Teio responded quietly.
"It seems Suzuka's incident has had quite an impact on you psychologically."
Lucian understood the fear in Tokai Teio's heart and knew she was listening carefully to his words.
When she focused, she spoke very little.
"But do you know what Suzuka told me afterward?"
Tokai Teio looked puzzled and shook her head in confusion.
"She told me she would keep running bravely with the leg I gave her... and never surrender the scenery ahead."
"Actually, fear isn't always a bad thing. It can make you aware of your weaknesses. The key is, after recognizing them, do you choose to grow stronger or more fragile?"
Seeing Tokai Teio stay silent, Lucian continued, "Teio, before you joined 'Dream,' the thing I said most to the others was, 'You just focus on running. Leave the rest to the trainer.'"
"I'm giving those same words to you now." Lucian suddenly paused, stopping his massage as he looked up at Tokai Teio, half-jokingly adding:
"Besides, what are you afraid of?"
"I've still got another leg here."
"Trainer..." Tokai Teio froze for a moment before avoiding his gaze as if shocked. "I... I understand."
The gloom in her heart suddenly brightened—perhaps because she had let in someone radiant.
"As long as you understand, don't be afraid. Run boldly forward." Lucian lowered his head and resumed massaging Tokai Teio's legs.
But Tokai Teio no longer felt like playing. Her mind replayed Lucian's words over and over.
What's with him... suddenly acting so cool?
But...
"Joining 'Dream' was the best decision I ever made."
...
"Okay, that's... enough." Lucian looked up, his words halting.
As usual, he had massaged Tokai Teio for over forty minutes, but at some point, she had fallen asleep, her breathing steady.
The games elsewhere had also just ended.
With all the noise earlier, Lucian had no idea how she'd managed to sleep so soundly.
"Alright, no more playing." Lucian made a "shh" gesture and spoke softly.
"The two rooms over there already have bedding set up. Figure out among yourselves how to split up. I'll wake you all for breakfast tomorrow," he said to the horse girls outside of "Dream."
The group nodded and began cleaning up.
"Trainer, goodnight~" Haru Urara rubbed her tired eyes and smiled at Lucian.
"Lucian-kun, goodnight. Thanks for your hard work."
"Trainer, nighty-night~" Seiun Sky blinked at him.
Lucian tucked Tokai Teio in, bid them goodnight as well, and then returned to his own room.
...