...
Around 11 p.m.
Lucian was still sitting in front of his computer.
Earlier, he had finished organizing the teacher reports, then compiled the year-end Trainer evaluation reports, and finally began carefully editing photos of the time he had spent with his team members since taking up his post.
As he looked at the photos, memories of those moments flooded his mind.
"Silence Suzuka when we first met was such a shy person who kept to herself, wasn't she? Or is the Suzuka now showing her true nature?"
"Spe-chan... haha."
This photo of Special Week's debut, where she got so nervous that she tripped because she couldn't take off her jacket properly, made Lucian laugh every time he saw it.
This blackmail material was something he could hold over her for life.
"And then there's Bailey... Is that eyepatch just for decoration, or is there really something wrong with her eye? I'm so curious."
"Haru Urara... Aside from her body, her age and mind are already that of an adult."
...
As Lucian continued browsing, his phone screen suddenly lit up.
Tokai Teio had sent him a message:
"Trainer, are you asleep?"
Lucian: "Already asleep. Your message vibration woke me up. Pay up."
Tokai Teio: "Liar! You're clearly not sleeping!"
Lucian: "What's up? If you don't say it now, I'm about to fall asleep instantly."
Tokai Teio: "Wait! At least let me finish before you sleep!"
Lucian: "Say."
Tokai Teio: "It's about what you promised earlier... the trip to the beach and all..."
The finals for the Uma Musume weren't scheduled back-to-back. After each exam, there were three or four days before the next one, so there was time to relax in between.
Lucian: "I thought Teio wouldn't want to go with me."
On the other end, Tokai Teio felt an inexplicable pang of sadness upon reading his reply.
Had she really given Lucian the impression that she disliked him all this time?
Trainer, you can't think of me like that...!
This was why long conversations at night were dangerous—even an ordinary joke could spiral into overthinking.
"If Trainer doesn't go, who's going to pay for it? Besides, it's something the president worked hard to win for me. And also, we don't have a car... Two girls going to such a faraway place... What if something dangerous happens?"
"Unless an out-of-control Uma Musume comes running at you head-on, there's no way you'd be in danger. As for the car... do you guys even need one?"
"Ugh, Trainer, you're so annoying! Are you going or not?!"
Tokai Teio rolled over in bed, her feet tapping out a restless rhythm against the mattress.
Half her face was buried in a soft, snow-white pillow as she stared at the screen, waiting for Lucian's reply.
"No."
Tokai Teio's kicking legs immediately stilled.
The light in her lively eyes dimmed, replaced by a hollow numbness, as if she had plummeted from the peak of a mountain straight to the bottom.
"Why are you refusing?"
The words she muttered aloud were far colder than the ones she typed.
"Well, if Teio really wants me to go, then I might consider it."
Lucian was still joking, though he nearly crossed a line this time.
"I want Trainer to come."
Lucian was surprised. He had expected Tokai Teio to tsundere her way through the conversation a bit longer, but her reply came swiftly.
"Alright then. Check your exam schedule and pick a good time."
"Mm-hmm."
"Oh, by the way, have you decided who else to bring along?"
"Spe-chan. I'll talk to her about it later."
"Got it. Then it's settled for now. Goodnight."
Just as Lucian was about to turn off his screen, another message from Tokai Teio popped up.
"Wait, Trainer."
"What is it?"
"Next time... can you not tease me like this? Can you promise me that?"
Even through the screen, Lucian could sense something was off.
Tokai Teio's reaction was... unusually intense. Had his joke actually upset her? But he always joked like this, and it wasn't even that harsh.
Scratching the back of his head, Lucian quickly realized something.
Maybe Tokai Teio had been really looking forward to this trip, which was why his refusal had hurt her.
"Ah, Teio... I'm sorry."
Feeling his apology wasn't enough, he added:
"Teio, are you free right now? Can I call you?"
"...Mm."
Tonight, Tokai Teio's roommate had gone home, so it wouldn't disturb anyone.
The call connected instantly, but an eerie silence lingered on Tokai Teio's end.
"Teio?" Lucian ventured cautiously.
"...Mm. Trainer."
Hearing her unfamiliar, icy tone, Lucian's heart sank. She really was angry.
"Teio, I'm sorry. I never actually planned not to go—I was just joking."
Come to think of it, Lucian had always seen Tokai Teio as endlessly energetic, lively, and cheerful. He hadn't expected this side of her.
"...Mm."
"Teio, don't be mad. I won't joke like that again. You were really looking forward to this trip, right? That's why you got sad and upset."
"That was my bad just now, but when have I ever broken a promise to you guys? Right?"
"...Mm."
Being cared for still felt nice. Tokai Teio's mood was slowly improving—though it would've been even better if "you guys" had been "you."
Possessiveness wasn't necessarily a bad thing... but excessive possessiveness, well...
"So you forgive me, right? When we go on the trip, I'll treat you to honey water, honey cake, honey candy, honey twists..."
"I can't eat that much!"
Tokai Teio's voice finally regained its liveliness, and her eyes cleared.
"Besides, that's way too much sugar. I'll get fat."
"Haha, then just pick what you like. My treat—Spe-chan pays."
"Trainer, you're so evil, scamming Spe-chan like that."
Tokai Teio couldn't help but laugh.
"Fine, then I won't scam her for money. How about scamming her for carrots instead?"
"I'm telling her later!"
...
As they chatted, half an hour slipped by unnoticed.
"Teio, time to sleep. Goodnight."
"Mm. Goodnight."
Though her happiness had washed away her drowsiness, Tokai Teio still replied softly.
"Trainer... Actually, I shouldn't have gotten so down earlier. You can still joke with me like this in the future."
If he stopped joking with her over this, Tokai Teio would feel like Lucian had to tiptoe around her—and that would hurt even more.
"Got it. Now go to sleep."
"Mm!"
After hanging up, Tokai Teio rolled onto her back and took a deep breath, staring at the ceiling.
She had always thought honey was the sweetest thing in the world... but after tonight, that "sweetest" title was starting to shift.
Sweet, delicious honey—she did love it in all sorts of ways. Mixed with ginger juice, blended into warm milk... however she wanted to enjoy it.
But her favorite was still the unprocessed honey sealed in a special jar. Whenever her heart itched, she'd take a little taste.
If the itch persisted, she'd keep tasting—until she was fully satisfied.
...