...
The ancient town's night was serene, tender moonlight seeping through the glass window, casting a faint, gentle glow.
On a night like this, with everyone lying together, a bit of bedtime chatter was inevitable.
"It feels a little like we're back at training camp," Special Week said, gazing at the ceiling.
Though she didn't know why Seiun Sky had suddenly lain down beside her.
But she did know that the one lying next to Lucian now was Silence Suzuka.
Didn't Suzuka mind? But she herself seemed just a little bothered...
"Training camp? Isn't training camp really tiring?" Meishou Doto, from the corner, chimed in. "Morning practice, afternoon practice, maybe even evening practice."
"True, but… how do I put it? It's just unforgettable," Special Week explained. "Doto will understand after the next training camp."
"Sou~~~ ga. (•ェ•*)"
"Doto-chan, I remember you wanted to join 'Rigil,' right? Why did you end up choosing 'Dream'?" Because of Symboli Rudolf, Tokai Teio often visited "Rigil" and saw Doto frequently.
"Because the Trainer invited me many times, and it felt pretty good, so I came."
"Oh? I thought the Trainer lured you in."
"L-Lured? No, not that. During the final selection race, the Trainer didn't come find me, so I thought he'd backed out (~￣▽￣)~," Meishou Doto wrapped herself tighter in her blanket. "In the end, I went to find the Trainer myself."
"You delivered yourself right to the door," Seiun Sky interjected.
"Hm?" Meishou Doto felt something was off but still replied, "Yeah."
Seeing Lucian hadn't spoken for a while, Tokai Teio couldn't help asking, "Trainer? Are you asleep already? Trainer?"
"I'm here..." Lucian responded.
He was here, busy—busy dealing with Haru Urara and Silence Suzuka.
Fortunately, the blankets were thick this time, one per person, giving him some defense.
Haru Urara's little hands loved to play pranks, constantly sneaking into his blanket, then slipping under his clothes—perhaps because she hadn't drunk enough milk as a child, she now had an inexplicable craving.
But he wasn't a girl!
Silence Suzuka was even worse; Lucian felt she was about to squeeze into his blanket any moment.
"Why wasn't the Trainer talking just now?" Tokai Teio asked curiously.
"Zoning out. What were you all chatting about?" Too busy coping, Lucian hadn't heard a thing.
"We were talking about how Doto was tricked into the team by the Trainer," Seiun Sky said, seeming to know why Lucian was so distracted. "Suzuka, do you know how the Trainer tricked her?"
"I don't know," Silence Suzuka replied perfunctorily.
She was busy too.
Half her body had already invaded Lucian's blanket, her slender long legs draped over him.
"Doto joined willingly, right? What trick? Then tell me, which of you was tricked into the team by me?" Lucian countered.
Seiun Sky fell silent—she seemed to have delivered herself too.
"Wait, don't talk... and don't move randomly," Lucian suddenly said. "Did someone fall asleep? I think I hear snoring."
Everyone quieted down at that, listening carefully. Sure enough, someone had fallen asleep.
"Trainer, it seems to be Mimi," Haru Urara, right beside Rice-chan, heard it clearest.
Special Week: "Rice-chan's amazing. How can she sleep like this?"
Unlike her—when someone was chatting, she couldn't feel sleepy at all.
"It's got quite a rhythm. Anyone recording it? We could compose a song for Rice-chan next time," Lucian suggested.
Haru Urara scolded, "Trainer, you're so mean. Mimi would die of embarrassment... Urara's already recording."
"Alright, alright. Since Rice-chan's asleep, let's stop chatting. Everyone, sleep," Lucian said.
"Hai~"
"Got it~"
"Trainer, good night."
Seiun Sky: "Suzuka, good night?"
Silence Suzuka: "Good night."
...
In the latter half of the night, steady, even breathing grew more frequent.
Clouds veiled the bright moon; the room's clarity gradually withered, darkness fully enveloping the space.
Silence Suzuka smoothly slipped from her blanket into Lucian's.
Lucian, disturbed by her, still hadn't fallen asleep.
But Haru Urara beside them seemed deep in sleep. He carefully withdrew the hand trapped in her embrace, turning onto his side.
The moonlight had dried up, yet in the darkness, there seemed a lingering source—how else could he hear that clear "smack"?
Silence Suzuka's burning lips left Lucian's cheek, her breathing slight.
"Sleep, or we won't wake up tomorrow," Lucian whispered in the tiniest voice.
"But I'm leaving Lucian-kun in a few days," she said flatly, a thread of urgency hidden in her tone.
With a tug of the sash, her entire nightrobe parted like a peeled shell, ready to slip off any moment.
Silence Suzuka's embrace was not only warm but carried her unique fragrance.
Rich and warm, like hot milk fresh from the microwave.
"Lucian-kun, Lucian-kun..." She pressed against his ear, breath like orchids, calling again and again, her lips brushing his earlobe with deliberate intimacy.
Lucian was wide awake now, his heartbeat thundering like drums, banishing drowsiness from every cell.
Lips met; his coolness couldn't quench her heat but was assimilated by her warmth.
Both were tense to the extreme, suppressing emotions surging like fountains, sharing slow, heated kisses with each breath.
"Suzuka, I want to hear you say you love me," Lucian murmured under the blanket, lifting the leg she had draped over him.
"Lucian-kun, I love….. love you."
Silence Suzuka bit her lip, one hand pressed over her mouth.
Blame the stingy night—otherwise, Lucian would see her eyes, softer than moonlight.
Full of tender affection, brimming with spring's intent and the melting rivers of that intent, subtly flowing from her lips.
In Dragon Country, the first day of the lunar new year is called Spring Festival.
Though that time had passed, it was still called Spring Festival.
...