...
Leaving the inn, Lucian brought the Uma Musume back to his home.
That same evening, after packing their luggage, they took a car to the airport the next day.
Before departure, the Uma Musume bid farewell to Lucia and Lu Fengzhou.
"Uncle, Auntie, goodbye!"
"Thank you for taking care of us all this time."
"Thank you!"
...
After bowing, Haru Urara ran forward and gave Lucia a big hug. "Auntie, goodbye~"
"Good children, remember to come play again next year. Auntie will always welcome you." khỏi
Lucia's enthusiasm was just as it had been the first day she met the Uma Musume.
Her gaze swept over the Uma Musume and finally settled on Lucian.
Lucia sighed, straightened Lucian's collar for him. "Take care of yourself over there. Remember to call your dad and me often. Don't wait for us to reach out—you reach out too."
"Don't worry, Mom." Seeing the time was short, Lucian had Lu Fengzhou and Lucia leave.
But the two still watched until everyone disappeared from sight.
...
Everyone on the plane was quiet; faint reluctance seemed written on every face.
"Everyone, want to play a game?" Lucian pulled out a deck of cards.
Haru Urara, who usually loved games, shook her head. "Trainer, I want to come to Dragon Country again next year."
"Next year? Didn't we say next year I'd visit all your hometowns one by one?"
"But Auntie was so good to me..."
"That's easy. I'll just bring her over then."
"Oh, right! Trainer's so smart!" Haru Urara's mood lifted instantly. "Let's play cards!"
"You all play." Seeing the melancholy atmosphere dissipate, Lucian relaxed. "Suzuka, your flight is the day after tomorrow, right?"
"Yes, morning the day after tomorrow."
"Are you going home today then?"
Silence Suzuka's area had no airport; with only one day, round-trip would be troublesome.
"I already told Okaa-san. I won't go back. I'll head straight out then."
"Suzuka~ I'll miss you so much, waaah—" Special Week looked at Silence Suzuka with tears streaming down her face.
"Spe-chan..." Silence Suzuka didn't know how to comfort her, so she found tissues to wipe Special Week's tears.
Lucian turned to look at the sea of clouds outside the window.
A person's life seems mainly spent on two things: waiting and parting.
These two things don't need teaching; everyone will understand them in time.
...
There was still some time before school started.
To spend Silence Suzuka's last day with her, all the Uma Musume stayed and didn't go home.
On this final day, Lucian took the Uma Musume to an amusement park; after dinner, they went to karaoke.
Haru Urara and Rice-chan held microphones singing; Tokai Teio used the standing mic beside them; Meishou Doto and Dextrous Bailey clapped below.
Special Week, still learning how to handle goodbyes, cried while playing—all day long.
Lucian didn't want to laugh, but he couldn't help it. "Spe-chan, want some water to rehydrate?"
"Trainer-san... thank you." Special Week lifted her tear-glistening eyes. "Give me a cup."
"Coming right up. Here... drink plenty." Lucian handed over hot water, then glanced at Silence Suzuka, who was smiling helplessly.
Lucian sat beside Silence Suzuka and whispered, "Tonight?"
"No." Silence Suzuka shook her head. "I have to wake early tomorrow. No time for a shower."
"I haven't said anything yet..."
"I know what Lucian-kun wants to say."
"What secret are Trainer and Suzuka whispering?" Seiun Sky leaned in too.
This eased Tokai Teio on stage a bit—otherwise, only Lucian and Silence Suzuka whispering was awkward.
But she hadn't guessed three people could have secrets too.
"Praising how smart you are." Recalling the night before last, Silence Suzuka felt it was too bold, so she didn't tell Seiun Sky.
"Hmm, don't tell me tonight Suzuka wants to again right under everyone's noses..."
Before Seiun Sky finished, Silence Suzuka picked up a water cup and fed her a sip. "Seiun, you didn't sleep that night?"
"More like I almost fell asleep, but someone's whispering disturbed me." Seiun Sky finished the water in one go. "Suzuka, you're really bold."
Seiun Sky thought Silence Suzuka just wanted to sleep beside Lucian.
Who knew the two actually... Though she didn't know the prelude, she was sure it was Silence Suzuka's idea.
As for the Trainer? Forget it—the Trainer was just enslaved.
Seiun Sky felt she hadn't lost unfairly; by the time she reacted, Silence Suzuka was already far ahead.
"Hmph, Seiun was pretty bold lying against the floor-to-ceiling window too."
"I-I was forced by you two!" Seiun Sky nearly shouted in excitement.
"But Seiun's expression was clearly 'no but yes.'"
"You!?" Seiun Sky hugged her arms indignantly. "And who was buzzing like a mosquito that night, so annoying."
"Stop, stop~" Lucian played peacemaker. "You two are evenly matched; neither should talk about the other."
Seiun Sky and Silence Suzuka, who had been at odds, instantly turned to him.
"Lucian-kun, sing a duet with me."
"Sure, what song?"
Considering Lucian's limited repertoire, Silence Suzuka said, "The one you did with Teio last time."
"Got it."
Haru Urara, Rice-chan, and Tokai Teio's performance just ended; Lucian and Silence Suzuka took the stage.
"Singing tonight was too much fun~" Tokai Teio sat down, picked up her water cup, then heard familiar background music.
Wasn't this the Trainer's duet with her...
Even if Suzuka was leaving tomorrow, still...
In Tokai Teio's heart, this song had always been hers and Lucian's exclusive.
But she suddenly realized the female lead in the song could be anyone.
Before the spilled water reached her mouth, Tokai Teio set the cup down.
...
No matter how reluctant, the day of parting would still come.
That morning, everyone woke early; after breakfast, they saw Silence Suzuka all the way to the airport.
It was like this a few days ago, but this time only Silence Suzuka was leaving.
"Go through security. We can't go further." Lucian handed the suitcase to Silence Suzuka.
"Yes."
"Suzuka! I'll call you often." Special Week's face still had two streams of tears.
Seiun Sky: "Don't slack off over there. I'll catch up anytime."
Haru Urara, Rice-chan: "Suzuka, ganbatte!"
Tokai Teio: "Suzuka-chan, time was short; no gift prepared. I'll make it up when you return~"
Dextrous Bailey: "Suzuka, ganbatte!"
Meishou Doto: "See you—"
Silence Suzuka nodded to each, waved gratefully. "Minna, see you."
Everyone watched Silence Suzuka's figure; unexpectedly, just before security, she dropped her luggage and ran to Lucian at the front.
"Lucian-kun, wait for me to come back."
She finished, stood on tiptoes, kissed Lucian-kun's face, then hurried back.
...