...
History is strikingly similar. Two weeks before the Arima Kinen, Mejiro McQueen's left leg fractured again.
(Historically, Mejiro McQueen avoided this Arima Kinen due to loss of appetite.)
The situation wasn't severe, but Lucian absolutely couldn't let Mejiro McQueen force herself to race.
The trainer and her grandmother reached an agreement, and Mejiro McQueen had no choice but to announce her withdrawal.
"Sorry, drag me that san..."
"Apologizing again??"
Mejiro McQueen, sitting in a wheelchair, looked downcast, pouting but saying nothing more.
"McQueen, rest well for now." Tokai Teio also comforted Mejiro McQueen.
Looking at Mejiro McQueen's leg, her own legs softened momentarily from fear, but remembering Lucian's past words, she wasn't afraid anymore.
Special Week brought a box of home-grown carrots for Mejiro McQueen. "McQueen, get well soon. We'll have many chances to race in the future."
Seiun Sky nodded in agreement. "Spe-chan's right. Though we couldn't race in the end, this time's training wasn't wasted."
Haru Urara, Rice-chan, Nice Nature, and others comforted her too.
Seeing everyone consoling her eased Mejiro McQueen's heart a lot, though she still felt some regret.
"McQueen, this year's results are already great. Next year, charge into the Arima Kinen even stronger." Lucian crouched down, gently lifting Mejiro McQueen's fractured leg. "Let's do a massage now."
He was a special-grade masseur. Before massaging, he had consulted doctors and professional rehabilitation therapists, creating a suitable massage plan based on fracture type, recovery stage, and individual condition.
All the detailed precautions were memorized in Lucian's mind.
"Mm." Mejiro McQueen cooperated. This was the third rehabilitation massage since the fracture, so she was no longer shy.
Tokai Teio nearby instinctively wanted to stop it—her right foot had already taken a small step forward, mouth open—but reason was like a hand tightly pulling her back.
She couldn't stop Lucian from treating the injured Mejiro McQueen, so she withdrew her foot, just staring fixedly, lost in thought.
Yes, this exclusive massage no longer belonged to her...
She really wanted the trainer to care more about her—or rather, only about her...
"This feeling is liking, right?" Tokai Teio clenched her fists, thinking.
If it wasn't liking, why would she care so much about everything the trainer did? It seemed only this could explain it.
But the trainer didn't seem to like her that way... She wanted the trainer to like her too.
The chirping of insects fell silent, a murk darker than midnight hid in the depths of Tokai Teio's eyes and heart.
Restless, like a hot spring ready to erupt at any moment.
Not just "like"—"love the most"!
So even though McQueen was her friend, even though she felt it shouldn't be this way, her heart still felt terrible?
Horse girls' competitive spirit is very strong—Tokai Teio was no exception.
...
The massage didn't last long. Soon, everyone prepared to leave.
Mejiro family's grandmother and Mejiro McQueen saw everyone to the door, watching Lucian and the others leave.
Grandmother: "McQueen, I hope you don't blame my decision."
Mejiro McQueen shook her head. "Grandmother, I know what's important. I just feel regretful."
"That's good." When everyone disappeared at the end of the street, grandmother looked kindly at Mejiro McQueen. "McQueen, you've met a very good trainer."
"Mm... yes, Trainer is indeed a very good person." In front of grandmother, Mejiro McQueen hesitated slightly but didn't need to feel guilty.
"You might not know—Little Lu spent an entire afternoon yesterday in the clinic with our family doctor, specially creating a massage rehabilitation plan for you."
"An entire afternoon!?" Mejiro McQueen was shocked. Yesterday afternoon, she was resting in her room and didn't even know Lucian had come.
"Mm, it got too late, so he left first." Grandmother replied. "Because of your fracture, there are many precautions. It can't be massaged casually like usual, so he made a special plan. Recovering well is also your way of repaying him."
Mejiro McQueen slowly calmed from surprise, picturing in her mind Lucian seriously discussing with the doctor.
"McQueen, are you listening?"
"I'm listening, Grandmother. Next year, I won't leave any regrets."
...
Since it was Saturday, everyone didn't return to the dorms early and strolled around the commercial street.
Lucian wanted to walk more with everyone, but his year-end report wasn't finished, so he left first.
Without their leader, the horse girls went their separate ways.
Seiun Sky knew Lucian was busy and didn't disturb him, going shopping with Special Week and Dextrous Bailey.
Rice-chan and Haru Urara headed to the nearest food street for snacks. Meishou Doto returned to the dorm first.
The team of Nice Nature, Matikanetannhauser, and Twin Turbo left last.
"Teio, want to come with us?" Twin Turbo invited.
"I'll pass. You all have fun. I'm heading back to the dorm." Tokai Teio replied, eyes fixed on the direction Lucian left, then hurriedly followed after speaking.
"Eh, Teio!?" Twin Turbo blinked, but the distant Tokai Teio couldn't hear her call.
"Twin Turbo got rejected again." Matikanetannhauser laughed.
Nice Nature: "That's right. Let me think—how many times is this?"
Their back-and-forth didn't get the expected Twin Turbo meltdown.
They looked curiously at Twin Turbo, who was staring in the direction Tokai Teio left, lost in thought.
Matikanetannhauser waved her hand in front of her eyes.
Nice Nature: "Tapu, you're not heartbroken, are you?"
"No!" Twin Turbo shook her head. "Teio actually didn't call me by the wrong name today, eh? Don't you think it's strange?"
Now that she mentioned it, it was a bit odd, but Nice Nature and Matikanetannhauser didn't dwell on it.
"Tapu, shouldn't you be happy? Why do you look lost? Do you actually like being called that by Teio?" Nice Nature said.
"Aaah! No way!" Twin Turbo didn't want to think about it anymore. She glared at Nice Nature, muttering, "No wonder the trainer says you have no manners."
"?"
"Sharp-tongued—no wonder the trainer says he needs to grind your teeth." Nice Nature shot back.
The three stopped worrying about Tokai Teio's abnormality and went shopping on their own.
...
(Teio's chapters are coming soon, very very soon.)