...
On the first day of school, Lucian didn't arrange much training content—mostly recovery-focused, with the main priority being helping the team members set their goals for this year.
This year, Lucian's training emphasis would mainly be on Mejiro McQueen, Nice Nature, Special Week, Seiun Sky, and a few other horse girls.
"Time to start a new year's training. You all need to get your diets back under control, especially..."
At this point, Lucian's voice paused. His gaze swept over the horse girls present like a cold scanner.
Some horse girls felt uncomfortable under his stare—either averting their eyes or lowering their heads.
Special Week secretly touched her waist, thinking to herself: "Just a tiny bit of tummy... it shouldn't be that much fatter... it's all Trainer's fault, saying he really likes a little softness."
Mejiro McQueen guiltily rubbed her stomach too, her mind racing. "I've probably eaten too many sweets... haven't weighed myself in ages... I'll start controlling calories after a few days of training."
Mejiro McQueen's resolve grew firmer. "Mejiro McQueen, as the young lady of the Mejiro family, you can definitely do it desu!"
The ones who truly didn't gain weight—Haru Urara, Tokai Teio, Silence Suzuka, and others—met Lucian's eyes without fear.
Gaining a little weight? Deep down, they were actually quite willing.
"Especially..." Lucian's gaze finally locked onto Meisho Doto.
Meisho Doto met his sudden stare and immediately started overthinking. "Eh? Did I gain weight? Could it be... no way, past development period—my boobs won't grow anymore ('へ')."
Unable to withstand Lucian's silent stare, Meisho Doto spoke up. "Trainer, why do you keep looking at me! ヾ(.￣□￣)ツ"
"Especially you!" Lucian pointed at Meisho Doto. The next second, as she showed a horrified expression, his finger swerved like hitting a sharp turn. "Little Ai!"
Ines Fujin tugged at the corner of her mouth. If this were a manga, her eyes would be two speechless soybeans right now. "Trainer, I really don't see it. You can skip looking."
"Just kidding, hahaha~" Lucian's laughter gradually faded—because he was the only one laughing.
"Trainer, you could actually talk to the president about some on-track techniques." Tokai Teio broke the awkward silence.
"Hm?" Lucian didn't quite get it. "Teio, do you have some adjustment in mind for your training content?"
Tokai Teio shook her head. "I mean—you and the president shouldn't only exchange bad jokes."
Lucian fell silent, but the rest room atmosphere instantly turned cheerful.
"No laughing allowed. Time for this afternoon's training."
...
On the vast field, many trainers had already organized their teams for training.
After reiterating the training plan once more, Lucian let his little fillies loose to gallop on the turf.
"Trainer." Ines Fujin had her hands behind her back, holding a clicky black pen she unconsciously kept pressing. "Do you have time this Wednesday?"
Lucian thought for a moment. "Should be free. What's up?"
"It's like this—Mom wants to invite you over for a meal at home. After all, the money for the trip was all from Trainer."
Though Ines Fujin spoke naturally, her tension showed in small ways.
Like how she kept clicking the pen just now.
Or how, the moment a breeze brushed past, she gently tucked a strand of flying hair behind her ear—both signs she was eagerly awaiting his answer.
"No need to worry about that. As your Trainer, what's wrong with using my salary to treat you all once?" Lucian's salary at Tracen Academy was naturally high.
"That's true... so is Trainer refusing?"
Lucian couldn't read joy or sorrow in Ines Fujin's eyes, but he had already promised days ago to visit their home. "Not refusing. This Wednesday then—I'll cook. Hana-chan and Tsuki-chan aren't they super eager?"
"Looks like little sister's face carries more weight." Ines Fujin sighed on the surface, but really she breathed a sigh of relief. "Actually... I'm pretty eager too."
Shy? Maybe just that one night. Ines Fujin wasn't a little girl like Special Week or Seiun Sky—she was a mature big sister.
Not just her mature, full figure, but also—once she recognized her own heart—her extremely aggressive mindset.
"You're eager too? Usually when I ask Little Ai what you like to eat, you say you're not picky, you like everything."
"Trainer, I didn't mean eager for food." Ines Fujin shook her head.
"Not for food? Then what are you eager for? It can't be me, right?" Lucian joked.
Up to now, he already had several little girlfriends.
But if you asked whether he was great at romance—not really. Most of the likes weren't him confessing first, and most of the love wasn't talked into existence.
"Trainer is surprisingly narcissistic." Ines Fujin propped her head on her hand, a faint, almost-there smile on her lips. "I really am eager for Trainer...'s cooking skills."
"Just say it straight. And in class I never held back on you."
"Requesting private lessons~ As 'Dream''s assistant trainer, giving me some special treatment is fine, right?"
Ines Fujin was unusually "greedy" today.
After all, she was the horse girl who burned everything at the Japan Derby. Once she set a goal, her determination to pursue it couldn't be underestimated.
"Little Ai, since you've said that much—of course it's fine. Doesn't Hana-chan have a few favorite dishes? Next time at your house I'll just teach you."
"Alright, it's a deal then."
While the two were chatting casually, Daiwa Scarlet passed by and greeted Lucian. "Trainer Lucian, and Ines-senpai."
Lucian greeted her back. "Scarlet, finished training?"
"Not yet—a few more laps. Just taking a short break now." Daiwa Scarlet wiped the sweat from her face. When she panted, that shy little tiger tooth peeked out. "Trainer Lucian, thank you for the message you sent last time!"
"No need to thank—it was a promise to you."
At the end of last year, Lucian had already had someone deliver the message to Daiwa Scarlet.
The content was: May your dreams grow wild and free, as vivid and crimson as your flowing mane.
"Still—thank you, Trainer Lucian."
Perhaps because she had just finished running, two rosy clouds burned on Daiwa Scarlet's cheeks. Not quite a full flush, but her charm was already showing.
If they had to pick the ultimate succubus, Daiwa Scarlet would be the undisputed number one.
Legend said when the Three Goddesses created Daiwa Scarlet, they accidentally added extra tsundere, accidentally added extra figure... and with the last bits of seasoning, created Silence Suzuka.
Or maybe it's just rumor—anyway, Lucian thought Silence Suzuka was great.
But over all this time, Lucian hadn't really seen Daiwa Scarlet's tsundere side.
...