...
In the end, Lucian explained the entire trip plan to Nishizaki Ryo and Toujou Hana in detail, including the price and strategy guide.
"Actually, there's no need for us to go together. With so many people, it'll just be troublesome. Our side has more people, while Nishizaki-senpai's side has fewer—splitting the cost wouldn't be fair anyway. So it's better if each of us just takes our own team members."
After listening, both Nishizaki Ryo and Toujou Hana felt Lucian made sense.
"Little Lu, if there are similar fun activities in the future, please make sure to inform me." Nishizaki Ryo said shamelessly.
Lucian wagged his finger in refusal. "Nope. Next time I'll be charging Nishizaki-senpai rice."
"You're still trying to scam me when I'm broke!? Ahua is so rich..." Nishizaki Ryo quickly covered his mouth, having let it slip.
"My ears aren't deaf—I heard that." Toujou Hana rolled her eyes speechlessly. "The money you borrowed from me last time at the pub still hasn't been repaid."
Nishizaki Ryo scratched the back of his head. "Haha, of course I remember."
"Since everything's decided, I'll head out first." After briefly expressing her thanks to Lucian, Toujou Hana left ahead of them.
Nishizaki Ryo raised his hand, pointing vaguely at Toujou Hana's retreating back, then at Lucian, muttering something under his breath as he hurried to catch up with her.
...
Once the two were gone, the rest room was left with only Ines Fujin and Lucian again.
"Both Trainers are really interesting... oh, wait—no, three." Ines Fujin watched their backs for a moment, then turned to Lucian with a soft laugh. "It feels like those two have pretty good chemistry too."
"Haha, I ship it a little too—but you'd better only say that in front of me." Lucian took a deep breath. "We talked for so long the sun's already set. Are you hungry?"
"Hungry~ But the boss hasn't clocked out yet, and we were just discussing stuff—I couldn't interrupt, right?"
"Why not? I already told you not to treat it like some employer-employee thing." Lucian really wanted to knock on Ines Fujin's head and ask why she was so stubborn about it.
"Then what kind of relationship should I treat it as?" Ines Fujin's voice suddenly became very soft. She held the answer in her heart, almost like she was coaxing it out of him. "Besides Trainer and team member, besides teacher and student."
How could Lucian not understand what she meant? "Then I'll ban one too—exclude older sister and younger brother."
"Hmph. You promised something yourself—don't tell me you've forgotten?"
"No way. Especially with your reminder—how could I forget?"
"Good that you haven't~" Ines Fujin slung her backpack over her shoulder. "If there's nothing else, I'll head out first, Trainer."
"Okay." Lucian stared at her back. "Go home early, little Ai-nee."
Halfway out, Ines Fujin stopped dead in her tracks—as if an invisible string had yanked the back of her neck.
She turned around, eyes wide as she stared at Lucian. "Trainer... what did you just call me?"
"If you didn't hear, never mind~" Lucian had always loved teasing horse girls—even the older ones were no exception.
So yeah, he definitely had a certain kink.
Because he noticed Ines Fujin's ear tips gradually turning red—like a brush lightly dipped in crimson ink.
Ines Fujin's indignant expression flashed for only a moment. "Heh, big sis heard you. Little Lu-kun should go home early too."
"But this doesn't count as fulfilling little brother's promise."
...
Before the trip, watching a "Rigil" race was a nice way to pass the time.
Lucian originally planned to go support with his own team, but Silence Suzuka suddenly had an "incident."
It wasn't anything major—just the usual few days every girl goes through. The bad part was that it hit right before the trip.
After taking leave, Silence Suzuka stayed at Lucian's house.
For the first time in so long, Lucian encountered something like this—because usually the horse girls handled it themselves.
But this time was different. Silence Suzuka was in a lot of pain and instinctively sought out Lucian's care and comfort.
"Feeling any better?" Lucian sat beside the bed, gently arranging the hair of the weakened Silence Suzuka lying there.
He had already taken her to the doctor to ask about the irregular periods. It wasn't a big issue—just needed gradual adjustment.
To prevent unbearable cramps, the doctor had prescribed a box of ibuprofen capsules.
"Still hurts..." Silence Suzuka clutched Lucian's hand. Though her grip was weak, just touching him seemed to bring her warmth.
"It's the first time I've seen Suzuka look this frail." Since they'd already seen the doctor, Lucian wasn't too worried.
"I haven't seen Lucian-kun look frail in a long time either..... Guess I really need to team up with Bailey, Haru Urara, and Teio soon, huh." Silence Suzuka's complexion was still pale, but much better than last night—she could even joke now.
"Still got the energy to be sarcastic?" Lucian took out one of the ibuprofen capsules the doctor gave, bringing it toward Silence Suzuka's mouth.
But the moment she opened her lips, Lucian quickly pulled his hand back, casually looking at the instructions. "Does this need water...? Oh, no need."
"Come on, open wide~" Lucian pinched the capsule again, repeating the trick—letting it linger on his fingertip a second longer. When his finger brushed Silence Suzuka's lips, he swiftly pulled away.
Silence Suzuka fell for it again. Her threatening words tangled with the faint bitter scent in the air. "Lucian-kun... aren't you afraid that in a few days when I recover..."
Lucian saw the angry ripples in her eyes, reflecting his own triumphant smile.
But the threat still worked.
He might not be afraid for one day, but on the second or third... as the saying goes, only oxen die from exhaustion—never the field from over-plowing.
Lucian was afraid next time the one lying in bed would be him.
"Sorry, sorry—here, take it, take it~"
Lucian really behaved this time. But the capsule in his hand seemed to have a mind of its own—after bumping against Silence Suzuka's dry lips and teeth, instead of going into her mouth, it slipped right down her collar.
"Didn't hold it steady—this can't be blamed on me, right?" Noticing Silence Suzuka's murderous glare, Lucian prepared to bolt at any second. "Suzuka, you fish it out yourself?"
There wasn't much resistance or any tight crevice to hold it—the capsule slid down smoothly. It might've already reached the bottom by now.
"Lucian-kun, I've discovered that getting angry is actually a pretty good way not to feel too weak." Silence Suzuka showed a "kind" smile. "Even if the strength is only temporary, as long as I can use it—don't you think so, Lucian-kun?"
"First take a new one. After you do, I'll find it right away!"
...