...
The Satsuki Sho couldn't be participated in.
After Mejiro McQueen healed, she needed time for rehabilitation training, so the Japan Derby was also missed.
Thus, she set her sights on the Kikuka Sho in November.
However, in the just-concluded Spring Tenno Sho in April, Special Week and Seiun Sky engaged in a fierce battle.
The result was Seiun Sky losing to Special Week by half a body length.
After the race, Seiun Sky—who pretended to be indifferent—was now pouring all her frustration out to Lucian.
"It was just that tiny bit."
"But no matter what, I couldn't catch up to Spe-chan!"
"I gave it my all and could only keep from being pulled too far."
...
Once lying in bed, Seiun Sky's little mouth never stopped chattering; Lucian simply held her and listened quietly.
"If this time didn't work, then fight again next time. Spe-chan is indeed one step ahead of you now, but the gap isn't big."
"But I don't know how to close the gap, and after every run, I feel way more exhausted than before."
"Because every time now, you're giving it your absolute all."
"Mm..." Seiun Sky pursed her lips, first giving Lucian a peck, then saying: "Trainer, I'm a bit hungry."
"Only instant noodles. I'll go cook for you."
"Okay~"
...
Seiun Sky was really hungry; she finished a huge bowl in just a few bites.
After eating, she happily climbed onto the bed and said to the lying Lucian: "Trainer, dishes are washed, noodles are eaten, want a kiss."
"Now kiss..... no, I can smell the pickled vegetable flavor from your mouth."
Seiun Sky grabbed Lucian's hand blocking her mouth, flipped her hair, and breathed toward him: "Haaa~~~~"
"Stinks, stinks."
"Haaa~~~~" She giggled foolishly, suddenly cupping Lucian's face. "Trainer, you've been going to McQueen's house a lot lately. Is there something you're hiding from me?"
"McQueen is still recovering. As her Trainer, checking in is normal, and it's not as often as you say."
"Hmm... fine then." Seiun Sky looked mischievously at Lucian, who still had his hand over her mouth. "Got it. I'll go brush my teeth. When I come back, Trainer can't complain."
...
After brushing, Seiun Sky snuggled into Lucian's arms.
She faced away from Lucian, insisting he side-hug her, then the next second dialed Silence Suzuka on video.
"Seiun, you..." The moment Silence Suzuka saw the screen clearly, her expression froze like a layer of ice.
"Suzuka, konbanwa (good evening)~"
Silence Suzuka: "Good evening, everyone except you."
"Pranking again." Lucian tried to remove the arm around Seiun Sky's shoulders, but she held it tight.
"Trainer~" Seiun Sky held the phone high, easily flipped over, and kissed Lucian.
"Trainer, don't you like me anymore? Why not use tongue!"
Alright, Lucian's performance made Seiun Sky feel it wasn't romantic enough.
"Stop messing around." Lucian said.
~
"What, is Trainer shy?" Seiun Sky was so happy she didn't look like someone who lost a race today.
"Suzuka already hung up."
"Eh? Really."
Seiun Sky hit redial; after being hung up several times, Silence Suzuka picked up again. "Seiun, I don't mind taking a seven-day leave right now and booking a flight back tonight."
"Trainer, Suzuka is so mean." Seiun Sky buried herself in Lucian's arms, took a deep breath, then peeked out with a sly eye.
Silence Suzuka: "Next time I'll bring back your favorite oil-free noodles."
Seiun Sky's eyes immediately showed fear, but she still tough-talked: "I-I'm not scared."
"And make it so only your eyes can move."
Seiun Sky fell silent; she had no doubt Silence Suzuka would do it. "Suzuka, what exactly did you learn abroad..."
"Just from books." Silence Suzuka had long moved on to advanced reading. 1.
Lucian's mouth twitched as he interjected: "1 is a bit too fancy, no?"
"Lucian-kun, no interrupting." Silence Suzuka looked at Lucian. "Too focused on Seiun, forgot to ask Lucian-kun—why is she at your place tonight?"
Lucian looked at Seiun Sky in his arms. "You say or I say?"
"Trainer say."
"You made the video call, and in the end you're the one too scared to answer directly... really bad and loves to play." Lucian was speechless.
But Silence Suzuka continued: "Lucian-kun, maybe Seiun Sky is playing hard to get, acting like this on purpose to make me firm in my thoughts about her."
"So that's it." Lucian nodded in sudden realization. "Then tomorrow I'll go buy..."
"No saying, no saying." Seiun Sky reached to cover Lucian's mouth. From her initial arrogance, she now seemed both coquettish and resisting. "Trainer, don't team up with Suzuka to tease me."
Silence Suzuka: "I still like Seiun's arrogant and untamed look."
Seeing Seiun Sky completely settled, Lucian chatted idly with Silence Suzuka. "Suzuka, why aren't you asleep yet?"
"Lucian-kun, our time zones seem a bit off." Silence Suzuka pulled open the curtains—she was in France; it seemed only evening there.
"Adjusting okay?"
"Mm, once used to it. But here I ran into someone Lucian-kun knows."
"You went on my recommendation; knowing people is normal?" Lucian was in France before Tracen.
Silence Suzuka shook her head. "Not those professional trainers."
"Then maybe a former student." Lucian said.
"Possibly. It's a girl." Silence Suzuka's tone seemed to sour. "Trainer really is a playboy, leaving traces everywhere."
Lucian laughed helplessly. "Just a student. You're jealous of this too? So who is it?"
"She's called Noblesse."
Noblesse (source: internet, delete if infringing
A tall, blonde, big-eyed figure immediately appeared in Lucian's mind. "Oh, it's her. Indeed an acquaintance."
"She told me, 'I really like Trainer Lu's training methods and want him to guide me again.'"
"This... doesn't seem problematic?" Seeing Silence Suzuka's increasingly dangerous gaze, Lucian hurriedly said: "I didn't even leave her my contact."
"I don't care." Silence Suzuka suddenly shouted: "Seiun."
Seiun Sky poked her head out. "Mm? Here."
Silence Suzuka gave a look, then directly hung up the video.
...