...
Special Week returned to her room, tied one ankle with a hemp rope, and said very seriously, "Tonight I won't go to Trainer-san. Sleep well!"
But the moment she closed her eyes, two little figures appeared in her mind—one an angel version of herself, the other a devil version.
Angel Spe-chan: "Sleep~ Mom is right. Let Trainer-san take the initiative, and keeping reserve might make Trainer-san like you more."
Special Week pulled the blanket over herself.
Devil Spe-chan: "Kiss~ I really want to kiss~ Imagine kissing Trainer-san like gnawing a carrot! Pin Trainer-san down and kiss! Kiss Trainer-san's mouth until it bleeds, then watch Trainer-san's pained expression!"
Special Week threw off the blanket and sat up.
Angel Spe-chan: "No, no. We should wait for Trainer-san to ask for kisses. Let Trainer be forward."
Special Week lay back down.
...
She didn't know how long passed, but Special Week finally fell deeply asleep amid her internal struggle.
She slept especially soundly, unaware what she met in her dream, pouting like a goldfish blowing bubbles.
Lucian, on the other hand, stayed up late.
"Strange, Spe-chan didn't sneak over tonight?"
He was surprised. By his thinking, Special Week should have come demanding kisses.
"Oh well, tomorrow then~"
...
Lunch the next day was prepared by Tina.
Lucian was a guest, after all; they couldn't have him cook every meal.
"I can cook too. It's no trouble for me." Lucian said.
"No way, and aren't you going out this afternoon?" Tina finished, then shouted toward Special Week's room, "Spe-chan, aren't you taking Trainer to the ranch? Why haven't you come out?"
"Coming!"
The wooden door slid open, and Special Week stepped out. She had changed into another outfit today.
As shown (delete if infringing)
Her pink inner layer today brightened Lucian's eyes.
He felt Special Week's outfits always tied to "soft and glutinous."
"Tr-Trainer-san, shall we go?" Special Week placed her hands restrainedly in front and said to Lucian.
"Mm, let's go."
"Spe-chan, don't go too far. Remember to come back for dinner."
"Mm, got it!"
...
"This side is really pretty." Standing on a small hill, Lucian felt he could almost touch the sky with his hand. "Such a big place—is Auntie Tina managing it all alone?"
"Mm, Mom drives back and forth. When I was little, I ran behind the car~" Special Week recalled her childhood and had endless things to say. "I liked chasing butterflies. I'd run all day in such a big place. When tired, I rested under a tree. Sometimes I fell asleep by accident, and Mom would search the whole field for me."
"Spe-chan's childhood was happy."
"But sometimes I wished I had friends my age to play with."
"Now Spe-chan has lots of friends."
Special Week brushed back the hair messed by the wind, smiled slyly. "Trainer-san's childhood was happy too~"
"Old stories, no more mentioning, okay." Lucian pointed in a direction. "Can we go check over there?"
He took Special Week's hand after speaking, but unexpectedly, Special Week pulled away.
Hm?
Lucian froze entirely. Special Week actually shook off his hand?
"We can. I often go there too. Tr-Trainer-san, just follow me."
Lucian nodded. "Okay...."
But he hadn't recovered from Special Week's rejection.
What's going on? It shouldn't be. Could she be upset because he didn't comfort her yesterday?
Seeing Special Week's figure already a distance ahead, Lucian set aside his doubts for now and followed.
...
The vast pasture had relatively monotonous scenery.
But in Special Week's stories, every familiar spot had its own little tale, so it wasn't monotonous at all.
Lucian listened attentively, often chiming in.
The two maintained a humorous atmosphere, walking farther and farther.
Lucian really wanted to ask what was up with Special Week today—why shake off his hand.
But asking directly wasn't his style.
He didn't believe Special Week had suddenly given up. After all, she had dressed up carefully today to stroll the pasture with him, and yesterday when they met, she was quite forward.
So where was the problem...
Could someone have given her advice?
Tina's figure slowly emerged in Lucian's mind, and things started making sense.
But no matter how much he thought, it was just guesswork. With a bit of time left, he decided to probe Special Week again.
"Spe-chan, let's not go that way. Head back."
"Ba...ck?" Special Week's face stiffened. "Isn't there still time? The sun hasn't set."
"The scenery ahead is all similar. I'm a bit tired. Let's go back, watch some TV, rest tonight, and I leave tomorrow morning."
"But, but..." Special Week bit her lip.
They hadn't done anything yet—how could she accept that?
And Trainer-san was leaving tomorrow... even less acceptable.
At school, alone time like this was rare.
"What's wrong? If nothing, let's go. Walking back from here, the sun will about set." Seeing Special Week hesitate, Lucian said deliberately, "Does Spe-chan still want to go ahead? Then Spe-chan go explore more. I'll head back this way first."
The moment he turned, Special Week grabbed his hand.
"Hm?" Lucian turned back; he hadn't actually planned to leave.
Now he had two choices: pull his hand away, or let her hold it.
If the first, Lucian was sure Special Week would cry from his teasing—he'd feel bad, and he'd still be the one comforting her.
So he eased his grip and chose the second.
"Spe-chan, what's wrong?"
"Trainer-san, I don't want you to go back now."
Angel Spe-chan barely appeared before Special Week flung her to the clouds.
Devil Spe-chan: "Yes, just like that. If you like him, be forward and kiss Trainer-san! Trainer-san never resists and cooperates fully, right?"
"Trainer-san, are you mad?" Special Week looked at Lucian cautiously, refusing to let go.
"Mad? No, why would I be mad?"
"Just now when I shook off Trainer-san's hand..."
"Oh, that. Since it's Spe-chan's rejection, of course I'll respect it."
Lucian acted indifferent, but the more he did, the more Special Week felt he was angry.
"No, no... I didn't reject, and I don't want Trainer-san's respect."
"It's okay, Spe-chan. Don't force yourself."
"I'm not forcing myself!" Special Week threw herself into Lucian's arms, burying into his chest. "Trainer-san, don't be mad, okay?"
Lucian held back laughter, turning his face away. "No can do. Spe-chan's rejection just now still has me heartbroken."
"What if Trainer shook off Spe-chan's hand? How would Spe-chan feel?"
"Trainer-san, Spe-chan was wrong. Don't shake off Spe-chan's hand." Special Week shook her head, pulling Lucian's hand tighter.
...