...
Soon enough, Matikane Tannhauser returned carrying a full canister that shimmered with an eerie blue glow, like a beverage that had undergone some chemical reaction.
El Condor Pasa swallowed hard. "Trainer Lucian... is this really drinkable?"
"Of course it is." Lucian patted his chest, tone light and carefree. "I tried it myself and even sent it for testing—relax."
"Trainer Lucian, what about the taste? You haven't said anything about the taste yet." That was the part El Condor Pasa cared about most.
"I deliberately didn't say. Don't you have some idea in your heart?" Lucian said matter-of-factly. "Don't be scared—it's just one sip. How about this: Tantan can give you a demonstration first?"
El Condor Pasa looked toward Matikane Tannhauser, her gaze seeking an ally. "Is that okay?"
Matikane Tannhauser met her eyes and nodded vigorously. "Sure! I haven't tried the 1.0 version yet, but 2.0 should be even better, right?"
"Hah... haha... you'll know once you try it." El Condor Pasa gave two dry laughs, silently praying for her in her heart. She remembered feeling just as fearless and naive the first time she tried it—like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers.
Matikane Tannhauser opened the lid and sniffed. "It doesn't smell like anything." Then she poured herself a small cup. "Alright then, here I go~"
Everyone suddenly fell silent, all eyes fixed on Matikane Tannhauser.
She tilted her head back and downed it in one gulp—but her calm expression lasted only a second or two before her mouth twisted downward, her whole little face crumpling as if kneaded by invisible hands.
"Ugh..."
"What a weird taste!" Matikane Tannhauser's eyes narrowed to slits, even her eyelashes trembling.
Lucian: "Feeling honest now? Want another taste?"
Matikane waved her hands frantically. "No thanks—spare me, Trainer."
Lucian turned to El Condor Pasa, eyes carrying encouragement that brooked no refusal. "Little Condor, Tantan's done her demo. Your turn."
"Might as well not have demoed..." El Condor Pasa muttered, stopping Lucian from pouring for her. "Wait—I'll do it myself!"
"Just one sip—no skimping."
"Got it." El Condor Pasa resignedly poured herself a cup; the eerie blue liquid swayed gently at the bottom. She closed her eyes, pinched her nose, and downed it in one go.
The effect was immediate.
"Ugh—!!!"
El Condor Pasa's retching was far more miserable than Matikane Tannhauser's.
She doubled over sharply, hands braced on her knees, catching her breath for a moment. "This is murder, Trainer Lucian..."
"Can I stop now, Trainer Lucian?" El Condor Pasa's eyes brimmed with a thin layer of moisture, looking pitiful and fragile.
"Alright, alright~ Seeing you like this, I won't make it hard on you~~"
"Trainer Lucian, why not improve the taste? You should be able to, right?" Grass Wonder, who had watched the entire ordeal, looked at the deep-blue bottle and voiced her confusion.
She couldn't just stand by and let Lucian walk further down the path of dark cuisine—it would ruin her palate.
"I could, but I won't." Lucian lifted his chin with childish pride.
Grass Wonder was instantly speechless.
"Alright, everyone—time to cut the cake." Lucian stood and walked over to the cart. "Little Ai, come help out."
"Sure thing."
Ines Fujin helped Lucian slice the cake, distributing pieces according to the Q-version figures, one by one, to each respective Uma Musume.
"Trainer, why don't you eat my portion?" Ines Fujin asked, but gave him no choice—pushing her slice straight into his hands.
"Why aren't you eating it?"
"Diet~ Can't have too much cream or sugar lately." As she spoke, she casually rubbed her flat little belly; the eyes looking at Lucian carried a hint of slyness. "So please, Trainer—eat 'me' for me."
Oh? On purpose? Flirting?
All doubt instantly melted into unspoken, mutual understanding.
A smile tugged at the corner of Lucian's mouth. He gave a slight nod, voice low and teasing as he replied softly, "Alright then, I'll take your place and taste Ines-nee's flavor."
Ines Fujin's heart skipped a beat. Her eyes widened; she froze on the spot. The panic in her gaze hadn't even had time to hide before Lucian had already carried the slice back to his seat.
...
"Trainer-san, are you full? Do you want my portion too?"
Special Week had eaten and drunk her fill. Right now, she just wanted this banquet to end quickly so everyone would leave, letting her cling tightly to her Trainer and bask in the warmth that belonged only to her.
With one glance, Lucian read the surging undercurrent beneath her calm surface—that obedient smile hid an almost overflowing restlessness.
She was trying so hard to hold back.
"No." Two words instantly shattered Special Week's forced composure.
"Eh...!?" Special Week's hand pushing the cake froze mid-air. "Why?"
Why would Trainer-san refuse her? Had she done something wrong? Or... did he not like her anymore?
That rejection felt like a needle, pricking deeper into Special Week's already agitated heart.
If the situation allowed, she would have pounced right then, pinning Lucian beneath her so he could clearly see the grievance and longing in her eyes.
"Because after finishing Little Ai's portion, I'm already stuffed. Can't eat any more."
"Okay..." Special Week could only pull the cake back in front of herself, staring blankly at her own Q-version figure.
On the other side, Nice Nature was holding Twin Turbo's head down, refusing to let go no matter how she struggled.
"Nice Nature! Let me eat your cake!" Twin Turbo flailed her arms forward, baring her sharp little teeth in protest.
"No way." Nice Nature held the cake far out of reach, then—catching sight of Twin Turbo's unguarded slice in her peripheral vision—leaned over and took a bite.
Crunch. One mouthful, refined.
Oh—no, she left a bit of "wreckage" for Twin Turbo.
"Nice Nature!!! You jerk!!!!" Only then did Twin Turbo remember to protect her own cake—but it was already too late.
"Then I'll spit it back out for you." A smear of delicate cream still clung to the corner of Nice Nature's mouth.
"Gross! No way I want it!" Twin Turbo burst into tears and turned to Lucian. "Trainer, look—Nice Nature is so mean..."
"Isn't it because you kept wanting to eat Nice Nature's cake?" Lucian replied.
Seeing Lucian wouldn't help, Twin Turbo turned to Matikane Tannhauser. "Tannhauser, isn't Nice Nature super mean?"
"Mm, Nice Nature is super mean." Matikane Tannhauser nodded at first, then cautiously added, "Twin Turbo... can I have a taste of what's left?"
She was a little reluctant to eat her own portion.
...