...
The next morning, the "Dream" team members all showed up at the Mejiro McQueen family estate.
Lucian's expression was much more relaxed than the night before—he had learned that Mejiro McQueen's fracture was only minor.
He hadn't had time to tell the team's little fillies yet.
So, except for him, everyone who rushed over looked quite tense.
"Why is everyone here?" Mejiro McQueen remembered there were classes today.
"McQueen! You fractured your leg and tried to hide it from us?" Tokai Teio looked at the bandaged leg. "What did the doctor say?"
Mejiro McQueen was about to answer when she caught Lucian's mouth shape in her peripheral vision: "Doctor."
"Do... McQueen, they're asking about your condition. How do you still have the mood to joke!"
Mejiro McQueen only then reacted, giving Lucian an annoyed glance, but she couldn't hold back and covered her mouth, laughing. "Teio, listen to me. It's not as serious as you think."
She properly explained to everyone. After learning she only needed to rest for a while to fully recover, Tokai Teio and the others relaxed.
"Strange, didn't you know? I clearly told Trainer last night." Mejiro McQueen wouldn't hide this; she had to take leave because of it. Not saying anything would only worry everyone.
But this atmosphere really made her feel warm.
"You told Trainer?"
Tokai Teio and the others immediately turned to Lucian.
Haru Urara: "Trainer, such a big thing and you didn't tell everyone!"
Doto: "Exactly! The moment everyone heard, we were so worried! (.＞︿＜)"
"Then let me ask you—what did you do the moment you heard?" Seeing himself still blamed, Lucian complained. "Didn't you all rush over here? Even driving, I'm not faster than you. When did I have a chance to tell you?"
"Okay, then Urara wrongly blamed Trainer. Urara will pat Trainer's head."
Lucian wasn't angry; he gently patted Haru Urara's head. "You jump up and reach, then you can pat."
"Stinky Trainer~"
...
Learning Mejiro McQueen was fine, everyone went back to train in the afternoon without disturbing her rest.
But in the evening, Lucian visited again.
"Trainer-san." Mejiro McQueen sat in a wheelchair, pushed by the butler behind her; her grandmother stood beside her.
"Little Lu-san, long time no see."
"Long time no see, visiting so late."
After a few warm pleasantries, Grandmother said: "You have things to discuss with McQueen, right? Talk."
She knew Mejiro McQueen was now on Lucian's team. After a word to the butler, she left Lucian and Mejiro McQueen alone.
"Why come out to the door to wait?" Lucian walked behind Mejiro McQueen, gripping the wheelchair handles.
"Grandmother said she wanted to see Trainer."
"Oh." Lucian turned the wheelchair, looking at the vast estate, unsure where to go. "Shall we stroll outside?"
"Mm, Trainer can stroll anywhere. I know the way."
"Good."
...
The evening breeze flirted with crisp warbler songs; the pond gazed at the moon, offering courtship.
Pushing Mejiro McQueen aimlessly in circles, Lucian paid no mind to the scenery. "Did the doctor say how long to rest?"
"About three months." The slight dejection in Mejiro McQueen's voice was carried by the breeze into Lucian's ears.
Her fiery fighting spirit suddenly doused with cold water—sadness was normal.
So Lucian came not only to discuss future races in person but also to soothe her heart.
"Trainer-san, sorry."
Lucian was stunned. "Why apologize to me? What's there to apologize for? Injuries are actually the norm."
"No..." Mejiro McQueen shook her head.
"McQueen, you can boldly tell me anything. I'm your Trainer; I should be responsible for you."
"Re-responsible!?"
"Ah? No! I mean..." Lucian stammered, the more he explained, the more flustered.
Mejiro McQueen laughed heartlessly.
"Anyway, you know what I mean." Lucian pursed his lips. "So why apologize to me?"
"Because Trainer focused on me these past months. I could've entered the Satsuki Sho, but because of my injury..."
Before Mejiro McQueen finished, Lucian roughly understood and interrupted: "McQueen thinks it affects me getting Trainer honors."
"Mm..." Mejiro McQueen felt she let Lucian down.
Failing to meet supporters' expectations and falling low—this seemed a common flaw among most horse girls.
Yes, Lucian thought it was a common flaw.
"McQueen, you're putting the cart before the horse. Your running is first for yourself, then for others."
"To put it simply, don't burn yourself out. Being happy yourself is most important." Like he told Rice Shower—being a little selfish is fine.
...
Lucian pushed Mejiro McQueen to a stone bench. Just tired, he rested a bit.
After Lucian's guidance, Mejiro McQueen tried shifting her mindset and felt much better. "Being happy yourself is most important?"
"Otherwise? Even simpler—live a bit heartlessly. If you're really sad and want to cry, Trainer's shoulder..."
Mejiro McQueen raised a brow. "Why didn't Trainer finish?"
"I think you crying while I take photos beside you fits my style, hahahaha."
Mejiro McQueen was speechless. "Trainer-san really is... heartless."
But she really liked chatting with Lucian—very relaxed. His words were cooler than the evening breeze brushing her cheek.
"Right, I brought cake today, baked this afternoon, but it's cold now. Fresh out of the oven is better." Lucian took the bag hanging on the wheelchair. "Eat?"
Mejiro McQueen nodded, took a piece, and put it in her mouth. "Better than last time's tiramisu."
"Hm? You mean last time's tiramisu wasn't good!" Lucian got anxious.
"Not that, just a bit too bitter." Mejiro McQueen found Lucian's reaction funny.
"You drink coffee; isn't it bitter?"
"I drink sweet."
"Then... you didn't tell me at the victory banquet."
"Because I saved Trainer's face." Mejiro McQueen turned her head. "Didn't Trainer just say to boldly speak up?"
"Right... I said it." Lucian deflated; he lifted the stone himself. "Then next time I'll make you other pastries."
...