......

Early in the morning, the air carried a hint of chill, and the scattered white frost on the windowsill gradually began to melt. A warm ray of sun, pitying the world, stepped on the lush green leaves and leaped onto the windowsill.

It was almost winter, yet a touch of spring could still be felt? It must have been because the window wasn't closed tightly, allowing the spring warmth inside the room to escape.

Lu Jue, who had woken up very early, lay with his eyes open, staring at the ceiling.

He still couldn't understand how the usually gentle Silent Suzuka could have such a rough side.

Similarly, he never expected that after riding Uma Musume for so long, he would one day understand how it felt for a horse to be ridden.

But it wasn't a loss, no matter if it was sideways or upright, standing or lying down, it wasn't a loss.

As Lu Jue was sighing with emotion, he suddenly noticed movement under the covers. "You're awake? Now you're shy?"

Silent Suzuka, nestled in Lu Jue's arms, poked her head out. The scenery outside the window seemed to brighten even more.

"Tell me honestly, how far did you and Xingyun go?"

"Ah? What makes you say that?" Yesterday, he was completely the passive one, and it really was Xiao Chunan, she couldn't pretend.

"When we kissed, you seemed a little too practiced..."

"Do you believe me if I say it was my first kiss?"

Silent Suzuka rolled her eyes. "Refreshed every morning?"

"Ah this..." Lu Jue was momentarily speechless, not expecting Silent Suzuka to successfully predict his words.

Silent Suzuka's gaze was deep. She stretched her neck and unexpectedly kissed Lu Jue again. "Cover her traces."

The two were still exposed, and with Silent Suzuka's movement, Lu Jue only felt a warm, gentle fragrance waft over him.

From Silent Suzuka's words, Lu Jue didn't seem to hear any hint of displeasure.

"You can't tell anyone about our relationship right now, especially Xingyun," Silent Suzuka added.

History always repeats itself in surprising ways.

Silent Suzuka was also pulling this trick?

"Silence Suzuka, are you shy too?"

"Too?" Silence Suzuka keenly caught the hint in Lu Jue's words.

Lu Jue pursed his lips. "Do you believe me if I say it was a slip of the tongue?"

"Hmph, Xingyun has used you to anger me many times." Silent Suzuka leaned in for another close embrace, wrapping her arms around Lu Jue's neck. "Now... I finally have Lu Jue-jun."

Silent Suzuka's shyness had vanished completely after breaking through that barrier last night.

Moreover... Lu Jue's strength was simply no match for her, he was easily subdued by her.

"You two can't fight, if you want to fight, go to the dance studio."

Or change the battlefield; the big bed he was currently lying on was very suitable.

"Who wants to fight her?" Silent Suzuka snorted lightly. "If I'm going to fight, I'll fight you."

She held Lu Jue and cuddled for a while longer, then asked, "Lu Jue-jun, are you hungry? I'll make you breakfast."

"I'll do it."

"No, you lie down. Your leg isn't better yet."

"Uh, it's fine."

"Not that one!" Silent Suzuka glared at Lu Jue playfully. "Anyway, Lu Jue-jun is a patient, I'll take care of you."

"Aren't you tired? Did you perhaps use all the energy you didn't expend in yesterday's race on me?" Lu Jue looked at Silent Suzuka as if nothing had happened.

Uma Musume are just too terrifying.

Silent Suzuka, however, mimicked Lu Jue's usual tone. "If you say so, then it is so~"

"Then you should wear your racing outfit."

"I don't want to talk to you."

After she finished speaking, she threw back the covers and looked for clothes.

She couldn't find any, so she casually took a white shirt and shorts from Lu Jue's wardrobe.

The heating was on in the room, so it wasn't that cold.

"I'll bring it in for you to eat later, Lu Jue-jun can rest a bit more." Silent Suzuka tied up her hair and shuffled to the kitchen in her slippers.

Lu Jue didn't refuse again, obediently lying in bed, only saying to Silent Suzuka's retreating back at the very end: "Silence Suzuka, keep running. From now on, I can participate in every one of your races."

"Mm."

......

Not long after, Silent Suzuka walked in carrying a bowl of porridge. "Lu Jue-jun, why are you up? You should be resting in bed."

"Actually, it's fine. I just need a day or two of good rest and I can walk normally again." Lu Jue moved his left leg. "It's just that I won't be able to run anymore."

Silent Suzuka put down the plate. "Mm."

"What's wrong, Silence Suzuka? I didn't mean to blame you." Lu Jue hugged Silent Suzuka, rubbing her cheek affectionately. "What about you? What are you eating?"

"I'll talk about it later."

"Then how about you eat half, and I eat half? You cooked such a big bowl, and I don't have much appetite in the morning." Lu Jue picked up the spoon, stirred it, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to Silent Suzuka's mouth. "You take the first bite."

Silent Suzuka obediently opened her mouth, chewed in small bites, and then said, "Lu Jue-jun, I really like it when you hold me like this."

"You like me holding you from behind?"

"Mm, but... don't touch me randomly." Silent Suzuka's pearly teeth bit her rosy lips, her voice as faint as a mosquito's.

Lu Jue ignored her directly and changed the subject. "Oh, have you told Xiao Te and the others about your discharge from the hospital? They're very worried about you."

"I'll call them here in a bit and tell them everything."

"Call them here?"

"Do you still want to hide it from the others? Everyone has a right to know."

"As you say, I'll listen to you."

Since Silent Suzuka already knew, there was no need for Lu Jue to hide it from the others. Besides, it would have to be said sooner or later, otherwise many things couldn't be explained.

A bowl of plain porridge, a bite for her, a bite for him, was quickly eaten clean by the two of them.

After Silent Suzuka dealt with the bowls and chopsticks, she burrowed back under the covers, snuggling close to Lu Jue.

She felt she could stay with Lu Jue like this all day, even if they did nothing, or did something.

"Lu Jue-jun, who won the Tenno Sho in the end?"

"El Condor Pasa, I think, but because she was missing you as an opponent, she was sullen when she went up to the podium. She also came to see you when you were unconscious."

"Is that so..."

Lu Jue sensed Silent Suzuka's hint of regret, stroked her smooth back, and whispered, "This time's regret, we'll win it back in next year's Tenno Sho. I believe you'll become stronger."

"Mm." Silent Suzuka nodded. "Lu Jue-jun, I really want to live with you, to continue like this forever."

"Didn't you tell me not to tell the others? This is you giving yourself away."

"So I just 'want' to." Silent Suzuka suddenly flipped over, her orange hair like a cascading waterfall, her eyes fixed on Lu Jue. "Lu Jue-jun, it's still very early... I can tell Xiao Te and the others later."

"Ah? Mm." Lu Jue swallowed, feeling danger in Silent Suzuka's gaze.

"So... I want to experience it one more time."

......