...

After returning home, Lu Jue called Silence Suzuka back.

"Hello, Silence Suzuka."

"Lu Jue-jun, why are you calling now? I thought you had already gone back to rest earlier." The voice on the phone was a bit noisy; Silence Suzuka seemed to still be outside.

"Ah, I was busy earlier. Is something wrong?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to ask if you wanted to watch the fireworks with everyone, but it's already over now." There was a hint of disappointment in Silence Suzuka's voice.

"Trainer, you didn't answer the video call just now!" Special Week's voice also came through.

"Sorry, sorry. Actually, I was watching fireworks earlier, and it was too loud, so I didn't notice my phone."

Actually, he only watched for a short while; after that, he was just kissing and didn't watch at all.

"Seriously, Emperor went to find Rudor, Uralala and Rice Shower went shopping, Xiao Bei went to sell barbecue again, and Xingyun Jiang just replied..." Special Week complained, clearly showing her fondness for the atmosphere when everyone gathered together.

"Lu Jue-jun, were you also watching fireworks earlier?"

"Yes, why wouldn't fireworks in the same night sky count as us watching them together?"

"That's true..."

"You two, remember to go back early. You still have classes and training tomorrow, so get your focus back."

"Okay, got it."

The call ended.

Lu Jue washed his face, which finally helped him calm down completely.

Coming back to his senses, Xingyun Jiang's earlier remark, "I don't want to make things difficult for you either," seemed to subtly hint at something.

But he didn't care~ Matters of the heart couldn't be rushed. He accepted all unexpected encounters and went with the flow.

(Under normal circumstances, I would accept all of them, but there needs to be a certain emotional foundation; it can't be too mindless.)

...

The festival ended, and daily training resumed.

"Cheer up, the festival is over," Lu Jue said to the line of Uma Musume assembled before him. "Now I'll call out names. Answer loudly, okay? If anyone is listless, they'll repeat their name until they're not."

"Silence Suzuka."

"Here."

...

"Xiao Te."

"Here!"

...

"Emperor."

"Yes!"

...

After roll call and a two-kilometer warm-up, Lu Jue reassembled everyone.

"Very good, I'll assign your tasks for today." He took out a small clipboard with the training content. "Silence Suzuka, Uralala, Xiao Bei, and Emperor are in one group. First, run 6 kilometers at a pace of... After that, five sets of 600 meters and five sets of 300 meters, with paces of... and a four-minute interval."

"Then, Xingyun Jiang, Xiao Te, and Rice Shower are in another group. You will run 10 kilometers, and after resting, you will do five sets of 1000-meter training."

The group training was somewhat targeted.

For example, Seiun Sky and Special Week's next race was the Chrysanthemum Award, so they focused more on speed and endurance.

As for Rice Shower, Lu Jue reviewed her previous race records and found that long-distance races suited her best.

"Any other questions? If not, let's start training."

"Okay~"

...

While Lu Jue was supervising the Uma Musume's training, Tojo Hana suddenly walked over.

"Xiao Lu."

"Sister Hua, what's wrong?"

"I'm planning a training camp sometime soon. Does your team want to come along?" Tojo Hana added, "Nishizaki Ryu has already agreed."

"Training camp? Of course, no problem." A training camp would be beneficial for his Uma Musume, and he still owed Taiki Shuttle two favors, so Lu Jue agreed without much thought.

"Good, I'll notify you then."

...

Today's training completion was quite good, and Lu Jue was relatively satisfied.

He walked towards the trio who had just arrived, "Rice Shower, Emperor, Xiao Bei, you three need to gradually adapt."

"Okay, Trainer."

"Got it, Oh... Trainer." Rice Shower corrected herself in time.

"Alrighty! Training with everyone feels so happy!" Tokai Teio seemed full of energy.

Lu Jue nodded, then changed the subject, "But if your legs suddenly start hurting, remember to say so immediately... If you get sick, you also need to say so immediately; don't try to be tough."

He thought for a moment. Regarding Tokai Teio's issue, he could discuss it privately with her during this Saturday's physical examination.

After instructing the trio, Lu Jue said to the others, "Everyone, come to the lounge after resting for a short meeting."

...

Before the Chrysanthemum Award, Silence Suzuka participated in a G2-level Mainichi Hai, so this meeting was mainly held for Silence Suzuka.

"Silence Suzuka, this time you need to pay attention to opponents like Grass Wonder, El Condor Pasa, Nice Nature, and Eishin Flash." Lu Jue handed over four compiled data files for everyone to see.

Although it was Silence Suzuka's race, others could also learn something from it.

"El Condor Pasa is also participating?" Special Week asked in surprise. She had given up on this race because she was preparing for the Chrysanthemum Award and thought El Condor Pasa would do the same.

Lu Jue smiled, "She probably wants to compete with Silence Suzuka."

"Speaking of which, I also really want to run with Silence Suzuka once," Special Week said.

"What, haven't you run with Silence Suzuka during regular training?"

"Emmmm, I meant in an official race, Mr. Trainer."

"Uralala also wants to run with everyone~"

"Then Rice Shower also wants to," Rice Shower continued her friend's words.

"I also look forward to the day we race together!" Tokai Teio excitedly clenched her fists.

Nimble Beret nodded, "I second that."

But then, a discordant voice came out, "I don't want to run with everyone~"

Everyone's gaze converged on Seiun Sky, who was lazily propping her head with one hand.

Seeing everyone looking at her, she remained unfazed, with a hint of inexplicable smugness in her eyes.

"Xingyun Jiang, what's wrong, do you have a fever? Why are you contradicting everyone instead of contradicting the Trainer?" Uralala worriedly placed her hand on Seiun Sky's forehead.

"I'm not sick," Seiun Sky removed Uralala's hand. "Everyone run together, I'll just sneak ahead~ The championship is mine too~"

Special Week was the first to react, "Seiun Sky, I will still win the Chrysanthemum Award!"

Silence Suzuka also rarely participated in a competition, "Before you win the championship, win against me in a simulated race first."

However, as soon as she said this, she suddenly realized that no one had ever won against her in a simulated race.

Sure enough, Special Week got excited again, "Silence Suzuka! I will also work hard to catch up to you!"

Tokai Teio and the others also turned their attention to Silence Suzuka.

Seiun Sky, who had started it all, seemed to be out of it, winking at Lu Jue and making a small "smooch" gesture with her lips.

In some ways, she truly did sneak ahead.

But as for the championship... it remained to be seen who would claim it.

...