......

Under the combined assault of Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky, Lu Jue gained a deeper understanding of an Uma Musume’s power.

So Silent Suzuka had just been playing around with him all this time. He should be grateful to her.

After dozens of back-and-forths, neither of them managed to score on the other, but they both expended a lot of stamina.

The other team members finally had a chance to show what they could do.

Not all Uma Musume play volleyball, and with two captains gone, the atmosphere became much more normal.

“Mimi, the ball is coming, catch it quickly!”

The air volleyball flew at a moderate speed towards the back court. Mimi awkwardly positioned herself to receive the ball, scuttling sideways like a crab to get to it.

Lu Jue was stifling a laugh when, the next second, Mimi was hit in the face by the volleyball and fell head over heels.

Lu Jue quickly ran over to check, “Mimi, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Mimi picked herself up from the ground, her eyes teary, and looked at Lu Jue, whispering, “Onii-sama, please don’t laugh at me...”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Lu Jue forced his upturned lips straight and rubbed Mimi’s forehead.

He knew Mimi’s style didn’t quite fit in here.

Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky’s earlier match could almost be considered a deathmatch volleyball game.

“Are you really okay? If it hurts, let’s switch you out. Don’t play anymore.”

“No need.” Mimi shook her head, feeling a bit shy under Lu Jue’s concerned gaze.

“Mimi-chan, I’m sorry, are you alright?” Special Week also ran over, looking apologetic.

“It’s fine, I’m okay, let’s continue,” Mimi said, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

......

The volleyball game ended quickly.

Combining the points from the morning, the final winners and losers were determined.

“Then, please, Team Three’s Narita Brian, Seiun Sky, Taiki Shuttle, King Halo, Gold Ship, Nimble Beret, Agnes Digital, step forward. And also the last three from earlier: Grass Wonder, Haru Urara... Taiki Shuttle?”

Nishizaki Ryu blinked after speaking, looking at Lu Jue, “Xiao Lu, how should we handle this?”

“This, huh...” Lu Jue looked at Taiki Shuttle.

The latter showed no readiness to accept punishment; instead, she looked at Lu Jue with hopeful eyes, all her pleas for mercy hidden within those large eyes.

Lu Jue also wanted to give her a pass, but the gazes from behind Taiki Shuttle... truly made him tremble with fear.

Sacrifice a friend rather than yourself. The pressure was immense. He could only apologize.

“If there’s an overlap, then drink two cups.”

Taiki Shuttle’s eyes suddenly dimmed, and she gave Lu Jue a mournful look, “So sad~”

“Cough, cough, it’s nutritious, drinking more is good for you.” Lu Jue avoided her gaze and began pouring drinks for the losers.

Each cup was actually just a mouthful, not much at all.

“If I could, I really wouldn’t want to drink this again.” Grass Wonder pinched her nose and swallowed it in one gulp. “This time it felt like moldy grass cake that had been sitting for a long time, then polluted my esophagus in liquid form...”

“Xiao Cao, even like this, you can’t forget your metaphors, huh?” Lu Jue chuckled.

“Please don’t look at me, I cannot be elegant when drinking this beverage.” Agnes Digital was a repeat customer.

She picked up the cup, hesitated, then finally made up her mind and drank it all in one go, subsequently putting on a pained expression.

“Is it really that bad...” Narita Brian looked at the reactions of the three, wondering inwardly.

The others had the same thought, but they still felt some dread towards the small cup of green drink in their hands.

“Drink it, drink it quickly~ Once you’re done, you can leave~”

Lu Jue’s alluring voice drifted over, sending shivers down the Uma Musume’s spines.

Once you’re done, you can leave?

Did he mean their bodies would leave, or their souls?

“Uralala will go first!” Uralala chugged it down, then promptly leaned on Lu Jue, retching onto the floor. “What kind of drink is this! Trainer, how could you make something so awful!”

“Okay, okay~ Here, have a candy, good girl~” Lu Jue unwrapped a piece of candy and popped it into Uralala’s mouth, silencing her.

“Hmph, don’t think that with candy, Uralala will...”

Before she could finish, Lu Jue popped another one in.

Seeing she still wanted to speak, he put in another.

Still wanted to talk? Again.

......

Soon, Uralala’s small mouth was completely stuffed, like a little hamster.

She chewed on the candy in her mouth while staring at Lu Jue with resentful eyes.

After Uralala, some of the Uma Musume who hadn’t drunk yet also came to Lu Jue for a piece of candy.

But after drinking it, they still had to put on a pained expression, or a peashooter mask.

“Finally... Tree, don’t hesitate, come on, drink it.”

“Gulp.” Taiki Shuttle swallowed, and under Lu Jue’s urging, finally made up her mind.

Her reaction was stronger than the others; it was so bitter she stuck out her tongue. “Trainer Lu, it’s so awful——”

“Work hard tomorrow, and you won’t have to drink it.”

......

After the punishment ended, Lu Jue and Nishizaki Ryu organized everyone to return.

The first thing to do upon returning to their lodging was, of course, to soak in the hot springs.

It was unclear who leaked the news.

Taiki Shuttle, Grass Wonder, Symboli Rudolf, and the entire “Spica” team all came.

As Uma Musume in bathrobes passed by one by one, Lu Jue couldn't help but stop, as if admiring various flowers blooming in a botanical garden.

“Trainer, still looking?” Seiun Sky appeared behind Lu Jue at some point.

“Seiun? When did you get behind me?” Lu Jue touched his nose.

“I’ve been here for a long time, but Trainer didn’t notice at all.”

Seiun Sky looked around, front and back.

After confirming no one was around, she stepped forward, placing her delicate hand on Lu Jue’s chest. “If Trainer wants to see, you can tell me, I can show Trainer... more, more~”

Lu Jue was momentarily dazed, unsure if Seiun Sky was joking, or if she was joking...

“Trainer doesn’t believe me?” Seiun Sky hooked her hands into the two sides of her collar. “To prevent Trainer from looking at the Uma Musume outside, I have to make a big sacrifice~”

“That’s just human nature, I’m just appreciating.”

“Oh~ Trainer likes me in a bathrobe?”

“Humans, you need uniform temptation; only with uniform temptation will you not be tempted by uniforms.”

“Blah blah blah a lot, don’t say so much I don’t understand.” Seiun Sky paused, then came back to herself. “Trainer, just tell me if you like it or not.”

“I like it.”

A quick answer.

“Good~ An honest Trainer gets a reward, a kiss~” Seiun Sky stood on tiptoe and kissed Lu Jue, whispering, “The night before our day off, I’ll come find Trainer. You’re not allowed to lock the door.”

The fifteen-day training camp included one day of rest.

Without waiting for Lu Jue’s reply, Seiun Sky left with light steps.

......

(Is there any power for love~)

(I wonder if everyone has noticed, the plot of the first season is actually almost finished~)