......

On a weekend night, Lu Jue-jun's home was once again lively.

Tojo Hana had a last-minute engagement and couldn't make it. Besides the "Dream" team members, only Tokai Teio, Taiki Shuttle, and Grass Wonder came.

After Lu Jue-jun placed all the dishes on the table, he untied his apron and sat down, "Come on, Xiao Cao, try it. This steamed fish was specially requested by you."

"Tha-thank you." Grass Wonder tied up her hair, lightly took a bite, and tasted it, "Delicious!"

This was the taste!

She closed her eyes, cupped her cheeks, and a smile curved on her lips, imagining herself transforming into a winged flying fish, freely soaring through the ocean and sky.

However, this action drew sideways glances from the "Dream" members.

Silent Suzuka narrowed her eyes and said, "Lu Jue-jun, when did you start offering a la carte service?"

Grass Wonder actually enjoyed a privilege that even the team members didn't have.

"Well, Xiao Cao asked for it, so I agreed," Lu Jue-jun scratched his head, knowing he was in the wrong.

He hadn't expected Grass Wonder to be so direct; could he really refuse her?

"Are Uma Musume from outside really more appealing?" Silent Suzuka muttered softly in a voice only Lu Jue-jun could hear, then turned her head and slowly began to eat.

On the other side, Special Week and Uralala had long been hard at work eating.

The two also enthusiastically put food on Tokai Teio's plate.

"Emperor, eat more, so you'll have strength to run!"

"Thank you~"

Lu Jue-jun poured himself a glass of wine and took a sip, "Emperor, how have you considered the tryout? Do you want to join my team?"

"Hmm... I'm not in a hurry yet, so I haven't decided," Tokai Teio said with some apology, as this was Lu Jue-jun's second invitation to her.

"It's okay, don't feel pressured. Go with your own wishes." After Lu Jue-jun finished speaking, he looked at Taiki Shuttle, who was quietly eating beside him.

Taiki Shuttle also felt Lu Jue-jun's gaze, put down her bowl and chopsticks, and looked at Lu Jue-jun blankly.

Ever since she learned the origin of "Tree," Taiki Shuttle could no longer view Lu Jue-jun with the same casual attitude as before.

"Trainer Lu, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just see you're quiet. Is the food to your liking?"

"Delicious! After eating it last time, I sometimes salivate just thinking about it!" Taiki Shuttle praised without hesitation.

As a guest, it was normal for Lu Jue-jun to show concern.

But in reality, he was secretly looking at her firm, fair thighs, feeling that these legs could unleash powerful strength at any moment.

Suddenly, he understood Nishizaki Ryu's habit of touching Uma Musume's legs.

When Lu Jue-jun saw some promising prospects, he would also feel an itch.

What a pity, he was too late.

He couldn't always poach from Nishizaki Ryu-senpai... Was there a way to also bring Taiki Shuttle into his team?

In fact, in the later parts of the anime, Taiki Shuttle appeared very rarely.

Lu Jue-jun didn't know if she continued to dominate short-distance races or retired early later on.

"Oh, by the way, are you all having your mid-term exams soon?" Lu Jue-jun suddenly remembered this matter.

"Yes, it's one week after the Satsuki Sho ends," Seiun Sky replied.

Lu Jue-jun had learned about it yesterday and felt it was necessary to remind his team members, "You can't fail the mid-term exams, otherwise it will affect your future training and races. The exam content isn't difficult; you should all be able to..."

Before he could finish his sentence, two people quietly put down their chopsticks, their eyes darting back and forth.

"Xiao Cao... Sister Hua should be able to keep an eye on you." Lu Jue-jun looked at the other person, "As for Xiao Te, what's wrong with you?"

"It's too difficult, Trainer-san."

"No matter what, after the Satsuki Sho, you absolutely must pass the mid-term exams, or you'll be forced to attend remedial classes."

Passing the exam was already the school's lowest standard.

Lu Jue-jun believed in Special Week; after all, being able to transfer to Teresen Academy proved she wasn't bad, just that she hadn't put her mind to it.

"I know..." Special Week hung her head.

"Don't be afraid, Xiao Te, I'll teach you!" Uralala patted her small chest.

Silent Suzuka, her roommate, also spoke up, "Xiao Te, you can also ask me if there's anything you don't understand."

"I'll work hard, thank you, Uralala, and Silence Suzuka."

......

Drinking alone always lacked a bit of fun.

Lu Jue-jun didn't have a big appetite and was full after eating some food after drinking.

But besides him, the others were still tirelessly eating, occasionally telling interesting stories, and Lu Jue-jun quietly listened from the side.

"Trainer, if I win the championship, can I also invite my friends to eat?" Uralala returned from the restroom and approached Lu Jue-jun's side at some point.

"Of course you can, but who are Uralala's friends?"

"Oh, her name is Rice Shower, hehe, Trainer, do you know her?"

"Call her over right now!"

"Huh?"

Not only Uralala, but Silent Suzuka and Seiun Sky, who were close to Lu Jue-jun, also cast surprised glances.

Lu Jue-jun's sudden energetic reaction was nine parts out of ten unusual.

"This guy... he couldn't have taken a fancy to another Uma Musume, could he?" Silent Suzuka thought to herself.

"Oh, no..." Lu Jue-jun realized he was too excited, "I mean I have some impression. As long as Uralala is willing, you can certainly invite your friends over."

"Yay!" Uralala was so happy she danced, "Rice Shower is very shy, I've actually invited her before, but she just wouldn't come."

"So Uralala wants to invite her under the guise of your victory celebration?"

"Mm!" Uralala nodded, "I thought that way, Rice Shower wouldn't refuse Uralala! The dishes Trainer makes are so delicious, I really want her to try them too."

"Uralala really is a little angel."

For Uralala, this was no simple matter.

Could she do it? Or rather, could he help her do it... a victory that spans worlds.

Lu Jue-jun softened his posture again, propping his chin with one hand and stroking Uralala's head with the other.

Perhaps it was due to the alcohol, but a satisfied smile played on his lips, and his eyes were slightly crinkled, seeming hazy, yet doting.

His thoughts drifted far, and this time Lu Jue-jun unconsciously stroked for a long time.

Uralala didn't pull away, she just lowered her head, quietly enjoying Lu Jue-jun's touch.

She was like a cute little hamster, her restless hands unconsciously twirling and twirling.

Silent Suzuka opened her mouth, but ultimately didn't speak. Seiun Sky also quietly withdrew the hand she had extended to Lu Jue-jun's waist.

Soon after, Lu Jue-jun withdrew his hand, "Uralala, are you ready to run your debut race?"

Uralala suppressed her inner shyness and nodded firmly, "I'm ready, Kochi Racecourse!"

......