Is training boring? Yes, it's certainly boring. And races are, of course, intense and cruel.

But running holds extraordinary significance for Uma Musume; their lives don't wither in running, but bloom in it.

The Satsuki Sho was the highest-level race Special Week and Seiun Sky had participated in since their debut.

On the day of the race, Lu Jue specifically waited for Seiun Sky and Special Week in the entrance passage.

Before long, a figure slowly emerged from the shadows of the passage.

Artist: Pin Pon Pearl

Artist: Igayan

"Are you nervous?"

"Not nervous at all, I just need to run my best, that's all~" Seiun Sky put her hands on her hips, but saying she wasn't nervous was a lie.

She leaned forward slightly, "How about it? You haven't seen me in my winning uniform, have you?"

Lu Jue nodded, scrutinizing her from head to toe. This light-colored outfit made Seiun Sky look youthful and vibrant. "Cute."

Seiun Sky proudly raised her chin slightly, appearing calm on the surface, but inwardly, her heart was like a stone dropped into water, splashing everywhere.

"Your hairpin is on right? Is this a sunflower or a chrysanthemum? It looks really nice." Lu Jue naturally reached out to adjust it for her.

If only her tail also had some decoration, then he would have an excuse to touch Seiun Sky's tail.

Speaking of which, Seiun Sky's tail fur was much thicker than Nimble Beret's; it looked very soft, but he wondered how it felt to the touch.

"Don't worry about what kind of flower this is for now." Seiun Sky carefully glanced back, and seeing no one coming, she boldly grabbed Lu Jue's tie, forcing him to lean down. "I'm definitely going to win the championship this time!"

"Alright, I'm looking forward to it too." Lu Jue played along, leaning in instead of backing away, and whispered softly into Seiun Sky's ear.

After an internal struggle last night, since she was so brave, what did he have to be shy about? Just be sincere.

"Hmph~ I'm not talking to you anymore, I need to enter." Seiun Sky let go, hiding the shyness that arose from her fragile heart.

"Make sure you enter the gate properly this time, don't resist."

"It's just that it's too narrow in there~ I really don't want to go in~" Seiun Sky's eyes twinkled, "If Trainer doesn't believe me, he can go in and see for himself."

"Even so, you still need to enter the gate properly and not delay the race."

"I know, I know."

Lu Jue watched Seiun Sky wave as she walked towards the bright passage entrance.

For some reason, a feeling of relief and pride suddenly surged within him.

"Go, walk towards the light."

...

Special Week came out relatively late.

Lu Jue thought that his biggest worry had still come true.

Even if the weight problem was discovered half a month in advance, it was impossible to lose the weight in such a short time.

"Xiao Te, is it because of the clothes?"

Special Week lowered her head and softly said, "Yes, the zipper on the skirt is a little tight."

"Do you need to change to another set? There's still time."

"It's okay, it's just a little bit."

Lu Jue knew that Special Week still felt a bit guilty at the moment, so he joked, "That's good, just don't let your skirt fall off while you're running."

"Of course not! Trainer... *Ehh*!"

Special Week's face turned bright red, and her voice rose a few octaves.

"Alright, let's go. Don't think about too many unrelated things while you're running. If you have anything you want to tell me, tell me after the race." Lu Jue reached out and caressed Special Week's head, "Can you do that?"

Lost in Lu Jue's gentleness, Special Week took a while to come back to her senses, then nodded firmly, "Mm!"

...

"Next to appear is number ten, also the most popular contestant, King Halo!"

A first-class entrance!

But even if she was a young lady, after showing off her winning uniform, she still had to obediently pick up the jacket she had thrown behind her.

Lu Jue leaned on the railing and chuckled. He had heard that Nishizaki Ryu had recently been inviting King Halo to join his team, but he didn't know the outcome.

"Lu Jue-jun, what are you laughing about?" Silence Suzuka quietly peeked at Lu Jue's smiling face for a while before finally asking.

"I was thinking about how Silence Suzuka threw her jacket away during her pre-race display, and then obediently picked it up again."

Silence Suzuka's small mouth slightly parted, "If Lu Jue-jun says that, I won't pick it up next time."

"That would be such a waste."

The cost of the tracksuits for the "Dream" team was actually borne by Lu Jue.

He couldn't just throw one away after every race, could he?

"There's another way, which is for Lu Jue-jun to come onto the stage and pick it up for me."

"Alright, I'll climb over from here onto the track, specifically to pick up the jacket for our Lu Bao."

Lu Jue's viewing spot was very close, and the racecourse didn't have high barriers surrounding it.

As long as he wanted to, climbing over a railing would be easy.

"Always talking nonsense." Silence Suzuka looked at the track with a cold expression.

And he called her "Lu Bao" again.

It would be fine if he called her that when they were alone... but Uralala was right next to them now.

Speaking of which, recently, due to Special Week constantly pestering her with questions, Silence Suzuka hadn't had a suitable time for Lu Jue to give her a massage.

She missed it a little.

But whether she missed the comfort after the massage, or the time alone with Lu Jue, or the feeling of being touched by Lu Jue... that remained unknown.

"Trainer, I want one too." At this moment, Uralala tugged on Lu Jue's sleeve.

"Uralala-chan, I was just joking. It's still a bit high here, how could I possibly climb down to pick up your jackets?" Lu Jue gently patted Uralala's head.

"Oh~"

Uralala didn't actually want Lu Jue to pick up her jacket.

She wanted Lu Jue to call her by a nickname, just like he called Silence Suzuka "Lu Bao."

But now she was too embarrassed to say it.