...

On the way back to the dorm, Special Week suddenly stopped.

"Silence Suzuka, I just remembered I left something in the lounge. I need to go get it."

"Ah? Xiao Te, it's so late. Let me go with you."

"No need, you go back to the dorm first. I'll be back very soon."

Special Week finished speaking and ran off with her backpack.

Silent Suzuka watched her retreating figure.

This sentence sounded very familiar; wasn't it the exact same excuse she often used to send Special Week away so she could go find Lu Jue for a massage?

"Xiao Te..."

...

The deep tree hollow had listened to many unwilling words and contained many sad tears.

Special Week lowered her head towards the opening, tears streaming down.

The feeling of defeat was like a difficult-to-heal wound torn open in her heart; it had hurt all day, and she had endured it all day.

"I'm sorry, Mom!"

"I lost... I can't become the Japanese Number One Uma Musume anymore."

"I was too carried away! And I didn't listen to Trainer properly."

Special Week clenched her fists, her eyes tightly shut, but tears still overflowed from the gaps.

She couldn't even face this tree hollow, no wonder she didn't dare confide in Lu Jue and the others.

Lu Jue, who had arrived a step earlier, sighed, adjusted his expression to appear as optimistic and gentle as possible, then stepped out from behind the wall.

Hearing footsteps, Special Week suddenly turned around, "Tr-Trainer, why are you here?"

She frantically wiped her tears, but more and more tears fell.

"Didn't I say I had something to tell you after the race?" Lu Jue slowly walked closer, "Xiao Te, I'm very sorry."

Special Week looked puzzled, her voice trembling, "Trainer, why are you apologizing to me?"

"Of course I'm also responsible for you losing the race. If I had been more careful, more serious, would Xiao Te not have been so anxious before the race, but instead fully focused on it?"

"Trainer, this is my fault. It's me... who didn't listen to you properly."

Special Week lowered her head, biting her lip tightly, large teardrops hitting the ground and breaking into small splashes.

She tried very hard not to cry, but her body trembled like a sieve with every gasp from crying.

At this moment, a voice kept echoing in Lu Jue's mind—hug her.

"Xiao Te..." Lu Jue took a step forward and carefully pulled Special Week into his embrace. "Your career has just begun. Why are you so pessimistic?"

Special Week's body stiffened at first, then gradually accepted Lu Jue's embrace.

So comforting...

"But I can't become the Japanese Number One Uma Musume anymore."

"Who said that? If this path doesn't work, we'll take another path. It'll just be more difficult, but with me here, will Xiao Te still be afraid of these things?"

Special Week didn't speak, her hands slowly moving upwards.

She wanted to hug Lu Jue's waist, but she didn't dare, so her hands just gently tugged at Lu Jue's clothes.

"The road is still long, isn't it? If you become lost or lose confidence along the way, then try to trust me."

"Trainer's shoulders aren't broad, but he's always willing to bear half for you."

"Trainer..."

In a daze, Special Week thought of that afternoon during the tryout at "Rigil."

At that time, everyone mocked her sincere dream as a country Uma Musume, but only Lu Jue applauded her.

It was from that moment, perhaps, that Lu Jue's figure gradually became etched in her heart.

"Wuwuwu—"

Special Week hugged Lu Jue's neck and burst into loud sobs.

Lu Jue gently patted Special Week's shoulder.

What problem can crying solve? But crying is never about solving problems.

It's good to cry it out. It feels much better to cry, and that's enough.

The moon cast its clear light, filling the uneven depressions in the grassy area. Compared to the short-lived candlelight, moonlight was the most tender.

Special Week didn't know how long she had cried; the tear stains on her face dried and became wet again.

Her voice gradually subsided only when her dry eyes could no longer squeeze out a single tear and weariness swept over her.

Throughout this process, Lu Jue continuously held her, as if building a warm haven for her.

If possible, Special Week wanted to fall asleep in Lu Jue's embrace right now.

"Have you cried enough, 'Special Crybaby'?"

"Mm..." Special Week sniffed, "You're giving me a nickname again."

"Xiao Te, can you tell me what your next goal is?"

"Derby, Japan Derby! I will train seriously, be disciplined, and never eat so much late-night food again." Special Week let down all her guard, intentionally resting her head on Lu Jue's chest, "Trainer, I will listen to you carefully..."

"Then from now on, when I call you 'Special Crybaby,' you have to respond to me."

Special Week looked up, puffing out her cheeks, "No, I won't."

So close...

Special Week saw Lu Jue's Adam's apple and involuntarily swallowed.

"Alright, how much longer are you going to hug me? If you don't go back soon, Silence Suzuka might start worrying about you."

Special Week shyly let go, reluctantly leaving Lu Jue's embrace, muttering, "You were the one who hugged me first, Trainer."

"But Silence Suzuka should indeed be worried about me."

Special Week wiped her tear stains, took a deep breath, and adjusted her state, "Trainer, I'll head back now."

Running to the corner, she suddenly turned back and bowed deeply to Lu Jue, "Thank you, Trainer is a very gentle person!"

Lu Jue rubbed his nose; he had received another 'nice guy' card from Special Week.

In a dark spot not far from the lawn, Silent Suzuka, leaning against the wall, showed a slight smile.

After noticing Special Week's unusual behavior, she naturally couldn't let her leave alone, so she quietly followed.

She just didn't expect Lu Jue to be here as well.

Both of them were very important people.

One was a very good friend, and the other...

Of course, a hint of jealousy was unavoidable.

"That guy, how can he hug girls so naturally... He looks very experienced."

"But... he never hugged me like that."

But if she lost a race, maybe she would receive the same treatment?

However, Silence Suzuka didn't want to be negative about races because of this; that would be disrespectful to everyone, and Lu Jue wouldn't like her like that.

After imagining it, Silent Suzuka suddenly laughed—she couldn't find a scenario where she would cry and receive comfort.

"Oh no, I need to go back quickly, or Xiao Te will find me."

...

(Essay: When scholars are first quiet, sparse shadows are drunk and intoxicated. Candlelight is often short-lived, moonlight is the most enduring affection.)

You give me the guardian god, I give you the carry god.

I give you an essay, you give me power for love ~ O_o