...
Under the fierce volleys between Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky, Lucian gained a deeper understanding of the power possessed by horse girls.
So Silence Suzuka had always been going easy on him during their casual matches. He really should thank her.
After dozens of exchanges, neither had managed to score against the other, but both had expended considerable stamina.
This finally gave the other team members a chance to contribute.
Not all horse girls were skilled at volleyball. With the two captains absent, the atmosphere became much more normal.
"Rice-chan, the ball's coming your way! Receive it!"
A moderately paced volleyball flew toward the backcourt. Rice Shower clumsily adopted a receiving stance, shuffling sideways like a crab to intercept the ball.
Lucian was covering his mouth to suppress laughter when—wham!—the ball smacked Rice Shower square in the face, sending her tumbling backward.
Lucian rushed over to check on her. "Rice-chan, are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Rice Shower picked herself up, teary-eyed as she looked at Lucian and whispered, "Onii-sama, please stop laughing at me..."
"Sorry, sorry." Lucian pressed his lips together to stifle a grin, rubbing Rice Shower's forehead.
He'd always felt Rice Shower's vibe didn't quite fit here.
The earlier showdown between Symboli Rudolf and Maruzensky could've easily belonged in some deadly tennis anime next door.
"Are you really okay? If it hurts, you can sit out. No need to force yourself."
"It's alright." Rice Shower shook her head, feeling shy under Lucian's concerned gaze.
"Rice-chan, I'm so sorry! Are you hurt?" Special Week also ran over, full of remorse.
"It's nothing, I'm fine. Let's continue." Rice Shower wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
...
The volleyball match soon concluded.
Combining the morning's scores, the final results were tallied.
"Now, Team Three's Narita Brian, Seiun Sky, Taiki Shuttle, King Halo, Gold Ship, Dextrous Bailey, and T.M. Opera O, please step forward. Also, the bottom three from earlier—Grass Wonder, Haru Urara... and Taiki Shuttle?"
Nishizaki Ryo blinked, then turned to Lucian. "Lucian, how should we handle this?"
"Well..." Lucian looked at Taiki Shuttle.
The latter showed no intention of accepting punishment. Instead, her big, pleading eyes locked onto Lucian's, silently begging for mercy.
Lucian wanted to let her off, but the piercing stares from the other horse girls behind Taiki Shuttle... sent chills down his spine.
Better her than me. The pressure was overwhelming—he had no choice but to apologize.
"If the names overlap, then drink two cups."
Taiki Shuttle's eyes instantly dimmed as she shot Lucian a mournful look. "So sad~"
Ahem. "It's nutritious. Drinking more is good for you." Lucian averted his gaze and began pouring the penalty drinks for the losers.
Each cup contained just a mouthful—nothing excessive.
"If possible, I'd really rather not drink this again." Grass Wonder pinched her nose and gulped it down. "This time, it tastes like a grass cake that's been moldering for ages, then liquefied to contaminate my esophagus..."
"Grass, even now you can't resist metaphors?" Lucian chuckled.
"Please don't look at me. I can't maintain elegance while drinking this." T.M. Opera O was a repeat offender.
She picked up the cup, hesitated, then steeled herself and downed it in one go—immediately donning a mask of agony.
"Is it really that bad...?" Narita Brian eyed their reactions skeptically.
The others shared her doubts, but the small cup of green liquid in their hands still inspired dread.
"Go on, drink up! The sooner you finish, the sooner you can leave~"
Lucian's coaxing voice drifted over, sending shivers down the horse girls' spines.
"Leave"?
As in walk away... or depart this world?
"Urara will go first!" Haru Urara chugged hers, then immediately clung to Lucian, gagging. "What kind of drink is this?! Trainer, how could you make something so disgusting!"
"There, there~ Here's some candy. Be good~" Lucian unwrapped a piece and popped it into Haru Urara's mouth, shutting her up.
"Hmph! Don't think candy will make Urara forgive—"
Before she could finish, Lucian stuffed in another piece.
When she tried to speak again, he added one more.
Still talking? Another.
...
Soon, Haru Urara's tiny mouth was stuffed full, puffing her cheeks like a hamster.
She chewed resentfully while glaring at Lucian.
After Haru Urara, several horse girls who hadn't drunk yet came to Lucian for candy.
But post-sip, they too donned masks of torment—or transformed into humanoid pea-shooters.
"Finally... Shuttle-chan, no more stalling. Come on, bottoms up."
"Gulp." Taiki Shuttle swallowed hard, then, under Lucian's urging, finally committed.
Her reaction was the most dramatic—sticking out her tongue in utter misery. "Trainer Lucian, this is horrible—!"
"Do better tomorrow, and you won't have to drink it again."
...
With the punishment over, Lucian and Nishizaki Ryo organized the group's return.
The first order of business back at the lodge was, of course, the hot springs.
No one knew who leaked the news, but Taiki Shuttle, Grass Wonder, Symboli Rudolf, and the entire "Spica" team all showed up.
As horse girls in yukata passed by one after another, Lucian couldn't help but pause to admire the scene—like a garden in full bloom.
"Trainer, still staring?" Seiun Sky had somehow materialized behind him.
"Seiun? When did you get there?" Lucian rubbed his nose.
"I've been here a while, but Trainer didn't notice at all."
Seiun Sky glanced around, confirming they were alone, then stepped closer and placed a hand on Lucian's chest.
"If Trainer wants to look, you can just tell me. I'll let you see... as much as you want~"
Lucian froze, unsure whether Seiun Sky was joking or... still joking.
"Trainer doesn't believe me?" Seiun Sky hooked her fingers under her collar. "To stop Trainer from eyeing other horse girls, I'll have to make a big sacrifice~"
"It's human nature. I'm just appreciating the view."
"Oh~ So Trainer likes me in a yukata?"
"Listen, the true allure lies in uniforms. Only by mastering uniform appeal can one resist being seduced by uniforms."
"Blah blah blah, stop spouting nonsense I don't understand." Seiun Sky blinked, then refocused. "Just tell me—do you like it or not?"
"Yes."
Instant answer.
"Good~ An honest Trainer deserves a reward. A kiss~" Seiun Sky rose on her tiptoes to peck his lips, then whispered, "The night before our day off, I'll come find you. Don't you dare lock the door."
The training camp lasted fifteen days, with one rest day in between.
Before Lucian could respond, Seiun Sky flitted away, light as a breeze.
...
(Not sure if you've noticed, but we're almost done with Season 1's storyline.)