...
"Hello, are you Mr. Lucian?" While idly waiting, an elderly man suddenly approached Lucian and extended his hand.
The old man's face was lined with wrinkles, and his hair was white, but his smile radiated kindness and warmth.
Lucian searched his memory but was certain he didn't know the man.
"Hello, may I ask who you are?" Lucian shook his hand.
"I am the owner of Kochi Racecourse, Soushito." Soushito even showed his identification.
"Mr. Soushito, what brings you to me?"
"Mr. Lucian, you are an outstanding Trainer. I often see reports and interviews about you on TV."
"I see."
Then, Soushito explained his purpose. "Mr. Lucian, the reason I've come to you is regarding the horse girl who just placed second. I have an impertinent request—could Haru Urara come to Kochi for her future races?"
Lucian let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
He had thought the man was here to poach her, in which case he would never agree.
"Mr. Soushito, this matter requires Urara's consent. I don't have the authority to decide for her."
"However, Mr. Soushito, why do you have such an idea? And why Urara? She only placed second in this race."
Soushito sighed. "Mr. Lucian, I won't hide it from you. Kochi Racecourse is currently in decline and desperately needs a turning point for revival... As for your second question, I don't quite understand it myself, but I just feel that Urara is the horse girl who can bring hope to Kochi."
Hearing this, Lucian was suddenly reminded of another world where the ill-fated Urara had a mentor who recognized her talent—a man named Soushito Dai.
Ah, distant bonds have even drifted into the world of horse girls—no wonder it feels inexplicable.
Then... what about his own Bright Moon in Snow?
If she were reincarnated as a horse girl, would she forgive him?
The current Lucian didn't know whether she existed in this world, nor did he have the courage to face her.
"Mr. Lucian, you're right. This matter should be discussed with Urara in person. After the Winner's Ceremony, I'd like to trouble her for a few minutes."
"No problem." Lucian didn't refuse, as gaining more popularity would be good for Urara too.
...
The Winner's Ceremony proceeded smoothly.
Though Urara wasn't the center, the training she underwent during the training camp and the Winner's Ceremony rehearsals at the academy weren't in vain.
Following the rhythm of the music, her toes lightly tapped the ground, her skirt fluttering like a flower swirling in water.
Her flexible body effortlessly performed one spin after another, like a butterfly dancing to the fragrance.
With this liveliness and agility, she became the focus of the audience's attention for a time.
Just as he had promised Urara, Lucian's gaze never left her.
He knew this dance was Urara's gift to him, which was why she performed with such effort and dedication.
...
The performance concluded perfectly.
After leaving the stage, Urara found Lucian and Rice-chan. "Trainer~ Did you take pictures?"
"I did."
"You didn't make Urara look ugly, did you?"
"Of course not, I made sure you looked beautiful." Lucian flipped through his album, showing the photos he had just taken.
"Pretty, pretty! Trainer, remember to send them to me."
"Sure, sure~"
Rice Shower: "Urara, I'm glad I came. Otherwise, I would've missed your Winner's Ceremony."
"It's no big deal. Rice-chan can see many more in the future." Urara proudly patted her small chest, her eyes no longer reflecting the disappointment from earlier that afternoon.
"It's different. This was Urara's first official Winner's Ceremony. It has special meaning."
"Hehe, thank you, Rice-chan." After Rice Shower said this, Urara also felt fortunate that the two people she loved most had watched her performance.
The three chatted for a while before Soushito approached from a short distance away.
"Hello, Miss Urara."
"Hello." Urara stared with wide, curious eyes, studying Soushito.
Somehow, she felt inexplicably familiar with this person before her, as if he were a beloved elder, evoking a sense of closeness.
"Trainer, who is he?" Urara tugged at Lucian's sleeve.
Lucian introduced Soushito and explained his request, leaving the final decision to Urara.
"I... agree."
"Huh? Really?"
"Mhm. The old man doesn't seem like a bad person, and I really like Kochi too." Urara nodded firmly.
"Thank you so much. If you ever visit Kochi in the future and run into any trouble, feel free to call me anytime." Soushito had considerable connections and resources in Kochi. "Well, I won't disturb your evening any longer. I'll take my leave now."
"Goodbye, old man!"
"Take care, Mr. Soushito."
After seeing Soushito off, the three stood still for a moment, exchanging glances.
Lucian said, "Let's go. Didn't you say you've never seen Kochi at night?"
"Mhm~ o(￣▽￣)o"
Having won the race and fulfilled her promise to Lucian, Urara was overjoyed. "Trainer, there are so many people at night. I don't want to get lost. Can we hold hands?"
"Sure." Without much thought, Lucian took Urara's hand.
In his mind, he thought, You've done far more excessive things than this—holding hands is child's play in comparison.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, Lucian noticed Rice Shower... Ah, so it was because Rice Shower was here.
"O-Onii-sama... If there are so many people, I'm also a little afraid of getting lost."
"Uh..." Rice Shower's words took Lucian by surprise, but he instinctively glanced at Urara first.
Is she not turning dark? Seems not... Not sure, let me check again.
He was about to suggest Rice Shower hold Urara's hand instead, but Urara spoke first.
"Trainer, hurry up and hold Rice Shower's hand! Let's go eat something delicious—I'm starving!"
"Oh, okay." Dazedly, Lucian took Rice Shower's hand.
Both small hands were soft, but one gripped him tightly while the other simply let him hold it.
The warmth of their palms was like a potent poison, spreading from his hands to his heart. In Rice-chan's chest, it felt as though Silence Suzuka had come charging in.
She remembered the last time Lucian had only held her wrist—now, they were holding hands properly.
Before long, Rice Shower's palm grew damp.
...