...
"Next?"
"Trainer Lu, I've been your taste-tester for so long..."
"Okay okay okay, your turn, your turn." Lucian looked helplessly at Grass Wonder. "Little Grass, will you disappoint me today?"
"What is Trainer Lu talking about? I don't quite understand." As she spoke, Grass Wonder had already placed her work in front of Lucian. "Please enjoy."
The appearance looked quite good, at least appetizing.
But Grass Wonder had a record, so Lucian was still on guard.
He tasted just a tiny bite. "I knew it..."
"Trainer Lu, not good?" Grass Wonder pressed the corners of her mouth, but how could she hide the smile floating at the corners of her eyes and on her face?
"Too sweet. Feels like a sweet nuclear bomb exploding in my mouth. My teeth grew wings and flew away, leaving only a wasteland covered in sugar."
Grass Wonder praised: "Such a good metaphor!"
"Learned from you. Grass Wonder, out~" Lucian pushed back the remaining pastry. "Next~ next~"
"Trainer Lu, won't you give me a portion of pastry?" Grass Wonder's gaze was faint.
"Grass Wonder-san, why would I give you a portion?"
"But I've been your taste-tester for so long. If not merit, then hardship. If not hardship, then..."
"Stop stop." Lucian really couldn't stand her. In his heart, Grass Wonder was still a refined young lady, just a bit scheming and repressed.
"Thank you~" Grass Wonder didn't immediately pick one, but continued: "A bit embarrassed. Trainer Lu, pick one for me?"
"Fine." Lucian casually took one. Mainly because they were all similar in size; otherwise he'd definitely pick the smallest.
"Thank you~"
Grass Wonder looked at the pastry Lucian handed over, first politely thanking him, then lowered her head and opened her mouth wide to swallow it in one bite.
A goose leaves its cry, lips and teeth leave fragrance. She didn't leave nothing behind.
The lingering moisture on Lucian's finger was proof she had been there.
He thought Grass Wonder didn't mean it, until the moment their eyes met when she looked up. He clearly read the cunning in her gaze.
It seemed deliberate.
Lucian withdrew his hand underneath and wiped it on his pants. "Next, who's next?"
Twin Turbo: "Me me me! Trainer, look at mine!"
Tamamo Cross: "I want to eat too! Sensei, taste mine first!"
Matikanetannhauser: "Please please, watashi..."
Nice Nature: "Trainer, me too."
...
The pastry rewards made today's class atmosphere overly enthusiastic. Even when the bell rang, Lucian hadn't finished grading.
But horse girls who had already been evaluated could leave early.
After evaluating another horse girl, Lucian habitually called: "So next..... McQueen?"
The classroom was empty of horse girls, leaving only Mejiro McQueen and Lucian.
"Trainer." Mejiro McQueen looked at the empty plate, inevitably feeling a bit regretful and disappointed.
Lucian also noticed Mejiro McQueen's gaze. "McQueen, no pastries left. Still want evaluation?"
"It's fine. Last team-building I already ate a lot. I'm very satisfied."
She seemed casual and indifferent, but if not for those intentional-unintentional glances at the plate, Lucian almost believed it.
"Was it because I chatted with you too long earlier, causing your baking to finish late?"
"No, I lined up here very early."
"Why didn't you get me to evaluate sooner? Like Twin Turbo, Little Grass, just attract my attention."
Mejiro McQueen shook her head. "Um... it's fine. Once I learn, I can make them for myself."
Though she said that, why did Lucian feel a hint of pettiness in her tone?
Too reserved after all.
Lucian wasn't lying. If Mejiro McQueen had really drawn his attention, he'd definitely evaluate her first.
They were on the same team; of course he'd be biased.
It'd be even better if she could act spoiled with him... seemed a bit wishful. Mejiro McQueen making a spoiled expression?
But Lucian inexplicably felt some anticipation.
"Trainer." Mejiro McQueen waved her hand in front of Lucian, shaking his soul back.
"Ah, what is it?"
"Will you taste?"
"Okay." Lucian ate half. "Mm, good... for score, I can give 80."
Receiving Lucian's approval, a smile finally appeared on Mejiro McQueen's face. "Are there any areas I can improve?"
"Um... well, there are many areas to improve, but if you compare more deeply yourself, you'll understand more deeply."
Mejiro McQueen was confused until Lucian brought out a small plate from below.
In the center of the plate lay a round pastry.
"Trainer." Mejiro McQueen opened her small mouth in surprise, joy replacing her feigned indifference. "Didn't you say there were none left?"
"Thought someone might miss out because she's too shy to compete, so I secretly hid one."
"Trainer-san, I'm not shy..."
"Then disdain to compete with them?"
"Not that either..." Mejiro McQueen didn't know how to express accurately.
"Actually, I'm a very biased trainer. If McQueen observed carefully, you'd notice most of the pastries just now went to our own people. And because McQueen clearly expressed wanting to learn, that's why I stayed by your side so long."
"I see... I didn't notice."
So she had always been silently watched by the trainer.
But asking her to compete like Twin Turbo and Tamamo Cross was still too difficult.
Lucian suddenly lowered his voice solemnly: "Don't tell anyone."
His serious look amused Mejiro McQueen. "I won't. I'll keep it secret."
"That's good~"
After nearly a semester of classes, Lucian of course understood these students' personalities.
McQueen, whether coming early or late, always waited silently in the corner.
"Trainer-san... arigato."
"Okay okay." Lucian smiled, interrupting her thoughts, one hand propping his head, gently looking at her. "Hurry and taste. After eating, you can compare the difference."
"Um!"
Different pastries yet still brought the same shock to Mejiro McQueen's taste buds.
But after swallowing the whole piece, Mejiro McQueen didn't compare the flavor difference, nor did she exclaim "delicious" or similar.
So what could overpower the temptation of food?
Mejiro McQueen didn't even notice her thoughts being hooked by Lucian's smile. She pretended to glance casually several times, always feeling that was something even sweeter than delicious pastry.
...