...
Lucian still loved kissing her.
His lips claimed hers with deliberate hunger, drawing out every breath until she melted against him. At this moment, he was the hook; she was the fish caught fast on the line.
Seiun Sky loved these kisses too. And while kissing, she didn't need to muffle her voice; one stone, two birds.
"Seiun's legs are strong, right?"
"Ah... mm?" Seiun Sky was still lost in the kiss, not yet recovered, puzzled by Lucian's words.
"I said, Seiun's legs; strong, right?"
"Mm, mm..... thighs haven't gone soft."
"Then let's move to the next test."
His palms slid down the backs of her thighs, fingers pressing into warm muscle still trembling from training. She gasped into his mouth as he lifted her slightly, letting her knees bracket his hips on the narrow infirmary cot. The thin mattress creaked beneath them.
...
So Seiun Sky's physical exam wasn't finished after all. But with Doctor Lu's help, it was finally completed safely and thoroughly.
The two lay on the bed resting for a while, yet still no one came looking for Lucian; his phone stayed silent.
"Trainer." Seiun Sky pinched the hem of her soaked shirt, flapping it to fan herself.
It was supposed to be rest time, but the sweat-soaked patches on her body had only grown: one dark bloom across her chest, another down her back like a puddle.
Lucian brushed aside her sticky strands of hair, inhaling the compressed, disoriented fragrance... now he understood why some movie heroines appeared on screen glistening with sweat.
"Why is your little face so flushed? Still burning hot." Lucian teased.
He had heard fishermen get addicted even when they catch nothing, but never that the fish itself gets hooked on the bite.
Today opened his eyes.
"No more, feels like time's running out..." Lucian tried to retreat.
But Seiun Sky wouldn't hear it. She peeled off the sweat-drenched shirt without hesitation.
Sweat beaded like pearls across her skin, each droplet catching the light. Some slid from her cheek, tracing the curve of her neck, slipping into the valley between her collarbones.
Her breathing came in shallow, urgent waves. She leaned in, bare shoulders brushing his chest, the heat of her skin searing through his shirt.
"Trainer said it doesn't count; I say it does, so it does!"
...
Over an hour later, the main group of horse girls finally tracked down Lucian and Seiun Sky.
At that moment, the two sat primly at the desk: Lucian scrolling his phone, Seiun Sky draped over the surface, staring at him.
Tokai Teio didn't like the scene; just like she hadn't liked catching Lucian and Seiun Sky alone in the storage room playing piano.
Why could Seiun Sky stare at the trainer so openly... why could she do nothing herself?
"Trainer~ we're done~" Haru Urara handed her exam sheet to Lucian. "How was Seiun so fast?"
"You all were too slow, weren't you?" Lucian covered for the exhausted Seiun Sky.
Meishou Doto: "It was my fault. Made everyone wait a long time. Sumimasen (Ｔ▽Ｔ)."
Lucian: "Doto, what did you do again?"
Ines Fujin chimed in: "Doto was scared of the blood draw. Took forever to encourage her."
"Sumimasen (╥_╥). It was just too scary."
"It's okay. Overcoming fear is amazing." Lucian stood to collect everyone's forms, waving a hand in front of the dazed Tokai Teio. "Teio, spacing out again?"
He recalled what Mejiro McQueen had said: Tokai Teio sometimes suddenly zones out staring toward Seiun Sky and Special Week.
He hadn't paid attention then, until now it unfolded before him.
"Ah, ah? Trainer, what is it?" Tokai Teio instinctively stepped back; while spacing out, she hadn't noticed Lucian so close.
"Calling you to hand in your form."
"Oh."
After collecting the forms, Lucian had Ines Fujin lead everyone back to the training field, leaving only Tokai Teio behind.
He worried Mejiro McQueen's rise was pressuring Tokai Teio.
Asking in front of everyone, she probably wouldn't admit it; hence keeping her.
Lucian asked concernedly: "Teio, have you been too tired lately? You keep spacing out."
"N-no! When did I space out?" Tokai Teio pouted.
But inside she panicked: Did the trainer notice how often she zones out!?
"Still denying? McQueen already told me."
"I..." Tokai Teio had no comeback. "I just space out. Nothing to do with pressure."
"Really?" Lucian clearly didn't buy it. He rubbed Tokai Teio's head, speaking earnestly: "Teio, McQueen has achieved a lot now, but your era hasn't come yet. No need to feel anxious..."
Tokai Teio lowered her head, quietly enjoying Lucian's stroking.
As for what he said, she only caught the gist.
Please... touch a little longer, just a little longer.
"Teio, did you hear?" Lucian withdrew his hand, gentle, inwardly sighing; today's Tokai Teio didn't resist at all. Had he really hit her sore spot?
"I heard. So when will it be mine?" Tokai Teio looked up and asked.
Why pull back after just a little? She hadn't resisted at all.
Why not touch a little longer!
Tokai Teio's question puzzled Lucian; it felt off, but he figured she meant when her era would come.
"When it'll be yours... well, every intense training session after this will give you the answer."
"Mm, got it."
After?
When was after? Tokai Teio needed a concrete time.
If Lucian couldn't give it, she'd seize it herself.
She didn't want to stay stifled anymore.
"Hey, Trainer~" Tokai Teio flashed an innocent smile. "You absolutely have to come to my house this year! My parents heard you're coming and brewed extra jars of wine ages ago!"
"How embarrassing... I'm not an alcoholic." Lucian said helplessly.
"But it's already prepared. Trainer, remember to come. Last time Mom didn't see you and felt it was such a shame."
"I know. I'll visit your house this year. Don't mind me intruding."
"How could I? Trainer is welcome anytime, but remember to tell me in advance, or we'll miss again." Tokai Teio suddenly stressed.
"Got it~"
...