...
"The winner has been decided!"
"The first to finish eating was Special Week, while the other three contestants finished almost simultaneously... Wait! There seems to be an unexpected situation on the scene."
The big screen began replaying the scene that had just occurred.
"We can see that Super Creek just swatted the donut from her plate into Oguri Cap's bowl."
Super Creek: Sorry~/(ㄒoㄒ)/
Oguri Cap: Oh, I didn't even notice. (=_=)
"After review by the judging panel, the final winner should be Oguri Cap!"
The host announced the result and handed the prize—a giant donut plushie—to Oguri Cap.
Oguri Cap, her belly bulging, then gave the donut plushie to Tamamo Cross. "Here, for you."
"Oguri, you're too good to me!" Tamamo Cross hugged Oguri Cap, crying uncontrollably.
"It's nothing. I just wanted to eat the donut."
Meanwhile, Special Week, her white belly also protruding, returned to Silence Suzuka and Seiun Sky.
"I failed. I knew I couldn't do it~"
Silence Suzuka comforted her: "Spe-chan, you got to eat so much for free. Isn't that already a win?"
"Well, when you put it that way... Actually, I'm a bit tired of eating now. I still prefer the sweetness of Trainer's tofu pudding."
Seiun Sky teased: "Mhm, is it the tofu pudding you're missing, or the Trainer?"
"It's the tofu pudding, really..." Special Week flusteredly defended herself before pouting. "Seiun, you're impossible."
The three were chatting happily when Oguri Cap unexpectedly approached.
She had come to find Special Week. "A worthy opponent."
"Ahaha... You flatter me, Oguri Cap-senpai." Special Week laughed awkwardly.
"By the way, was the tofu pudding you mentioned earlier made by Lucian-sensei?"
"You heard that?" Special Week had no choice but to nod. "Yes, he's our Trainer."
"I see. I've always heard that Lucian-sensei's cooking is excellent," Oguri Cap mused.
"Where did you hear that, senpai?"
"Grass Wonder."
Grass Wonder: Pay me for the promotion.
"It's Grass-chan again." Special Week's lips twitched as she suddenly remembered Lucian's plans. "On the last day of the festival, the restaurant opened by our Trainer will be open to everyone. Oguri Cap-senpai, you should give it a try."
"Oh, thank you."
...
The evening festival was no less lively than the daytime, especially with the added nighttime entertainment.
"You've all worked hard today." After a long day, Lucian's team had successfully completed their tasks.
"Getting to taste such delicious food was very worthwhile." Taiki Shuttle was the first to finish eating, her little tongue licking her lips as if savoring the last bite.
"Want to eat it often? Then join 'Dream.'" Lucian didn't even bother hiding his intentions, especially since Toujou Hana wasn't around.
"That might not be appropriate. I should discuss it with Coach Toujou."
"Go ahead, just don't mention it was my idea. Say you feel Lucian's guidance suits you better, that you prefer the atmosphere of Lucian's team..." While poaching, Lucian couldn't help but boast extravagantly about himself.
"When I first met Lucian-san, I thought he was a very serious person," Ines Fujin remarked, having finished her meal quickly.
"Haha, and now I'm not?"
"As long as Lucian-san is happy." Ines Fujin stood up, gathering her dishes.
"Fujin-chan, sit for a bit. I'll take these over later." Lucian stopped her. "Are you heading to your part-time job now?"
"Yes." Ines Fujin didn't sit back down—she hardly had any time to rest.
"That's too exhausting."
Lucian felt a pang of sympathy. Ines Fujin hadn't slacked off during work, standing and greeting guests almost the entire day.
Of course, the other three horse girls had done the same.
With customers arriving in waves and time slots fully booked, none of them—not even Lucian—had gotten a moment's rest.
"I'm not tired. I'm still young—this is just a little hardship."
Of course, saying she wasn't tired was a lie.
At home, she had two younger sisters to care for. If she didn't share the burden, her mother would have to shoulder it all alone.
"Alright."
Ines Fujin didn't elaborate on her family matters, and Lucian later asked Doto for details. Though he had a rough idea, he wouldn't bring it up carelessly.
But faced with such a filial, driven, diligent, and hardworking girl, Lucian genuinely wanted to help her—he just hadn't figured out the right way.
Wealth disparity existed in this world, of course.
It made him think of Mejiro McQueen, who had visited the restaurant that morning.
A noblewoman like Mejiro McQueen was like the moon in the sky—the princess of a young man's daydreams, or a shooting star streaking across the horizon.
And Ines Fujin? Lucian saw in her... how to put it? The warmth of mundane, earthly life? Not that it was a bad thing—on the contrary, such a girl was far too precious.
"Well then, everyone, enjoy the festival atmosphere tonight. I'll take my leave now."
"Wait, Fujin." Lucian suddenly called out to her, but his words came out haltingly. "Uh, if you... no, if I could... if you ever..."
Ines Fujin laughed at Lucian's awkwardness. "If I ever have any difficulties, and you can help, I should come to you?"
Her emotional intelligence was high, and she easily grasped what Lucian was trying to say.
"Ah, yes." Lucian nodded sheepishly.
Not wanting to come across as condescending or pitying, he had struggled to phrase it properly—and hadn't expected Ines Fujin to spell it out so directly.
"If Lucian-san really wants to help me, why not visit the café where I work in your free time? Then... you can treat me to coffee and, as a customer, ask me to chat with you."
She accepted his kindness but playfully deflected it with a joke.
"Sure, I'll go when I have time." Lucian smiled and nodded.
Ines Fujin waved and walked to the door, then suddenly turned back. "Lucian-san, you were really cute just now!"
With that, she left without looking back.
Lucian froze, thinking how straightforward she was—the last time he'd been caught off guard like this was when Seiun Sky suddenly kissed his cheek.
Behind him, Rice Shower had also overheard the conversation and agreed—it wasn't just about superficial cuteness, but something deeper.
...