...
This was Lucian's first time meeting Oguri Cap, probably because he rarely ate at the cafeteria.
She walked over with her noticeably round belly, and Lucian couldn't help but worry that she might suddenly drop a bombshell like, "I'm pregnant—with your child."
"Customer, is there something you need?" Since he was still on duty, Lucian didn't bring up his status as a teacher.
"Trainer Lucian, could you come work at the cafeteria?" Oguri Cap looked serious, though her blank expression made it hard to tell if she was joking.
"Uh, I'm afraid that's not possible."
Lucian couldn't help but stare at Oguri Cap's round belly. Could she really digest that much food every day? That's incredible.
"No good, huh..."
Oguri Cap had already acknowledged Lucian's cooking skills.
So, her curiosity about the untouched tofu pudding grew even stronger.
But she couldn't think of a reason to convince Lucian to work at the cafeteria, nor could she find an excuse to freeload meals from him.
This was quite troubling...
"Dame, the Trainer can't leave 'Dream'," Rice Shower suddenly spoke up.
"Alright, my apologies."
Oguri Cap had no choice but to give up and leave, though the thought didn't fade from her mind.
Lucian, however, looked at Rice Shower curiously—she had actually spoken up for him.
Noticing his gaze, Rice Shower explained, "Because if Onii-sama left 'Dream', Urara would be very sad, right?"
"Oh, so it's just because of Urara?" Lucian's eyes curved into a smile as he stared directly into Rice Shower's eyes.
Rice Shower averted her gaze, lowered her head, and murmured softly, "Mhm."
"If I left 'Dream', Rice-chan wouldn't be sad?"
"Not sad." Rice Shower shook her head, her voice growing quieter. "But... maybe just a little bit upset."
"Just a little?"
"Not just a little..." She fidgeted with her hands, trying to convey the abstract degree of her feelings. "About this much."
Lucian chuckled and didn't tease her further, returning to the kitchen to finish the last of the cleanup.
...
After all the customers had left, everyone sat in the restaurant, watching the final sunset of the festival.
"These three days went by so fast," Taiki Shuttle remarked. Though she hadn't participated in many activities, it was still a rare and memorable experience.
"Here's your payment." Lucian placed four thick envelopes in front of everyone. "Take care of them—don't lose them."
"Thank you." x4
The four of them accepted the envelopes as instructed.
"You can head out first. I can handle the rest of the cleanup myself," Lucian said.
"Time to clock out—" Taiki Shuttle stood up and stretched. "Trainer Lucian, can I still come by for meals later?"
"Of course, Shuttle-chan. Keep working hard—I hope to see you galloping on TV again soon."
"OK~ Then I'll be off first."
"See you."
After bidding farewell to Taiki Shuttle, Lucian turned to Doto.
"Doto, think about my proposal on your own time. Even if you don't choose to come here, it's fine. And... be more confident. If you ever face setbacks, talk to Nice Nature more."
"Nice Nature? Why? (ㅇㅅㅇ❀)"
"Haha, don't ask why."
This was just another one of Lucian's mischievous tendencies.
The second and third-place finishers probably had a lot to talk about.
"(ꐦÒ‸Ó) Lucian-kun, really!"
"But I'll seriously consider your proposal."
...
Doto left first. Excluding Rice Shower, the only one left was Ines Fujin.
Honestly, Ines Fujin had been active in races for a long time. After this parting, they might not see each other often in the future.
"What, are you getting sentimental because you'll miss me?" Surprisingly, Ines Fujin was the first to speak.
"Of course. A good employee naturally earns the boss's favor," Lucian joked back. "Little Ines, what are your plans after this? I mean, in terms of races."
Ines Fujin thought for a moment and didn't hide it. "I might retire from the Twinkle Series and move to the Dream Cup League."
The Dream Cup League was a different kind of competition. In a way, it could be seen as retirement.
"I see... I hope you'll shine just as brightly there."
"I just hope I can keep earning money." Ines Fujin kept the mood from getting too heavy, but she couldn't deny her envy. "If I were younger, maybe I'd consider joining your team, Trainer Lucian. But I'm past my peak now."
"That straightforward? You haven't even seen how I am as a Trainer."
"Haha, just a feeling." After laughing, Ines Fujin calmed down. "Well, I'll be off too, Trainer Lucian. Thank you for taking care of me these past three days."
Truthfully, Ines Fujin yearned for this kind of simple yet busy and fulfilling life.
Like, after getting married someday, opening a shop where she'd be the madam managing the front while her husband worked as the chef in the kitchen.
Then, after returning home, she'd handle the housework while her husband—being so capable—would take care of the cooking. And then...
Wait—husband?!
Ines Fujin snapped out of her imagination and glanced subtly at Lucian.
There was nothing wrong with the idea of a "husband," but she had unconsciously projected Lucian's image onto it.
"Oh, and don't forget to send me the address where you'll be working. I'll drop by to boss you around again sometime."
"Sure. Goodbye."
The fading sunset in the sky hadn't disappeared—it had just drifted onto Ines Fujin's face. She exhaled slowly and bid Lucian farewell.
Lucian waved back, watching as she left the restaurant.
...
"Onii-sama, the performance is about to start. Let's hurry!" Rice Shower emerged from the restroom after changing. "What about the work uniform? Should I return it to Onii-chan?"
Return it as-is? That didn't seem quite right.
"Keep it. It looks really cute on you, Rice-chan. Yesterday's vampire outfit suited you too."
"Onii-sama, are you complimenting me?"
"Of course... not. I'm complimenting the clothes."
"Onii-sama!"
"Hahaha—"
Rice Shower clenched her fists in frustration, but Lucian had already run ahead, leaving only his laughter behind.
...