...
"Okay, got it recorded." Lucian put down his phone, the album now saving the video of Tokai Teio's dance performance just now.
As for Urara, he'd record her when she took the center stage—that way, there'd be more room for creative editing.
"Onii-sama, why did you record it?" Rice-chan asked curiously.
"To keep as a memento."
There were already plenty of audio remixes featuring Tokai Teio's voice.
Lucian suddenly wondered if it was possible to extract Tokai Teio's vocal tone and use it to create those videos himself.
Then his horses could sing whatever he wanted.
Songs like "Tears Unending from Years Past~" or "Baby, Our Love is Like Ding Dong Kun~"...
Well, it wasn't just for the sake of messing around—he genuinely thought it was worth recording as a keepsake.
As they participated in more and more races and took the stage at even grander Winner's Ceremonies, Lucian would compile these moments into a video.
He would document their journey, their original aspirations as they climbed higher.
Lucian hoped that the videos he made wouldn't be filled with too many regrets, but instead with satisfying "The End" scenes.
"Recording? Trainer, can you record for me too when I stand on the Winner's Stage?" Dextrous Bailey joined the conversation.
Lucian chuckled and agreed without hesitation. "Haha, of course. You, Rice-chan, Suzuka, Urara, Seiun, Spe-chan, Teio—none of you are getting out of it."
...
On stage, Tokai Teio finished her song, then changed outfits and returned for another performance.
This time, it was pure dance, set to a lively and passionate backing track. Once again, she was the leading star.
"Teio is so amazing!" Rice-chan couldn't help but exclaim.
"Yeah, it feels like everyone is highlighting her, and she doesn't let those supporting roles down—she blooms magnificently," Lucian nodded in agreement.
He didn't know much about dance.
To him, Tokai Teio's movements were perfectly coordinated, each step in harmony with the music's rhythm in an indescribable way. It was flawless.
...
"Thank you very much for Tokai Teio's performance." Maruzensky returned to the stage. "Next, let us listen to Silence Suzuka, Special Week, and Seiun Sky perform their collaborative song—'Cry for Me' (By Twice)!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWSnlPTuDtg&list=RDHWSnlPTuDtg&start_radio=1
Lucian was stunned. When he came to watch the rehearsal that day, he hadn't noticed this part.
And none of the three fillies had told him either... What a pleasant surprise.
"Onii-sama, it's Suzuka-senpai and the others," Rice-chan pointed at the stage.
"I see," Lucian replied, already silently setting up his phone to record.
The three racehorses, all G1 champions this year, took the stage together, and the crowd erupted instantly.
Each wore their own victory outfit, like three blooming flowers.
Seiun Sky was an elegant white begonia; Silence Suzuka, a milky-white lotus petal tinged with tender green; and Special Week, a freshly bloomed pink-white magnolia with outstretched petals.
This performance had no clear distinction between supporting roles and leads.
When it was one's turn to sing, the other two would naturally step aside, and the big screen would focus on the singing racehorse.
"This song, huh..." As the music played, Lucian couldn't help but recall all the moments he had shared with these three racehorses.
Even as the final note faded, Lucian still hadn't snapped out of it.
"That was beautiful."
...
The final performance featured all the racehorses taking the stage together.
The central part of the stage rose, with Symboli Rudolf, Maruzensky, and Narita Brian standing atop it.
The other racehorses danced around them, facing the audience with unrestrained joy.
The stage looked like a two-tiered cake, with each person an indispensable candle spelling out "birthday," swaying in the wind.
The atmosphere reached its peak, and even Lucian put down his phone to wave glow sticks.
And so, the festival came to a close in this lively atmosphere.
...
Lucian uploaded the videos he recorded to the team's group chat, then said goodbye to Rice-chan and Dextrous Bailey before leaving first.
The audience dispersed and headed home, but for Lucian, the night was still a little long.
He hadn't forgotten his promise with Seiun Sky. After leaving the venue, he headed straight for their meeting spot.
...
Lucian didn't have to wait long before Seiun Sky arrived gracefully.
The streetlights stretched her elegant, swaying shadow long across the ground, and the breeze lifted her skirt, making the shadow seem to dance softly.
The interplay of light and shadow highlighted the flawless fairness of her face. Tonight, the brightest star in the night sky had hidden itself in Seiun Sky's eyes.
"Tap, tap—"
The sound of her heels grew closer, step by step, echoing in Lucian's heart.
"Is this the best spot to watch the fireworks, like you said?" Lucian averted his gaze, not daring to linger on Seiun Sky's face for too long.
"Yep. Just wait, and we'll see them over there," Seiun Sky walked up to Lucian and pointed at a patch of sky not far away.
The streetlights resembled a string of pearls, and beneath their feet was a path with no end in sight.
Below them was a sloping lawn, with a small stream running parallel to the path.
Seiun Sky pulled Lucian down to sit on the grass, leaving just a fist's width between them. Lucian could smell the faint, sweet fragrance on her.
"Did you watch? My performance."
"I did. I even recorded it," Lucian said, watching the moonlight ripple on the stream's surface. "You guys didn't tell me about this performance."
"That's what makes it more surprising," Seiun Sky adjusted her skirt and scooted a little closer to Lucian. "And it wasn't just my idea."
"It really was a nice surprise," Lucian couldn't help but glance at Seiun Sky, but when he saw her still looking at him, he awkwardly turned away again.
"Why won't you look at me? I even did my makeup today. Unless... you're shy?" Seiun Sky smiled sweetly, tilting her head. "No way, no way."
No one could withstand Seiun Sky on the offensive.
"Hah? Shy? No way I'm shy."
"Really? If you're not shy, then look at me. The fireworks haven't even started yet—why keep looking over there?"
Lucian turned his head, his eyes reflecting Seiun Sky's smiling face.
Her makeup tonight was exquisite, her lips bright and glossy, as if coated in a thin layer of diamond dust, shimmering under the moonlight like delicate crystalline powder.
There's no need to describe the rest of her makeup—just her lips alone were enough to captivate.
"Do I look good?"
"Beautiful."