The exit ramp.
Lu Jue-jun quickly walked up to Silent Suzuka, made a gesture of firing a salute, and said, "Let's fire a salute for the birth of our champion!"
"Lu Jue-jun, why are you acting like a child?" Silent Suzuka laughed.
"Because I'm happy for you."
"Then where's the salute?"
"The salute is on hold for now."
The two spoke in unison and walked back together.
"The Winning Live is tonight. Do you want to go back and shower now?" Lu Jue asked.
The Winning Live was also set up at the same racecourse.
"There's a bathroom in the changing room, so it's not that much trouble."
"I see. Then you should go take a shower quickly. You're all sweaty; don't catch a cold."
"Mm."
"I'll go grab a front-row seat first so I can watch your performance then."
"Okay."
After watching Lu Jue walk away, Silent Suzuka pressed her hand to her chest.
She had already performed like this several times, not to mention the countless private practice sessions.
But never before had she been so nervous, feeling her heart stir so deeply, as she did this time.
"What's wrong with me...?"
...
Night fell, casting a black veil over all things on earth. The distant mountains were very quiet; their faint outlines were like a thin line drawn across the night.
But the turf of the Tokyo Racecourse was bustling with excitement, the stage lights were dazzling, and the crowd below was a dense mass, almost filling the entire green field.
"Dong—"
The scattered lights suddenly converged on a single point in the center of the stage, and the platform slowly rose.
Three Uma Musume, exquisitely made up and splendidly dressed, slowly appeared in the audience's view.
"Oh oh!!!"
Thousands of glow sticks waved in unison, a spectacular sight.
As the music began, Silent Suzuka's performance officially started.
...
Lu Jue watched from below, a smile unconsciously appearing on his face.
Silent Suzuka was not aloof; she was just a bit introverted with unfamiliar people. But when she was on stage, every expression and smile exuded confidence and courage.
From her melodious singing, one could almost hear an uplifting power.
Just as she had said, she wanted to become an Uma Musume who could bring dreams to everyone.
At this moment, Lu Jue's peripheral vision caught a familiar figure.
It was Special Week. After witnessing Silent Suzuka's strong victory, Special Week had completely become Silent Suzuka's little fan.
Lu Jue carefully weaved through the crowd and squeezed next to Special Week, "It's you again, little pony?"
Special Week also recognized Lu Jue. She scanned her surroundings again and didn't find that perverted uncle. "Li-little pony?"
"Are you also an Uma Musume from Teresen Academy?"
"Mm, I just transferred to this school today."
Under the influence of his approachability, even the cautious Special Week unconsciously chatted a few more sentences with Lu Jue.
"Just enrolled? Then have you registered? I remember there's a time limit for registration, right?" Lu Jue reminded her.
"I knew I forgot something!!!" Half of Special Week's face was covered by a cloud of panic. "Thank you, sir, goodbye!"
Watching Special Week run away in a hurry, Lu Jue shifted his gaze back to the stage.
"The leverage is still in Silence Suzuka's hands. Is there any way..."
Lu Jue took out his phone and started recording Silent Suzuka.
He didn't believe Silent Suzuka was perfect in every frame; he was sure he could make a few memes.
...
The performance lasted for nearly an hour and finally came to an end.
After most of the audience had left the racecourse, the staff began to pack up the equipment.
Lu Jue arrived at the agreed location and waited for Silent Suzuka.
"You worked hard," Lu Jue waved.
She had engaged in intense 1600-meter exercise in the afternoon, followed by an hour-long performance in the evening; it would be strange if she wasn't tired.
Silent Suzuka was still wearing the same tracksuit she arrived in, with a jacket draped over her, and shorts on her lower body, revealing her slender, fair legs.
Silent Suzuka shook her head. Although she was tired, she was also very happy.
She felt a bit embarrassed for making Lu Jue wait so long. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Let's go get some late-night snacks."
Since the race, Lu Jue had bought some snacks to tide him over, but Silent Suzuka hadn't eaten anything yet.
"What about the celebration banquet?"
"There's definitely no time to prepare ingredients now, and it's too late to ask them to come."
Silent Suzuka nodded and then asked, "Where are we going to eat?"
"Let's drive around and see. You must be very hungry, right?"
As soon as Lu Jue finished speaking, he heard a dull "gurgling" sound.
Silent Suzuka shyly covered her stomach, then looked at Lu Jue, only to find him suppressing a laugh. She said with some vexation, "Don't laugh!"
"Cough, cough, I'm professionally trained, unless I really can't help it." Seeing Silent Suzuka about to get annoyed again, Lu Jue quickly changed the subject, "Let's go, I'll treat you to a late-night snack."
The two drove around for a while and finally stopped in front of a small snack shop.
After entering the shop, Lu Jue pushed the menu in front of Silent Suzuka, "Order whatever you want; it's on me."
"I'll have one of everything and eat you out of house and home."
"Sure, as long as you can eat it all."
The two bantered for a few moments, then ordered three dishes.
"It's my honor to dine with a big star." Lu Jue looked around. "I wonder if there are any paparazzi secretly taking pictures."
"There won't be such a thing, and... I'm not a big star."
...
After they finished eating, the two returned to the car.
Lu Jue drove Silent Suzuka to the entrance of Teresen Academy.
"Aren't you getting out?" Silent Suzuka remembered that the faculty dormitory was inside the school.
"Uh, I moved my dorm outside the school. I still prefer to live in a bigger room." The conditions of the Teresen dormitory were quite good, but Lu Jue had his own choice.
Seeing Silence Suzuka still sitting in the back seat, with no intention of getting out, Lu Jue couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you getting out? Don't tell me you moved dorms too."
"I certainly didn't." Silent Suzuka finished speaking, then said hesitantly, "Did you forget something else?"
Lu Jue was stunned, then suddenly realized, "How did you know I don't have class tomorrow morning and can sleep in!"
Silent Suzuka pursed her lips slightly. "No... think again."
"Oh~ There's nothing going on with training tomorrow afternoon either, so I can slack off."
"No." Silent Suzuka pursed her lips, lightly stomped her foot, and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito, "You always lie..."
He had promised her a massage, but he forgot as soon as the race ended.
How could she possibly bring up something like that herself...?
"Alright, alright." Seeing Silent Suzuka look deflated, Lu Jue stopped teasing her. "What I promised you, I'll definitely deliver, but it's too late now. Let's find another time."
"Just remember it then."
Silent Suzuka said no more. After opening the car door, she walked into the campus.