“If you don't want to say it, then forget it. I'm off work,” Lu Jue said, about to get up from his seat, when Nimble Beret hastily reached out to stop him.
“I’ll tell you… I’ll tell you!”
Seeing her troubled expression, Lu Jue couldn't help but be amused. “No, I’m not forcing you to say it.”
“I want to say it myself!”
Even at this point, Nimble Beret’s tone was still sharp.
However, Lu Jue didn't dislike it; the extreme contrast made him feel a little… cute?
...
Ten minutes later.
“You’re saying that after I lectured you last time, you felt a certain kind of pleasure, so today you want me to scold you again in this way?” Lu Jue tapped the table lightly, speaking faintly.
Although he had already guessed, hearing it directly from Nimble Beret’s mouth still surprised him slightly.
Nimble Beret glanced fearfully at the closed door, lowering her voice, “Yes…”
She didn't understand why Lu Jue wasn't surprised at all.
Could it be that he had seen people in similar situations before?
“In your situation, I think you should see a doctor.”
“See a doctor?! Is it very serious?” Nimble Beret thought of her insomnia last night; whenever she closed her eyes, she saw Lu Jue lecturing her.
“That’s for the doctor to decide.”
Lu Jue stood up and walked over to Nimble Beret.
Sometimes, when keeping a certain distance, Lu Jue didn't appear tall at first glance.
But as he truly approached, Nimble Beret had to look up at him and felt a sense of pressure. Of course, it was also partly due to her psychological state.
Nimble Beret didn't understand what Lu Jue was going to do and instinctively took a step back.
When she saw Lu Jue raise his hand, she tightly closed her eyes, wrinkles appearing at the corners, like tiny leaves.
Was Lu Jue going to hit her?!
The imagined pain didn't land on her head or cheek.
But Nimble Beret, with her eyes closed, felt a large hand stroking her head.
“Don’t overthink it, don’t go astray. Why do you have to be scolded by me? If you behave well in class, I can praise you properly too.”
Lu Jue had a mischievous streak for teasing others, but he wouldn't do anything that crossed the line.
Although Nimble Beret had the potential to develop in a certain direction, Lu Jue felt that it was just her being spoiled, and a temporary psychological reaction after being disciplined; it might get better after a while.
Besides, what was the use of scolding her now? She would only enjoy it, not change.
Nimble Beret opened her eyes, but there was nothing in front of her.
She turned around and just caught a glimpse of Lu Jue’s retreating back.
And Lu Jue’s words, not yet scattered by the breeze, lingered in Nimble Beret’s ears.
Nimble Beret stood still, one hand slowly moving to her chest.
Her heartbeat was like a drumbeat intensifying in the wilderness.
This feeling… seemed much stronger than being scolded by Lu Jue.
...
In the afternoon, the sun was warm and the breeze was refreshing.
Everyone from “Dream” had already gathered at the training ground.
“Clap, clap, clap—”
Lu Jue clapped his hands, trying to dispel the sleepiness from Haru Urara and Special Week's faces. “You guys must have slept too long this afternoon, right? Training is about to start, so cheer up.”
“Yes…”
“Got it, Trainer.”
Today was Friday, and as per usual, the weekly team-internal mock race would be held.
So Lu Jue didn't arrange any high-intensity training this afternoon, only some relatively basic exercises.
Even Haru Urara, who usually complained endlessly, didn't cry about being tired, let alone the others.
However, when the last training session was completed, everyone's sportswear was still soaked with sweat.
“Don’t sit, don’t sit. If you’re tired, get up and walk around slowly for a while,” Lu Jue chased after Haru Urara from behind.
“Trainer! Xiao Te just sat down too!”
“I didn't.” Special Week quickly shook her head, but the evidence was already written on her face.
“Alright, alright, take a break. You haven't forgotten about today's mock race, have you?” Lu Jue reminded them.
“Of course not! This time, Uralala is going to win the championship, and then Trainer will buy me lots and lots of delicious food!”
The race hadn't even started, and Uralala was already making pre-race wishes.
Special Week, on the other hand, glanced in Silence Suzuka's direction, smiled, and said nothing.
Seiun Sky's gaze also couldn't help but look towards Silence Suzuka; their eyes met, and there was a faint spark of electricity in the air.
It's worth mentioning that in previous mock races, Silence Suzuka had always taken first place.
Second place had always gone to Seiun Sky.
Third and fourth places frequently rotated…
Lu Jue thought of something and waved to Special Week, signaling her to come over.
“Trainer, what’s wrong?” Special Week asked, with her hands behind her back.
“Xiao Te, although this is just a mock race, I still hope you can approach it with the same attitude as a formal competition.”
“Perhaps you’re not interested in the prizes I set, or perhaps you’re running with a certain ‘yielding’ mindset… But whether it’s Uralala, or Silence Suzuka, or even Xiao Xingyun, they are all running with all their might every time.”
“I know you value friendship, but precisely because of that, giving your all is a sign of respect for them… Or think about it again: what if one day you find all your friends running ahead, and you can’t catch up no matter what?”
Lu Jue had noticed before that Special Week didn't use her full strength during mock races.
This was not just a small race; it was also Lu Jue’s training for everyone’s willpower.
Because he had set the distance at 3000 meters, in the last few hundred meters, only willpower drove them to run.
Even Uralala pushed herself to the point of exhaustion to reach the finish line; how could Special Week, with her better talent, be so careless and detached?
Listening to Lu Jue’s words, Special Week’s expression gradually became serious.
It had to be said that Lu Jue was cut out to be a Trainer; he instantly saw through her deepest thoughts.
“I’m sorry, Trainer… I understand,” Special Week said with firm eyes.
“It’s good that you understand. You have to let me see your determination to become the Japanese Number One Uma Musume, right?” Lu Jue joked, diffusing the somewhat serious atmosphere. “Alright, go rest.”
“Mm.” Special Week ran a few steps, then suddenly turned back and called out, “Trainer, I’m actually very interested in the reward you set!”
A small pebble dropped, and a small ripple spread across the calm lake surface.
Lu Jue was stunned, then smiled after regaining his composure, watching Special Week’s back disappear into the distance.
“None of them make it easy for me.”
...