Ch. 4: The Next Challenge
Vio's attempt to break the world record for most pairs of underwear worn ended without him beating it.
Vio: "Aw man…damn!"
Vio grimaced in frustration and punched the ground with his fist.
Vio…
I moved to rush over to him and call out, but then…-
Villager 1: "Prince Vio! Nice work!!"
Villager 2: "Prince Vio-!"
Villager 3: "That was a good try Prince Vio-!!"
A burst of applause seemed to spring up from nowhere, and before long that applause spread throughout the whole stadium.
Hearing that, Vio slowly raised his head and looked around.
Vio: "You guys…"
Taking in the mass of cheering, Vio stood up and looked as if he was about to cry. Then he slapped his cheeks with both hands and smiled at everyone.
Vio: "A-lright, I gotta do this! Next I'll challenge the record for short-distance running, so come and cheer for me again!"
Vio called out in a cheerful voice to the audience gathered in the stadium.
Vio: "OO, you definitely have to watch me again too."
Vio stretched his hand out to me, as if asking a question. I…-
[CHOICE]
-
Take his hand (SUN)
-
Hesitate (MOON)
Vio…I hope you get first place in the next one.
As I felt the comforting warmth from his hand, I smiled at Vio. But at that time, a small boy walked up to us with a sneer on his face.
Vio: "Hm? What's up?"
Boy: "…give up, it's impossible."
OO: "Eh…?"
Boy: "You can't get first place no matter how many times you try. Just trying your best won't make it happen."
Oh dear…
I was at a loss for words in the face of the boy's devastating remark, and a woman who appeared to be the boy's mother ran up to us, face red in embarrassment.
Boy's Mother: "What a thing to say! I'm so very sorry Prince Vio!"
Vio: "No…it's fine."
Vio waved his hand laxly at the panicking mother…
Without missing a beat, Vio crouched down so he was level with the boy.
Vio: "Sorry I couldn't set a new record today. But you'll see, I'll definitely get number one next time."
Boy: "Liar…you say that even though you're a prince, but you ALWAYS get second!"
Ah…
Vio: "That's what I tell myself, that I'll succeed no matter what! But I always end up in second place …"
Even so, Vio didn't hesitate and met the boy's gaze.
Vio: "…but I don't intend to give up. I want to believe in myself and what I can do."
Boy: "But…"
Boy's Mother: "I really am sorry Prince Vio…actually, this boy had been trying his best, practicing every day like you, and gave his all in a foot race…but he lost again this year to the other kids…he's still sulking about it."
Boy: "…hmph."
Vio: "I get it now…"
Boy: "It's pointless to put in that much effort!"
Vio: "That's not true. If you try your best, there will come a day when you become number one."
Boy: "Nuh uh!"
Vio: "Yuh huh!"
For a moment, the boy stood there thinking about something, but…
Boy: "Then if you can get first place in your next challenge Prince Vio, I won't give up either."
Vio: "!! Yeah…-"
Boy: "But if you can't get first place…you'll do what I say, right?"
Vio: "Sure, anything."
OO: "But Vio…!"
I panicked and tried to stop him, but Vio just smiled calmly.
Vio: "It'll be fine. This is something I want to do. Alright, anything. What is it you wish?"
Vio asked the boy again, completely calm. And then the boy answered…-
Boy: "…then, you quit being a prince."
OO: "…!"
Q-quit being a prince…
But Vio's expression didn't change in the slightest and he looked straight at the boy.
But, I wonder if he can do it.
As I thought that, I ended up looking up at his face…
Vio: "When you cheered me on, I tried harder than I usually do. Thanks!"
And like that, Vio reached out his hand and roughly grabbed mine.
OO: "I will."
Then I took Vio's outstretched hand.
Vio: "I could hear you cheering even though you were far away. That's some awesome cheering! It increased my usual strength!!"
He turned his gaze towards me, as bright and powerful as the red-hot sun, and my heart sped up a little.