Ch. 8: Goddess of Victory (SUN)
The air was tense, and the stadium was packed…-
Vio's gaze was intense, fixated in front of him on the goal he would race to.
Vio…!
At last, the starting pistol rang out, and Vio took off like the wind.
Spectator 1: "Prince Vio-!!"
Spectator 2: "You can do it-!!"
Their loud cheers intersected each other. Without realizing, the boy next to me roughly grabbed my hand as he watched, his tense expression the same as mine.
And then it was over, having lasted an instant and all of eternity…-
Announcer: "Goooooooooooal!!! Prince Vio, Prince Vio's time…! W-what, it's the same! It's the exact same time as the world record…!"
Along with the announcer, the entire grounds filled with cheering and applause.
OO: "Vio…!"
I called out without thinking, and the boy and I rushed over to Vio.
OO: "Vio! Congratulations."
Vio: "…"
OO: "Vio?"
Vio let out a heavy sigh and hid his face.
Vio: "I couldn't do it, I couldn't break the record…"
Seeing him like this, when he'd been so passionately fixated on being number one, made my chest ache.
But he was able to make everyone smile like this…that's something Vio gave them.
At that time…-
Boy: "You were so cool…!"
Vio: "You…"
The boy spoke up excitedly.
Boy: "Um…um, Prince Vio, I'm sorry…!"
Then the boy bowed his head deeply.
Boy: "I'm sorry…I…I."
Vio: "You don't have to say anything. More importantly, thanks for coming to watch me!"
The boy hung his head as he tried to speak, but Vio patted his head and smiled kindly at the boy.
Vio: "I promised. So I'll quit…"
Boy: "No…!"
Vio: "But, there was no difference in my record."
Boy: "Then…then keep challenging the records! You said you'd do what I said."
The boy appealed to Vio, his voice sounding like he was on the verge of tears.
Vio: "…"
OO: "Vio, you can't break your promise, right?"
Vio put his hand on the boy's back and I smiled at him.
Vio: "…you're right. As promised, I'll keep challenging the records. So you can't give up either. If you do, that's the end, and there won't be any dreams or future after that. Everyone wants to keep trying, and everyone has a chance. No matter how many times it takes, keep going! I'll keep trying my best too from here on out."
As I watched Vio, his eyes glistened brightly with tears, and the boy gave a big nod…-
That night, we returned to the castle and there was a magnificent congratulatory party held. The delighted look on Vio's face, and the image of him when he'd crossed the goal line were firmly etched into my mind.
OO: "Vio, congratulations."
Slowly, Vio and I stepped away and into the garden, and I congratulated him for the umpteenth time.
Vio: "Thanks. But I didn't actually get first place so I feel kind of weird…"
OO: "But it was so fun, and I was so excited…"
Vio: "Then I gave you a dream too? Along with being excited?"
OO: "Yes, of course."
Vio: "Alright. I really can't give up!"
OO: "…!"
He seemed so excited as he said it, and Vio wrapped his arms around me and held me up.
As I hung unsteadily in the air with Vio holding me up, I put both my hands on his chest. I could feel the tight, corded muscle there, and it sent a shock through my heart, which started pounding.
Vio: "Thanks to you, I tapped into my inner strength and was able to concentrate. And I completely forgot about the pain in my foot…I ran my best right until the end. Thanks OO!!"
OO: "Ah…Vio."
While being held up, Vio excitedly spun me round and around…and within my spinning gaze, Vio's smile was remarkably brilliant.
Vio: "I feel absolutely amazing today!"
Vio said as much in delight, and slowly lowered me to the ground. I raised my eyes, and saw Vio's expression full of affection…
Vio: "You're my…"
As he spoke, Vio put his fingers on my cheek, and gazed into my eyes. His eyes sparkled in the moonlight, and were lit with passion, a gleam more beautiful than I had ever seen…
Vio: "My Goddess of Victory."
Vio said those words to me, his expression satisfied and without even a trace of embarrassment.
My cheek feels warm where he's touching it…
Vio: "So, will you always cheer me on? If you're there, I feel like I can run anytime, anywhere."
OO: "Vio…"
Vio's face slowly drew nearer. I couldn't control the pounding of my heart, and his gentle lips touched mine for a moment…-
Vio: "Well, I can't really let you refuse. The Goddess of Victory is mine alone."
Vio's voice was strong as he whispered those sweet words, and my chest felt like it was burning. Floating on that heat, I couldn't even hear the crowd of people.
END