I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 57

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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57

 

The betting event was decided to be a horseback riding competition.

 

97 to 98.

 

I was in an unfavorable situation, one point behind.

 

Still, if it’s horseback riding, I’m more confident than in other events.

 

It’s one of my specialties that I’ve invested more time in than Kail.

 

Even knowing this, Kail accepted to settle everything with horseback riding competitions until the end.

 

It must be his consideration to create somewhat equal conditions for me, who was one point behind.

 

After finishing preparations for the race, we both stood side by side on the grassland.

 

The method was the same as always. We designate and mark a tree about 1km away as the turnaround point.

 

The winner is whoever goes around that turnaround point clockwise, returns to the starting point, and first snatches the ribbon hanging on the tree branch at the starting point.

 

“Please take care of me.”

 

I whispered softly while stroking the horse that would become my limbs.

 

***

 

I approached this more desperately than any confrontation I’d had with Kail over the past three years.

 

I put all my strength into riding and won the first round, but regrettably gave up the second round.

 

I achieved victory again in the third round and successfully caught up to 99 to 99.

 

Beads of sweat formed and flowed down my temples.

 

The horses were as exhausted and panting as we were.

 

We dismounted and took a break.

 

We each gave our horses water and let them catch their breath while preparing for the next round.

 

Before the final match that would decide our fate, there was no idle chatter at all.

 

Complex emotions surged within me.

 

It’s fine to win this match, obtain the wish right, and prevent Kail from going to the duchy.

 

But I don’t know how to resolve the conflict with Kail after that.

 

Won’t this really lead to breaking off relations with Kail?

 

My chest tightened, but I shook my head and steeled myself.

 

Let’s focus on the match without leaving any regrets. I’ll deal with the aftermath later.

 

The road to a tie was rough, but there’s one more time ahead. I can stop Kail with just one more match.

 

Determined to pour out all my strength, I removed all the cumbersome accessories one by one and threw them on the ground.

 

I tied my hair tightly so it wouldn’t come loose, and to reduce air resistance even by a speck, I took off not only my coat but also the dress with frills and lace.

 

It was cold enough for breath to pour out, but the surging adrenaline made it bearable.

 

I didn’t care that I was in my slip with my bare arms and legs exposed.

 

After all, no one was watching except Kail.

 

Kail glanced at me in that state and opened his mouth wide as if wanting to protest something.

 

Soon he frowned deeply and turned away.

 

Having finished all preparations, I was the first to mount the saddle.

 

“Let’s begin, the final match.”

 

Hearing my words, Kail mounted his horse.

 

We stood right at the starting line and quietly took deep breaths.

 

“…You give the signal.”

 

Kail nodded and yielded the opportunity to call the starting signal to me.

 

Even though it was Kail’s turn since we had been alternating signals until now.

 

After thinking for a moment, I accepted his concession. I have reasons I cannot back down from this match.

 

I lowered my upper body and took a riding position.

 

When the wind stopped, I counted down and shouted the starting signal.

 

As I simultaneously struck down the reins, the horse shot out like a bullet.

 

The world rushed backward, backward rapidly.

 

The sound of hoofbeats pounding the earth overlapped with the sound of my pulse. Only the front was visible and my senses were sharply honed.

 

I advanced in a trance while maintaining the lead. I could be certain this was the fastest speed so far.

 

I felt a presence behind me, but victory was mine. Because I could see the turnaround point.

 

The 1km distance was quick when sprinting at full speed on horseback.

 

I stably turned around the tree marked as the turnaround point.

 

My vision briefly crossed with Kail who was chasing me right behind.

 

In that short gap of less than a second, I witnessed the look in his eyes.

 

I felt indescribable emotions jumping around in his pupils.

 

My breath trembled. Time played slowly and afterimages were carved into everything that passed by.

 

Kail. You probably can’t understand me at all right now, why I’m trying to crush your dream.

 

‘I’m sorry, please forgive me. It’s for your sake.’

 

Right after possessing this body, I tried to correct Kail solely to save Darius.

 

But now it’s a little different. Of course, Darius is still my favorite character, and my goal to protect him remains unchanged.

 

However, now the primary reason for preventing Kail from turning dark is simply because I want to protect Kail.

 

‘Simply because Kail is my precious friend.’

 

Without my knowing, my purpose had been reversed like this for quite some time.

 

Once I became aware of it, my confused heart settled calmly.

 

Yes, let’s first separate Kail from Duke Selpieus.

 

By making excuses about today’s events, reconciling with Kail should be fully possible later.

 

The hesitation disappeared from my hands gripping the reins.

 

As I galloped without hesitation, the destination came into view.

 

It was just moments before the fluttering red ribbon would wrap around my hand.

 

For a very brief instant, the horse’s front hoof stepped on uneven ground and stumbled.

 

The saddle shook and my body tilted forward.

 

I immediately pulled the reins and the horse quickly regained its pace, but the rhythm was disrupted for just a moment.

 

In that moment, Kail overtook me. His outstretched hand snatched the ribbon right in front of my nose.

 

It was by a hair’s breadth.

 

Following behind to the destination, I drew in a hollow breath.

 

‘I lost…?’

 

My head rang dizzily as if struck by a hammer.

 

Kail turned his horse’s head and stared at me. With a cold expression.

 

Soon he jumped down from the saddle and picked up my dress and coat that I had carelessly thrown aside, shaking them off.

 

When I also dismounted, Kail threw the clothes at me.

 

I roughly stuffed my head and body into the clothes I caught.

 

I couldn’t speak because I felt empty about the comeback defeat due to my mistake at the end.

 

‘Then the person who gained the wish right is… Kail.’

 

I couldn’t stop Kail with pleading. I cleanly lost the life-or-death match.

 

It would be useless to throw a tantrum saying I couldn’t accept the defeat.

 

I blankly raised my head. The sky at sunset was instantly painted gray.

 

The backlight made it difficult to look directly at Kail’s face.

 

So I realized a beat too late. That Kail’s anger was unusual.

 

Even before the last race, Kail had been angry. But in just the 5 minutes since the outcome was decided, the weight of his anger had changed.

 

“…I understand the reason.”

 

Kail ground out with a frighteningly cold voice.

 

“You hate that I, not Darius, will inherit the Diern family.”

 

“No!”

 

I was startled and shook my head violently.

 

“It’s not like that! Of course I think it would be nice if you and Brother Darius got along well without confronting each other.”

 

“You know that’s impossible. As long as both that bastard and I are aiming for the heir position.”

 

His monotone voice sounded like he was suppressing surging flames.

 

“You do like that bastard after all. You want that bastard to become the next Duke of Diern.”

 

Kail muttered with menacing intensity and grabbed my wrist. His face was stained with betrayal, as if he had been stabbed in the back by someone he trusted.

 

“Kail, it’s not like that. I really want you to…”

 

“Shut up.”

 

Pain shot through my captured wrist as his grip tightened.

 

“Ah! It hurts.”

 

Hearing my groan, Kail immediately released my arm.

 

It’s a misunderstanding. I want to clear up the misunderstanding, but I don’t know what to say.

 

How can I make him understand while hiding the truth?

 

Kail’s voice continued, sounding as if it were being squeezed out.

 

“I thought you were on my side. I thought you would support me… But from the beginning, everything was all lies…”

 

Kail let out a long sigh.

 

The red ribbon he weakly let go of fell to the ground with a thud.

 

At the same time, a single drop of water stained the floor beside it a dark color.

 

Seeing Kail’s tears for the first time in years made my heart sink.

 

“…Take care.”

 

Bidding farewell with a metallic voice that sounded like scraping his throat, Kail mounted his horse.

 

“Kail! Wait!”

 

I reached out my hand, but Kail ignored me and whipped his horse.

 

I stared blankly at Kail disappearing into a dot.

 

My legs gave out and I collapsed to the ground. I had no strength to chase after him.

 

I tasted blood from my bitten lip.

 

It had been a precious friendship. A terribly precious friendship that was just beginning to grow thicker and stronger.

 

Three years of trust shattered into pieces due to a small crack.

 

“Kail. Come back…”

 

My hollow voice was swallowed by the darkness of the forest.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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