One Day, My Dad Disappeared - Chapter 36

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 36
And then it happened.
Though we hadn’t yet reached the Jump point, Star thrust off the ground and launched into the air.
My body lifted weightlessly. The landscape beyond the obstacle unfurled before me like a slow-moving painting.
Thud.
Star’s hooves struck the earth firmly as we descended, landing clean and smooth. I’d braced for a hard impact, but it was gentler than I’d feared. Without breaking stride, Star surged forward across the wide grass field with exhilarating speed.
“Ha… ha! We made it! Did you see, Aidan? Meliot? Did you see?!”
I turned back waving, and caught sight of Aidan’s astonished face and Meliot with her hands clasped together in prayer, mouth wide open in wonder.
“We saw! That was amazing!”
Meliot laughed, waving both hands enthusiastically.
“Why are you so thrilled about clearing just one obstacle?”
Aidan grumbled, though the corners of his mouth were twitching upward. That expression made me think of Father again, and I found myself staring at him for a long moment.
If Father had been here, I was certain he would have worn just that look watching me.
“I’ve said it before, but time really is running out now. From today on, it’s serious training.”
“I know! Since I started late, I need to practice even harder than everyone else.”
“Let’s try the Full Competition Course!”
So I got to run the entire course with Star for the first time.
“Ready… set!”
I started riding in time with Meliot’s command.
Star was truly an Exceptional Steed. My shortcomings in skill were being compensated for by his own natural ability. Perhaps because I couldn’t hear, my other senses had sharpened—and it seemed to sharpen his mind as well.
Without my signaling him to jump through the Reins, Star knew when to Leap. When we took corners, he knew to apply Deceleration on his own.
“We should call it a day. You’re both soaked through.”
At Aidan’s words, I looked at Star. His glistening coat was drenched with sweat.
“Ha, you’re right. I can’t go any further.”
The moment I dismounted, I collapsed onto the grass and caught my breath.
“But this is just my thought—I don’t think those two are going to back down quietly.”
“That’s why we decided to strengthen security.”
“That alone isn’t enough to ease my mind. I think they’ll try something at the competition venue.”
Aidan nodded, understanding my concern.
“I’ll look into it.”

And no sooner had he begun investigating than we learned something new.
“The competition format is changing?”
“The Racing Association announced that since the course has been the same for years, they’re trying something different this time. Of course, they’re keeping the new course design secret.”
“Well, if no one knows, it’s fair at least…”
Meliot trailed off, and Aidan shook his head.
“They’re not the type to play fair.”
According to what Aidan had uncovered, those two were already practicing at the newly designed venue.
“And I couldn’t get all the details, but they seem to be setting some kind of Traps at the arena. Since they couldn’t hurt Star directly, they must be getting desperate.”
“This is too cowardly! The horse that’s practiced should win—that’s only natural!”
Meliot couldn’t contain her indignation. She shot to her feet and rolled up her sleeves.
“I won’t stand for it! I’m going to demand answers right now! I’ll expose every bit of it—how they deliberately hurt other horses to win their championships!”
“Wait, wait! We don’t have proof!”
I barely managed to calm the furious Meliot before sinking into thought.
“As things stand, victory is impossible. Maybe you’re right, Meliot—we should file a formal protest.”
“No, actually… I think I’ve come up with a way to win.”
“Really?”
“What is it?”
Both their eyes fixed on me.
I hesitated for a moment, then spoke. Meliot’s eyes widened as she listened.
“Is that really possible?”
Aidan considered it carefully, then nodded.
“Theoretically, it’s not impossible.”
“But it’s a rather underhanded approach. That’s what troubles me.”
“They’re already playing dirty.”
“Exactly! They’ve been injuring other horses this whole time to win—that’s extremely underhanded!”
“Then should we try it?”
At my question, both nodded in unison.

* * *

And today was the day of the competition.
“Phew, I’m nervous.”
Star nuzzled against my cheek as I sat there tense.
“Don’t be nervous, you say? You shouldn’t be nervous either.”
“Hehe, Cynthia’s gotten quite good at talking with Star now.”
Meliot smiled as she checked Star’s condition.
“You’ve got your protective gear on properly, right?”
And it’s Aidan who checks on me.
“During the competition, just because others are pushing hard doesn’t mean you have to. Your pace is what matters most. And look over there—see?”
Following Aidan’s gaze, I spotted two men who resembled the sketch Meliot had drawn.
“Those must be them.”
I’d only ever seen their faces in Meliot’s drawing before.
They really do look like cowards.
Oh, our eyes just met.
I quickly looked away, pretending not to notice.
“You need to be careful. We never found out exactly what they did, but judging by their confident expressions, they’ve definitely rigged something in the arena.”
“I know. Those are the ones who’ve been winning through dirty tricks this whole time.”
They had come looking for Star once after that, but they fled when they saw Aidan had posted a guard.
Just to win, they hurt an animal that can’t even speak. Is that something a person should do?
“I’m definitely going to win.”
I stared at the prize displayed prominently at the competition grounds. I couldn’t get close enough to confirm it, but it might be a Core.
I absolutely have to win that and check.
I resolved myself with grim determination.
“Everyone, please stand in front of your race number.”
The person running the competition waved a flag, calling people to their positions.
This is really happening soon.
“Meliot, what’s our number?”
“Number three!”
Number three—this spot right here.
I stood with Star at lane three where we’d be starting, and unbelievably, Drodense was standing right next to us.
Could they have planned the number order too?
“Heh, little one. Can you even ride a horse by yourself?”
Sitting on a pure white stallion, he sneered as he looked us over.
“At least you’re light, so the beast might manage to run a bit faster.”
Who’s he calling little?
I climbed up onto Star pointedly and looked Drodense over.
“I suppose your horse can manage to run despite how heavy you are, sir?”
“What? Sir?”
Was he expecting me to call him something else?
He has no shame at all.
I gently stroked Star’s neck.
“Let’s do our best, Star. I believe in you.”
“Ha, cooing so tenderly to a deaf animal? As if a horse could ever understand human speech in the first place.”
“These ones understand everything, though.”
Here’s the son of the lord of Turtley, known as the land of fine horses, thinking such things. I’m not impressed.
I looked ahead. The red flag signaling the start came down with a sharp thrust.
Clatter-clatter—
A dozen racing horses kicked off into the grass in unison. Dust sprayed in all directions, and the roar of the crowd filled the air.
Drodense’s white stallion beside us surged to the front, familiar with the course as it was. The other competitors pursued close behind.
Star maintained her pace carefully, running in the middle pack. Smart as always. Since we didn’t know the course, it seemed best to make our move at the end.
As we turned a corner, the obstacle section came into view.
“All right, jump here.”
We’d just cleared the first and second obstacles smoothly.
“Huh?”
Star had suddenly slowed down compared to before.
I saw Drodense ahead glance back at us with a sneer.
“What did you do, you bastard?”
Could there be a trap at the landing point of the obstacle?
Star was limping on her hind legs.
“Stop, Star, stop!”
I signaled him to halt, but Star wouldn’t obey.
Should I let him keep running on that injured leg? Can I really do this for the Core?
I didn’t know, but……
If Star wanted to keep running, I wanted to let him win.
I took up the reins again.
Cowards. Would they really cripple a horse?
“Star, I’m going to get you to first place.”
In the end, I decided to play my last card.

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