Ch. 1: Those Clothes are Quirky?
Kingdom of Lecord in the Land of Archives, Month of Stars…-
Having awakened Prince Vio, I took him up on his offer and went to visit his country.
(Wow…)
I was captivated by the streets, which seemed an interesting combination of modern and classical styles.
Most obvious of this was in the downtown area where the news constantly scrolled by on a screen, and on the walls of the buildings were a large number of horizontal hanging banners displaying new world records.
(It sure is a busy and lively country.)
Taking in the excitement overflowing from the town, I headed towards the castle that had been my original destination.
A prince with swaying light pink hair stood up and pushed through the crowds, as if he’d been waiting.
Vio: “You made it! You didn’t get lost did you!?”
Vio approached me, talking as if he’d never stop, his eyes shining.
OO: “No, I didn’t. Thank you for inviting me to come.”
Vio: “What the heck, you sure are formal!”
He said as much and slapped my shoulder.
At this first physical contact from him, and as I felt the warmth coming from the palm of his large hand, I felt my heart leap unexpectedly.
However…-
(He has…a rather peculiar fashion sense…)
I stared at what he was dressed in.
At the end of the scarf wrapped around his neck, was a strange character that couldn’t be said to be an animal, but more of a monster. His pants were like nothing I’d ever seen, the legs being two different lengths.
(And more than anything else…)
My attention was drawn to his chest, to something that looked like an eye…I knew it was ridiculous, but it felt like it was staring at me.
Vio: “Hm? What’s up?”
Noticing my gaze, I snapped my eyes up to Vio and blinked.
OO: “Ah…nothing…”
I hesitated on what to say…
Vio: “Oh this? It’s all the rage in Fresian. I’m told they’re on the cutting edge for the arts!!”
Seeing his cheerful smile, I found I couldn’t say anything more.
Vio: “But anyway, you came all the way here! Loosen up those shoulders, and we’ll have some fun! New records are announced in the afternoon here in town, and it should be super intense and exciting! As expected of the country that handles every single record yeah?”
OO: “Every single record?”
Vio: “Yeah! And among all of those, I take care of all the ones that are for ‘Best in the World’!”
(Records for best in the world…I wonder if it’s like the Guinness World Records?)
OO: “This country is wonderful, it has such an invigorating atmosphere.”
After I said that, Vio got louder and louder, a delighted smile on his face and his voice bright.
Vio: “Thanks! Ah, I can’t afford to just stand around like this. I have plans to challenge one of the records for best in the world.”
OO: “You do?”
(A prince aiming for the best in the world? …what on earth kind of record is that?)
Vio’s sparkling gaze poured over me, his eyes brilliant.
Ch. 2: Challenge to Be Best in the World
Vio: “I have plans to challenge one of the records for best in the world.”
OO: “You do?”
There was a vivid brightness in Vio’s eyes.
Vio: “That’s what I tell myself, that I’ll succeed no matter what! But I always end up in second place … but today I’ll show you, I’ll definitely get number one! There’s no point in anything other than number one. I love number one!”
Vio suddenly clenched his fist and moved close. At the same time, the strange image on his chest got closer too.
(I-it’s kind of scary…)
Vio: “Since you’re here, you wanna go with me?”
OO: “Uh…”
Without waiting for an answer, Vio firmly grabbed my hand and started running. I was pulled along and started running with him.
(He sure is an energetic person. When we’re together, I feel more cheerful.)
But that one thing…
(…I’ve never seen clothes like those.)
As I thought that to myself…-
Below the perfectly clear sky, the lively voices of the townspeople filled the air. Pulled along by Vio, I arrived in the thriving town of Lecord.
Vio: “You okay? Were we running too fast?”
Vio worriedly looked at my face.
(I-it was really fast…but I’m amazed Vio isn’t out of breath at all.)
He started walking part way through having been running so fast, but even so I was only barely able to keep up with Vio’s speed.
Vio: “I thought it’s better to get there fast…so I just started running like usual.”
OO: “I’m alright. It just surprised me how fast you were going…”
Vio: “Ah, I did it again. When I get focused on one thing, I tend to miss what’s around me…”
(I think I got that…)
But as Vio scratched his head in embarrassment, he looked kind of cute.
At that time…-
Villager 1: “Prince Vio! What are you going to try at today!?”
Villager 2: “Oh my, you’re right. It’s Prince Vio! Come see me if you break a record today.”
Vio: “Yeah! Thanks everyone.”
Village Child 1: “Prince, is it true you’re going to break the world record today!?”
Village Child 2: “World Number One!”
Vio: “You bet I am! I’ll definitely do it today, you’ll see. And if I do…!!”
Vio talked to the many people from the town, and he struck a triumphant pose, his eyes full of enthusiasm and shining brighter than anything.
(Everyone is cheering him on and idolizing him so much…they seem like such honest and wonderful people.)
I thought their exchange back and forth was charming and…
Village Child 3: “But the prince’s clothes are soooo uncool again!! Ahaha!”
OO: “…”
Other people really do think it’s strange…
Vio: “Really? Well I don’t know about that.”
Vio replied honestly without even getting upset.
Village Child 3: “You should learn more about clothes~! Prince Vio, you’re weird!!”
Vio: “What’s wrong with that!? I’d rather use my time to be number one! OO, you’ll watch me today right? I’ll definitely meet everyone’s expectations and live up to their support!”
With that intensely invigorating smile, he shone brighter than all the people of the town.
…
……
Following that, I talked with the townspeople as we made our way to the area designated for Vio’s attempt.
(Here?)
The place we’d arrived was a wide open area, and I couldn’t see any equipment or anything else.
(There isn’t any equipment prepared, so that must mean…)
OO: “What are you going to do?”
Vio: “Well ya see…”
Vio looked right at me with that same smile from earlier.
OO: “Vio, you said something about a specialty…are you sprinting or something?”
Vio: “No, today it’s something different. Today…”
Vio’s smile held some hidden meaning…-
Vio: “Today I’m…aiming for the record for most pairs of underwear worn on top of each other!!”
OO: “Eh…-“
(U-underwear…!?)
Looking at Vio, who had told me as much with a face lit up in a smile that spoke of both victory and pride, I couldn’t close my mouth, which had dropped open in shock.
Ch. 3: The World Record for Most Pairs of Underwear Worn
Vio: “Today I’m…aiming for the record for most pairs of underwear worn on top of each other!!”
Vio’s loud voice echoed across the clear sky…-
(A record for most pairs of underwear worn on top of each other…?)
I repeated what he’d said in my head.
(A prince is doing that…?)
I was so shocked I couldn’t speak, and Vio smiled like an imp.
Vio: “This record is in the humor category. I intend to be the top record holder in every single category!”
Not noticing my surprise, Vio started talking heatedly. It was as if I could feel the heat coming from his tightly clenched fist.
Vio: “I even dieted to make my waist as thin as possible for today.”
OO: “You seem to be really passionate about this.”
Vio: “Yeah! I’m always serious and give it everything I’ve got.”
His eyes burned with a fighting spirit, and he looked as if he was about to burst into red-hot flames.
OO: “Dieting…um, you even went that far for this?”
Vio: “Of course I did! You have to do anything and everything for the day when you challenge a record. That’s my policy!”
I honestly admired the way he could focus so intensely on this one thing.
Vio: “By the way, the world record is 302 pairs. So I’m aiming for 303!!”
OO: “303!?”
(Can you really even wear that many?)
Suddenly, I looked around me and saw all the townsfolk who had gathered and who were shouting encouragement to Vio.
(Well…from what I know, the Guinness World Records had some unusual records too.)
Remembering that, I naturally broke into a smile.
Vio: “Hm? Hey OO, what’s up? You’re smilin’ all of a sudden.”
OO: “It’s nothing. I’ll cheer you on too!”
Vio had infected me, and I knew my voice had become cheerful and loud.
(When we’re together, I enjoy myself…he’s a strange yet wonderful person.)
Vio: “Yeah! Let’s get to 303!!”
Getting more and more excited, Vio started his warm-up exercises…-
…
……
And then it started, the attempt to break the world record for most pairs of underwear worn on top of each other. The area was wrapped in a burning heat of enthusiasm.
Villager 1: “Prince Vio-!!”
Villager 2: “You can do it!! Only 100 more-!!”
Everywhere rang out with the shouts of encouragement and backing music. I felt as if I was going to be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of enthusiasm, an enthusiasm I’d never experienced before, and so I continued to support Vio.
OO: “Vio! You can do it!”
I figured my single voice was drowned out by the other voices, but I pushed my limits and raised my voice as loud as I could.
Moderator: “Well now, they sure are piling up! Just 88 more to go! 87!!”
The moderator and camera crew televising the event moved about in a flurry to rile up the crowd.
Vio: “Gh…it’s getting tight…not yet…I’m not done yet!!!”
As Vio yelled, the voices in the crowd reached a new height of cheering. And I wanted Vio to hear my support somehow…-
OO: “Vio! I know you can do it!”
I kept jumping up and down, calling out encouragement to Vio when…
Vio: “…! OO, here we go! 10 more!!”
(Ah, I know…!)
OO: “Vio! Just a little more!!”
I frantically waved my arms so Vio would see me.
Then…
Vio: “…! Yeah! I’ll keep putting them on!!”
Vio noticed me, and smiled as he psyched himself up. Before long…-
Moderator: “Now then, only 3 more to go…!?”
Vio: “Oo…ugh, t-tight…ugh…get on…!!”
OO: “Vio…!”
Moderator: “Here we go! Two more! Only! Two! More!!”
Vio: “Gh…gh…gh……get in there…get….aaaaaaah!!!”
OO: “…!”
And then…when he only needed two more pairs to set a new record, the underwear he had put on gave a spectacular rip. Loud shouting echoed throughout the stadium.
(Oh no…)
Vio’s expression, which had been overflowing with fighting spirit a moment ago, suddenly fell into shadow.
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…-
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.
(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.
(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.
Ch. 5: To Keep Making Dreams
Boy: “…then, you quit being a prince.”
OO: “…!”
The boy spoke so bluntly to Vio, and the people went into an uproar.
Vio: “…alright, I got it.”
Boy: “…”
(Eh…Vio…?)
Vio: “I’ll do what you say. And if I can’t get first place in the next one, I’ll stop challenging records.”
Vio said it so seriously without breaking eye contact. After that…
Vio: “Next up I’ll be challenging this with all my resolve. So you’ll definitely come watch right?”
Vio had a smile on his face and roughly tousled the boy’s hair.
Boy: “…”
Bewildered, the boy pursed his lips…-
…
……
On the route back to the castle, Vio stared resolutely at the path before him, his body tense. I didn’t know whether to say anything, so I hesitated…-
OO: “…Vio…are you alright?”
As I spoke, Vio looked surprised, then smiled at me.
Vio: “Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry, guess I looked like I was deep in thought.”
OO: “…”
OO: “…Vio…um, it really surprised me that you said you were willing to go that far.”
As I said what was on my mind, Vio slowly looked at me, and he smiled at me in a way that didn’t reach his eyes.
Vio: “It’s because what that kid said was so extreme.”
OO: “But…”
Vio: “Anyway, I may not look it, but I’m glad. I was thinking that I can’t keep going at this rate. That someday I’ll betray everyone’s expectations, always coming in second… But when it comes to short-distance running, I’ve always been training for that so I could set a new record! This time it’ll definitely work out.”
I thought then that Vio spoke so loudly in order to cover up his unease…
(Vio…I bet he’s really uneasy. But I wonder why he’s been so fixated on this.)
OO: “Vio…why are you so obsessed with becoming number one?”
I suddenly asked the question, and Vio’s eyes went wide, then he blinked once.
Vio: “Huh…? Well I…of course it’s important to me.”
There was a light in his eyes. It was more than just passionate, it was also profoundly kind.
Vio: “Since I was little, as a royal, I would manage the records, and I’d always see the guys who got first place. When I was having a tough time or something, I’d look at those guys that were number one, and it always made me feel better. Amazing right?”
As if finding his determination again, Vio clenched his hand into a fist.
Vio: “I…I want to be a prince that becomes number one and can make everyone feel better. Though being number one in the world is pretty hard. But if I can set new records, I should be able to give other people dreams. I want to keep handing out dreams. I want to stir up their feelings of wanting to challenge stuff. I’ll keep challenging, and keep making dreams!”
(Vio…)
I watched Vio as he gradually got louder and louder, and my heart filled with the desire to help him.
OO: “In that case…I’ll aim to be the world’s best support. I’ll cheer you on better than anyone else so that you can become best in the world!”
Vio: “Huh…?”
Being exposed to Vio’s passion, my own passion intensified…and Vio’s cheeks turned slightly red. Then he smiled shyly.
Vio: “…I get told I’m kinda strange a lot…but you’re pretty strange too huh.”
OO: “Eh…?”
Vio: “I love…people like that…yeah.”
OO: “…!”
After he said it while staring straight into my eyes, Vio quickly looked away.
Vio: “You’ll see, I can totally do it. Watch me.”
Without making eye contact, Vio’s hand slowly moved closer to mine…
(It’s warm…)
Hesitantly, our hands came together, and I was filled with an incredibly gentle warmth.
Then we met up on the day when Vio was to challenge the world record for short-distance running…-
Vio: “…ow!!”
Vio suddenly shouted as he put his running shoes on, and in a panic I turned to look at his back.
Trainer: “Prince Vio, what’s the matter?”
The trainer picked up Vio’s running shoes and thoroughly checked them.
(That looks like a tack…!?)
Not knowing there was a tack in his shoes, Vio had put all his weight on it…
Looking at Vio’s foot oozing blood, my hands flew to my mouth.
Vio: “I-I’m fine, it’s no big deal! Don’t worry about it. I’ll still make my attempt.”
I heard Vio’s voice ring hallow, and my heart filled with unease.