Might
(That's right, even if we're here we can't start until we go into the village.)

Although the light of day barely showed through the window, he had already awaken because of habit he had from training school. The fatigue from yesterday still remained although he recovered as he moved. When he slipped out of bed, he dressed quickly and went outside.

Voice
Oh, Might. Going out?

Might was called to a stop as Leica came out of the inn.

Might
Yeah. You too, Leica?

Leica
Yeah, I'm going to a place to increase the reward for the monster extermination I received by ten times or a hundred times.

Leica carried the leather pouch that was packed with the reward money with a smile of satisfaction.

Leica
-That's right, Might. And then why don't you come with me to get some money along the outskirts of the town.

Might
Eh... But, after we leave town I think we'll need to get various information. ..

Leica
Whaat, shouldn't it be ok for at least a little while? You need to take a breather.

Might
(It looks like Leica often says he wants to relax all year round...)

Leica
Besides, you can search for information very efficiently because the places we go many people will gather. Naa, naa, let's go Might!

He couldn't know whether it was more efficient to ask for information at a place where people gathered or to look through the vast town for information. However, Leica's story of being able to increase his reward by ten-fold was very suspicious. Where in the world could he be planning on going... Might hesitated.

But Leica didn't care about Might's business and such.

Leica
All right, then it's settled! Let's go, Might!

And he pulled Might's arm forcibly and took him out.

Might
Ah, wait Leica! Don't pull my arm like that!

Before long Leica and Might came to a large plaza in the town.

The local horse races were there.

Seating was provided around the circumference of the course, and showed ma bustling crowd around mid-afternoon.

Leica
Hou, I asked about the race track but this isn't a typical track by any means.

The men cheered and roared, raising their voices as the horses galloped down the track, and it encompassed the place in a strange excitement.

Might
This is a horse racing place...

Leica
Indeed. Now if you're aiming at getting rich quick isn't this the place to lay it out?

Might
I, at the training school we saw horses run on occasion, but this it my first time seeing such typical horse racing.

Leica
Oh, I see. Might, you're lucky.

Might
Eh?

Leica
So you can witness the wonder of the genius gambler, Leica, and maybe you could become one, too.

Might
Genius gambler? Leica?

Leica
Yeah. You might say I'm a miracle guy when it comes to showing profit, so enjoy!

They established themselves at the front stand in the horse place to watch. Leica lectured the horse racing beginner, Might, on one thing or another.

Leica
In a word the horse that's best at racing is the betting horse. Naturally a fast horse is popular and the odds will bring down the bill, and vice versa if a horse that isn't popular wins it's a huge purse.

Might
I see...

Leica
However. Commonly I aim at a random dark horse and invest my money even if the dark horse doesn't come out of the gate quickly.

Leica
Is that good, Might? The wave is tightly ascertained at each match, you can't miss betting on a one shot deal! This is a man's romance.

Might
A man's romance...

It was Leica who stressed that it was a man's romance, but to Might it looked like nothing but shady men.

Leica
The first race starts soon. Here there is still no showdown, but why don't we start testing our luck with money after?

Leica judged the running horses and evaluated them during the first race.

Leica
...Good, I've decided. I'm going to bet on the number 3 horse. Might, which horse would you bet on?

Might
Eh, let's see...

Might
That #1 white horse seems fast. I'll bet on that horse.

Leica didn't say anything as he grinned.

Leica
Well, it is running slowly. Look closely.

Might
Y, yeah.

The signal gun shot and the first race began. The #1 white horse that Might bet on cut the edge. The #3 horse that Leica bet on started in last.

Might
Look, mine is in lead! -Ah, besides that, yours compared to mine isn't doing good at all.

Leica
Huhuhu. You're so naive, Might. The #3 horse I bet on is different, and saves its strength for the middle of the race, so in the end it's the type of horse that can accelerate all at once. So keep watching-

The first white horse stalled on the way in its row, while as Leica has said he kept an eye on the #3 horse, and at the end it began running fast in a straight line until it reached the goal.

Might
Wow... Just like you said...!

Leica
Hehe, it's such a piece of cake you might say it's a "walk in the park".

It was Might that had a better opinion of Leica.

Leica picked the winning horse one by one afterwards, increasing his funds.

The broadminded Leica decided on the dark horse and slowly increased his funds as he went and bet, it was a strategy that if he suffered an unexpected defeat he would surely collect a little more than his investment.

On the other hand, the bizarre atmosphere bewildered Might at first, but as he gradually understood the nature while watching it he lost interest. Might himself wasn't interested in gambling, but as the spectators nodded with wild enthusiasm he could only nod too.

And at last the Main Race of the day finally came. Leica faced Might to inform him.

Leica
Good, Might. It's finally today's Main Race. This last one will be--ar my last great victory! This race I'm going to mobilize all of my luck on victory or defeat, and I'll show you getting rich quick!

So saying, Leica bought a ticket for the #4 horse that wasn't popular at all. If this horse was victorious his credit would be increased several hundred times.

Might
You'll win, Leica?

Leica
Naturally! A fighting scene from the year of the dragon passed through my intuition, this horse's victory is perfectly derived. Ma, enjoy.

The race started in the meantime. The #4 horse that Leica had bet on had a favourable start, and sneaked to the top early out of the horse group.

Might
Awesome, Leica! The #4 horse is in lead!!

Leica
Ah, so he was the first to escape the bounds of the other horses to start with, as I expected to happen! Might, watch as I profit, Leica-sama's miracle! !

The #4 horse kept accelerating still, quickly pulling ahead. Finally it seemed like the #4 horse was traveling alone. On the grounds shouts of resignation and anger arose all over.

Leica
Go!! Don't stop running!!

They turned the last corner, and at last they approached the straight line at the end when-.

Might
-Ah.

Leica
W, w-w-w-whaaaaa---t?!

Until then the #4 horse had the lead with overwhelming speed, but that was quickly being reversed.

Might
That is... You bet on the #4 horse... right?

He fell senseless as one by one the following horses ran passed the #4 horse from behind. Leica appeared dumbfounded with his mouth open as he stared at the horse's place.

It was a iron plate race where the horse that was popular and high ranking won regularly at the finish.

Sighs and shouts of joy wrapped the stands.

Might
Ah-ah, it doesn't look like the dark horse left the gate quickly, Leica.

Leica
...(Dumbfounded)...

Might
By the way, about how much did you bet?

Leica
...Ah, of the money I had, all of it...

Might
I see, that's awful... Wha, eeeh?!

Leica imagined that he could easily bet on a one shot victory or defeat. But did he also bet all the profits he had made all day...

Might
Why didn't you set some aside if by any chance he didn't win!

Leica
Ke, you might have said that. But this was the biggest race match of today. At a time like that I collected everything together to make a bet. If you're a man, you go out with a bang! Hahaha...

Might
That is a "man's romance"?

It wasn't possible for Might to prohibit himself from feeling pity since he was amazed at Leica's bluffing show.

Leica
Yo, you might say it's such easy money anyhow, people suddenly want to try their luck on a good feeling! Besides that, you'll see I'm profitable when I get my reward...

As he declared that he gave a show of hearty laughter-but, in some respects his emptiness drifted in his laughter.

Might
Leica... I say this for myself, it seems quite fruitless...?

Leica
Don't say that, Might...

After that, Leica rushed together with Might to the bar. He said, "I was getting rich quick until I met with bad luck" and gulped down the sake in rapid succession. Of course, Leica was penniless to pay for the sake that he had, so Might had to bear the entire bill.

Might
After all, Leica, because I was with you I wasn't able to get any information, so today it didn't rain but it poured...

Leica
...Don't say such things, Might.

Might
I can't go out with you again... I'll, go listen a little more for information. Well then, Leica.

And then Might went to look for information as he had originally intended.

Might
(Though if I begin questioning people I can get some information...)

Might strolled around in town asking for information. The marketplace and plaza, the theatre and bar and places like that, he walked from one end of the town but didn't find someone with any prominent information.

Might
(After all that I have nothing... I'm going back to the inn)

And so Might returned to the inn alone.

Might
Well, I'll see about the town.

He wouldn't start anything worrying here about this and that. He thought he would leave at once to see about the town. --As he was thinking that he immediately carried out the motion, and Might would just try the inn later.

He happened to pass Leica there.

Leica
Yo, Might. You're leaving the town after this too?

Might
Ah, that was the plan. I don't have any particular business, but...

Leica
I see. If that's so why can't we go together? I'll show you various places around town tonight.

Might
(Well... I might not be finding things alone. I'm a bit stuck on the point of Leica doing the guiding, but...)

Might
Yeah, I understand. I'll leave it to you.

Might agreed to accompany him.

Before long the pair visited the shopping district of the town.

As would be expected of a large town, when the curtain of night fell the people at the shopping district overflowed. On both sides of the main street the booths were flooded, and it was also noisy inside and the energy was rising.

Leica
Hey, Might.

As they were walking Leica suddenly called out to Might.

Might
What? If it's about money, I'm not lending you any.

Leica
Stuupid. It's nothing like that. ~~The liveliness of this place is nice. Even if we don't buy lots of different things the mood is still lively.

Might
Hnnn, Leica, that sounds like something a poet would say.

Might said that to tease Leica on purpose.

Leica
Those aunts and uncles and children, the present world will be ruined at some critical moment, because it seems we're thinking and not doing...

Might
Eh...

Leica
Might, any guy will understand your personal situation. But, at the end of this grand story, there's also a small, unbelievable part for me, even if it's just for a little while...

Leica
But. For me, I'm the one that people who live ordinarily feel sorry for. I can't permit a guy who would deprive someone of such a small happiness...

Might
Leica...

Leica
...Nothi~ng. It's a joke, a joke. Well, let's go~~!!

Many of the people coming and going couldn't understand the hand of the devil trying to destroy the world.

When the pair left what seemed to be the center of the plaza, there was a crowd there.

Might
Hnn? They're doing something over there.

Leica
That's interesting... Let's go take a peek.

When they looked, it seemed a corner of the plaza was opening a stage event for a singing tournament. Men and women of all ages stepped onto the stage and boasted about their throats.

Might
Heh, "Come and sing! The winner will receive a prize, all participants very welcome!!" but

Leica
Oh, they're giving a reward~~ And anyone can participate!

Might was surprised by Leica's reaction.

Might
Wa, wait a minute, Leica, this isn't a sword or grappling match, this is a singing tournament! Leica, are you that confident in your singing?

But, he didn't listen to Might's cautions,

Leica
So-so, don't worry about the small things.

He went to the information desk for an entry application.

More and more it came closer to Leica's turn. Might blended into the crowd, anxiously watching the stage.

When the chairman called Leica out, he sprinkled smiles around at the guest seating by the stage. Then he saw a figure inside the audience that looked like Might,

Leica
Miiight, listen well and hear my sweet voice!!

and he waved his hand as he shouted. All at once the people in the audience eyeballed Might. Might couldn't bear it and flushed as he looked down.

Might
(Do, doesn't anything embarrass you, Leica...)

Leica
Good, now I'll sing with your cooperation!

Leica cleared his voice once, and the mood completely changed. The hooting and cheering stopped. When the silence was affirmed, Leica began to sing as if he was making a speech.

Just then, the neighborhood quieted down on the road edge as it was watered.

Leica's song was about a traveler who left his hometown and prays to return someday to the place that he was born~~ The contents of the song were legendary.

From the beginning the song was tinged with sadness, and the audience remained silent to listen to the singing voice. At times it was mellow, at times it was strong, and the music flowed to people's ears bit by bit. Might didn't stir either, being captivated by Leica's beautiful voice.

Before long Leica put all his feelings into his singing, and raised an arm towards the heavens. That signaled the end of the song.

When Leica was finished singing, the audience uproared in applause without holding back.

Leica
It was nothing, thank you!

Leica answered the cheers on stage with a smile.

Might
(Wow... I'm really impressed. That Leica would have a special skill like this...)

In the end, Leica won second place. But he still received a suitable prize on his way back.

Leica
Che... I got that kind of rise and only got second place?

Might
There wasn't any way. The person who won sings professionally in the town's bar. Besides that, I'm really surprised. You have such a special skill.

Leica
Huhuhu... And, did you fall in love?

Might
Ba... What are you saying! I was just saying that I saw an unexpected side of you... I was just impressed for a moment...

Leica
Heheh, thanks for that.

As Leica played with the money bag in his hands,

Leica
Well, there's so much, I wonder if this is enough to pay for repairs on the leaky roof...

he murmured.

Might
Eh... Leaky roof... Where is there a leaky roof?

Leica
Ah... Did I say something?

Might
Didn't you say just now, "repairs on the leaky roof"?

Leica hung his head, and his face seemed to say that he was at a loss for words.

Leica
B, by all means... I say lots of things.

Might
Heh, lots of things, is it... Well, if you hid such a special skill you probably have lots of other secrets...

Might gave him a teasing look.

Leica
Do, don't say that, Might. Don't look at me so suspiciously.

The usually persistent Leica continued swinging his spear, and convinced he had won Might kept himself from laughing victoriously.

Leica
Ah, or is it something else? Might, are you jealous of my talent?

Might
Wh, what was that?

Leica
That must be it. You're giving me envious and jealous looks because I can do anything, it can't be helped. How many kids already were...!

At that Leica held Might's head sideways and lightly rubbed his fist against him.

Might
Ah, ow, that hurts, Leica!

Leica
Hun, this is "Leica's certain kill noogie" that I use to punish kids like you. Come on come on come on, noogie noogie~!

Might
St, stop, stop it already!

As one would expect Might reached his limit, he broke away from Leica and turned towards him even though his head had been held the opposite direction. But when he made that move he was instantly exposed to Leica, and he regret turning around.

They played like puppies the entire walk back to the inn, meeting and tussling on the road. Their innocent laughter seemed to be absorbed into the darkness of the night.

Might for the umpteenth time was grabbed from behind by Leica.

Might
Ah, again, you're really restless...

As Leica held him from behind, he noticed Leica seemed strange. As he held Might's back, he was standing silently.

Might
Leica...!?

Leica embraced Might closely from behind.

Might
St, stop holding me so tight, Leica!

But Leica stayed silent, not loosening as he held Might with both arms.

Might
Wh, what? What's wrong, Leica...?

Leica
My bad. Please stay quiet like this for a little while...

There wasn't a mischievous tone in Leica's voice like before. His voice sank low as if he was thinking about something. Might couldn't think of any words to answer him with.

There was a lengthy silence. They could feel each other's heartbeats as they were glued to each other. The warm midnight wind blew through and cooled their bodies.

Leica
Sorry... It's already been enough.

And like that Leica let go of Might

Leica
I'm sorry, that was a strange request. Don't worry about it...

Might was about to say something, but he held it in.

Leica
Well, let's go back, Might...

The two didn't exchange any more words and returned to the inn.
