Chapter 119 Shark Racing!
Chapter 119 Shark Racing!
It didn't take long for them to arrive at the next destination of their today's date schedule. That was the indoor Shark Racing.
Shark Racing has been a popular sport in Alnaur for many decades. As its name suggests, in this game, the tamers let their sharks take part in races, either on a big pool course or the ones with hurdles, typically with substantial betting on the outcome.
The betting process is also very simple. To place a bet, you must first choose your shark. Decide the amount and type of bet you are going to place. Then, simply relay to the betting operator the number of the shark you have selected, the amount you wish to bet, and the type of bet you want to place.
***
Luis was sitting in the viewers' stand along with Alicia, who was talking with the operator and placing her bet on the shark she was interested in.
Although on the surface he had a neutral expression, inwardly he was still weirded out by the concept of this sport.
'This is so similar to horse racing. It's just that there are no horses here and in place of race tracks. We got an enormous pool.'
'But, can anyone tell me, WHY SHARKS?!'
'That predatory creature which used to scare the sh@t out of people in my previous life is just a racing fish used for entertainment in this world.'
'Even the tamers only tame sharks to train them into racers!'
'Moreover, the sharks in this world are very mild creatures. They won't attack you unless they are cornered. They are just like dolphins.'
'Well, that should be the case, given how terrifying sea monsters are roaming wild in the sea. The sharks are always living on the edge and becoming a racer is much better than becoming someone's food.'
When Luis thought of this, he couldn't help but pity them.
'So this is what people meant when they said Origin matters.'
'Those same arrogant predators who stood at the top of the chain in my previous world are just bottom feeders, barely surviving in this world.'
*Sigh*
By the time Luis completed his inner monologue, Alicia was also done placing her bets.
"Which one did you place your bet on?" Luis asked.
Alicia gracefully adjusted her seating position and replied, "Number 5, the one with a cross scar on its fin."
"Why, that shark specifically? Is there something special about it? Does it have any special characteristics?" Luis asked curiously because he didn't know much about Shark Racing, and Alicia seemed quite sure about herself since she decided on the shark to bet on at a glance.
Alicia tilted her head slightly, showing a puzzled expression, and answered, "It's easily recognizable because of the scar."
"... That's it?"
"What else?" Alicia didn't understand why was Luis asking these questions from her. She was no expert here. "It's my first time here. I have only heard about Shark Racing a little from Dad."
Hearing this, Luis chuckled and said. "It seems I misunderstood."
"Why don't you bet on one too?" She asked.
Luis shrugged and said, "Nah, I'd rather not do something I'm not sure about."
"Hmm," Alicia puckered her lips, then said with an excited smile, "In that case, cheer for my shark." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Seeing Luis nod, Alicia gave a soft smile and turned her focus back towards the pool.
Luis continued looking at her and thought a little sadly, 'Right, how can I forget? It's only recently that this girl started enjoying her life a little. Otherwise, where could she have been interested enough to come to such a place?'
Thinking so, he continued gazing at her. Alicia's bright eyes were staring intently at the pool, waiting for the race to start.
'She looks so beautiful when she is cheerful like this.'
He remembered the day of their first meeting. His first impression of her was just a pitiful heroine whose personality was a little distant.
Cold and someone very difficult to approach.
'For someone like me who has always been single since birth and is awkward around girls. Getting close to her was like a hell-level difficulty.' Luis sighed, just thinking about it.
'I had no idea how to make her open up. Fortunately, god blessed me and I was lucky enough to melt her heart.'
'Now having her beside me is one of the best things in my daily life.'
Alicia, who was focused on the pool, felt Luis' gaze on herself, so she turned to him and asked, "Is there something wrong?"
Luis nodded seriously and replied, "Yes, there's something very wrong here."
Alicia's expression became serious as she looked around warily. She knew Luis' senses were way better than hers. That's why she didn't doubt his words and became very cautious.
She leaned closer to him and talked in whispers. "What do you mean, Luis? Did you notice something? What's wrong? Who is the enemy? Don't tell me the Aiverson royal family is trying to attack us?!"
Seeing her freaking out, Luis was amused, but he didn't show it on his face. Gently patting her shoulder, he stated calmly, "Stop freaking out and calm down. There is nothing wrong with our surroundings. The problem is with us."
When she heard Luis' words, Alicia's tensed nerves relaxed a little as she looked at him with a doubtful expression and asked, "What do you mean?"
Luis closed his eyes for a moment, then he opened them sharply and looked at her seriously. "The fault is on you, Alicia."
"Me?" Alicia pointed at herself with a raised eyebrow.
Luis nodded solemnly and answered, "Yes, you will one day kill me with this charm of yours. All your actions entice me. As if you are tempting me to hide you away from the world and keep you for myself."
Then he sighed in relief and continued.
"Fortunately, you are already mine otherwise, I don't know what I would have done."
When he said this, he also thought inwardly, 'Yes, I am a lucky person. Otherwise, I could have never gotten close to her.'
'After all, I am very awkward around girls.'