Redo of a Romanceless Author’s Life Devoid of Love; Another Chance at Youth

Chapter 444.

Chapter 444. A Father and Some Stupid Horses: Horses are Jerks. (4/4)

When the two of them noticed me headed their way, they turned around in advance and picked up speed in the opposite direction to avoid Moonlight blowing past and leaving them in the dust again.

When I caught up to them Dawn turned her head back to me and shouted, “Thank god you’re okay! Ran, pull both reins back to slow down, Moonlight is too fast for us to keep up.”

“Sure.”

I tried doing as she instructed only to panic a second later when Moonlight stubbornly increased his pace further instead of slowing down. I blew straight past Dawn’s side. 

“What are you doing! Slow down! You’re going to get hurt if he throws you off at this rate!”

“I’m trying, but Moonlight isn’t listening at all!”

I was about to pass Rosa’s horse when she did something that utterly shocked both Dawn and myself. My eyes opened wide as Rosa rose to her feet and jumped from Shirley’s back onto Moonlight. She landed directly behind me and immediately wrapped her arms around my waist.

“Are you crazy!” I shouted.

“What? I thought it looked fun. Are you mad that the first male I ride is a horse rather than you?”

“You’ve lost your mind. What if you missed that jump just now?”

“Well I didn’t, so it’s all good.”

“But now we’re both going to get hurt if we fall off.”

“So? With the extra weight he’s carrying on his back now, he’s slowed down. He’ll also get tired faster carrying around two people. So if we do end up falling off it should overall hurt less.”

“Logically, that makes sense… but you’re still insane.”

“I’m insane for wanting to ride on the same horse as my boyfriend?”

“No, for jumping just now.”

“How about we do something that’s really crazy?”

Rosa’s right hand slipped down a bit lower.

“Please don’t, I’d like to not end up cut up down there.”

“Tsk, you’re right. I almost forgot about that. Even if I’m careful, on horseback it’s too difficult to keep steady. Haaaaah. My nails are such an inconvenience at times.”

I felt extremely thankful for her nails right now. They somehow worked in my favor for once.

A minute later, with Moonlight’s decreased speed, Dawn caught up to us and scolded, “Rosa, have you lost your mind, that was way too dangerous!”

“But it worked out, didn’t it?” Rosa shrugged.

“I mean… it did… but still, don’t ever do that again.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.”

“Moonlight, stop misbehaving.” 

Dawn was helpless as Moonlight outright ignored her request. It was clear he wanted to run about until he was satisfied. He wouldn’t stop until then.

A few minutes later we arrived back at the stable where Moonlight abruptly jerked to a stop and lowered his head down without any warning. 

“Woah! Wubwubwub...” My vision went dark as I exhaled out bubbles of air. My head was suddenly submerged in water. 

Neither of us had a chance to react just now. We’d been thrown off Moonlight and Rosa who had her arms wrapped around my waist came tumbling along. The bastard had ruthlessly dumped the two of us into a watering trough. 

While Rosa was still directly on top of me, I extended my arms up and grabbed hold of the sides of the watering trough to pull my head up above the surface of the water.

When I broke through the surface I coughed a mouthful of water as I simultaneously gasped for air.

“Hah… hah… hah… I didn’t expect that rather than dying from hitting my head during a fall, I might die from drowning instead. Koh koh.” I spit out some more water.

“Are you two alright!” Dawn cried out, extremely distraught over Moonlight’s behavior.

“Ugh… nothing... seems to be broken. Thankfully, the water broke our fall.”

The ride hadn’t been long, but it was definitely an experience I’d remember. Being thrown into a watering trough by a horse was a first for sure.

“Moonlight! Bad! You can’t just do that to people riding you!” Dawn jumped off her horse, immediately grabbed ahold of Moonlight’s reins, and proceeded to scold him. Her complaints fell on deaf ears though. Moonlight gave her one short glance before he arrogantly looked away and continued to leisurely slurp up water from the watering trough.

This horse was the pinnacle of ‘No fucks given, I’ll do it again.’

“Moonlight!” Dawn was ignored.

“Haaaaaaaaaah.” She let out an exasperated sigh when she realized it was futile and he wasn’t listening.

“This is why I didn’t want to let you ride him... He’s uncontrollable and only listens to my dad. Sorry...”

“This horse really is a bad boy, getting a girl all wet like that.” Rosa joked as she stood up from inside the watering trough and got out first. 

I didn’t immediately get out, instead, I rolled over and dangled my arms and legs over the sides of the watering trough. I remained soaking in the refreshing cool water directly under the hot rays of the blazing sun while I gazed up at the clouds slowly drifting by in the sky overhead. Minus the watering trough, it was the second time today that I found myself in this position.

Somehow, I didn’t feel a sense of frustration this time, nor was I mad.

All in all, it’d been pretty fun. That feeling of flying across the field low to the ground while on Moonlight’s back was truly unique. For that short time, it really felt like I had wings and I could fly anywhere I wanted with them.

When I didn’t get out Dawn asked, “What are you doing? Did you get injured during that fall after all?”

“I’m... fine.”

“Why aren’t you getting out then?”

“Haaaaaah. Even if I get out, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m completely soaked from head to toe right now. Might as well enjoy a bath since I’m already here.” Not even my shoes had been spared from this fate.

“Sorry…”

“You don’t need to keep apologizing. I’m the one who decided to ride Moonlight despite your warnings. I’ve only got myself to blame here.”

“Even so… I’m responsible since I should be able to control Moonlight better.”

“Who cares? He said it was fine. Relax already.” Rosa splashed some water onto Dawn’s shirt.

“Why’d you do that?”

“Hehehe, if you feel so bad about it, jump in and join the wet side.”

Rosa splashed some more water toward Dawn but Dawn stepped out of the way and dodged it.

“Hold on, wait a minute, Rosa. I just washed and dried this.”

“So?”

Rosa scooped up some more water with both hands and threw it high up in the air. Dawn turned to try and escape from the radius of the falling water but Rosa quickly hugged her from behind.

“Hold on! Rosa! No! What are you doing! Stop!”

Rosa dragged her over to the watering trough with her arms wrapped around Dawn and fell over together into it.

“Hahaha!” 

When Rosa laughed out jubilantly I looked down and witnessed both of them fully clothed, submerged, completely soaked in water. Rosa had a wide smile on her face as she laughed loudly. She took great pleasure in her work.

Dawn’s cheeks were flushed red. At first, she seemed a little mad, but Rosa’s laughter inevitably infected her and she gradually started to laugh while complaining, “Hehe, Rosa, it’s not funny. Stop laughing haha… I’m hehehehe… really mad… seriously hahahaha...” 

I caught a glimpse of one of Dawn’s rare smiles when she closed her eyes and brushed her hair from in front of her face to behind her shoulder while laughing.

I dropped my head back lazily and continued to watch the sky as the two girls laughed themselves silly. 

What was so funny, I had no idea. They were just laughing for the sake of laughing as far as I could tell. It was just a positive feedback loop and they couldn’t stop.

But… I couldn’t help but think it was nice. Living like this. If every day was this carefree, the world might be a better place.

“Haaaaaaah.” I let out a tired sigh and shut my eyes. In this instant, I couldn’t help but think this little farm out in the boonies was paradise. All my troubles seemed to just fade away into nothing.

I think I want to stay here. 

I don’t want to return to the city.

But this isn’t my home.

I have responsibilities and commitments I have to take care of.

And… there are people I have to return to in the city. 

However… one day... I’d like to bring those people to a paradise in the middle of nowhere like this one. A place of respite where one can rest their weary soul, laugh to their heart's content, and not worry about a single thing.

But... that would have to be some time in the distant future.

For now… I should engrave these peaceful times in my memories and enjoy them the best I can.

These slow leisurely days won’t last forever. 

They never do.

…

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