Dae-jung stared ahead toward the finish line. It wasn’t that far. This wasn’t a matter of endurance.

“Hey, good luck.”

This was. It would take more energy than he was willing to expend not to roll his eyes at Gener’s words, so he rolled his eyes.

Gener stretched beside him, unaffected by Dae-jung’s attitude. “If I keep a close enough eye on your back, I think I’ll do good.”

Why did this man never take this seriously? Dae-jung deigned not to answer, focusing. If he ignored him, maybe Gener would shut up.

Gener did not shut up. “Can you see Girlie at all? She came to watch me, you think?”

Dae-jung shut his eyes. “I’m trying to focus, Gener.”

“Me too. She told me she’d come to watch.”

Dae-jung spent too much time groaning and missed the starting cue.