The Mist Vol 2 Chapter 7

Vol 2 Chapter 7

Because his master and the master's wife had been very busy lately, Kapros hadn't seen them often even while working part-time. As a result, he hadn't been able to tell them that he had started sword training again.

There was a high probability it wasn't anything important, but if not... what could it be?

After walking across the stepping stones embedded in the ground and through the cute garden reflecting the master's wife's taste, Kapros knocked on the door, and soon the lock opened.

"Master. You called for me."

"Yes. Let's talk over tea first."

The structure of the master's house, where he was offering tea, had changed slightly from before.

Originally, the couple preferred sitting on the floor, but after Kapros started working part-time at the kendo dojo, they had brought in new chairs and tables so he wouldn't need to sit on the floor. As he sat comfortably in the chair drinking tea, he felt both grateful and sorry for their consideration.

Even as Kapros was finishing his tea, the master didn't open his mouth. Wondering if he hadn't been called for a reason after all, Kapros looked at him questioningly, but the master's somewhat shadowed eyes didn't meet his.

"Master?"

As Kapros called out cautiously, a long sigh escaped from between the master's lips.

"Mu-heon."

"Yes."

"I hesitated whether to tell you this... but I think I should, so I called you."

What kind of story was he trying to tell that made him hesitate like this? Kapros had only seen his master hesitate like this once before.

"What's the matter?"

"Mu-heon."

"Yes."

"Mu-heon, don't take this too seriously."

"Master..."

Kapros was no longer a child. He was about to answer jokingly, asking if he looked that unreliable, when...

"The one who left... has returned."

"...Pardon?"

The person who left.

There was only one person that phrase could refer to, at least between the master and Kapros.

'Jeong Seung-jo.'

He's returned? That guy?

Judging by the master's expression, it seemed Kapros hadn't misheard. For a moment, large ripples appeared on the surface of the teacup he was holding. No thoughts came to mind. Kapros took a deep breath, put down the cup, and clenched his fist until his nails dug into his palm. After doing this several times, his mind became a little clearer along with the stinging pain.

"Jeong Seung-jo... has returned?"

Perhaps because Kapros seemed to regain his composure faster than expected, a flash of surprise crossed the master's previously stiff expression.

"Mu-heon, you..."

"Master."

The fact that Kapros could now hear these words without silently getting up and running away, as he might have done before, was because time had passed and his efforts had accumulated. He couldn't help but be shaken, but he reassured himself that this alone was enough to be confident as he opened his mouth.

"Even if that guy has returned, nothing changes for me. So please don't worry and tell me more. Where did you meet him?"

That's right. Nothing had changed. There was no need to be scared in advance when he hadn't even encountered the returned person.

Only then did the master show a trembling smile.

"You've... changed."

"Yes. I have changed."

"Are you not afraid anymore?"

"I've picked up the sword again, Master."

As Kapros picked up the sword again, he had taken time to reconsider himself, which he had lost for several years. Even though it was just holding it, it gave him immense satisfaction and the strength to look back on the past.

It wasn't that he didn't miss the old days at all. Those memories still hurt his heart from time to time. But rather than continuing to live buried in that pain, Kapros had come to realize after three years that it was better to take one more step forward, even if there were blades under his feet. The opportunities now laid before him were precious and enjoyable beyond measure.

"Now I'm trying to live faithfully to who I am now. So there's no reason to fear someone who doesn't even come to find me directly, is there?"

At Kapros's words, spoken slowly but firmly, the master burst into laughter while slowly pressing his eyes with his hand.

"Yes. You've finally realized that, you fool..."

Kapros quietly looked down at the table and smiled. Only then did the master tell him that his wife had recently met Seung-jo by chance. That story made Kapros's heart ache a little, but it was much less affecting than he had expected. On the other hand, it was also somewhat bitter.

He was just that kind of guy after all. Running away without the courage to come and face him directly. He wasn't like that before... But now, both of them have long since gone in different directions.

"It seems he's not even worth worrying about."

At these merciless words, the master briefly looked as if he wanted to say something, but then shook his head slightly and muttered.

"Yes. Now that you say that, I feel a bit relieved too. Your eyes have really become much straighter in the meantime."

"I still have a long way to go."

"Well, I'm sorry for calling you when you're busy. You've finished your tea, so you can go back now."

"Ah, Master."

Kapros quickly opened his mouth, remembering something he had forgotten because of the Jeong Seung-jo story.

"Hmm?"

"Do you know why Un-o didn't come?"

"Ah..."

The master frowned, unfolding his arms.

"That boy quit."

"Pardon?"

For a moment, Kapros's voice rose involuntarily in greater surprise than when he had heard about Jeong Seung-jo's return.

Even after meeting him in Mist recently, Kapros had become more interested in Un-o than before, seeing him come to the dojo occasionally. He couldn't believe that someone who had been training so diligently had suddenly quit like this.

Seeming to sympathize with Kapros's surprise, the master sighed and stroked his chin.

"He came two days ago and said he was quitting. It can't be helped if it's due to family circumstances... but I was very disappointed too."

"If it's family circumstances..."

"He said a family member was very ill."

At the mention of family, Kapros reflexively recalled the image of Un-o heading to the hospital. What followed was the dark expression he had seen in Mist.