Episode 238 First Snow (2)
Ryozo blinked. His thoughts and expressions froze. A beat later, embarrassment washed over him.
‘You want to come with me on the way to see Mom?!’
I don’t know how to react to this sudden suggestion.
‘I’m already going crazy because I keep spewing out complaints!’
On the other hand, Kang Geum-ma’s eyes… as always, were filled with sincerity. Yes. That’s the kind of person he was. A plainness that didn’t let a lie slip through his lips. Because of that, his words had weight and appeal.
‘I’m not just saying that.’
It wasn’t just a brief moment of comfort. He truly wanted to be with Ryozo.
‘It’s probably because he noticed that I was anxious.’
Kang Geum-ma made a kind suggestion. Then let’s go together. Ryozo’s cheeks flushed. He was embarrassed. He was ashamed. But he was also happy. He was so happy that he could jump for joy. Ryozo glanced to the side.
“Even if we go together… … .”
She mumbled, covering half of her face with the muffler. The rough texture of the knit made her lips itch.
“…Geumma, you said you were on your way to the principal’s office.”
“Oh, that.”
Kanggeomma scratched his forehead. It was a habit he had when choosing words. Even this small gesture was enough to break her heart.
While Ryojo’s heart was pounding, Kanggeomma smiled awkwardly.
“Since we go every week anyway, it’s okay if I miss a day. Of course, I’ll contact you. And Ryozo, you know that the principal isn’t the type of person to say anything if I go somewhere with a friend. In fact, he’d probably be happy about it. The principal feels bad that I went to Chilseong too early and can’t enjoy things at my age.”
“ah…….”
Only then did Ryojo begin to see Kang Geum-ma’s face in more detail. Dark shadows in his eyes, his gaunt complexion. He could vaguely picture what kind of daily life he had led over the past month.
‘You’ve been busy, really.’
It couldn’t be otherwise. Kang Geum-ma was working a murderous schedule that made it seem like 24 hours weren’t enough. Schoolwork, official duties, and secondary tasks. It was different from him, who just took classes comfortably. Knowing this, the academy director must have felt sorry for Kang Geum-ma.
‘To that kind of kid, I… … .’
He made a sad face like the most unfortunate person in the world would make.
The world only talks about the glory of Ganggeomma. The youngest hero of the Seven Stars, the strongest force in the world, the Heavenly Heaven. Each expression is different, but they are all modifiers that express the peak.
The peak.
A place that anyone would have dreamed of. Kanggeomma went there at a very young age. In other words, he became alone very early.
‘Even though he’s alone, he doesn’t complain at all.’
Ryozo knew his family history, which made his heart ache even more.
‘I… am truly a lucky person compared to him.’
The area around my eyes felt tingly. I rationalized this feeling because of the cold wind.
‘I’m a coward.’
He always pretended to be strong, but he was just a brat.
‘The one who actually had the hardest time was the one who reached out to me first.’
On the contrary, this weakness was condoned.
Ryozou secretly wiped his eyes with his muffler. Then he asked cautiously.
“My destination is Busan, so I need to clear a whole day. Is that okay?”
Kang Geum-ma didn’t hesitate. He just nodded.
“It’s Saturday. I have plenty of time.”
* * *
A little later, in the principal’s office.
“Of course! Yeah, yeah. Okay. Have fun~!”
Stop.
After finishing her conversation with Ganggeomma, Media walked towards the window. The view outside through the frosted glass window was hazy.
“What’s going on, my dear Geomma? You even go out with your friends on the weekends.”
A smile appeared on Media’s lips. Then she stretched her upper body.
“I was going to say that you should rest a bit, but this is a good opportunity. I don’t think Geomma has been overdoing it lately.”
Just a little while ago, I received a call from Kang Geum-ma. He asked if I could postpone today’s meeting until next time. He apologized repeatedly with an apologetic look on his face.
Media gladly accepted the request. In fact, she actively recommended it. She didn’t even ask why. It was because she also desperately wanted Kanggeomma to rest.
The promise of the path? It was trivial.
Media sipped her coffee. The steam that rose like a mist over the mug turned into frost when it touched the glass window.
“I should take this opportunity to ask the association to reduce the amount of work for the swordsmen.”
It was while I was enjoying such a peaceful atmosphere.
-♬♭♩♫♪
The smartphone on the desk started making loud noises. Media frowned.
“What kind of guy is calling me on the weekend?”
The principal of the academy is strictly an office worker. He or she must work from 9 to 6. He or she must adhere to the five-day workweek.
‘however.’
The reason why Media went to this boring workplace on a precious weekend was because she had an appointment with Ganggeomma and didn’t want to stay home. Because the house was a mess. The ‘shit’ part was when her twin sister, Meain, started living at home.
In stark contrast to the neat Media, Meain was a person who was far from being neat and tidy. My sister had delivery food for all three meals and didn’t even clean up after eating.
I tried nagging her. My sister didn’t even listen. I apologized, saying I was sorry, but I didn’t mean it. It was a medium that was less disappointing because I didn’t expect much.
‘If you don’t like the temple, you should leave.’
Media escaped from the worst place in the world, ‘home’, to the lesser of two evils, ‘the principal’s office’.
‘I can’t keep living like this.’
We’ll have to have a discussion sometime.
Until then, I had no choice but to give up my weekends. But for the time being, I had to hold on with the mindset of practicing the Tao.
“Oh my, my fate. It’s really hard, it’s hard.”
Even as Media sighed, her smartphone showed no sign of stopping its song. She clicked her tongue and soon answered the phone.
“hello.”
-… … .
The other party remained silent. Only then did Media take the LCD off her ear and check the number. It was an unknown number.
Media furrowed her brows. Was it because she had to work over the weekend? Suddenly, irritation welled up in her head.
She spoke strongly into the phone.
“What, who are you? If someone speaks, shouldn’t you respond?”
-… … .
“Ah- What is this? Is this voice phishing or something? Hey, who are you? Do you even know whose number this is? You criminal bastards who suck the blood of the common people. You guys, just wait. I’ll trace this number… … .”
-Second.
A hoarse voice that seemed to scratch the eardrums. At that moment, Media’s expression and attitude changed into shock.
Because there was only one person in the world who called her that.
-I’m sorry. But this is my first time using a smartphone, so I don’t know how to make a call. It seems like only yesterday that pagers came out, but who would have thought that things like this would come out already?
An ancient man who lived for over two centuries.
-Second, it’s been forty years since we talked at the Seven Star Enthronement Ceremony, so it’s the first time I’ve heard your voice. It’s still as loud as if you’ve boiled a firecracker. It seems like you’ve gotten healthier with the Sinabro.
The leader of all heroes by rank.
-Anyway, I’m sorry for suddenly contacting you and asking you this out of the blue.
President of the Association. Victor Poison.
-Can you arrange a meeting between the newly crowned Cheongeom and the boy?
He wants to see the new star.
* * *
One thing that came in handy about attending Joaquin Academy. If I had to pick just one, I would say this subspace warp.
I close my eyes, enveloped in a purple halo. I feel a momentary dizziness as I open my eyes, and the place I wanted to see unfolds before my eyes. Just like now.
“It takes 30 seconds from Wonju, Gangwon-do to Busan, Gyeongsang-do.”
Salty smell. Ships anchored in the harbor. A flock of seagulls flying around the docks, squawking.
“haha.”
A hollow laugh comes out of my heart. Subspace warp. This means of transportation that lightly ignores the laws of physics is astounding. No matter how many times I’ve experienced it, it’s still amazing every time.
‘In the curtain, in the warp, in the pocket.’
It was just versatile. There was no need to think deeply about why such a fraudulent function existed. The subspace is probably a device for the convenience of the user. I wonder if there is anything better than this to shorten the boring movement process. This was an advantage of the game being based on a fantasy worldview.
‘Still, it’s too much of a scam.’
Some people get to Busan in 6 hours on a jam-packed highway. Others get there in 30 seconds. We call those ‘others’ the privileged.
When we lived on Earth, adults used to say that time is given equally to everyone. That was wrong. In this world, time can be bought. It is a commodity that can be purchased.
There is no absurdity like this absurdity. If it were original, I would have thought, ‘What, there are such unbalanced games!’
“… … .”
I am silent now. I am no longer qualified to say such things.
I am a hero of the Seven Stars. I am no longer a member of the ruling class, but of the ruling class. And I have immense power that rivals that of the president of a country.
That’s why I can monopolize the many privileges that exist in this world. I can use the warp that is strictly forbidden to regular students as if I were going to the bathroom. I can no longer avoid the absurdity that I have been criticizing.
‘I can’t help it.’
Suddenly, I felt a gaze from the side. When I turned around, Ryozo was staring at me with bright eyes. Was it because the weather was cloudy? Today, the sky-blue irises were unusually bright.
‘Do people look different because they can freely use subspace warp?’
That could be the case. I, as the person involved, feel nervous too.
I felt awkward and asked Ryozo.
“How long does it take to get to your mother’s house?”
“Oh, that’s right.”
As if he had come to his senses, Ryozoh hurriedly took out his smartphone. Then he showed a map app with the address he had searched for.
“If you take the bus, you’ll get there quickly.”
We moved right away. We walked along the coast, strolling along the quiet harbor. The sea breeze was cold. But it wasn’t as cold as when I was alone.
After that, I got on a city bus. Maybe because it was the weekend, the bus was full.
‘It would be a big deal if people found out about me.’
The sense of defeat was fleeting, but fortunately, my outerwear had a hood, so I covered it up. Thanks to that, people didn’t know I was a celestial sword. It was an indirect experience of being a celebrity.
The bus started. It passed the first stop. There were two seats left, so we were able to sit down and move on.
After that, the second, third, and fourth stops passed by the window. The port city of Busan had a leisurely atmosphere.
I glanced at the seat next to me. Ryozo was leaning her forehead against the bus window, her face getting darker as the village bus stopped. Her two hands were trembling faintly above her skirt.
Swish.
He held her hand tightly. It was cold. After being exposed to the sea breeze for several dozen minutes, it was understandable for her hand to get cold.
“… … .”
Ryozo flinched, but said nothing else. Instead, the trembling in his hands decreased. The shadows on his face cleared and faded a little.
The bus stopped at the last stop. We got off the bus and walked for about five minutes. Then we entered an apartment complex.
“Here.”
It was an ordinary apartment, neither nice nor shabby. However, it felt ordinary considering it was the residence of the ex-wife of a high-ranking official.
‘I thought you lived in a place like a mansion.’
Ryozo took a leisurely look around the apartment complex and soon took the lead. Since only she knew the detailed address, I followed silently.
Damn it.
Soon, Ryozo’s steps stopped in the middle of the apartment hallway.
‘Room 504.’
She double-checked that the address on the lake matched the number on the stamp. It couldn’t be wrong. She had checked it several times.
When it actually came down to it, Ryozo hesitated.
‘Should I ring the doorbell, knock, or just go back?’
Standing in the hallway, she hesitated for a while.
Thud.
Then a large palm wrapped itself around her fist. The two hands became one.
“You did well to follow me.”
I guided Ryozo’s fist, which I had held tightly, right up to the door. Then, with great difficulty, I reached out and knocked on the iron door. The two of us together.
Knock knock. A couple of knocks were heard low in the apartment hallway. The next moment.
Squeak.
The door slowly opened with a clicking sound of hinges engaging.
