Chapter 239: First Snow (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 239: First Snow (3)
It was a woman who opened the door. Judging by her mature aura, she seemed to be in her mid-to-late thirties, yet her face looked far younger—enough that one might easily mistake her for someone in her twenties on the street.
So this is...
I could tell at a single glance. I had to know. She looked far, far too much like Ryozo. Ryozo's mother. Aside from slightly different hair and iris colors, she was the spitting image of her daughter.
A subtle tension hung in the apartment hallway. The chilly wind only heightened the awkwardness.
The woman’s eyes landed on me first. Given my relative size, it was only natural for her gaze to drift to me. Eyes naturally move from larger objects to smaller ones.
“Who are you...?”
Since I was wearing a hoodie, she didn't seem to recognize me at all. Tilting her head, her eyes shifted toward Ryozo. Only then did her pupils dilate nearly twice their size. Her lips parted, stammering.
“Ryo... zo?”
Ryozo kept her head deeply bowed. Like a puppy facing a tiger, she didn't dare lift her eyes.
“...U-Um, well...”
Her tightly closed eyelashes fluttered trembling. It was at that precise moment.
“My... my daughter...”
The woman—Ryozo’s mother—pulled her daughter into a tight embrace. Completely caught off guard, Ryozo’s eyes went utterly blank. What flickered in her sky-blue irises was more than just shock and confusion. However, it was a positive emotion.
“W-W-Wait.”
Ryozo’s hands flapped helplessly in midair, having lost their place. Panicked, she jerked her head in my direction. Her eyes practically screamed for help!
I offered a gentle smile and deliberately ignored her plea. On top of that, I took a few strides backward. In this moment, I had no desire to interrupt the reunion between mother and daughter taking place in an apartment hallway.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the Joaquin Academy Affiliated Hospital.
Saki Hina walked down the hallway, clutching an armful of medicine bags. She was returning after completing the discharge procedures for her father, the Archery Saint, and receiving his prescriptions from the attending physician.
“Mmh-hm-hm~”
Her arms were heavy from the burden of the medicine bags, but Saki Hina hummed cheerfully. Inside, she was cheering.
Today is finally the day! Freedom from caretaker duty, oh yeah!
Hina had spent an entire month nursing the Archery Saint. In the beginning, it was out of filial piety, but as time went on, she remained by his side out of mere obligation. And even that sense of duty had faded over time—more specifically, right after Kang Geomma paid his "hospital visit."
To Saki Hina, the Archery Saint Family was her entire life. Everyone around her belonged either to the Archery Saint Family or the Japanese administration. Though she had classmates from her days at Joaquin Academy, they were far beyond her concern.
Lately, however, Saki Hina felt that life was becoming colorful. In a life previously defined by dullness, she had met someone meaningful.
The Heavenly Sword.
A subtle smile bloomed on Saki Hina’s lips. A light blush spread across her cheeks, visible over the medicine bags. Though well past twenty, the young lady wore the innocent expression of a teenage girl.
Ever since Kang Geomma’s visit, many things had changed. Her father no longer treated her callously, and he even showed implicit care for her now and then.
Of course, it’s not normal consideration, but still.
Still, it was a change unimaginable from the father of the past. And her father wasn't the only one who had changed. She herself was different than before.
Saki Hina had always regarded human emotions as nothing more than a tool. Whenever she manifested her ‘Blessing of Temptation,’ men eagerly became her servants. Being such a person, she had never possessed an opportunity to deeply understand emotions.
But.
‘You don’t need to use something like the Blessing of Temptation.’
Suddenly.
‘Because you’re already a beauty.’
The words spoken by the Heavenly Sword fragmented—
‘You’re beautiful enough without anything like that.’
—and swirled in her mind, slightly distorted.
“Ah, seriously. I’m really not this kind of person.”
Despite her words, the corners of Hina’s mouth curved upward into a dopey grin. Passing nurses cast sideways glances at her and began to whisper.
“Isn’t that person the Archery Saint’s daughter? Why does she have that look on her face? Maybe we should contact psychiatry...”
“About a month ago, the Heavenly Sword raided the Archery Saint’s hospital room, right? They say she’s been out of her mind ever since.”
“It’s pitiful, but honestly, I think what the Heavenly Sword did was right.”
“Why? Did something happen?”
“You know I’m the nurse assigned to the Archery Saint’s room, right? He looks gentle on the outside, but his eyes looked down on people like they were absolute bugs.”
“High-and-mighty superiors, as expected... Meanwhile, the Heavenly Sword bows and greets us every single time he sees us.”
“Tell me about it. Someone like him is a true Seven Star Hero. Absolutely.”
Clack, clack.
The nurses’ whispering was swallowed by the brisk clacking of geta sandals. Even if she had heard them, Hina couldn't care less.
I wish I could see the Heavenly Sword’s face one more time before returning to Japan.
Walking in high spirits, Hina suddenly glanced out the window. Looking up at the gloomy sky, she muttered to herself.
“I wonder if she made it there okay...”
Saki Hina had tracked down the address of Ryozo’s mother—her youngest stepmother—just yesterday. The woman had hidden herself so thoroughly that it had taken a full month. Having to nurse her father at the same time had been sheer torture.
Nor could she ask her father, whose condition was poor. So Hina had pounded the pavement and gathered rumors herself.
Finally, yesterday, she sent the detailed address to Ryozo. There was no reply for a long time until one arrived late in the middle of the night.
[Thx.]
It seemed Ryozo had become thoroughly steeped in Korean sensibilities.
Shaking off her thoughts, Hina resumed her steps. Approaching the room, she was greeted by men in black dress uniforms—the Archery Saint’s bodyguards.
“Young Lady, please give me those bags. I’ll carry them.”
“It’s fine. Don’t you know my father’s mysophobia? If your hands touch these medicine bags, he’ll have your wrists cut off.”
“Ah, yes...”
Scratching the back of his neck awkwardly, the bodyguard leaned toward Hina’s ear and whispered softly.
“Do you remember sending our Japanese Hero Battalion to the Gehenna Gate?”
“Of course I remember. It’s been weeks. Why, did they request supply support? Give them whatever they need without skimping. If any assembly members complain about the budget, tell them the Heavenly Sword ordered it. That’ll shut them right up.”
“...It’s not that. Ominous rumors seem to be circulating around the Gate.”
“Ominous rumors? What kind of rumors?”
Hina blinked. The man leaned in closer.
“You know the crack that formed at the Gate? It’s reportedly grown wide enough for a small child to pass through now. There will likely be a major incident within a week.”
Hina’s face hardened with gravity. The bodyguard asked again.
“Should we order our people to withdraw when the timing looks right?”
“No.”
Hina shook her head with a firm gaze.
“The situation right now is unusual. At a time like this, we shouldn't act purely out of short-term losses. We need to look at the big picture.”
“Then...”
“Cooperate as much as possible. So that if something happens, Japan can loudly claim we were on the front lines.”
Hina spoke sharply. Having followed the Prime Minister of Japan around for years, she was a seasoned politician in her own right.
“Instead, upgrade the quality of supplies being provided, if only for the safety of our heroes. While you’re at it, supply the Association and the Sword Emperor’s side as well. It will help our reputation later on.”
“Understood, Young Lady.”
“Notify the Association members working at the Academy, the Academy Principal, and the Heavenly Sword. Also tell our people that if something like this happens again, they can bypass my father and me to report directly.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
As the man pulled out his phone, Hina stopped him a moment late.
“I’ll contact the Heavenly Sword myself.”
“Pardon? You yourself, Young Lady?”
The bodyguard raised his eyebrows in confusion. Young Lady Hina had personally suffered a terrible ordeal at the Heavenly Sword’s hands. Yet she was going to contact him herself? It was strange.
Hina cleared her throat and said,
“Don’t you know my father’s personality? He hates messages passing through multiple mouths. It’s only right that I convey such a critical matter directly. What if word leaks out? Setting me aside, you’d end up with an arrow through your mouth.”
“Ah, yes...”
The same pattern as before. The bodyguard nodded with a lukewarm expression.
* * *
Ryozo’s mother welcomed us inside her home.
“I’ll make some tea, so please wait on the sofa for just a moment, both of you.”
Guiding us into the living room with a gentle smile, she headed toward the kitchen. I casually looked around the house. The interior of the apartment, which looked ordinary from the outside, was comfortably spacious. Outside the window, the Busan sea stretched out refreshingly.
This place she lives in alone is really nice.
Ryozo looked around like a meerkat in the middle of the living room. Only after confirming that no one else was present besides her mother did she let out a breath.
“Let's sit down first, like your mother said.”
“Yeah...”
While Ryozo’s mother prepared the tea, we sat side by side on the sofa. Only the soft clatter of teacups echoed quietly.
Just then, Ryozo gently tugged on my elbow. Her sky-blue eyes, which avoided looking straight at me, were filled with tension.
That makes sense.
Ryozo had probably even prepared herself to be turned away at the door. But instead, her mother had embraced her the moment she saw her. It wasn't the expression of someone who would abandon her daughter and leave.
So Ryozo was likely confused. This kindness would actually feel unnatural to her.
I simply let her hold onto me. At times like this, keeping quiet was the best option.
By the way, I’m seeing a lot of new sides to Ryozo today.
Her cold, detached composure was nowhere to be seen. Sitting beside me was a sensitive, timid girl. It showed just how much her mother meant to her.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
A moment later, Ryozo’s mother set an elegant tray down on the coffee table. A faint herbal aroma drifted up. As I twitched my nose at the unfamiliar scent, her mother smiled softly.
“The wind was quite cold out there, wasn't it? It’s chamomile. It helps warm the body.”
I bowed my head politely as I accepted the teacup.
“Thank you for treating us so kindly despite our sudden visit, Ma'am.”
“Not at all. On the contrary, it is my honor that you accompanied my daughter, Heavenly Sword.”
“...You recognized who I am?”
“My goodness! Is there anyone in this world who doesn’t know the Heavenly Sword? Though at first, I didn't recognize you because of your hoodie. Please forgive my rudeness.”
Ryozo’s mother placed a hand over her heart and offered a respectful greeting.
“I am Cynthia. It is an honor to meet the great hero, the Heavenly Sword.”
“If your name is Cynthia...”
“Yes. Just like you, Heavenly Sword, I am Korean.”
I whipped my head around. My eyes met Ryozo’s.
You were half-Korean, half-Japanese?
When I asked her with my eyes, Ryozo gave a slight nod. Then, without making a sound, she mouthed her response.
You didn't ask.
...
Right, Ryozo was always like this. Sly like a fox, keeping even massive twists like the secret of her parentage to herself just because nobody asked. Her soft, girly demeanor today had made me forget.
Fine, it’s my fault for assuming a half-Korean was purely Japanese.
Cynthia, who had been watching us with her chin resting on her hand, averted her eyes and tilted the teapot. Amidst the stiff atmosphere, she alone moved with graceful ease.
Cynthia spoke to Ryozo.
“The fact that you came here means you have questions for me, right? Why I had to leave you. Whether your father, the Archery Saint, forced me out. My daughter is probably convinced it’s the latter, isn't she?”
Ryozo’s shoulders flinched subtly. Cynthia picked up a bite-sized piece of Yanggaeng with a toothpick and offered it to her daughter.
“Would you like to eat this while listening first? Because the story I’m about to tell will be a bit bitter.”
Ryozo swallowed hard and stole a glance at me. Then, she looked back at her mother.
“I quit Yanggaeng.”
Cynthia smiled warmly.
“You really have grown up, my daughter.”