Chapter 40: A Promise at Sunset

“…”

Upon hearing those words, Ruah silently placed her hand on the chain-link fence and looked out. Waves lapped gently against the shore of the artificial island.

What should she say first?

After a long moment of contemplation, Ruah finally turned to Himari.

“I can’t let you go.”

Himari seemed slightly surprised. She probably hadn’t expected Ruah to say that.

“You’re an Academy student, and I’m a teacher. You’ve just completed the first task of your [Hoshikawa-ryu Battoujutsu] training, so I can’t send you back now. I’ll hold onto you.”

“…”

“And Himari, you’re my ‘moon’.”

Even without reminding herself that Himari was a valuable asset for the final battle, Ruah had plenty of reasons to keep her here.

She couldn’t forget how Himari had comforted her during the physical examination.

Along with Juju and Suah, Himari was one of the few people Ruah felt comfortable around.

She was the first person to declare that she would learn from Ruah.

The way Himari’s eyes lit up with wonder at new things was endearing.

Ruah liked the contrast between her seemingly cold exterior and her warm heart.

More than ever, she wanted to show Himari new things.

“…”

A smile touched Himari’s lips, then faded.

“If I stay at the Academy, incidents like this will happen again. My father… won’t give up.”

“That’s not your fault, Himari.”

Himari stroked the motorcycle’s handlebars for a moment.

“But my father will take me back. Now that he’s gone this far, he’ll be even more insistent. He’s already scheduled a visit to the Academy.”

Himari bit her lip. The sound of waves and seagulls filled the silence between them.

“Teacher, originally, my older brother was supposed to be the heir to the Hoshikawa family, not me.”

Himari placed her hand on the motorcycle seat with a complex expression.

“Because my brother passed away, I inherited his position.”

Ruah nodded. She knew that part of the story.

‘Himari revealing this herself is also part of the story…’

Of course, the situation was different now. In the game, Himari only talked about her brother after the protagonist had built up a significant amount of rapport with her.

Although she wasn’t sure, perhaps the Sports Festival incident had fulfilled that condition.

“My brother… was a genius. He mastered the family’s Battoujutsu at only twelve years old, and within five years, he reached the level where he could draw his sword at will.”

“…”

“My father was overjoyed… but my brother didn’t particularly like swordsmanship. He had a free spirit and didn’t want to be confined to the dojo.”

Having read the game’s lore, Ruah knew the reason.

Only two people could learn the [Hoshikawa-ryu Battoujutsu]: the head of the family and their heir. If you were born the eldest son of the family, there was no other path. You were only allowed to hone the Battoujutsu, a swordsmanship that took a lifetime to master.

“My brother used to sneak out on this motorcycle and ride on the roads. He once gave me a ride when I was little. Just like you, Teacher, in the back seat.”

A wistful smile touched Himari’s lips.

“Back then, my brother said—‘I want to go where I’m needed, not my Battoujutsu’.”

Those were the same words Ruah had spoken to Himari at the Gate.

“Back then, I… didn’t understand what he meant.”

“…”

“But one night, my brother passed away after being scolded by my father. It was a traffic accident… but… it probably wasn’t just an accident.”

Ruah nodded heavily.

“So I became the heir in his place. Since I don’t have the same talent as my brother, my father trained me harshly.”

A hint of a sigh laced Himari’s words.

“Unlike my brother, I managed to escape my father’s grasp, even if only for a while. I decided to study abroad because I wanted to see and experience the many things my brother couldn’t. He must be watching over me, even from the other side.”

A gust of wind from the sea ruffled Himari’s hair.

“But now… it’s time for me to go back. My father won’t give up on me. I’m the only heir to the [Hoshikawa-ryu Battoujutsu] in the world.”

“…”

Ruah imagined what Himari must have gone through.

Hoshikawa Toshio’s training methods were harsh.

Not only did he control her daily life, but he also neglected her basic education, focusing solely on swordsmanship. His teaching method was to turn his heir into a Battoujutsu machine.

It was a miracle that Himari had even considered studying abroad in such an environment.

“Because it’s a miracle…”

“What?”

Ruah removed her hand from the fence and looked directly at Himari.

“What do you want to do?”

“What?”

“Do you want to go back to Japan?”

“…My will… is ultimately—”

“Answer me, Hoshikawa Himari.”

Ruah firmly interrupted Himari. Himari’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Do you want to stay by my side? Or do you want to go back to your father? What do you want to do?”

“I, I…”

Himari averted her gaze, bit her lip, and fidgeted with her fingers as she searched for an answer. But the conclusion was already decided. She was just struggling with whether she could say it.

“Life in Korea… life at the Academy… has been incredibly enjoyable.”

“Yes.”

“Being with Juju, the other friends, it’s always fun, and the classes are always new…”

“Yes.”

“Senior Suah is always kind to me.”

“Yes.”

“But most of all… being with you, Teacher, is… wonderful.”

A single tear rolled down Himari’s cheek.

“I want… to stay here.”

“Then that’s settled.”

Ruah pulled the crying Himari into a hug.

Now that she had confirmed Himari’s true feelings, it was Ruah’s turn to act.

“Leave the rest to me.”

Three days later

The last day of the week-long school closure.

The usually quiet runway was filled with the Academy principal and the first-year faculty members. An important guest was visiting today.

However, it was a very important, but also a very difficult guest.

—Thump-thump-thump…

A dot appeared in the distant sky, gradually growing larger until it became a large Chinook helicopter. The helicopter slowly descended onto the runway, guided by the control tower, making a deafening noise.

“Why would he come in something like that? It’s not a military operation.”

“It’s a show of force. A way of saying, ‘This is how powerful my family is’.”

The teachers murmured amongst themselves. As they said, the Hoshikawa family crest was emblazoned on the side of the helicopter.

‘Hoshikawa Toshio.’

The teachers, regardless of their position, gulped. There was no one who didn’t know that name.

Although he was a Hunter from a neighboring country, he had defeated the boss of an S-rank Gate and was the first to be designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage master.

He was around the same age as the retired Chairman Pyo Younghan, but the fact that he was still active and his name could still be found on the Japanese Hunter rankings spoke volumes about his monstrous skills.

—The reason he was visiting Felix Academy today was none other than—

To officially protest the incident that occurred during the Academy Sports Festival. While it was natural for him to protest since his daughter was involved, his request for a personal visit was unexpected.

“We’d be nervous even if he came for a good reason, but a protest visit is giving me goosebumps.”

“Even if he’s a top-class Hunter, is it really necessary for everyone to come out for a mere parent visit?”

When a new teacher asked, a senior teacher nudged him.

“You’re clueless. If you knew the amount he donated when Hoshikawa Himari enrolled, you wouldn’t say that.”

“Donation…?!”

“Yes, so treat him like a VIP and be careful.”

“…”

Although the two thought they were whispering, Himari, standing behind them, heard everything.

—Thump-thump…

The helicopter’s rotors gradually slowed to a stop, and the side door burst open.

“Line up!”

With a shout, a group of men emerged from the helicopter. They expertly scanned their surroundings and then lined up on either side of the door.

Finally, an elderly man stepped onto the ground, accompanied by his entourage.

He was dressed in traditional Japanese clothing with long sleeves. His stern face, hardened by years of unwavering resolve, made it impossible for anyone to relax, and his long beard, reflecting his personality, was neatly groomed.

And at his left hip, a single katana.

—Tap, tap.

The old man walked confidently towards the principal, who was standing at the front of the faculty members.

“Greetings.”

After the interpreter relayed the message, Hoshikawa Toshio extended his right hand. It was the rough and calloused hand of a warrior.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Head of the Family.”

“I was hoping to visit under happier circumstances, but unfortunately…”

“…”

The faculty members exchanged troubled glances. Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Himari stepped forward.

“Father, it’s been a while.”

“Himari.”

Her father opened his arms and briefly embraced his daughter.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’m fine.”

To feign ignorance and ask such a question after causing the incident himself… Himari clicked her tongue slightly at her father’s shamelessness.

“I’ve come to escort you. Let’s go to the Academy.”

“Let’s.”

While helping her father into the waiting car, Himari looked back at the runway. She recalled the conversation she had with Ruah three days ago.

—Leave the rest to me.

Honestly, she had been happy. Back then, it felt like Teacher would use some kind of magic to change her father’s mind.

But in the three days that followed, Ruah was nowhere to be seen. She had visited her dorm and the infirmary, but Ruah wasn’t there. Where was she, and what was she doing?

Hoshikawa Toshio’s visit was only for the day. At this rate, Himari would have no choice but to return to Japan with her father.

‘But, I will wait.’

Himari closed the car door with a determined expression.

‘Because I believe in Teacher.’