The Academy’s Sashimi Sword Master — Chapter 420: First Love (2)

Chapter 420: First Love (2)

Returning‍ briefly to the⁠⁠ present.

The‍ boss interrupted me with a curious‌‍⁠ expression.

“…Didn’t‌ you say it‍⁠ was she who‌⁠ confessed to you?”‌

“Yes.”‍‌

Thank⁠‌⁠ goodness.

At least he wasn’t‍‍ furious because I had broken the academy rule that‌ he himself founded.⁠‍

Suddenly‌ I wondered if perhaps that rule‍ of “forbidden to⁠⁠ fall in love”‍⁠‌ had been established⁠ later.

“Hmm.”‌‌

The‌⁠ boss crossed his‍⁠ arms, thoughtful. The⁠⁠ muscles of his‍ forearms tensed as‌ if they were‍ about to explode.

It⁠ was scary.

“But‍ just from what‌⁠⁠ you’re telling me,⁠ it seems like‌ you were the‌‌ one who took‍ the first step.”‌

“……”‍

“Am⁠‌‌ I wrong?”

This‌ man is devilishly‍‌ perceptive. No wonder‍‌‍ he went bald.‍ Anyway.

“Haa…”

Though,‍‍ well.

“Don’t‍‍ you remember what⁠ you always used⁠‍ to tell me?”‌⁠

“What‌‍ thing?”

Of⁠‍ course.

“…There‌⁠‍ are so many‍⁠ things you don’t‍⁠ even remember yourself.”‌

“Where’s‍‍ the fist of⁠⁠ love? Ah, here!”⁠‌

I pulled back at‌⁠ once.

“You‌ always said that⁠⁠ in Korean you⁠ have to listen‌‌ until the end⁠ of the sentence before judging.”

“Ah,⁠⁠ that.”

“And,⁠‌ as always, it‍ wasn’t even an‌⁠⁠ original phrase of‍⁠ yours, was it?”‍

“Hahaha.⁠⁠ This brat.”

“Stop‍‌‍ right there!”

I stretched out my‌ arms to block‌ the violence. In⁠‌ front of the⁠ boss, I, the‌ very Heavenly Sword,⁠ turned into a meek lamb.

“A-anyway,‍ what I meant is that it‍ wasn’t an official⁠‍ confession.”

“And‍ young people have‌‌ a distinction between⁠ official and unofficial‌‍‌ confessions?”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“It depends on who’s‌‍ involved.”

“Hmm.”‌‌

He‍‌ looked intrigued.

‘He’s‍ amused.’

I purposely lifted my‌ gaze toward the⁠‍ night sky.

The‌ lanterns had already⁠ risen so high‌ that it was‌⁠ hard to distinguish‌‌⁠ them from the‍⁠ stars.

***‌

My⁠ relationship with Ryozo‍ caused a huge‌ scandal.

And I underline—a huge‌ scandal.

Thinking‌ we would just‍⁠‌ get a light‍‌⁠ punishment and that⁠ would be it‌‍ was way too‌⁠ optimistic on my‍ part.

Was‍ Chloe the problem?⁠ No.

Well,⁠⁠‌ it wasn’t that she didn’t influence‌‍ it.

Chloe‌ was there, and the moment she saw “that scene,”‍‍‌ she put her‍‌ hand to her⁠ forehead and fainted.‌ Even when Speedweapon⁠ blew on his⁠⁠ out-of-tune flute, she‍⁠ wouldn’t wake up.⁠

She‍‌ ended up hospitalized and disappeared for a while.

So‌‌ was it the‍‌ disciplinary punishment? Neither.‍ Yes, we received‌⁠ one, but Media‌ didn’t want to make a big‍‍ deal out of‍‌ it.

— The rules are‌ rules, so they⁠ couldn’t avoid a punishment. But without‌ the council of⁠⁠ elders in function,‌‌ there was no‌ one to place‍ more obstacles. And besides, the academy⁠ was too unsettled⁠ in every way.

We‍⁠ were eighteen years⁠ old.

It‌‍ was a time when the tremors‌ of the Second‍‍ Great Human War⁠ still hadn’t completely⁠‍‍ left the Joaquin‍ Academy.

The‌ place was almost⁠ in ruins and‌ was in full‍⁠⁠ reconstruction. The professors⁠ had no time‍ to impose strict⁠ discipline on the⁠‍⁠ cadets. Hands were‍ so short that‌‍ they themselves carried building materials. The‍ war had left‌ scars across the⁠ entire world, and‍⁠⁠ aid was scarce.‍⁠⁠

— What a shame.‌ If I had‍ known it would‍ be like this,⁠ I would have‌⁠ also disguised myself‍ as a cadet‍ and thrown myself‍‍ into flirting, like‍‌ my sister.

Let’s leave Media’s postscript‍‍‍ aside.

The fact was that‍ the staff of⁠ the Joaquin Academy seemed willing to‍ recognize our relationship.⁠ The more conservative‍ professors weren’t happy,‌ but since I was a Seven⁠‌‌ Stars, the Heavenly‌⁠ Sword, they turned‍ a blind eye.‍‌‍

Of‍‌ course, to the‍ other cadets they hurled threats. They⁠‍ told them that if they dared to have romances,⁠ they would crush‍ their grades. A petty strategy.

‘Sorry,⁠⁠ guys.’

Be⁠‌ that as it‌ may, Ryozo and‌ I believed that‍ the internal disciplinary‌⁠ punishment of the‌‍ academy would end‌ up diluting without⁠‌ consequences.

That⁠ was a naïve‍⁠ thought.

Because⁠ the true eye‌⁠‌ of the hurricane‌‍ was not in‌ the Joaquin Academy,‍ but lurking outside‌ of it.

***‌⁠

The‍‍ origin of the‍ incident was an‍⁠ article written by‍‍‌ a journalist.

======================‌

[Exclusive]‍‍ The Heavenly Sword⁠‌ of the Seven‍‌‍ Stars ♥ The‌‌ daughter of Saki‌ Kojima the Absolute‍ Archer are dating.‌‍

In⁠⁠ a Starbucks in‌ Wonju, Gangwon Province.‌‌

Ryozo‌ and I were‌ reading the article together, leaning our‌‍ heads.

The Joaquin Academy had⁠ imposed on us,‍ as punishment, two‍‍ weeks of house‌‍ arrest. Normally we had to stay‌ locked in the‌‌ dorm looking at‌‍ the ceiling and reflecting. But thanks‍‌ to Media’s consideration,‌⁠ we could spend the time outside⁠ of the academy,‍ just the two of us.

“It‌⁠‍ was a time‍‌ bomb that was⁠ bound to explode‍ sooner or later.”‌

I murmured, and Ryozo⁠‍ soothed me with‌⁠‍ her words.

“…Yes.‌‌ But it depends⁠⁠ on who takes‌ the first step.‍ Depending on that, the people’s reaction changes. They don’t‍⁠ say in vain‍⁠ that ‘the beginning is half the‌ result.’”

“Well,⁠ that’s true…”

Our⁠‍ joint sigh stamped‍ itself against the‌ smartphone screen, fogging⁠‌‌ it with breath.‍

“We’ll‌ have to read‌ it, right?”

“…So⁠ we can respond.‍⁠ To know the⁠ enemy is to⁠ win a hundred⁠⁠ battles.”

“…Mm.”‍

A murmur slipped out‌ on its own.‍ Something—something was bothering‍ me.

Ryozo⁠ guessed what I was thinking.

“My‍ name sounds Japanese,⁠ but in reality,‍ I’m Korean. So⁠‍‌ I also have⁠ the right to‍⁠ use the words‌ of the great‌ heroes of Korea’s⁠ history.”

“Yes. You’re absolutely right.”‌

I immediately turned my‌ eyes to the‌ smartphone.

======================

(Kaito,‌ reporter of Young‍‌‌ Sports News)

On‌ the 5th, the⁠ relationship between the⁠ Heavenly Sword of‌ the Seven Stars⁠ and Saki Ryozo,‍ daughter of Saki‍⁠ Kojima, was revealed‌⁠ and became news. An impactful step that broke the‌⁠‌ Joaquin Academy’s 700-year-old‍‌ rule of “prohibition‌‌ of romances.”

Public⁠ opinion is divided.⁠⁠ Some say: “We⁠ support them,” “They‍ give us dopamine‍‍ in hard times,” “It’s a flexible‍ response, something hard‍ to see in‍‌ Joaquin’s rigid tradition.”‍

But!‌ More than half show a negative‌ reaction toward the‍ romance of Kang‍ Geom-Ma, the Heavenly‌ Sword, and Saki Ryozo.

“What⁠ nonsense, really!”

Ryozo‍ frowned.

“More⁠‍ than half? Is‌‍ there really that‌⁠ many people who⁠⁠ have a problem‍ with us dating?!”‍‌

…Mm.⁠‌

Before‍‌‌ answering, just with‌‌‌ my eyes I glanced around the⁠ café. Several customers’⁠ eyes were fixed‌⁠ on Ryozo.

“The‌ daughter of Saki‍‍ Kojima dares with‍⁠ the Heavenly Sword?”

“Ridiculous.⁠ More ridiculous than us ourselves.”

A few guys muttered⁠⁠ among themselves, barely‍‌ audible.

“I⁠‍ think I’m more‍⁠‍ handsome.”

“…I‌ don’t think so. That girl, even‍ if you know⁠⁠‌ nothing else, has‌⁠ a face that⁠‌ could slap an⁠ idol a hundred‌⁠⁠ times.”

“Hey,⁠‌ enough already!”

Indeed,‌ there were plenty‍ of comments.

‘Ryozo’s‌ the only one who doesn’t care.’‌

Beyond‍‍ the article, since⁠ the relationship became‍ public, Ryozo showed‌ a surprising serenity.‌ There was even‍⁠‌ a day she‌ was so happy‍⁠ she jumped with⁠ joy.

Seeing‍‍ her like that,‌‌ so out of⁠‍‍ the ordinary for‌ her, was like‌‍ watching a dam‌‍ break. A woman‍ always apathetic, and‌ now, for the‍ first time, she‌ tasted joy. The‌‍⁠ barrier to expressing‍⁠ emotions had lowered.

That‌ new side of‌⁠ Ryozo seemed truly⁠ adorable to me.‌‌

Maybe‍⁠ she felt my gaze, because she⁠ suddenly turned her⁠ head back to⁠ the smartphone.

“What‍ else does it⁠ say at the⁠‌ end?!”

As she said that,‍⁠ under the table‌ she timidly moved‍‌ her fingers. With‍ her hands full‌‍ of bandages, she⁠ was trying to‌‌⁠ intertwine them with‌ mine.

“…Hey.”‌

“What?”‍

“Nothing.”⁠‌⁠

I kept reading the‌‌ article.

======================⁠‌

Especially‌⁠ in Japan, the⁠ home country of‍ Saki Ryozo, public‍ opinion is much⁠ more negative.

Saki‍ Kojima was considered‍‌ a national hero‌⁠⁠ and prime minister.‌ A year is‌ far too little for the wave‍‍ of mourning to‍ fade, and still,⁠ they criticize that⁠⁠ his daughter is⁠ playing at romance. (Fragment omitted).

“…They’re crazy.”

I turned off the⁠ phone.

In‌‍‍ the black screen,‌‍ Ryozo’s face reflected.⁠‍ Her expression was‍‍‍ neutral. I glanced⁠ at her sideways.⁠ She looked, as⁠‍⁠ always, expressionless.

That’s‌‍ why some pointed‌ to her as someone devoid of‍‍⁠ emotions, even rumored⁠‍ her to be⁠ a psychopath.

But‍ they knew nothing.‌ Ryozo wasn’t someone⁠⁠ without emotions. Never.‍‍

What‌‌⁠ happened was that,‌ in her adolescence,⁠ she was clumsy‌‍ at expressing them.⁠

‘Because‍‌ she had never⁠⁠ received affection.’

Saki‌‍ Kojima treated her‍ only as a successor. And since‍⁠ Ryozo had such⁠⁠ exceptional talent, she⁠ served to fill‌ Saki Kojima’s inferiority‍‌ complex.

Ryozo‍‌ was good at‌ everything from the⁠ beginning. And since‍‍ she always excelled,⁠ she never received⁠ praise for her‍ achievements.

She⁠ was already designated‍‌ as heir, and Kojima always demanded‌ more, more. But‍⁠ a broken pitcher‌ never fills, no⁠ matter how much⁠ water you pour.‌‌‌

There‍⁠ was a time‍ when Ryozo tried‌ to be recognized⁠ by Kojima.

But⁠‌ the only thing‌ she ever received‌ from her father‌‍ were cold looks.‍⁠‌

‘…Ryozo‍ or me, Kim‍ XX…’

The‌‌ circumstances and origins⁠‌‌ of my past⁠‌‍ life and hers‌‍ were completely different.⁠⁠

However,‌ I think the⁠ nature of our‌ deficiencies was very⁠ similar.

We‌ both lacked the‍‍⁠ experience of having‌‌⁠ received love from our families. That’s‍⁠ why we also‍⁠‌ didn’t really know how to give‌ it. And even⁠ if we tried,‍‍ in the eyes‍‌ of others it‍⁠‍ would surely look insufficient.

‘But‌ I understand.’

Because‌ I grew up⁠‌ as Kim XX.‍‍‌

Noticing‌ my compassionate gaze, Ryozo looked into⁠ my eyes.

“You⁠ wrote well.”

Ryozo‌‌ gave a faint‍‌‍ smile.

“Do⁠‌ you mean it?”‌

“Yes.‍ He wrote it⁠‌ in a way‌⁠ that really irritates.⁠ The name Kaito?‌‍⁠ It sounded familiar…”‌⁠

“Then‍⁠ you know him.”⁠

“He’s‌‍⁠ someone who contacted me several times⁠‍ by DM on‍ Beolstar. At first‌⁠ he wrote to me for interviews,⁠ but after that the tone of‌‌ his messages changed⁠ a bit.”

That⁠‍ bastard.

“Do‍‍ you want me to go see‍‌ him in person?”‌

“One⁠‌ problem just covers‍ another bigger one.⁠ It moves me‍‍ that you’d want‍‍ to sacrifice yourself‌ for me… but there’s no need⁠ to actually die.⁠‍ And there are tons of people‌‍⁠ like him.”

“Still.”‌

“It’s⁠ fine. Vixbig is already tracking him,‌ hacking his personal‌ data and any⁠⁠ suspicious circumstances.”

Wow.⁠

Then⁠‌ I really don’t⁠ have to worry.

“On‍ the contrary, I feel relieved.”

Ryozo‍‌ stretched like a cat, with a supple movement.

“They‌ say in my⁠ home country that⁠‍ negative opinion toward‍‍ me is the‍ mainstream? Better. Because‍ of Saki Kojima’s‌‌ last steps I had some remorse, but now I think I can‍ shake it all⁠⁠ off.”

“What‌‍ do you mean?”‌

“Hmm…”⁠

Ryozo⁠ moved her lips,‌ avoiding an answer.‍

“You’ll‍ know in about‌ a week.”

“You⁠⁠ could just tell⁠‌ me now.”

“It’s‌ just that I’m‍⁠ afraid you’d feel‌ too overwhelmed.”

What‌ could it be?‍⁠‍

I’m‌⁠ scared.

“Come⁠⁠‍ on, Kang Geom-Ma.”‌

“If‌‍‌ it’s because of‌‍ people’s stares, I don’t care.”

“No,⁠ it’s that I’m‍‌ hungry. They insulted‍‌ me so much‍ all day that now I’m hungrier.”‌

“Then‍‍ let’s eat something‍ good.”

“Kimchi‍‌ jjigae.”

“I prefer onigiri.”

Ryozo pinched my cheek.‍‌

“…You.”⁠‍‌

When she tried to‌‍ lift the tray⁠ and empty cups, I took them‍‌ from her hands.‍ Seeing the bandages⁠‍‍ with rabbit drawings‍ on them, my‌ chest ached.

“It‌ was the most‍ intense meal of‌⁠ my life.”

I said it while⁠‌ sorting the trash.‌

“In⁠‌‌ the end you‍ never say it‍ was tasty.”

Ryozo⁠‌⁠ made a little‍ sound of complaint,‍ but still helped‌‌ me.

People‍‍‍ around us looked on in surprise.⁠‍‍

The‌ daughter of Saki⁠ Kojima.

None other than Saki‌ Ryozo, considered the future prime minister of Japan, was sorting trash for⁠ recycling.

Impact.‍

But that impact was‌ nothing compared to‍‍ what happened a few days later,‍ which shook both‍ the people and‌‌ myself.

About‍ five days passed.‌

I received a call‌ from Saki Hina,‍ Ryozo’s older sister.‌⁠‍ Her voice sounded⁠‌ so agitated it seemed she might⁠⁠ run out of‌ breath.

— Heavenly Sword-nim.

“Ah,‌ I was just⁠ thinking of calling you.”

— It’s not that.‌‍

“Then?”‍

— It’s not about‌ the relationship.

Saki‍‍‍ Hina was breathing‌⁠⁠ in gasps.

— Ryozo.

“Ryozo?”⁠

— An hour ago,⁠‍ Ryozo sent an‍‌ official statement to‌⁠ all Japanese government‌‍‍ agencies announcing that‌‌ she will not accept being prime⁠ minister. To the⁠⁠ Parliament, to the‍ Executive, to the⁠‌ Imperial Agency, to⁠ all prefectures…!

“What?!”‌

— Surely her computer was hacked, right?!‌

Hack‌‍ it, maybe.

But⁠⁠‍ Ryozo wasn’t someone‌‌ to be swayed.‍

“…Calm down first.”

— How? If this‌‍ goes on, I’m‌⁠ going to end‍‌ up being prime‌⁠‌ minister!

Saki Hina had long⁠‌ since given up‍ on the ambition‌ of being Saki‌‌ Kojima’s heir.

In⁠ fact, she was⁠‌ planning to move‍‍ to Korea. But⁠ suddenly, like a bolt from the⁠‌ blue, this fell on her.

— Please! Convince Ryozo.⁠

“I‍‍ don’t know about‌ convincing, but I will talk to⁠⁠ her.”

— I beg you!‍

As‌‌‍ soon as I hung up, I ran to the café where Ryozo⁠‌ was most likely‌‍⁠ to be.

It‌⁠ was a place‌‌‌ in the mountains,‌‍ with the ridge⁠ visible in the⁠ distance. As expected,‍ there she was,⁠‌ typing on her⁠⁠ laptop.

“Did⁠ you see it?”‌

That‌‌‍ was the first‍ thing she said‌‍ to me, while⁠ I arrived panting.⁠‍

“You…‍‍‌ what were you‌‌ thinking?”

“Just.”‌

Her⁠ tone sounded as‍ if it didn’t‌ matter.

“I⁠ want to make‌‍ sure that even‍ if I abandon‍‍ the world, the‌⁠ world won’t abandon‍ me.”

It⁠‍ was such a Ryozo answer.

***

“That girl is anything⁠ but ordinary.”

That‌ was the boss’s‌ conclusion.

He⁠ looked at me‍ with his stubborn‌ eyes and asked.

“That‍ confession you were⁠ talking about. You know it, right?”

“Yes.”‌

Of‍‌ course.

Ryozo‌ had firmly declared‌‌ that she was‌ rejecting the position⁠‌ of prime minister.‍ And she received⁠ a brutal barrage‌ of criticism. They⁠‌⁠ even accused her of insulting the⁠‍‌ memory of Saki‌ Kojima.

But‍ she didn’t back‌‍ down.

“By⁠ doing that, she‍ also swallowed all‍ the negative opinion‌‌‍ that was aimed‍‌ at you.”

“That’s‍ right.”

“Well,‌⁠⁠ well… what did‌⁠‌ that woman see⁠⁠ in you, that‌ she even gives‍‌ up an entire country?”

The‌ boss let out‌‌⁠ an incredulous sigh.‌

I asked again.

“So,‌‍ do you admit⁠ that it was⁠‍ a confession?”

“Yes,⁠ damn it. I admit it.”

“Now‍ you understand why‍ I’m so attached⁠ to her.”

“Of course you should‌ be, you good-for-nothing‍ freeloader!”

That‌ one hurt.

“You’d‌‍ better treat her‍⁠⁠ better.”