episode_0060

“This is….”

Before I could finish my sentence, Handoa stepped forward.

“It’s nothing serious. It was dark on the way back, so we just held onto each other in case of a fall.”

“For that reason, do people normally hold hands?”

Kim Noeul squinted her eyes and questioned, but Handoa met Kim Noeul’s gaze with a firm look.

He was different from the Handoa just moments ago.

No longer was his voice gentle, nor did he blush or show embarrassment. He was the usual strong-willed Handoa.

It felt as if his very personality had changed, making me wonder if the Handoa I saw earlier was just an illusion.

“By the way, why did you come looking for us?”

I asked to divert the topic, and Kim Noeul turned her head towards me.

“I went to your room to ask what you were planning to do tomorrow, but there was no response no matter how much I knocked. I was worried something might have happened.”

“That’s right… Doa wasn’t in the room either…”

It seemed like they had been quite worried about our disappearance.

“What were you two talking about?”

“We discussed future actions. I need enlightenment during the break, so I need help from acquaintances.”

When Nayuna cautiously asked, Handoa smoothly replied.

“Doa is already strong…”

“Weak.”

Handoa calmly revealed his own weakness. However, his expression was not as defeated as before.

“So I want to seek advice from you all in the future and hope for your cooperation.”

“….”

Kim Noeul silently stared into Handoa’s clear eyes. After a quiet moment, she chuckled.

“Sure~ Well, since I’ve received a lot of help from seniors, it’s only natural to cooperate. I’ve been frustrated seeing you struggle alone.”

“Did it seem that way?”

“Yes. Yuna also worried a lot.”

“Are you feeling better now?”

To Nayuna’s question, Handoa nodded slightly.

A rare warm atmosphere enveloped the three women.

“Anyway, now that we’re all awake, what should we do next?”

Kim Noeul plopped down on the sofa, muttering.

Nayuna’s eyes sparkled as she went upstairs. Shortly after, she came back down with a deck of cards.

“I knew this would happen! When you can’t sleep, it’s time for cards!”

While she had been moping earlier, Nayuna was now the most excited.

“Shall we give it a try then?”

At my suggestion, the three women gathered around eagerly to start dealing the cards. The game was “Catch the Thief.”

As we played, I listened attentively to their conversations.

Certainly, their bond had deepened since the beginning of the semester. They chatted freely and laughed without any awkwardness. Even Handoa’s face showed no signs of shadow.

‘Tomorrow needs to go well…’

*

*

*

After staying up almost all night, we had breakfast with dazed expressions. This time, Kim Namsu did not join us for the meal.

We finished eating with the help of the servants. Unlike the still tired-looking Kim Noeul and Nayuna, Handoa and I were more alert than ever.

Because we were about to face someone who wouldn’t be easy to deal with.

“I’m going to see Mother.”

Handoa declared while sipping green tea. Kim Noeul and Nayuna didn’t react much to this.

“I’ll go with you.”

When I said I would accompany Handoa, the two women responded.

“Why?”

Nayuna tilted her head curiously.

“Mother hopes I will graduate. I want to focus on my studies.”

“I’ve been tutoring a senior, so I’m here to help with persuasion.”

Nayuna was surprised by our explanations.

“Well… Maru seems capable of handling this.”

I didn’t know where she got that impression from, but I was grateful. Kim Noeul remained unexpectedly calm.

“Well, I hope it works out.”

As I looked at her meaningfully, Kim Noeul also looked puzzled.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Surprised. Normally, you’d stick to me like glue and ask what I’m up to.”

“…What were you looking at me as?”

“Annoying dog.”

Kim Noeul sighed, hung a towel around her neck, and stood up.

“I can tell it’s something important from your expression. Don’t interfere unnecessarily; you won’t be able to grasp the atmosphere. Besides, if Doa unni disappears, it will disrupt our plans.”

She waved her hand as she entered the bathroom. It was her way of showing support.

“Then let’s go.”

“Yes.”

I and Handoa followed Nayuna to the annex.

The main house and the annex were separated by rows of trees in the garden. As we crossed the trees, the air changed.

Whether it was my nerves or not, the air felt heavier.

The main house came into view. Handoa paused briefly at the door.

“Maru.”

“Yes.”

Her tone changed.

“Just in case, I’m telling you in advance.”

She turned back to look at me.

“Whatever happens during the confrontation between me and my mother, don’t intervene.”

“…Yes.”

Knowing Hando Young’s personality to some extent, I had already prepared myself. Since Handoa had also made up her mind, I decided to trust her.

“Thank you for coming with me.”

“We promised, didn’t we?”

Handoa smiled softly, then composed her expression and opened the door.

“Hello, miss. And your friend.”

One of the servants cleaning the shoe rack greeted us.

“Where is the lady of the house?”

The servant pointed to the study with his finger.

“She’s having breakfast and cleaning the study.”

“I see.”

We tried to pass by the servant without saying anything, but he called us back.

“Miss.”

The servant’s gaze was fixed on me.

“I apologize to your friend, but outsiders are not allowed in the study…”

“I’ll take responsibility.”

“…Understood.”

The servant stepped back without further ado.

After that, the two of us headed towards the study. There was no conversation as we walked. We had already finished our discussion last night.

The area near the study resembled a bamboo forest. Small ponds were scattered around with red and white carp swimming leisurely.

There we met Hando Young.

Hando Young held a broom in one hand and scattered food to the fish with the other.

‘She said she cleans near the study herself.’

As soon as my contemplation ended, Handoa approached Hando Young.

“Are you coughing, mother?”

“What brings you here?”

“To persuade you as you mentioned yesterday…”

“No, I didn’t ask you.”

Hando Young raised her head and looked at me.

“I asked Maru.”

“I came to persuade you with my senior.”

Avoiding beating around the bush with Hando Young, I went straight to the point. At the mention of persuasion, Hando Young’s eyebrows twitched.

“…Seems like you’ve been influenced by Doa. You’ve come to change my mind?”

“Yes. I don’t want Doa senior to leave the academy.”

Without an immediate response, Hando Young finished feeding the fish. The fish flickered their mouths to eat the food floating on the surface.

“There are many things I want to say, but what I’m most curious about is…”

Hando Young continued walking into the study.

“Why are you deeply involved in someone else’s affairs, Maru student? That’s what I’m curious about.”

“….”

I suddenly found myself at a loss for words at her question.

What relationship do I have with Handoa?

Close senior? Even so, it’s not right to meddle in family matters just because of this kind of relationship.

Then what kind of relationship is it?

Strictly speaking, we were colleagues cooperating towards the same goal. But it would be too cumbersome to explain the situation at Ojakgyo.

Even if I were to speak, Hando Young would probably oppose it. She wouldn’t want Handoa to get involved in such a fight.

“Do you not know what kind of relationship it is exactly?”

“Mother, he came as a representative of my friends. I have things to do at the academy, and I don’t want to leave them.”

“That action doesn’t seem to be helpful for your future.”

Before we knew it, we had all entered the training hall. Han Do-young scanned the well-maintained bamboo sword.

“What changes have you undergone since going to school? Has your swordsmanship improved? Have you been dedicated to your studies?”

“I will show you my changed self.”

“All I’ve seen from you was getting seriously injured after fighting with correctional students.”

At those words, Han Do-ah remained silent. Han Do-young turned around towards us, holding the bamboo sword.

“Is your sword meant for such petty fights? Moreover, if you were supposed to focus on academics, you shouldn’t have engaged in such fights.”

“I will change.”

Han Do-ah clenched her fist and met Han Do-young’s cold gaze. If it were the Han Do-ah from the hospital, she would have lowered her head unable to withstand that gaze.

“You…”

Han Do-young narrowed her eyes as if sensing a change in Han Do-ah, then her gaze shifted towards me. Han Do-young seemed to realize something, her expression reflecting understanding.

“…I see.”

Running her hand through her hair, Han Do-young took off her hair tie. Her flowing hair was neatly tied back.

Standing in front of Han Do-ah with the same ponytail hairstyle, Han Do-young, being taller, looked down slightly at Han Do-ah.

“If you truly want to show a changed self…”

Han Do-young gestured towards the bamboo sword.

“Prove it.”

“Yes, that was our way.”

Han Do-ah walked over confidently, drew the bamboo sword, and extended it towards Han Do-young.

“I regret being misled by your trivial words.”

Han Do-young also aimed her bamboo sword at Han Do-ah.

“No longer… do I sense sincerity in my daughter’s words.”

A hint of emotion appeared in Han Do-young’s eyes. Han Do-ah took a deep breath and spoke up.

“So, I will prove it not with words but with the sword.”

I distanced myself from the two women, quietly kneeling down. From afar, their profiles were strikingly similar.

Same ponytail, similar height, identical posture, matching attire…

In a typical creation, they would continue conversing while exchanging swords.

But this was not an ordinary setting.

The two women mixed their swords without uttering a word. There was no need for conversation; exchanging blows was their dialogue.

Their story had ended at the point mentioned earlier.

Han Do-ah and Han Do-young silently faced each other. The bamboo swords in their hands remained motionless, unlike their hearts.

Outside the training hall, the sound of the mountain breeze and chirping birds filled the air.

For a while, only the sounds of nature surrounded the training hall until Han Do-ah extended her foreleg.

Thud!

Suddenly, a sound rang out. Their bamboo swords clashed in mid-air.

There was no intermediary process.

They moved as if anticipating each other’s strikes.

Their speed was such that reacting would be too late. Yet, they exchanged blows four times without inflicting any wounds.

“Such occurrences are rare in swordsmanship.”

Usually, the score is decided the moment swords clash during an approach. That’s the norm.

Given their countless sparring sessions, it was a feasible feat. Experience favored one side.

Thud!

This time, it wasn’t the sound of swords clashing. It was the sound of someone’s shoulder hitting a bamboo sword.

…!

Grimacing from pain, Han Do-ah lowered her sword. Han Do-young wordlessly returned to her position.

Enduring the pain, Han Do-ah also went back to her spot. The two women raised their swords again.

This time, Han Do-young extended her foreleg first.

Thud!

Once again, the bamboo swords collided. They retreated, observed each other, then struck again.

Han Do-young twisted her sword around Han Do-ah’s, causing Han Do-ah’s upper body to slip due to the sliding force.

Han Do-young’s sword mercilessly aimed towards Han Do-ah’s chest. Han Do-ah twisted her waist, narrowly avoiding the thrust and swung her own sword horizontally.

Han Do-young merely took a step back.

Her daughter’s sword swept past her mother’s eyes.

My gaze gradually shifted from Han Do-young to Han Do-ah’s expression.

She seemed tormented.

Despite declaring to prove herself with her sword, Han Do-young was too strong.

It didn’t make sense.

Based on what I knew, Han Do-ah should have shown some skill. So why was she falling behind like this?

Sweating profusely, Han Do-ah continued to wield her sword. Each time, Han Do-young, with a calm expression, effortlessly thwarted her daughter’s attacks.

“Is this really right?”

Eventually, Han Do-young’s sword struck Han Do-ah’s abdomen.

“Oof!”

Han Do-ah exhaled sharply, bending at the waist. Tears welled up in her eyes. Han Do-young returned to his position, adjusting his stance.

She glared at her daughter as if urging her to either cry or fight back.

Meeting her gaze, Han Do-ah squared her shoulders, readying herself.

The pattern repeated.

Han Do-ah kept getting hit, tears streaming down her face each time she raised her sword again.

Han Do-young didn’t stop. Even as Han Do-ah cried with each blow, she stoically continued the duel.

I snapped out of my daze, feeling pain in my hands. Nail marks were deeply etched into my palm.

Clutching my fist tightly, trembling.

Thud!

“Sigh…”

Struck on the side, Han Do-ah dropped her sword. Finally, Han Do-young spoke.

“You dropped your sword. I take it as a signal to stop.”

Wiping his neck with a towel, Han Do-young turned away.

I stared at the seated Han Do-ah blankly. Her shoulders trembled.

She no longer looked at Han Do-young, fixating on the ground, mechanically continuing the duel.

“Don’t intervene in our duel, no matter what happens between me and my mother.”

Han Do-ah’s words echoed. She had asked me not to interfere.

But simultaneously, another thought arose.

“If I’m not going to take any action, why am I even here?”

I had promised Han Do-ah last night to help her. It wasn’t just going to resolve itself as smoothly as in the original work.

Once words are spoken, they must be upheld.

The trusted party was wrong.

I should trust Han Do-ah, not the original work.

The decision didn’t take long. Unconsciously, I made a sound.

“Senior Do-ah.”

My voice echoed in the dojo. It was so quiet that my voice carried loudly. Han Do-ah slowly turned to look at me.

Her eyes regained life.

I didn’t complicate matters with unnecessary words.

I simply stared at Han Do-ah.

Not at the weak woman who dropped her sword, but at the skilled martial arts leader.

“….”

Slowly, life returned to Han Do-ah’s eyes as she clenched her jaw and used her sword as leverage to rise.

Han Do-young looked at his daughter as she rose.

A hint of approval flickered in Han Do-young’s eyes.

Han Do-ah gritted her teeth and lifted her sword.

“There’s no turning back now.”

It was the final showdown. Han Do-ah no longer had the energy to continue the duel.

“But it’s enough.”

She would prove it with this outcome.

Her mother and Kim Maru had advised her not to dwell on the past. If that was the case, she would follow their advice.

Feeling calm, she wondered why she had been suffering silently until now when she could feel so relieved after letting go.

Han Do-young’s sword swiftly approached her throat. Dodging by turning her head, Han Do-ah swung her sword horizontally.

Han Do-young slightly stepped back.

It was a similar situation to before, but Han Do-ah didn’t intend for it to end the same way.

“Don’t dwell on the past, move forward…”

Han Do-ah extended her front leg without hesitation. Her sword drew a longer arc.

Thud!

Han Do-ah’s sword grazed Han Do-young’s nose. His bridge turned red, blood trickling down. The skin tore.

The sword that successfully struck Han Do-young did not lose its strength and drew a beautiful crescent shape.

Han Do-young’s pupils captured the crescent in his sight.

It was a beautiful sword stroke. So captivating.

Satisfied that his daughter had drawn that crescent.

“Ha…! Ha…!”

After swinging her sword, Han Do-ah knelt on one knee, seemingly exhausted. Still, she raised her head to observe Han Do-young’s movements.

Han Do-young stood still, blood dripping from his nose, quietly contemplating the beautiful crescent he had just seen.

She dropped the sword she was holding and muttered, “I lost.”

“……”

“That crescent stroke… That’s your answer.”

Watching Han Do-ah nod silently, Han Do-young picked up the sword and put it back in its sheath. Then, passing by Kim Maru, she spoke.

“Maru student.”

“Yes.”

“…Go in peace.”

With these few words, she left the training hall with light steps.

As she exited the hall, she noticed Kim Nam-soo leaning against the wall, looking puzzled. He withdrew his ear as she approached.

“I, I overheard because I was curious.”

“……”

“Don’t give me that pitying look as if you’re staring at a poor man….”

Han Do-young sighed, took the water offered by Kim Nam-soo, and walked away. Walking beside her, Kim Nam-soo glanced at her.

“How was it?”

“What.”

“Do-ah.”

After a moment of silence, Han Do-young stopped walking.

“I got hit on the nose.”

“You can tell just by looking. Losing must be distressing for you, right?”

“That’s how it should be normal….”

Han Do-young looked inside the training hall. There, she saw Han Do-ah drinking water in Kim Maru’s arms.

“…I don’t feel too bad about it.”

Kim Nam-soo was surprised by Han Do-young’s expression.

‘It’s the first time I’ve seen someone make this face after losing in a sword fight.’

“So, how do you feel?”

“What else.”

“Maru, Maru.”

When Kim Nam-soo playfully smiled and looked at her, Han Do-young glared back with cold eyes.

“Why are you suddenly asking that?”

“Look at that. The drawing is quite nice. It feels like seeing our old selves.”

“Stop with the nonsense and leave.”

“Honestly, considering that you let Maru student into the training hall, you’ve already accepted it, haven’t you?”

“……”

Without saying a word, Han Do-young walked away. Kim Nam-soo knew well that when Han Do-young approves, she deliberately chooses silence.