The late bird wakes up!
Good morning! However, I didnt wake up until about 10 oclock, long after the sun had risen.
Yesterday, Monday, I returned to the boarding house after only eating at school because I was still suffering from the effects of having had my blood drained, and I went straight to sleep as soon as I returned to the empty boarding house. And because of that,
Completely recovered! Perfect Shirabayashi!
After taking dicine and getting so good rest, I recovered completely. Although my skill level was low, my ability to recover seed better than that of my 21st-century self. Is this youth?
Shall I get going to school, then.
Although vocational schools werent universities, they were still higher education institutes at the level of universities. So classes werent compulsory like in other middle or high schools. And on top of that, morning periods were common and theory classes, so if I mastered the terminology and did well on tests, it would be enough.
But I needed to attend the afternoon major classes, so I got up.
Urgh, so annoying.
I had gotten up, but I was already discouraged by the thought of having to go down that hill and wondering whether to take the bus or a taxi to school. Going to school was probably the most annoying task for a student in any period.
But I heard the front gate of the boarding house creak open outside the room. I opened the door and looked out. There were n in black suits. They were Shimazu Gumi mbers and, more specifically, Takahiros imdiate subordinates.
Whats going on?
And after them, Ham Won-sam, the owner of the boarding house, and his daughter, Ham Seo-ju, followed through. Ham Seo-ju saw and asked, delighted.
Oh my! Mister! You didnt go to school?
Yeah. I was about to head out. Anyway, your father was discharged?
Yes.
I looked at Ham Won-sam, who was sitting on the veranda.
Are you better?
Oh, you. Cant you tell? I got better a while ago! I an, all I had were just a couple bruises in the first place.
He continued,
Yeah, those Shimazu guys ca to saying they were sorry with their sumimasens, and thanks to them, I even got to check out the hospital for free and even get attended to And they even brought us in a car back ho! Haha! When would I ever get to be treated like this?.
As he said, a black luxury car was parked outside the gate. It seed they had brought Ham Won-sam and his daughter back ho after he got discharged.
But I couldnt see Takahiro. If he was there, I would have at least said hi. I asked one of the subordinates about to leave through the gate.
Wheres Takahiro?
Ah, Lady Shimazu was expecting a visitor, so the Vice-Branch Manager went to pick the guest up. Young master.
I didnt know if it was through Takahiros or Renkas orders, but even Takahiros n called young master and spoke formally to . Anyway, a guest at Renkas house?
Well, it was none of my business. I asked the union mber.
Hey, youre going back to your office, right?
Yes.
Then, I want you to do a favor.
Pardon?
Even if Takahiro was no longer attending to , considering these guys were still calling young master and speaking formally to , I thought there would be no harm in making so use of them.
I smiled at the guy that was rolling his eyes, wondering what I was about to ask, and said.
Could you drop off at the school on your way to the office?
***
Having arrived at school comfortably by car, I leisurely attended my afternoon major classes.
A lecture hall reminiscent of a martial arts dojo, where the swordsmanship class is taught.
I arrived in ti, changed into my dobok(note: Korean for martial arts uniform), and sat down like the other students when I started to hear murmuring around the place.
Its that guy!
Eh, that guy? Was it Shirabayashi? The guy that slapped Lady Shimazu in the cheek last week?
Im telling you, its him. I saw it myself. And that Lady Shimazu even apologized.
No way! What even is their relationship?
How would I know! But according to rumors
Co to think of it, isnt he the guy that made Murasaki kneel down after the duel last week?
They say hes a Joseon person even if his na is like that
Ehem.
Now that I thought about it, it was Saturday morning that I slapped Renka. And then I left school in the morning, and yesterday, Monday, I was in the infirmary all morning, then ate with my squad mbers and went straight back to the boarding house,
So today was the first ti I t other students since the incident with Renka. It seed rumors had spread during my absence.
Shocking! A Joseon person that slapped Lady Shimazu in public and even received an apology?!
Thinking about it, I went too far.
No matter how angry I was at the ti, slapping Renka was completely uncalled for. Besides, Renka apologized for it, and I forgave her.
Since I slapped her in front of the other students, it would be better for to apologize to her privately.
Anyway, is Renka not taking this class?
The morning common classes are held by class, but the afternoon major classes were taken according to each students major, regardless of their class. However, last week, and even now, I had not seen Renka in the afternoon swordsmanship class.
Considering she uses a sword, didnt she have to take this class too?
Or does she not need to take this class since shes already mastered swordsmanship
The only ti I had seen Renka wield her sword was on the first day I woke up, when she cut the Tetrapod or Takoashi, as they were called in this period with a single slash,
That level of ability would be more than enough to make her a Hunter in the 21st century.
On top of that, she had probably mastered her swordsmanship, not by fighting beasts from the beginning but by practicing against people, going step by step. Then she certainly had no need to take such an introductory swordsmanship class.
On the other hand, .
Since I had learned swordsmanship by fighting against monsters inside the Gates from the beginning, I was okay with using my sword against monsters, but I couldnt use it against people.
By this, I an not that I would lose against soone in a swordfight, but that I wouldnt be able to win without cutting them.
So, I needed to slowly learn swordsmanship from the very basics,
Ichi, ni (one, two)! Ichi, ni!
I practiced my basic posture in sync with the command, swinging my sword and slashing the air.
The class was set up so that students that knew how to handle the sword better were put into pairs to spar, and those who were less experienced were taught basic posture lessons by Professor Kenryu. I joined the second group to learn the basics step by step.
Ichi, ni! Ichi, ni!
Hey! Shirabayashi!
As I was practicing my posture, swinging my sword in place, soone called harshly.
Lets duel again!
It was Murasaki. Looking at his face about to burst, he had probably been holding a grudge since last weeks duel.
Is he that upset about losing to ?
Murasaki snorted, wanting to fight , but I politely refused.
No. Im going to learn the basics. Im still lacking in the basics.
What? Basics
At my words, he made a face as if what I had said was ridiculous,
You! Are you making fun of , saying I lost to a guy that doesnt even know the basics?! Fuzakeruna (Dont ss around)! De (You)!
He shouted as he rushed at with his sword in one hand. Of course, I just avoided him lightly,
Ken o motte (Raise your sword)!
He said, still not getting tired, as he rushed in. At this point, I thought, Should I seriously just break a leg or two for him to stop? when,
Murasaki Kenji-kun!
With a loud roar, Professor Kenryu, the old swordsman who was correcting the other students posture, ca up and walked up to him,
Slap-!
And with his thick hand, he slapped Murasakis cheek.
What do you think you are doing to a cadet who is practicing his kata()?!
No, but, sensei! I just-
Professor Kenryu yelled once again at Murasaki, who was grasping for excuses.
Shut up! If you cant control your temper like that, you can duel !
Sorry?
Raise your sword! Ill give you an advantage and use a wooden sword!
Murasaki was taken aside by Professor Kenryu,
Argh! S-sensei! It hurts!
Your head is unguarded!
Argh!
Your waist!
Like that, Professor Kenryu began beating Murasaki with his wooden sword relentlessly.
Deserved.
Now with a spectacle and no distractions, I swung my sword with greater peace of mind.
Ichi, ni. Ichi, ni
***
After the afternoon major classes ended, I looked around for my squad mbers. Of course, I looked for everyone except for Murasaki, who was still hanging around with his gang.
The reason why I looked for my squad mbers was, of course
The Gate!
It was to go check out the Gate, or Spirit Door, that opened up outside Dongsomun. My purpose was, of course, not just to check it out, but to go in alone without the other guys, but acting together would be good to improve teamwork.
First, I joined up with Song Byung-oh, finding him at the shooting range, and then I found Lee Yu-ha and Aikawa in the dormitory and greeted them in the Joseon language.
Yu-ha~
? Cheol-yeon.
I asked Lee Yu-ha, who still didnt understand my greeting.
How are you feeling?
Lee Yu-ha answered with a gentle smile.
How is it that thou wouldst ask how I am every ti we et? I have completely recovered now. Even Mr. Heuk-byeon I an, Mr. Kurobe has told I am completely cured.
Lee Yu-ha was still more familiar with reading the Chinese characters in Korean rather than using Japanese nas, so she had called professor Heuk-byeon before correcting herself and saying Kurobe.
Anyway, it was good that she had recovered completely. I went straight to the point.
You heard a Spirit Gate opened outside Dongsomun, right? Were going to check it out today. Want to co with us?
Will, perhaps, Ms. Yang also co?
Lee Yu-has expression changed, and she asked if Yang Bok-ja would be coming with us. But, since it was Yang Bok-ja who had suggested we should go check it out, it was only natural that she would be coming with us.
Yes.
Then I shall not go. You may go between yourselves.
Lee Yu-ha said firmly, turning her head. Hmm. It seed things were still awkward between them. I asked Aikawa.
Aikawa, what about you?
Sorry?
Im talking about the Spirit Gate outside Dongsomun. Want to co with us?
Eeh, I, I Its too scary.
The timid Aikawa put her hands together, startled, saying she didnt want to go because she was scared. Then, it was just , Yang Bok-ja, and Song Byung-oh that would be going.
As Song Byung-oh and I left through the school gate and made our way down the path to the school, Yang Bok-ja was already waiting for us with three rickshaws.
Shirabayashi-kun! So-kun! Here here! Kotchi kotchi!
Yang Bok-ja, who saw us in the distance, jumped up and down as she waved. Song Byung-oh turned his head and murmured.
Thats a bit Embarrassing. A grown-up girl Sigh.
As Song Byung-oh said, it was a bit embarrassing to see Yang Bok-ja, who was especially well-developed compared to other girls, jump like that. Anyway,
A rickshaw, huh.
It had already been a week since I had woken up in this era, but riding on rickshaws drawn by people still felt sowhat wrong.
And maybe I felt even worse because I lived with Ham Won-sam, a rickshaw puller. I gave a few coins to the rickshaw pullers that Yang Bok-ja had held up and sent them back.
Oh my, thank you, sir!
Eh! Shirabayashi-kun? Why are you sending them off?
After sending the rickshaw pullers off, I spoke to Song Byung-oh and Yang Bok-ja, who was bewildered, unable to understand what was happening.
Lets take a taxi. Ill pay for it.
Hah, you seriously have a lot of money.
To be precise, it wasnt who had a lot of money, but my father who did. Saying this made seem like I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth or sothing, but it was the truth.
Anyway, since I was now holding my father, Baek No-pyeongs leash through Chun-wol, Gye Chun-hee, I didnt need to save up much money. Money is there to be used.
We took a taxi and headed to Dongsomun.
Then, as the taxi headed south, passing through Hyehwajeong-gil and crossing Dongsomun, we could see the issue over the rice fields.
Ne ne! Shirabayashi-kun! I think its there!
Yang Bok-ja, riding in the back seat, made a fuss. Sitting in the passenger seat, I looked back and said.
Yang Bok-ja, could you please call Baek Cheol-yeon when were not in school?
What! This is more comfortable! And I also told you, Shirabayashi-kun, to Tomiko yonde tteba(call )!
A sphere fluctuating in indescribable colors was floating in the middle of a rice field outside Dongsomun. A Gate, a Spirit Gate in this eras words.
We got off the taxi and headed to where the Spirit Gate was. Song Byung-oh raised his glasses as he said.
I dont know if we ca to see the Spirit Gate or people!
Seriously, yoku mienai na(I cant see it well)
Yang Bok-ja said as she waddled, standing on tiptoes. As they said, it was hard to see the Spirit Gate because it was surrounded by many people and covered by the temporary tents around it. I looked around and said.
Lets go see it from up there.
We climbed up the old fortress wall connected to Dongsomun. The view was much better on top of the overgrown walls than when we were on the ground.
Hmm.
I carefully looked at the Spirit Gate in the middle of the rice field and its surroundings.
Is there anywhere to sneak in.
Soldiers surrounded the Gate, and various temporary tents were built around it. And countless Yeopsas that ca from all around.
I kept looking while I wondered how I could get in when Song Byung-oh, looking at the gate from my side, murmured.
The ODCs stock price is probably going to rise again!
Yang Bok-ja chid in.
Thats why my father bought shares of the ODC! It never drops!
Hah! Using money to play with money! The bourgeoisie
The ODC.
The soldiers were surrounding the Gate, but the people selecting and letting Yeopsas in were people from the ODC, the Oriental Developnt Company.
THAT Oriental Developnt Company, here?
It was that Oriental Developnt Company, the sa one I had seen in textbooks on modern and contemporary history in the 21st century. The national enterprise was established by Japan to exploit the land and resources of Joseon.
And there was sothing new I had learned through school classes and books these past few days.
In this era, in addition to land and resources, they managed the Gates that showed up in Joseon. This ant that Spirit Gates that opened up in Joseon land was owned by the ODC.
The surveyors and Yeopsas affiliated to the ODC were the first to go into the Gate to determine its type and size, and then Yeopsas from other unions or individual Yeopsas were subcontracted to wipe out the monsters.
The Spirit Gate was taken on in this way, and the ownership was later divided between different Yeopsa unions based on how much each had contributed to defeating the monsters and other factors, but ultimately it was still managed by the ODC.
If the Shimazu Gumi had taken ownership of this Spirit Gate, I would have asked Renka sohow, but now thats difficult.
In front of the Spirit Gate, an ODC employee checked the Yeopsas licenses before letting them in. There didnt seem to be any way to sneak in.
But I found sothing peculiar while watching the scene and asked.
Hey, look over there. Why are those people just getting let in?
So people were let in without getting their licenses checked. They werent even well-dressed Yeopsas, and most of them looked shabby.
Yang Bok-ja answered.
Shirabayashi-kun, you dont know? Those are nakashi! In other words theyre porters!
Porters?
When I asked back, Song Byung-oh spoke, raising his glasses.
Baek Cheol-yeon, lad, even if you havent seen a genba(scene) before, you lack common sense in unexpected areas! Obviously, shouldnt there be soone to follow around and tetsudai(assist) the Yeopsas?
When I heard this, I looked back at the scene and saw that after the Yeopsas who had their licenses checked to enter the Gate, all the shabby-looking people that went through behind their respective Yeopsa without a license check were carrying bags or boxes in their hands or backs.
Thats it! Porter!
Although the Yeopsas were checking one by one, the porter brought by the Yeopsa was not searched or inspected as if they were the property of the Yeopsa.
Thats it!
I had found an unexpected way to enter the Spirit Gate.
***
At the sa ti, with a flash of light, a piece of bamboo is cut across.
Slash!
The top of the horizontally cut bamboo target fell off, and soon a fire roared from the cut cross-section. However, Renka wasnt as satisfied as usual.
Phew
Due to the news of an unexpected guest coming, her troubled heart had been difficult to calm down since yesterday. Renka lowered her sword in front of her, and with her eyes closed, she cleared her mind and began to raise it again. Then,
Just cutting bamboo wont improve your practical skills.
Saying this, soone overlapped the hand that Renka was holding her sword in from behind.
After all, although the bamboo is stiff, living enemies are bound to put up resistance. Now, slowly raise your sword like this-
Renka felt shivers running down her spine from the whispering voice in her ear and swung her arms around to push off the overlapping hand. Renka frowned,
I have defeated countless monsters myself. It is a pity, but I do not need to hear that advice from you.
She continued, turning and glaring at the man in front of her.
Aoki-shosa.
Hahaha I am truly sorry.
Only then did Aoki take off his military cap and bow politely to Renka.
You have grown even more beautiful since I last saw you, Lady Renka. Has it been 5 years?
.
Renka continued staring at the man with sharp eyes.
5 years. As Aoki-shosa said, it was the first ti they had t since she had been forced into an engagent with him when she graduated elentary school in Tokyo.
When she was a child, the first thought that ca to mind when facing this man was fear.
It was as if she was a grasshopper in a mantiss presence, even though she thought the spiny arm wouldnt be directed at her.
And that abominable attitude, as if he was hiding sothing from her! That attitude, as if showing off that he was favored by her father, despite being in the army! This was what Renka didnt like.
Unpleasant.
This was why the only thing she hated more than the harsh training from her childhood was eting this man. However, the marriage was sothing of the distant future, and she thought there was so aning behind her fathers decision, so she had just kept it to one side of her mory. However,
I had forgotten about it.
He had appeared in front of her eyes. And seeing Aoki again, his impression hadnt changed at all.
Aoki grinned and said as if he had just noticed Renkas spiteful gaze.
Ah, Im late, am I not? Truth is, after arriving in Gyeongseong, I looked around for a bit. Compared to war-torn China and Manchuria, it is still quite peaceful here in Joseon.
Renka frowned again. She didnt feel like being polite to this person at all. Renka asked directly.
Why had you co to Gyeongseong?
Ah, first of all, of course, I ca to see you as I am on vacation. But secondly
Aoki kept a grin on his face as he put his military cap back on and said.
When I arrived in Gyeongseong, I heard a Spirit Gate opened not very far from here. I was thinking about comfortably enjoying myself there Would you co with ?
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