Year 526 A.B. (Three years later)
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR96VJu4v9
The moonlight shines through the enclosure windows. Under the light, a battle reaches its conclusion as Rai is knocked into the wall. A familiar-looking anthropomorphic projection lowers its leg and fades away; behind it, Kahnyne stands illuminated by the light and looking younger than before, as if he has aged in reverse.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq539FIYqne
“That was great, Rai; at this rate, you’ll have surpassed me in no time at all.”
Kahnyne says, approaching him.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZlkrq2AN6
Rai looks up, smiling and rubbing his stomach.
“If no time is 100 years from now! It’s like you’re the one getting stronger...”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IueDCLcQD
Kahnyne laughs.
“That may be so; let us get you back to your room though. Can you walk?”
He says helping Rai to his feet.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfDTG44V1e
“I think I’ve got it now; thanks, Kahnyne.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI9tGhgEei
The two of them exit the enclosure, and walk through the hallways of the manor as the phantoms of their memories walk with them. Tough times, painful times, lonely times. Better times, days of healing, time spent together. They arrive at Rai’s room and sit on his bed as they have always done, but now two large suitcases and melancholy accompany them.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbzZPAhSwP
“So, have you packed everything?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUh11bRgoP
Rai begins to count off on his fingers.
“Books, clothes, toiletries, etcetera. I think that’s all.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJW6tlrp9q
“Is it really?”
Kahnyne says smugly looking at the comb resting on Rai’s dresser.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUM9Wc4fl3
“...And an extra large comb.”
Rai replies both reluctantly and jokingly.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2KcnqJazA
“Now, I think you’re ready…” Kahnyne falls silent for a moment. “Time really flies; it’s hard to believe that starting tomorrow, my reading buddy won't be here for a while. Hopefully you won’t miss these lectures of mine too much.” He says, breaking the silence.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YLNeuCguX
Rai laughs.
“I think I definitely would…” he fumbles with hands. “...but I had an idea.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xYprgneAK
“And what would that be?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMS3sa4iaR
“I could write to you, and update you on each step of the way. Then you could write to me, and that way I won’t have to miss them.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWt9vTtTVs
Kahnyne begins to rest his hand on Rai’s head, but instead slings it over Rai's opposite shoulder.
“That sounds like a deal, Rai.”
Another brief moment of silence falls between them before Kahnyne breaks it again.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS75OI5HpJc
“Listen. While I still have the chance, I want to ask, is this really what you want to do?”
He asks sincerely.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX9OXc8YFA
Rai nods his head.
“I want to become an exorcist to help you and make sure no one ever goes through what you went through again, Kahnyne. I have no doubts.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TmNktNpV4
“Well, if you’re looking to make a change, there is a certain man that you should meet. His name is Xing: a division leader and one of my former students. Excel in your exams and join his squad; he will take care of you.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqBO49kIy3
“I will do my best, Kahnyne.”
Rai’s voice brims with certainty.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsxumklGcG
“Of course you will; after all, you’ve grown like a weed before my very eyes.“
They both separate, pause and laugh, realizing that didn't come out as intended.
“Even though I've been hailed as the Scholar, I guess I never really was the best with words of the mouth, huh?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIlPDzPRGX
“I don't think so; you're great. I was scared of you when you first came here…”
Rai looks up at the ceiling, reminiscently. An image of his younger self being led out of a hiding spot amongst a row of furniture flashes through his mind.
“... No, I think I was a bit scared of everything at that point; I'd never even seen much of the world outside of this manor, and mother and father had just started treating me like they never even conceived me.” Out of Kahnyne’s sight, his fist tightens then relaxes at the thought of the better times: a pained, yet compassionate hand reaching out to him. “But ever since the moment you reached out to me, I've felt something other than hurt. I couldn't thank you enough, Kahnyne.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAmMuWmyLh
“Maybe we should start calling you the Poet. You’re the one who should be receiving thanks, Rai…” Kahnyne pulls Rai into an embrace. You still have much to learn about the world and yourself, but when I look at you now, I know that you will go on to accomplish great things. You…”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMUmxEdnGl
The door to Rai's room begins to open; the shock causes them both to separate as Kahnyne assumes a natural position, standing up before the door opens completely.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTs4mC4yOX
“Am I interrupting something?”
Airis asks enigmatically standing in the doorway.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEn9TC8BiO
“Not at all; I was just making sure all of the boy's belongings were packed.”
Kahnyne begins walking past her.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUd5gXEEnI
“Good, because there has been a change of plans. Instead of leaving at midday, we have arranged for a cab to pick him up first thing in the morning.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBOYSq0fSa
Kahnyne stops in his tracks for a brief moment, and Rai who had been avoiding eye contact looks up to debate, losing his composure.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgGawqmJpT
“Wait, is there time for…”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk3IOWy1iY
“Understood, madam; goodnight.”
Kahnyne interjects and leaves the room.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVNOu1QE2u
Airis turns around shortly after and begins to leave as well, but stops in the doorway as she closes it.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMoRCDRPLa
“By the way, I love what you've done with the place. It looks a lot better without all the glass from that mirror on the floor.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5smxDEpIz
Rai goes to sleep unsatisfied and unnerved.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFxGcaaFmf
A somber morning without the hope of a farewell arrives. Rai grabs his suitcases, lazily puts on his clothes and makes his way to the entrance of the manor. His stomach growls but loneliness grants the illusion of it being full.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjptxZHmno
Rai reaches for the entrance's door handle that feels further and further away the closer he gets to it. Once it finally opens, on opposite sides of the entrance, his parents stand. Down a long cobblestone walkway in front of him, the cab is parked with its trunk and passenger seat open. A triangle of misery. Kahnyne is nowhere to be found. Rai begins walking forward. Lifeless goodbyes that sound like distant mumbles echo in his head. He responds without stopping.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKZtu5uwL6
“Yes, mother.”
“Yes, father.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7c6YzFC1o
One hundred paces…
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7jlxySEHU
Twenty paces…
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT8L45eZzj
Ten paces away from the cab…
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B3TLUlF7C
Suddenly, Rai's somber trance is interrupted by the sound of a man's familiar voice: more out of breath and riled up than usual. He turns around and to his and his parents’ surprise, Kahnyne is quickly making his way to him with a small bag in his hand.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yGjtwIwjM
He stops in front of him, creating a small space that is only in their line of sight and slightly extends the hand that the bag is in.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnPEZV3ZX7
“You forgot this.”
Kahnyne says very deliberately.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTTLxjRzaS
When Rai looks down and grabs the bag, he feels the soft material of some type of padding, his comb, and a book. But what he sees fills his eyes with hope again.
In the space in front of them, Kahnyne uses his energy to quickly and pristinely project the words: “Act natural. Read this when you get the chance.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rGnhn5fDP
Rai reciprocates the best that he can. Sloppy letters appear in the air of their space:
“Thank you, Kahnyne; for everything. I love you.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuALNIUPxew
They naturally nod their heads, keeping composure, but the moment Rai enters the cab, he can't help but beam and look back at Kahnyne through its tinted windows. He opens the bag containing what he now knows is a carefully wrapped PB&B, his comb and Kahnyne’s notebook. Inside, it is full of notes, quotes, recipes, and finally, a message to Rai:
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRWHXY2HMp
“I'm sorry that I didn't get to tell you all this in person due to our interruption, but I hope that I make it to you in time regardless. You saved me, Rai; you, who had already been abandoned once by the people who once cradled you in their arms, forgave me and showed me that maybe there is a way for me to forgive myself. In your heart is something truly special. I have not completely healed yet, but while you embark on your journey, I shall do the same…”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVYhtvczpV
The text breaks and moves to a new line as if Kahnyne paused and thought before writing again.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMO21ts7Wv
“... And lastly, Rai, while no one can replace Zuo, you have created an entirely different spot for yourself in my heart. I love you, and while this is not a goodbye, you will be dearly missed.”
An incredibly neat signature ends the message.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZb91DprarX
“Who says that I've grown…”
Tears fall onto the paper as Rai smiles and closes the book in fear that its precious ink will be smudged.
“...I'm still a crybaby.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yfq5r1ZS3
