“…Yes, I understand. I’ll listen, Ryuuga.”
“Thank you. So where should I start…?”
Yuugo understood what Ryuuga was about to say was very important to him.
He nodded with a serious expression, and looked straight at Ryuuga.
Ryuuga wondered where to begin with an awkward smile, but after a sigh, he began talking about his past.
“You might have heard this already, but my family is not a noted one, like the families of the combat miko. My father was a gate guard who served a small local castle lord… An elite guard who protected the castle. He was an honest person like you, and both Yui and I respected him from the bottom of our hearts.”
Ryuuga looked nostalgic, with a touch of sadness.
He spoke about his father in the past tense, and Yuugo could guess why, as he continued to listen.
“We were a happy family. Yui could see back then, and our father taught me how to use a sword. The Dragon King Fang is a sword that has been passed down through the generations of the Renjou family, and even our first generation could not use its full power. My father was no different, and he couldn’t use it, but… He said I would definitely surpass the first head of our family, and granted me the sword.
I worked hard to match his expectations, with both him, my mother, and Yui kindly watching over me. But… Those days ended abruptly, because of that mad loong…!”
“Mad loong…?”
“That is what the loong I need to take revenge on is called in Yamato. Basically, the loong we worship supposedly don’t attack us, so we make this distinction that the loong that went mad is not the same as the loong we worship.”
Ryuuga explained with a lonely smile, before continuing.
“I was ten, and Yui was five, when without any warning whatsoever, the mad loong attacked the castle where we lived. Houses were destroyed, fields ravaged, and many people were attacked…. But only one life was lost. Yes, only one…”
“…Your father’s?”
Ryuuga silently nodded.
His father’s death brought an end to those happy days, and Ryuuga spoke with frustration and sadness.
“My father was a guard who protected the castle, and he fulfilled his duty splendidly… He sacrificed himself to defeat the mad loong, to protect us. Yui and I saw it all. My father put all he had into a swing of his sword to catch the mad loong, but the lightning it breathed pierced his body, and left nothing but ash.”
“…”
“…The attack my father poured his life into made the mad loong retreat. But it came at a great price. My father’s life, and as she saw it all, the deep wounds in Yui’s heart took away her light.
The castle lord our father served looked out for us, but he couldn’t give special treatment to just us. He had to prioritize repairing the damage done to houses and fields.
Our mother was very overworked, and she eventually collapsed. Thankfully, her condition is stable now.”
That happened about five years ago. Yuugo silently listened as Ryuuga spoke about how his life changed completely.
He imagined how he must have felt all this time, and his chest hurt.
He thought words like tough and painful could not do it justice.
A complete reversal from happiness. He lost his father, the emotional wounds took away his sister’s vision, and his mother did damage to her body raising them. Yuugo could not imagine how Ryuuga felt watching this all unfold.
But still… He continued training, becoming good enough to be called the strongest swordsman, and continued moving forward.
“…After seeing our mother like that, both Yui and I did what we could. I practiced to become a better swordsman than my father, and Yui strived to see things with her soul rather than her eyes. This is how we were able to join a big school. The castle lord I spoke about really looked after us too. He was the one who petitioned for us to become exchange students.”
Ryuuga let out a deep sigh, and looked at the sky.
“…There are a few reasons why we become exchange students. One was so our mother could focus on her recovery and not worry about us, but also so the change in environment can hopefully heal Yui’s emotional wounds, and she might see again someday. But… The biggest reason is so I can make a name for myself.
If I can attain the knowledge and techniques of this country in addition to Yamato, and polish my strength, there might be many people willing to take me in. I want my mother who worked herself half to death and my sister who can’t see but did her best to keep on living to have comfortable lives. That’s why…”
“That’s enough. It’s enough, Ryuuga. I understand how you feel. And that you came to this school for your sister and your mother. You don’t have to say any more.”
Yuugo could not bear to continue watching, as it seemed it was getting hard for Ryuuga to speak.
Yuugo grabbed his hand firmly to stop him from talking, and looked directly into his eyes.
“I dunno if there’s anything I can do, but tell me if there is. As your friend, as your partner… I’ll do what I can. Let’s shoot your name up to the stars, Ryuuga!”
“Yuugo… Thank you. You really are a good guy.”
Ryuuga also grabbed Yuugo’s hand firmly, with tears in his eyes, and responded to Yuugo’s genuine support with a smile.
Yuugo… Really was a good guy. His unflinching honesty and the way he displayed his true power when protecting someone reminded him of his father, who he respected so much.
…That was why some regret lingered in his heart.
He did not lie. Everything he told Yuugo was true, and he meant it all.
But… There was one thing he did not mention.
He did want his name to rise in notoriety for the sake of his family, but he had another goal that was just as important.
Not telling this to a partner who was so sincere made Ryuuga feel guilty.
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I’m actually surprised, I thought his mother lost her life too. However, she’s alive, still a sad story though.