Vol 7 Chapter 2

[ I understand. ]

Yoon Seok-ho gave a subtle smile before pausing slightly. Seeing that face made the day he met the thugs feel as vivid as if it had happened just hours ago.

Yoon Seok-ho, who had been standing outside the kendo dojo's gate, the protagonist of the photo the thugs had shown him while asking if he knew him. Yoon Seok-ho, who Master and his wife had said suddenly came looking for him and disappeared after asking about him during the three years he was absent after his accident.

What would be the truth behind that photo that Yoon Seok-ho himself was about to tell? While waiting for his next words, Kapros repeatedly clenched and unclenched his tingling fist due to an inexplicable tension.

[ First, let me say that I am indeed the person in the photo that those threatening individuals showed you. Though I haven't seen the photo myself, I believe that must be the case. ]

Yoon Seok-ho, who had opened with these words, lowered his gaze with an expression that seemed contemplative.

[ At the time that photo was taken, I was traveling around Korea personally. ]

"Traveling, you say?"

[ Yes. I stopped by Korea while traveling to learn about various countries' martial arts. ]

Though Kapros wondered why such a journey, Yoon Seok-ho didn't seem inclined to answer that far.

[ I watched many sports competitions and martial arts matches. One of the places I visited happened to be that kendo dojo. It's surprising enough that someone happened to take my photo there, but I was even more surprised by the coincidence that Kang Mu-heon-ssi now works there. In any case, that's all there is to explain about how my photo was taken. ]

So that's what it was...

Watching Yoon Seok-ho speak slowly as if recalling past memories, Kapros thought that his past visit to the dojo must indeed have been mere coincidence.

Though he had been quite tense when Master and his wife told him that Yoon Seok-ho had come looking for him at the dojo three years ago before leaving, as he had thought then, if Yoon Seok-ho had already known him, he would have mentioned it or shown some sign when they first met.

Looking at Yoon Seok-ho now explaining the past at an almost excessively slow pace, it seemed that even why he went to that dojo then wasn't retained as an important memory.

"Do you remember... why you went to that dojo then?"

When Kapros asked just in case, Yoon Seok-ho slightly furrowed his brow and tilted his head.

[ That dojo? No. Well... I remember going there, but since I just turned back at the gate, I don't really remember why I did that now. Is there something specific you're curious about from my story? ]

"No... it's nothing."

Even if it were true that Yoon Seok-ho had visited the dojo after seeing him at the kendo tournament three years ago, Kapros hoped that memory wouldn't be revived. He vaguely brushed it off while avoiding Yoon Seok-ho's gaze that seemed to be studying him intently.

"Then why were those thugs looking for you, Yoon Seok-ho-ssi?"

[ Ah... regarding that... ]

Fortunately, Yoon Seok-ho immediately turned his attention to that topic. Kapros let out a quiet breath internally.

[ Though you might find it hard to believe looking at this handsome face of mine, I actually have quite a few past grudges accumulated. Perhaps because of that, there are still many people who show special interest in me even now. ]

"That's not so hard to believe."

Kapros quietly jabbed. It made sense that Yoon Seok-ho would have many enemies. Yoon Seok-ho opened his eyes wide with an expression that said this was too much.

[ No, I can't understand why you would say that. The only worry I ever have is how to kill this cursed popularity of mine. ]

"...Would it be alright to end the call?"

[ Of course not, Kang Mu-heon-ssi. ]

Yoon Seok-ho quickly stopped him and covered his eyes with his hand, pretending to be sad.

[ Sigh. I merely stated facts, yet you respond like this... The current situation is truly lamentable. Being too distrustful is also an illness, Kang Mu-heon-ssi. Though your personality seems to have improved much compared to before. You who used to immediately cut the connection now even kindly ask for mutual agreement... Though I haven't observed you for long, at least this degree of joy... ]

"Computer. End connection."

With a click, Yoon Seok-ho disappeared but predictably called again moments later. After some hesitation, Kapros reluctantly gave the command to accept, thinking he should hear the rest of what hadn't been said.

[ I take it back. I see Kang Mu-heon-ssi remains unchanged. ]

Yoon Seok-ho, who said this as soon as he reappeared, finally got to the main point with a grinning expression despite seeing Kapros's glaring eyes. Yes. This was the real Yoon Seok-ho.

[ After hearing from you before, I investigated personally. I wanted to know who would send people to trace my past traces to that extent. ]

Yoon Seok-ho's eyes lowered slightly.

[ The candidates have been narrowed down somewhat now. I'll let you know again when definitive results come out. ]

A cold smile flashed momentarily across Yoon Seok-ho's face as he said those words.

[ The fortunate thing is that although you knew me, you didn't tell those threatening individuals that fact. Thanks to that, I was able to learn about the existence of people tracking me. Though I'm truly sorry you were suddenly harmed because of me, I'm also grateful. ]

"Then..."

[ Since someone completely unrelated like you almost experienced such an incident, when I catch the culprit, I must make them apologize. I'll ensure nothing like this related to me happens to you again. Additionally, I'll compensate you for both the material and psychological damage you suffered then, so please speak freely. And... just in case, I'd appreciate if you wouldn't tell anyone that you know me from now on. ]

Seeing Yoon Seok-ho bow his head and speak with what seemed like his first truly sincere voice, the words Kapros had been about to shoot back just went back inside. Though he didn't know what kind of personal grudge was big enough to make someone hire thugs to track down past traces, he didn't particularly want to ask for more details either. In any case, it seemed he had heard everything there was to hear now... This would be the right point to end it.