Prologue

That unforgettable late autumn day at 18 years old. That particular day.

The finals of the National High School Kendo Championship.

His opponent was Jeong Seung-jo, his best friend and rival.

In that world where only he and Seung-jo faced each other, they clashed and clashed again with only their swords. And at that one moment of extreme concentration, he took a step into a dreamlike state that he could never reach no matter how hard he tried.

It was... a brief, quiet, and pleasant world.

- Waaah!

Suddenly feeling the opponent's chest touch the tip of his sword, he snapped back to reality as if doused with cold water.

"Huff... huff..."

He was dumbfounded, forcibly pulled out of that quiet and peaceful world where he had only been wielding his sword, but as he looked around, he could see the audience erupting in cheers, the sound amplifying in an instant.

As he lowered his gaze, he saw Seung-jo lying fallen with his chest touching the tip of his sword.

'Did I... win?'

Feeling like he should say something, he looked down at Seung-jo, but couldn't see his face because of the black face guard.

As soon as he held the championship trophy in his hands, he pushed past the flood of congratulations and interviews and entered the locker room. He was worried about Seung-jo, who had disappeared without a word as soon as the winner was announced. However, as he entered the locker room, it was that very Seung-jo who violently shoved his shoulder and ran out.

"Seung-jo?"

Surprised by Seung-jo's unsettling aura as he ran out, he threw aside the trophy and chased after him, but Seung-jo started running even faster as soon as he heard his voice.

"Jeong Seung-jo! Wait! What's wrong?"

Seung-jo was shaking as if he had received a great shock, and it wasn't until they reached the crosswalk not far from the gymnasium where the kendo competition was held that he was able to grab Seung-jo's shoulder.

"Seung-jo, you..."

He was about to ask what was wrong, but he lost his words the moment Seung-jo turned around. Seung-jo, who had always been quiet but bold in personality, was crying. It was the first time he had ever seen him cry.

Seung-jo knocked away his startled hand and turned his head with a distorted expression.

"Did you enjoy it?"

He remembered that sad and angry tone.

"What?"

"You must have enjoyed it. Because today, you weren't really competing with me."

He couldn't understand what Seung-jo was saying.

"What do you mean... Don't tell me you're acting like this because I won?"

He asked, thinking it couldn't possibly be that.

"I just realized that no matter how hard I struggle to beat someone like you, you'll just end up going even further ahead."

Seung-jo laughed with his face still contorted.

"...What?"

Thinking he should calm Seung-jo down, he stepped forward, but Seung-jo retreated towards the road. So he had no choice but to stop.

"Jeong Seung-jo, you bastard... What's wrong with you, seriously!"

"Kang Mu-heon. I absolutely don't want to see your face anymore."

Seung-jo laughed.

"Right... So let's never meet again from now on."

As he blankly watched Seung-jo's back as he crossed the crosswalk after saying that, he suddenly felt anger rising and chased after him, punching him in the jaw.

"You bastard, what's your problem? You should at least explain properly before cutting ties or whatever! Why are you suddenly acting like this, you crazy bastard!"

Seung-jo, sprawled in the middle of the crosswalk from the punch, spat out saliva mixed with blood, possibly from a cut inside his mouth, and stood up.

"...You don't understand?"

He staggered towards him, and suddenly kicked him in the stomach.

"Ugh..."

Stupidly unable to react, he inhaled sharply and rolled away.

"You're the most hateful person in this world! Do you understand if I say it like this?"

At that moment, along with the shock from Seung-jo's words, he was even more surprised to see a truck rushing towards them behind Seung-jo. However, Seung-jo seemed not to hear the truck's honking, laughing like a madman and shouting.

"Why was someone like you born into this world to make me so miserable? Do you understand when I say it like this?! You were born with talent for the sword, a bright personality, everything - you must have been laughing at me always lagging behind! Did you even know how pathetic I felt because of your stupid hypocrisy? A genius? What does any of that matter!"

Seung-jo's cries stabbed at his heart, wailing as if he were crying even though he wasn't, but there was no time to think further. He quickly clutched his stomach, got up, and ran towards him.

He looked surprised for a moment, but he was desperate.

Just as the car was about to reach them, he shoved Seung-jo hard. Right after Seung-jo fell and rolled away with wide, startled eyes—

Screech!

Bang! With an impact that felt like his whole body was being shattered, he flew through the air.

And in that brief yet long moment of floating in space, he remembered his reflection in Seung-jo's eyes for the last time...