Vol 7 Chapter 28

<...No, I won't.>

<Huh? Can you hear me talking inside the helmet?>

When Kapros spoke while wearing his helmet, surprised that he could hear Je-hwan's voice clearly like talking on headphones even though he was clearly speaking through his helmet, amazingly his voice came through clearly too.

<Yeah. New model.>

<Hmm....>

While expressing admiration, as Kapros gripped the seat to get on Je-hwan's bike, Je-hwan came over to help him mount. It was a bit embarrassing, but unavoidable since the bike was ridiculously large to the point where it was impossible to support himself with one leg while mounting.

After checking that Kapros had a good grip on his back without touching the cast on his fingers, Je-hwan immediately shot forward. This almost made Kapros's body bend backward.

'Ugh....'

He seemed completely excited. Kapros added more strength to his gripping arms while admiring Je-hwan's skill as he smoothly navigated the neighborhood alleys with no difficulty despite the huge bike.

<Tell me which way to go.>

<Hmm... left up ahead. Then just go straight since it's a main road.>

Je-hwan smoothly turned and rode according to Kapros's directions. Though he couldn't feel it on his face because of the helmet, it was quite enjoyable being able to fully experience the strong resisting wind on his arms and legs.

Thanks to Je-hwan skillfully weaving between cars like performing tricks, they arrived at the kendo dojo much earlier than his usual arrival time.

"Is this it?"

"Yeah."

When Kapros answered while handing back the helmet, Je-hwan stared intently with interest at the traditional wooden gate before them. Though the dojo's main entrance was actually separately located on the opposite side, Kapros had come this way because he usually used this entrance right in front of Master's house.

"Thanks for bringing me. I got here early thanks to you."

"No need for thanks."

Je-hwan, who as always casually dismissed words that would have been quite offensive coming from others, hesitated slightly as he looked at Kapros.

'Is that... an expression of regret?'

It must be because he had to leave now after dropping him off. Thanks to that, Kapros also felt strange as he stood there, when Je-hwan pointed at the intercom with his chin and spoke, trying to maintain his usual expression.

"...Go in."

"Okay."

When Kapros pressed the button after some hesitation, Master's wife's face appeared as a small holographic screen before the bell could even ring a few times.

[ Is that Mu-heon? ]

"Yes."

[ Why are you here so early? You didn't have to rush. ]

Master's wife's small face that appeared looked Kapros over with a worried voice. Then she noticed Je-hwan standing blankly behind him and her eyes widened in surprise.

[ Who's that behind you? Do you know each other? ]

"Ah. He's my... friend. He brought me here today."

Though Kapros glanced at Je-hwan's face as he answered "friend," Je-hwan's face showed no particular concern. Kapros had been momentarily worried, remembering how Je-hwan had said before that he didn't think of himself as a friend, but this was fortunate.

[ Friend? ]

Master's wife seemed very surprised at his words, looking Je-hwan up and down several times before opening the door with a broad smile.

[ My goodness. Mu-heon's friend. What's this all of a sudden. Both of you come in. ]

"Uh..."

When Kapros looked back at Je-hwan after staring at the opened door, Je-hwan too had his brows deeply furrowed as if surprised by the unexpected situation.

'Well... since Master and Master's wife probably won't give me proper work today anyway, one more person observing should be fine.'

Kapros let out a long breath and gestured to Je-hwan.

"Let's go in. Bring that."

"Is it really okay?"

"Should be fine since Master's wife told us to come in."

"...No. If you don't like it, I can go back."

When Kapros wondered what he was trying to say.... He smiled slightly as he looked at Je-hwan who had been acting unlike himself since yesterday, pretending to be timid with a serious face.

"I don't mind. As long as you're not short on time."

Only then did Je-hwan immediately return to his shameless expressionless face as if he had never backed down, and started pulling the bike ahead of Kapros. Yes. That was more like Je-hwan.

After crossing through Master's house visible right ahead and passing through the garden dense with trees bare from winter, the large kendo dojo building appeared. When they entered through the back door, Master and Master's wife who had been in the staff break room greeted them.

"Mu-heon. You're here?"

"Yes."

"So, is that friend behind you your friend?"

Master looked carefully at Je-hwan with a strangely serious expression. It was such an intense gaze that if Je-hwan had been an ordinary person, he would have probably turned his eyes away in embarrassment already. But Je-hwan bowed his head in greeting without changing his expression at all while receiving both their gazes.

"...Hello."

After his low voice echoed through the staff break room, Master, who had just stared at him without answering for several seconds, suddenly smiled brightly and extended his hand.

"This really is a handsome friend just as I heard. Hahaha! I'm Mu-heon's Master."

"Right? I thought a TV had suddenly appeared behind Mu-heon for a moment. I'm this person's wife. What's Mu-heon's friend's name...?"

At their suddenly changed response, Je-hwan momentarily showed a confused expression before quickly returning to normal as he grasped Master's extended hand for a handshake.

"My name is Jin Je-hwan."

"I see. Since it would be good if Mu-heon just readjusts well today, would you like to observe together? Ah, only if you're not busy, of course."

"...I'm not busy. Thank you."

Je-hwan answered quickly. So his observation for today was confirmed.

"You have some calluses on your hands... Have you learned kendo before?"

When Kapros looked at Master asking the unexpected question, Je-hwan was silent for a moment before nodding.

"Yes."

"For how long?"

"Seven years."

"For that much... Hmm."

"Master."

When Kapros called out to Master, who wasn't letting go of Je-hwan's hand that he had grasped for the handshake and kept examining it, he finally released it with a hearty laugh.

"Ah, my. It's just because of my profession.... Well then, I'll go in first. Since you're Mu-heon's friend, you're welcome anytime, so make yourself comfortable."