Katsuragi Nifuji.
My Aunt.
And a former Taekwondo Nationals representative. Though she was never able to compete for a title. I don't know about the details of her circumstances but from what I've heard, she had a legitimate chance for the title that year.
But right now. I need her. I need her to train me. As much as I hate to admit it, Yuki-nee's boyfriend was much stronger than me, and as I am right now, I'd barely be able to hold a candle to him. I need all the help and support I can get at this point. And she's the only one who can guide me.
I got up and dusted myself. I looked around. There doesn't seem to be any inns nearby. Well, that's quite concerning for my plans of pursuing her. Welp! I can't do anything. I guess I'll have to search for some inns now. But at this rate, I'll run out of my emergency funds. Damn! I should have saved a bit more! What do I do now?
At that point, something sprang in my mind. I remembered something.
That place shouldn't be far up from here. Maybe I could go there. It's worth giving a try. I have nothing to lose, but if it works well, I'll have something to gain.
Alright! I started walking further away from Aunt Katsuragi's home and went further away and away till I reached a small bridge near the lake. I crossed the bridge and headed into the forest.
It shouldn't be further away from here. I should be close. I could see a stream at the further end of the forest. How far did I come? 2...3 ..5 miles? It's been more than an hour now. Maybe I lost my way.
I should take a break. I went down to the stream and put my bag down. I removed my jacket and put it aside.
Phew! It's quite sunny today.
I removed my shoes and placed them close to my luggage. I entered the stream.
Ohhh! It's cold.
Man, this is what I needed. I sprayed the water on my face. It was quiet. The rustling of the insects, the chirping of the birds was quite soothing. Occasionally I looked at my luggage just to make sure that there weren't any monkeys around to steal my baggage. I just played around like a little kid and after a while, I sat down to catch some breath.
I laid down and just looked at the blue sky. It was a good change of pace for me. I had no restrictions and no prior engagements. I could move to my own pace.
I lazed around for a while. I had nothing to do. I didn't bother about anything. Neither about Yuki-nee, Hina, Miku, Rinko-san, mom, dad , brother and whoever else that I could remember generally. I was living in that moment. It was quite something else.
And it's been forever since I've had my head blank. Without any thoughts. I wish time could freeze right now. I don't want to bother about anything for a while. Even though that's contrary to the fact why I was here in the first place. But as Master Oogway said :
"There are no accidents."
I certainly believe that now. I have to thank Aunt Katsurgai for not lending me accommodation at her place. Thanks to that, I'm able to live in this moment. This was quite blissful.
Though that doesn't mean that I'm all happy about it. As my plans to persuade her were at a deadlock. But luckily for me, things didn't change much here. It was the same as back then. How long was it? 8...no, I think it's been over a decade now. Sheesh!
I feel old now. Fuck! Argh!
What happened to my childhood? Did I even have one? What was it like? Nevermind. That's futile. It's better not to waste my time thinking about that useless stuff. I got up and stretched out. My muscles were stiff.
Argh!
Looks like I'll have to work on my own now. I put on my gear and raised up my bag. I began to continue on my quest to find that place I had in my head. I resumed walking.
5 minutes.
10 minutes.
15 minutes.
Not having charge in my walkman was a big pain now. I'm regretting using it unnecessarily when I could have saved it for these circumstances. Finally, as I was about to give up and lose hope, I spotted it.
The big old banyan tree.
The treehouse was still intact.
I rejoiced with joy.
I'm happy that I remembered this space instantly when Aunt Katsuragi rejected my preach for a stay. I went a few steps ahead, and I had found it.
My training ground. I remembered it. A decade ago. This was where I started learning the basics of taekwondo. And Aunt Katsuragi was my first teacher. Well, she was for me. She taught me the basics of self-defense. And since I was a fast learner back then, I did go up further by a level or two.
I don't know why she took it upon herself to teach me so coercively but in the end, it was worth it. Even though the time spent with her was short, she took care of me quite well. She wasn't as lovey-dovey as Rinko-san but at the same time, she wasn't as cold as my mother or Kyouko-san. Maybe if she had raised me, I would have grown up a little less strange.
I walked by the equipment, and they seem to be in good shape.
I put down my baggage aside and took my stance.
I took my breath in control. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
Haayah!
I went in with an inner roundhouse kick to the block of wood in front of me.
Klack!
It was just a nudge to it. Usually, I should have been able to land a finishing blow.
Looks like I'll have to start from the basics!