Chapter 643 – The Heavenly Peach Tree (3)

Following the course of the heart.
What a wonder it would be to live in harmony with its waves.

Each fleeting memory held its own preciousness, but in my stubbornness, I had failed to release a portion of my foolishness, and thus, I had let down my disciple.

Heaven.
Her name.

The eldest of the sisters and the girl who had always been more sincere than anyone else grew to become the mentor of a king.

‘…why. did you.’

How did it happen that I fell in love with such a stern woman?

‘She’s a woman who hasn’t imparted much wisdom.’

A sense of guilt burrowed deep between my ribs. Sleep eluded me. My regret was such that I could not surrender to slumber.

I was a frail fool who had not the strength to protect a single disciple, my body crumbled, and I even became a burden because I couldn’t bear solitude.

A throbbing pain.

My groin ached. That place, repeatedly tormented, was unbearably restless.
It stung, the surface burned, and it seemed better to slightly part my thighs.

Heaven buried her face in the pillow, lost in thought.

‘It was fierce.’

It was the first time I had been so terrified of a man. The sight of a disciple having lost his senses. The pain of transgression.

The relationship, formed even before betrayal could be felt, ruthlessly claimed her innocence.

‘…but.’

Heaven realized that she had been indecisive to such an extent that it led the disciple to commit such an act.

If she had to push him away, she could have done so more definitively.
Or she could have let her anger flare, slapped him, or yelled at him to regain his senses.

‘I didn’t do that…’

Unbeknownst to her,
even while holding someone else in a corner of her heart.

… She must have been foolishly cherishing her disciple.

‘…….’

Heaven pondered.

Lee Si-heon is both her youngest brother and a lover. Moreover, there seemed to be a mutual affection with White Peach.
There must be other women, and where would she fit in such a scenario?
Especially, she felt she had no right to turn back the silhouette of ‘that person’ from her disciple.

Despite the continuing ambiguity.
Because her body yearned for him, tearing at her heart. She knew that this longing might have driven the disciple into his actions.

– Master.

When our eyes meet, my heart aches.

– Would you like to watch a movie together later? We could buy popcorn that’s this big.

For some reason, those words she used to long for now sweetly lingered in her mouth.

– Master! Master!! Look at this. I’ve mastered martial arts perfectly, haven’t I~!!

The way you call me that. Every time I see you, innocently playful, bumping into things.

While I feel joy in being a good teacher to you, on the other hand, I might have unknowingly nurtured a fondness for you.

‘I had hoped to be a good mentor, even if it cost me my life.’

Being the recipient of your respect had allowed me to live.
Having lost even the path to vengeance, you were all that remained for me.

You, the creature of my lifetime, were so precious that I may have feared to harbor feelings for you.

“… Si-heon.”
“…”
“I didn’t lie.”

Heaven muttered as she observed the slumbering Lee Si-heon.
Her throat began to constrict, unbidden.

“It was an atrocious act, but it’s alright. Even if you do something worse, I will forgive you.”

If this too is a form of love, it must certainly be so.

“That is what a mentor is.”

A heart grown too large has no room to feel betrayal.
Even if I am wounded, my love is so vast that my pain is insignificant, less than a speck of dust.

– Thump.

She reached out a hand and caressed her disciple.
Her hand met his cheek, rough yet tender.

“When you’re asleep, you’re such an endearing child.”

No matter how much he grows, he can’t shed his innocence.
He is a far cry from the time he attacked, fussed, and sobbed.

My child is adorable when at ease. He is impressive when determined.
Isn’t it too much, even if I am totally smitten with my disciple?

It can’t be helped. I have already fallen disastrously in love.

‘But why?’

Why is it that every time I see his face, I am reminded of the silhouette?

The shadow, perfectly overlapped with Lee Si-heon, was slightly smaller than my disciple, but looking at it, I am filled with an intense longing and a burning sentiment.

‘Was he someone precious?’

I don’t remember anything, but it’s likely so.

If that’s the case, was it more precious than the relationship we have now?
Heaven, who was indecisive, made a resolute judgment.

“I too… wish to erase these memories.”

Because I want to cast off everything that causes you pain.
I want to control even my emotions.

Every time you draw near, the shadow enlarges, and my feelings intensify without my realizing.

“Ah.”

It’s still the same.
No matter how much I want to hold you tight, my arms refuse to move.

This dreadful emotion, congealed into a lump, remains. It doesn’t feel right, as if I’m betraying my disciple.

Not being deserving, that’s what it feels like.
It was the same when I hesitated with you.

“…I’m sorry.”

Because as a mentor, and before my disciple, I always wished to be sincere.
That was what Heaven thought.

* * * * * * * * * * *

“Master, food!”

The disciple has changed.

Heaven opened her eyes wide and pulled the blanket to cover her chest.

“…Wh-what?”

“You must eat, Master.”

I had anticipated some awkwardness given yesterday’s events, yet the pupil was more spirited than usual.

The ache in my groin persisted, and whether the pupil was aware of this sensation or not, he brought the meal and sat on the bed, his shoulder brushing against mine.

“Are you not being overly tender…? It’s not my place to comment, but considering yesterday’s incident…”
“Enough, open your mouth. Ah.”
“No, ah! Siheon!”

Aang~

The white rice and ham that entered my mouth were a delight.
The golden ratio of the perfectly salted and well-cooked rice.

– Munch, munch.

As he quietly chewed his rice, Cheondo cast a surreptitious glance at his pupil.

“What is this… mousse?”
“Did you not express a desire to erase your memory?”

What memory?

Cheondo recalled the events of the previous dawn.
The previous night, he had rambled on to his sleeping pupil.

“Wait, were you awake?!”

Aaaargh!!

As Cheondo let out an internal scream and his face flushed, the pupil, appearing amused, spooned more rice into his mouth.

“Ugh! Ugh! Hold on, that’s too much.”

Perhaps the pupil’s attention wasn’t entirely unwelcome.
Even while eating, Cheondo’s lips twitched with a subtle tickle.

A body that cannot approach, but dutifully responds when approached.

Even after the meal was over, the pupil’s approach did not cease.

– Drudgery, drudgery.

He had brought something with him, a large screen.

“Why bring that, all of a sudden?”
“I intend to watch a movie. With Master.”
“… A movie?”

He fetched a pack of popcorn that could be conveniently prepared in the microwave, smiling awkwardly.
Was this clumsy attempt at a smile an effort to appear handsome?

The absurdity made me laugh, but ultimately, I had to accept the pupil’s gesture of fetching even a cola.

“… Regardless of your efforts, this is akin to an illness. It’s not something that can be easily erased.”

What should I call this unknown silhouette?
It’s akin to a curse, deeply embedded in mind and body.

Even though she was once someone very dear to me, she is likely to have already passed away.

However, the pupil’s reaction was rather indifferent.

“This is what I want to do. With Master.”
“…….”

In fact,
If I told you that I saw that shadow when I first met you… would you be disappointed?

Cheondo, unable to voice his thoughts, remained silent.

“Here, the popcorn. This is cola.”
“… Why is the straw twisted into a heart shape?”
“It’s heart-shaped, Master. It was there. I don’t know if Alba left it for use.”

Are we supposed to use this embarrassing straw together?
And did the pupil steal it?

Huh.
It’s better for us to use it than give it to an old woman.

“Are we supposed to drink it together?”
“Yes. Ah, the movie is starting.”

The anticipation of an upcoming animated movie.
“Tree Precure,” the 14th theatrical version. It was a relic of a former animated series, its production recently stalled due to various incidents.

Naturally, it was Cheondo’s top choice of cartoon, unwatchable due to its absence.

‘I never voiced my preference for such…’

How does my pupil, Si-heon, so perfectly penetrate my tastes?
Casually revealed, his smugness is a thorn in the sight.
Considering it further… the meals he prepares are the same. He caters to every dish I find palatable. He has a knack for quickly identifying my leisure preferences in books and films, and he ensures to provide just those.

[Tree Red!!!! Cough, you vile creature!!]
[Hahaha- Red, are you now listening to my words, it’s a victory for our termite gang!!]

The climactic scene holding my rapt attention.

‘….’

So engrossed was I, my eyes glued to the screen, that when my focus momentarily wavered, I sensed a gaze from my side.

Turning my head, I saw Si-heon, looking contentedly at his mentor, me.

“What, what is it? Why do you glance at me thus?”
“No reason.”

The sentiment in his gaze was palpable, even for someone as oblivious as I am.
From that point on, for some reason, my concentration on the movie waned.

Then, there were other things.
Our hands brushing as we reached for popcorn.
Our timing oddly synchronized as we sipped our cola.

‘…….’

Isn’t this a bit too conspicuous?
If coincidences overlap this much, even a deity would be irate. Faced with Si-heon’s clear intent, Cheondo surrendered the attempt to watch the movie, and resentfully observed his pupil instead.

“It’s deliberate.”
“Yes.”

The audacity of admitting it outright.

Cheondo, stuttering, squinted his eyes tightly.

“…Indeed, you’re an enigma.”
“Didn’t you agree to indulge me a little?”

True, I had.
Fortunately, perhaps due to my divided attention on the movie, the silhouette from before did not reappear.

A moment to focus on my time spent with my pupil after a long while.

– Squeeze.

Lee Si-heon’s hand interlocked with Cheondo’s.

“Ah….”

This unexpected action froze my entire body. The movie’s plot couldn’t penetrate my thoughts.

My heart felt light, lifted. What would one call this sensation? Excitement?
It’s ludicrous to think I’m getting thrilled by my own pupil.

‘…Upon reflection.’

There were plenty such instances before; I was merely in denial. The indescribable satisfaction of just holding my pupil made me shudder.

“……Can’t you eat the snacks?”
“Indeed.”

Si-heon’s head tilted, coming to rest on my shoulder.

The boyish face of my pupil looked somewhat serene. Cheondo sighed and nestled his cheek against the top of his pupil’s head.

The sudden shift in demeanor today felt somewhat unfamiliar, and I hadn’t quite adjusted.

Along with a hint of apology… I could sense my pupil’s earnest desire to become closer.
He’s someone who is impossible to detest, no matter how hard I try.

“Yesterday feels like a dream.”
“What would you like for lunch?”

In response to Lee Si-heon’s query, which he poised with an athlete’s grace despite the tinge of sarcasm, Cheondo replied, her voice choked with disbelief.

“Whatever you desire to consume. That is what we shall partake in.”
“Is that permissible?”
“…Yes. But don’t be overly cautious.”

His hands are warm. His breath gentle and soothing.
How could she have missed the feel of such close proximity warmth while she was tormented in the shadows?

Though she still struggles to shed her lingering naivety,
Once resolved… a myriad of things began to filter into her consciousness.

“Do you want to know your favored sustenance? Then, by all means, prepare liberally.”

Reflecting, she realized she was ignorant of her disciple’s trivial hobbies.
After all, it had always been Lee Si-heon who strived to align with her preferences.

“In that case, I’ll prepare something truly spectacular.”
“…Will you now?”
“Because you are the Master I hold dear.”
“Dear… what a devalued term.”

Their gaze met, and for a brief pause, they shared a quiet chuckle.