Chapter 7 A departure.

It's been several years since the incident.

Katsu continues to learn and grow in those years.

Almost every day, he is trained by Vin, physically, emotionally, and mentally to the best he can.

Every day, after training, they go to Bon's store, which is finally attracting more customers.

Every day that bell rings.

Happy memories till the next, Katsu enjoys them.

If Katsu strays away from his goal, a voice always reminds him to…

Go…

If Katsu strays away mentally, Vin is always there to straighten him.

In just 6 years, he has grown so much.

All thanks to the teachings of Vin.

And the constant reminder from himself.

Now another day arrives, and he enjoys his sleep on his small couch that couldn't even fit him anymore.

Alas, he is awakened by a familiar voice.

"Kid, Kid, kid, wake up mate, it's time."

Go…

Katsu jolts up panting, searching, and looking everywhere.

"Woah, are you alright kid?? Need water??"

"Ah, no-no… I'm fine, also didn't I say you'll never call me a kid anymore!?"

"Aww… but I miss the good old days."

"I'm older now, I'm not a kid anymore!"

"Hahaha, if I can't call you kid anymore, I don't know what to call you hahaha"

Katsu stands up and stretches.

Katsu remembered something and immediately faces Vin.

"Hey, isn't it my birthday today?"

"Yeah. It's your birthday. You really timed your birthday for today eh?"

"I didn't want to wait another year, so I just guessed which date of the day of recruitment."

"Very smart!" Vin praised.

Katsu forgot his actual birthdate, so they just chose a date and guessed that he was 10 years old.

"Don't worry, I'll buy you a gift before you leave."

"Really!? Thank you very much Vin!"

"Alright~! Let's eat!"

Vin and Katsu sit down on the floor and ate.

They eat and slurp noodles that Vin bought especially just for today, chatting and reminiscing about the past.

Vin's face gets sadder and sadder.

Katsu tells their story back at the Underground Pint incident.

Vin is now about to send what he considers his son to an unknown place.

Not knowing he'll come back.

A commonly hard choice at the time.

Sending your beloved children whom you've seen and raised throughout the happiest years of your life being sent to their own death.

But those were the old times…

Mandatory conscription was only lifted 3 years ago, prioritizing replenishing their manpower, the empire urged citizens to stay out of the war and reproduce.

But…

If you're a brave soul, then you can join the military of your own will.

This generation of young soldiers and leaders faces a challenge the past generation hasn't experienced in a long time.

They were given a choice.

Parents can only watch their children choose for their own.

A choice between life and death.

Vin knows that Katsu has already decided.

He could only prepare him before he go.

He taught Katsu everything he knew and learned, he is proud to see how he raised Katsu.

He tried to make as many memories as possible, but this time has come.

With these thoughts, he broke into tears.

But he is happy he got to live with Katsu.

"Vin?" Katsu asked.

"Are you alright?"

"Sniff* sniff* Yeahh… its just…" Vin lamentingly said.

Katsu hugs Vin tightly.

Vin calms himself down, feeling tears falling down his shoulder.

Vin sighs.

"It's ok, I'm fine now."

"Can I hug you for longer?"

"I…"

Vin's tears continue to fall, but he smiles joyfully.

"Of course."

Katsu takes this time to thank him personally.

Throughout his life, he is taught and cared for by Vin.

He became his last family.

Although being said ten thousand times, it wouldn't be enough for Katsu to say to Vin how truly thankful he is…

All these memories are condensed into two words.

Katsu told Vin.

"Thank you."

After a short while, they get back to eating like nothing ever happened.

A few minutes later, they finished eating and Katsu washes the dishes.

The room engulfs into silence as Vin stay seated lost in his thoughts.

Katsu finishes up and stretches.

He looks at Vin and sighs.

"Shall we go to Bon?"

Surprised, Vin quickly answered.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, there's still time"

They change clothes and outside.

Vin locks the door while Katsu rests his head on the rails on the balcony.

Katsu looks at the view, cherishing the view for the last time.

Vin looks at Katsu with a sad and worried look, but he hides it away.

"Let's go Katsu!"

"Hm."

They go down the stairs as Katsu looks at the clear blue sky.

The sun starts to peak out of the roofs of the Victorian city.

Katsu stairs down the empty street.

The light cool breeze blows on his face.

He reminisced all the times they had, 6 years weren't enough.

Yet here he is, the 8th of October, the day of his departure.

He could still remember those good days, he sees how much he has changed since then.

"Katsu, the General will be here soon, let's get going on the quick visit to Bon's store."

They walk down the familiar streets where he used to happily hop and skip to get to the store.

They arrive at the commercial district, nothing much has changed, still busy as always.

Then they arrive at Bon's store, much cleaner and nicer to look at.

The store has gone through a lot of renovations, Katsu helped of course.

He holds the doorknobs tightly and opens the door.

The familiar bell rings, it was music to Katsu's ears.

The store was brightly lit and is much cleaner than the first time he went there.

But even then, the wooden shelves and antique products Bon sells give the store a much nostalgic vibe.

All these Katsu notice and appreciate.

Behind the counter, Bon says what he usually says.

"Ah, Monsieur! Welcome back!"

Bon has grown old, frailer, and has more white hair.

Even then, he is still as energetic as he used to be.

"What can I do for you two today?"

Katsu sits down and responded.

"Nothing much, we're just visiting you, I'll be leaving for the training camp later."

"Oh, so today is the day?? I forgot!"

"Hahaha, you're getting old Bon."

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"It appears so… ha-ha, so it's really time Vin?"

Vin browses the shelves of the antique aisle.

"What time will you leave? I'm going to close the store early to see you off

"Ah, Bon, you don't have to-"

"Of course I have to!

"There, there Bon, you've become a cranky old man."

"Have I? Ha-ha, looks like I have!"

Vin finds a good gift on the shelf.

He picks it up and peaks out of the shelf.

"I'll be buying Katsu a souvenir."

"Sure, just give it to me-"

Vin throws it out as hard as he can.

Bon catches it flawlessly.

"Looks like you still got it."

"Don't mess with cranky old man Vin ha-ha."

Katsu claps.

"Woah, nice one Bon!"

"Here you go kid."

Bon throws him the gift.

"It's free, a gift from both of us."

"Hey! You were supposed to give it later!"

Katsu got a small wooden carved statue of a face.

Whilst Vin and Bon were still arguing, Katsu gratefully beamed out.

"Thank you Bon! I will cherish this forever."

Bon gulps and clenches his fists as he reminisces on the memories they've made.

"I guess that's Bon's gift, I'll give you mine later."

Vin walks back to the counter and looks at the clock.

"The General will be coming over soon, we should get going."

"Oh, you're right!" Katsu realized.

"Wait for me, I'll just close up the store."

Katsu and Vin wait outside as Bon closes up the store.

"Make sure you remember everything I've taught you."

"Yep, I'll do."

"Your body is already used to the heavy training that I did on you, so it will probably help a little to ease up the pain of the military training."

"Yep, it will."

"Although I don't know much, everything I've learned from the underground pint, I've taught it to you, you know how to read, to write, to-"

"Vin, you've taught me and trained me everything you know, you've done everything you can, it's up to me now."

"Yeah Vin, relax and trust Katsu and everything you taught him."

Bon locks up the store and all of them walk back to Vin's apartment.

Katsu's hands get cold as he gets excited and nervous at the same time.

They once again arrive at the familiar street.

The sun shines brightly.

But Katsu's hands and feet were still cold.

They arrive at the apartment a few minutes later.

Bon looks at Vin's apartment with a smile on his face.

It has been a while since he last visited.

"You never left the same old place."

"Never have and never will…"

Vin goes up to the apartment while Katsu and Bon stay downstairs.

Bon pulls out a cigarette.

"Bon, you shouldn't really be smoking when you're old."

"Just for this occasion kid, it helps me calm down…"

Vin brings down the bags they packed up last night.

Vin grunts as he struggles to bring the bags down.

"Hey Katsu, a little help here!"

"Hahaha, you're getting old too Vin!"

Katsu quickly walks up and helps out Vin bring down all four bags.

Vin grunts as he places the bags down.

"Did we forget anything?"

"No, I don't think so."

Suddenly, they feel a rumbling from the ground.

A military ruck appears at the corner of the street as it drives on the small road.

Katsu brushes his clothes, straightens his hair, and stood straight.

Bon throws away his cigar as the truck stops in front of them.

Sho hops out of the truck with a droopy face, rubbing his eyes, and is wearing the regular military uniform with nothing flashy on it.

But still, he stands tall and proud.

Katsu steps forward and exclaimed.

"Thank you for your service!"

Sho just recently came back after a successful campaign as the head General at the front lines.

He got many awards and honors and has even been given the highest award in the entire Garrison Army, which was given by Her Highness Herself, The new, Queen Alice Moon.

Sho sighs.

"Don't give me that Katsu, it's really awkward"

"But I'm just thanking you for your service!"

Sho sighs once more.

"I don't really like the attention, I'm just serving the Empire, there's no need for such fancy things such as awards and other stuff, plus we're already friends."

Every time Sho gets a chance, he visits Katsu to check on his progress.

"It's alright Sho, I really just wanted to thank you for everything you've done."

Sho sighs once again.

"Well, if you say so."

Even though Sho is really tired and lethargic, he still maintains his proud and confident posture.

"It's bizarre seeing one of our greatest heroes talk to a child informally," Bon commented.

"Yeah, it really is..."

Vin went beside Bon and wistfully stares at Katsu.

The view, the scene, and the sheer thought of an older Katsu talking to one of the Kingdom's heroes, ready to take him with them to the battlefield, is too much.

Bon taps Vin's back.

"Cheer up... it's... going to be alright..."

Vin looks over to Bon, crying his eyes out.

"Bon, I think you're the one crying."

Sho rubs his eyes once more, and when he opened them, he expected to see the small Katsu of the past.

But when he opened it, he saw a tall Katsu smiling cheerfully.

flabbergasted at his height, he steps back.

"Wow, kid you got taller??? what is this? 6 feet? Dang mate…"

"You've certainly gone taller yourself eh General?"

"It's just my shoes but eh... don't anyone about that."

"Don't worry General, your secret is safe with me."

Sho looks over Katsu's shoulders to see Vin calming down Bon.

"Mr. Vin!" He called out.

"Yes General!"

Sho walks closer and shook both Bon's and Vin's hands.

"Nice to meet you two again."

"Same here."

"'So today's the day eh? Are you sure you want to send him out?"

"If you're going to ask that question then you better ask Katsu."

"Katsu!" Sho yelled out.

Katsu drops his bags and runs towards the General.

"Yes sir?"

"This is the final time I'll be asking you this, once you answer there's no turning back-"

"Yes sir, I'm ready..." Katsu immediately interjected.

Sho saw Katsu confidently respond, he smirks and chuckles.

He knows he's fully prepared for the consequences.

"Then I won't warn nor tell you this ever again. Pack up recruit, we're leaving in a few minutes."

"Yes sir!"

Katsu runs over to the bags and carried them.

Sho about faced.

"Is his response good enough for you?" Vin asked.

"Of course, I don't even need to warn him, for you two, however, you won't see him for a few months, and after that, once he goes to the front lines, there's a high possibility that you won't see him again. But I'm confident, that he will return... but for now, say your farewells."

Sho walks back to the truck.

"Katsu! don't forget to say your goodbyes, take your time mate!"

"Ah, yes sir!"

Katsu faces Vin and Bon once again.

With a smile on his face, he bows.

"THANK YOU! For everything, for every happy moment, for every sad one, for every memory I've made... Thank you."

Vin smiles proudly.

"well... then-"

Katsu hugs both of them.

Katsu cherishes the moment.

Bon starts crying out.

"Old Bon is going to miss you."

"Me too." Vin added.

Vin just brushed Katsu's hand, smiling happily.

after a moment, Katsu stood up and thanked them once more.

Vin just smiled.

Katsu went back to get his bag but Sho walks back to Vin.

Sho taps Vin who's lost in his thoughts.

"You're not going to cry mate? Don't hold it in. Don't worry, I won't judge."

"I already did this morning, so I used up my cry card hehehe…"

"Well then, don't hold it in for too long, it'll make your head ache. Trust me, I know."

Vin gulps.

"Yes sir..."

"That reminds me, Katsu never had any friends his age right?"

"No sir, not that I know of."

Sho walks back to the jeep.

"Katsu, so you won't get lonely, I've got some recruits to introduce to you."

"Ah, sure- I mean, yes sir!"

Sho yells out to the truck.

"You two! Come here!"

Two people go out from the back of the truck and head towards Katsu.

"You wouldn't mind bringing other people with eh Katsu?"

"Yes sir."

"Good, get to know them, you'll probably see them a lot."

The two faces Katsu.

They look like they're the same age as him.

One is a boy, who has a sly face, long and untidy hair, and has his hands in his pockets.

"looks like a very chill guy." Katsu thought.

The other one is a girl, she has a cute face, long and beautiful hair, beautiful teeth, cute smile cute eyes...

Katsu could list so many good things about her.

Appalled at such overwhelming beauty, he wonders to himself.

"Why is such a beauty joining the army?"

But he immediately dismisses those thoughts and focuses on the situation at hand.

Katsu has rarely talked to anyone other than Bon and Vin, and sometimes other store owners.

But not people his own age.

Vin taught him how to talk to other people, but today is the time he practices those teachings.

Time slows as Katsu concentrates.

His heart beats faster.

As he is about to speak.

The boy blurted out.

"WOH! This guy is a giant!"

"June! where're your manners?! I'm sorry, he's just tired from all the traveling we've been through."

"Whoops

Sho steps in.

"Alright, alright, let me do the introducing."

Sho clears his voice.

"This is May and June Varro."

"Oh, like the months?"

"Precisely!" May cheerfully responded.

"We also have 10 other siblings, all named after the months of the year. Not in order obviously." June added.

Katsu calms down, it wasn't as hard as he thought.

Vin watches in the background, smiling happily at the thought of Katsu making friends, but then the realization hit him again.

Katsu shakes both of their hands.

"The name's Katsuro Arius Everest! But you could call me Katsu."

"Your name sounds really tasty." June teased.

Bonk.

May hits June on his head.

"June, you shouldn't say that!"

"I wouldn't have said it if it weren't true, right?"

June steps towards May.

"Besides..." He said with a deep darker voice than he did last time.

June gets his head close to May's face.

"You've hit me several times already... As equals, when can I do the same for you? I'll make sure my turn'll hurt."

June stares at May's eyes deeply, deep, dark, and cold.

May silently shrieked.

"I'm sowwy." May silently whispered. (≧﹏ ≦)

June just laughs out loud.

"Ha-ha, don't get fooled by her Katsu, she can actually be easily controlled!" ヾ(≧▽≦*)o

"Ehh... I guess I'll keep that in mind."

"Alright kids, that's enough tomfoolery, get in the vehicle."

"Yes sir!" both of them responded.

The pair quickly went back inside the jeep.

Katsu picks up his bag, looks back, and went inside at the back.

Vin looks as his fully trained Katsu climb aboard the jeep.

Sho walks up to Vin and leans in.

"You've done a very good job mate, I know you've done all you can to prepare him."

Sho walks back to the jeep and exclaimed at Vin;

"Let's see how good this kid really is!"

"Yes sir! I believe that I have trained him well, he will live up to your expectations."

"We'll see! Hahaha"

The truck engines start, and Katsu waves one last time before they disappear in the distance.

The sounds of the roaring engines fade away.

Vin sighs and faces Bon.

"You wanna get a drink?"

"Y-yeah..."

Katsu has finally departed, and is now on his way to train, to face the horrors of the battle field.

END OF CHAPTER 7