Chapter 17: Leaving
As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the curtains, Sun slowly emerged from his slumber, his eyes adjusting to the brightness.
A wave of warmth embraced him as he noticed his beloved grandpa peacefully dozing off on a weathered armchair.
A determined spark ignited within Sun, compelling him to act. Grasping his cozy blanket, he cautiously tiptoed towards his grandpa, his small feet padding softly on the wooden floor.
Grandpa stirred, his eyelids fluttering open, meeting Sun's intent gaze.
"Sun," he whispered gently, his voice carrying a blend of concern and curiosity.
"Oh, Grandpa," Sun replied, his eyes widening with anticipation.
He rose to his feet, feeling a mix of apprehension and excitement pulsating through his veins.
"Sun, are you alright?" Grandpa inquired, his voice a gentle melody of concern.
Sun hesitated for a moment, contemplating his response.
"Yes, I'm alright for now," he finally replied, trying to convey a sense of assurance.
Sensing the urgency in Sun's movements, Grandpa motioned for him to sit on the edge of the bed.
Sun complied, his young frame tense with anticipation. Grandpa settled beside him, their figures forming a bond that transcended words.
"Sun, if you don't want to continue with the training, I won't force you," Grandpa began, his voice laden with a blend of wisdom and unconditional love.
A mixture of relief and determination flickered across Sun's face as he absorbed his grandpa's words.
"No, Grandpa," he exclaimed fervently, his voice brimming with conviction.
"I want to train. I want to become strong, stronger than I am right now."
Grandpa studied Sun's determined expression, his eyes reflecting a lifetime of experience.
"Are you sure, my dear? I won't coerce you any longer if that's not what you truly desire," he cautioned, searching for any trace of uncertainty in Sun's eyes.
A surge of resolve coursed through Sun's being, overpowering any lingering doubt.
"Yes, Grandpa," he declared resolutely, his voice ringing with determination. "I want to be strong, and I will never give up."
A tender smile played upon Grandpa's lips as he reached out, placing his hand gently on Sun's head.
"It's a gradual journey, my dear," he murmured, his touch conveying both reassurance and guidance. "Remember, quitting won't hasten your progress."
Sun absorbed his grandpa's words, the weight of their meaning sinking deep into his young heart.
A surge of gratitude and determination surged within him, intertwining like ivy around his spirit. In that moment, he knew he had found an unwavering source of support.
"I know you can do it," Grandpa's words echoed in Sun's mind, lingering like a gentle breeze.
As his hand lifted from Sun's head, a bittersweet sensation settled within the young boy's heart.
Standing tall, Grandpa began his deliberate stride towards the door, the weight of his departure palpable in the air.
Curiosity and concern intertwined in Sun's voice, breaking the silence that enveloped the room.
"What happened to Teacher?" he asked, his words laced with a touch of trepidation.
Grandpa turned, his eyes bearing a somber expression.
"He is leaving," he replied, his voice laden with a mixture of regret and resignation.
Sun's eyes widened in disbelief, his heart skipping a beat.
"Wait, what?" he exclaimed, his voice quivering with a blend of confusion and longing.
A heavy sigh escaped Grandpa's lips as he confirmed the unsettling truth.
"Yes, he is leaving right now," he explained, his tone heavy with finality.
A flurry of questions filled Sun's mind, his voice struggling to keep pace with his racing thoughts.
"Where is he going?" he blurted out, his words a desperate plea for understanding.
Grandpa's gaze softened, his voice carrying a sense of empathy.
"He may be on the road right now," he replied, the subtext hinting at a departure without certainty or destination.
The weight of those words settled upon Sun, stirring within him an urgent determination. Without hesitation, he darted outside, his feet propelling him forward with every ounce of energy he possessed.
The world blurred around him as he sprinted, driven by an unyielding desire to catch up to his teacher.
Sun's slender form darted through the bustling forest, his eyes fixated on his teacher's retreating figure.
With every fleeting moment, his heart pounded against his chest, echoing his growing desperation.
The world seemed to blur around him as he chased after his mentor, thoughts swirling like a tempest in his mind.
"Why is everyone leaving me?" Sun's thoughts cried out, aching with an unspoken longing for connection.
The weight of abandonment bore heavily upon his fragile shoulders, threatening to shatter his spirit.
Deep within, a flicker of self-doubt gnawed at his soul, questioning if he was to blame for the constant departures that marked his existence.
Through huffs and gasps, Sun's legs carried him tirelessly forward, an embodiment of his yearning for answers.
His voice, strained and raw, broke through the chaotic symphony of the forest. "Teacher, you praised me, and yet you are leaving me," he called out, his words carried away by the wind.
The forest rhythm quickened around him, its pulse mirroring the rapid beat of his racing heart.
Sun's anguished cries grew louder, tearing through the fabric of his being.
"I was starting to trust you," he bellowed, the words imbued with a mix of desperation and sorrow. "And yet..."
His surroundings blurred as he ran, his vision clouded by a cascade of tears.
The forest, once familiar and comforting, now felt cold and distant. Each step he took was a footfall into the abyss of his own uncertainty, the path ahead shrouded in the shadows of unanswered questions.
As he continued his frantic pursuit, Sun's emotions surged, threatening to consume him.
The ache of abandonment reverberated in his every fiber, like a searing flame licking at his wounded heart.
In the depths of his turmoil, he yearned for solace, for the reassurance that he was not destined to be eternally forsaken.
Breathless and heart pounding, Sun reached the road of the forest, his eyes scanning the horizon in search of the figure he yearned to see.
And there, amidst the bustling trees and birds, his teacher emerged like a beacon of guidance, a solitary figure navigating the currents of life's uncertainties.
Emotion welled within Sun, blending into a concoction of relief, joy, and a tinge of desperation.
With each stride, he closed the distance, the gap between student and mentor diminishing. His voice, breathless yet resolute, carried his unwavering commitment.
"Teacher!" he called out, his words imbued with a profound mix of admiration and urgency.
The teacher turned, his eyes meeting Sun's, and for a moment, time stood still.
The corners of his mouth curled into a gentle smile, understanding the significance of this encounter.
With a nod of acknowledgement, he paused, allowing Sun to catch up, their connection bridging the void between them.
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