Chapter 67: Joyful Praise x Farewell
So irritating!
Was this kid made of ice? Impossible to warm up, inside or out.
Biscuit told herself to take a deep breath. She reached into her clothes, pulled out a small booklet, and pushed it across the table.
Roy took it and glanced at it. It was a notebook, and an old one. Unlike the one his great-grandfather had given him, this one was well-preserved, even exquisite.
He flipped it open and saw it was filled with Biscuit's personal insights and summaries from her own training when she was young. He couldn't help but give her a suspicious look. "Let's be clear. I'm not agreeing to become your student."
"You don't need to emphasize it!" Biscuit huffed. She flicked her pigtails, turned her head away in a sulk, and said, "Just consider it a freebie."
Is that so... Roy turned to Gotoh. "Go downstairs and buy breakfast for Lady Biscuit. And remember... make it a large one."
"Yes, sir." Gotoh glanced at Biscuit, then opened the door and left.
The old woman pouted. "Who said I wanted it?"
But when Gotoh actually placed the breakfast in front of her, her expression changed faster than flipping a page. She began to wolf it down, her appetite shockingly large, highlighting a single truth: the more muscle mass you have, the more you eat.
While stuffing her face, she didn't forget to lecture Roy. "You're a smart kid, at least. Considering our 'elderly' connection, don't say I never looked out for you. Read it well and learn."
Roy flipped through the notes without looking up. "You're teaching me... aren't you worried Wing will have a problem with it?"
"What problem could he have?" Does this brat really think our Shingen-Ryu is some cheap, dime-a-dozen trash? Biscuit shot him an angry glare. "By the time you understand what the 'heart' is, it'll be at least eight or ten years from now."
Roy was noncommittal, reading the notes carefully. The more he looked, the more familiar it seemed. Many of the "insights" aligned with certain philosophical principles. He was reminded of Netero's prayer before every punch, and his ultimate attack, the Hyakushiki Kannon, which referenced the Bodhisattva of a thousand arms. He nodded in deep agreement. "To follow one's heart, and to offer joyful praise... it's really not that simple."
"It's good that you know it's hard. Wait..." Biscuit suddenly froze. Half a chicken leg was stuck in her throat. As her small mouth opened, it fell onto the table with a splat. Gotoh's brow twitched, and he barely restrained himself from stuffing it back in her mouth.
"Little Roy, what did you just say?" The old woman stared intently at him.
Roy closed the notebook. "What? I said you were right. Shingen-Ryu isn't simple."
"The line before that."
"To follow one's heart?"
"No! It was 'Joyful Praise'!" Biscuit was floored. She was certain she hadn't written that phrase in the notebook. She wanted him to realize it on his own: following your own heart is easy; finding genuine joy in the success of others is hard.
Why did Netero pray before every punch? Because he knew that human nature can be fickle, and few people truly wished him well. In the end, the only thing that never betrayed him was his martial art. It always encouraged him, always gave him the feedback of "growth." That's why he had to "repay the boundless grace of the martial art that nurtured him with his own humble efforts."
And it was with this sincere heart that Netero had often taught her as a child: learn to appreciate others' success, to praise them genuinely, and to see the good in them. Only then could you avoid being consumed by jealousy and falling into a dark pit.
So...
"Your grandfather taught you that phrase, didn't he?" Biscuit regained her composure. She finally remembered her chicken leg and, operating on the "three-second rule," picked it up and stuffed it back into her mouth. Gotoh's brow twitched again. As a meticulous person, he immediately classified Biscuit as "a person to be avoided at all costs."
Roy noticed Gotoh's pained expression and smiled but said nothing. As for whether his grandfather had told him... Biscuit's understanding of the Zoldyck family was too shallow.
The Zoldycks don't act based on "heart." They act based on whether the client has paid enough. If the price is right, they'll kill, even if they have to hold their nose while doing it. As for regrets... his great-grandfather Zzigg, rumored to be dead, had apparently said: "If you're not satisfied, just kill the client too. Then you'll feel better."
Looks like I was right. Seeing Roy neither confirm nor deny, Biscuit felt a wave of relief and went back to her meal. Soon, she was leaning back in her chair, her little belly full.
"When are you leaving?" Breakfast was good, but a little dry. Biscuit waved her little hand, signaling to Gotoh that she needed more water, and glanced at Roy.
Roy pushed back his chair and stood up. "Now."
"Not staying a few more days?"
"No. My father is waiting at home to electrocute me. Can't keep him waiting, can I?"
The boy grinned, showing his teeth. Last night, Luke had called and relayed his father's exact words: "The electric baton is ready. We can set the voltage as high as you want. It's Nen-powered."
Biscuit: "..."
She opened her mouth, but for a moment, had nothing to say. That's a Zoldyck for you, she thought.
She simply waved her hand. "Well... good luck!"
Gotoh arrived with the water. The young butler gave Biscuit one last reluctant glance, then picked up the luggage and followed Roy out the door.
At the entrance, Wing was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, like a statue. He'd clearly been waiting. Seeing Roy, he pushed up his glasses and smiled. "Sorry. My master must have been a lot of trouble."
"Was she? I think she enjoyed her meal. Besides... it wasn't my money."
"Cough... is that so?"
Just as he had a few days ago, Wing extended his right hand. "Safe travels," he said sincerely.
This time, Roy didn't hesitate. He grasped his hand, gave a nod, and then turned, walking away with Gotoh.
The corridor lights cast a long shadow behind the boy, as if reluctant to let him go.
Wing watched him go. Just as he was about to round the corner, Wing called out, "Hey! Wait for my challenge!"
Roy didn't turn back or break his stride. He simply raised two fingers and waved over his shoulder, disappearing from view.
"Don't stare, he's long gone."
Two minutes later, Biscuit hopped down from her chair and bounced over to Wing's side, her pigtails swinging.
The young man pulled his gaze back and smiled at his master. "Aren't you technically aiding the enemy, Master?"
Biscuit jumped up and bopped him on the head. "Idiot! Aren't you satisfied with having me train you personally?"
"I am, I am! It was just a joke..." Wing feigned pain as he followed Biscuit to continue their training. He glanced back one last time at the empty doorway of Room 1991. He knew that the next time they met, it would be in a different place, at a different time.
He just wondered... how much would Roy have grown by then?
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