Chapter 8 - CHAPTER 8 THE FADED LIGHT

On the way back, A and K did not speak. They walked in silence. In the background, some of the flowers had withered and died. When they reached the table, A noticed the chessboard was missing."Where is the chessboard?" A asked in a confused voice.K replied, "We don't need it now. A, take your seat."A responded angrily, "Stop playing with me. There are only two of us here. So where did the chessboard go?"K calmly said, "Calm down, A. I told you we don't need it now. Have a seat."K took his seat. A stared at him for a moment before reluctantly sitting down."So, A, how are you feeling now?" K asked.A replied in a slightly calmer voice, "I feel better now."K smiled and said, "Do you know, A, people notice small things—like how you noticed the chessboard is missing."A replied, "I know. So what do you want to say this time? Another dramatic story or something similar?"K said, "I have a question for you." He pointed toward a butterfly. "What are your thoughts about it, A?"A looked at the butterfly and thought for a few seconds before replying, "It's beautiful. I don't see this type of butterfly in my city. The combination of light red and dark blue is almost perfect, K."K smiled. "You described it so perfectly, A. But what if I asked you to describe something else?"A turned toward him. "What do you mean?""I'm talking about other bugs," K replied, "like spiders, centipedes, and so on."A took a small breath and said, "I don't like them. They are disgusting and a little scary."K smiled again. "Just because their appearance is different, they become disgusting to you. But some people admire their appearance. You cannot deny that fact, A."A stayed silent and simply looked at K."What happened, A? Have you lost your voice?" K asked.A replied, "Why do you think people admire them? They are just disgusting."K asked calmly, "A, do you think they are disgusting because of their appearance, or do you hate them simply because they are bugs?"A answered with anger, "Stop twisting my words. What do you want to hear? That they should be crushed whenever they show themselves to me?""So much anger," K said, "just because you see them as disgusting creatures. Do you know, A, this applies to humans too?"A suddenly froze. He looked into K's calm eyes."What happened, A? You look scared again. Is it because of the past?" K asked."My past is none of your business," A said.K replied, "It matters, A. Everything matters. This is the mindset most people have these days. Just because a person has a different appearance, just because they are different, it becomes hateful. Just because they don't talk like you or don't fit the beauty standards set by society, hate grows so strong that people start discriminating."A said, "I… I know some people hate getting near someone who doesn't meet their beauty standards."K continued, "People used to say looks don't matter, but in reality, they do. In simpler words, everyone is attracted to beauty—even if that beauty contains poison. The most beautiful person can hide the darkest evil, while the ugliest one can have the kindest heart. People judge others by their looks, not by their hearts."Suddenly, A felt the pain in his head again. He covered his head with both hands. K glanced toward a crack that appeared near a tree. The mocking voices returned."HAHA, LOOK AT THIS WEAK PERSON… OTHER REGRETS… OH LOOK AT THOSE GLASSES, IT SUITS YOU, LOSER…"Tears flowed from A's eyes as he spoke in pain, "Stop… please… I… I…"K placed a hand on A's shoulder and said, "I understand your pain."A slowly opened his tear-filled eyes and looked at K. "Why are you doing this to me? I don't want to live that past again. Please stop it, K. Please let me go home."K replied, "You can't go back. We still have a lot of time, A. This is only the beginning. We haven't even reached halfway."This time, A didn't say anything. He quietly sat on his chair. His eyes looked dull, having lost their previous shine.K glanced toward the void rift near the tree, which had grown much larger. A didn't notice it. The grass around the tree had died. K continued speaking:"In this world, people who possess beauty and good looks get many things—fame, a better life, love, and more. Just because of their looks, people believe them without even seeing their crimes. How easily humans fall into this trap."A said, "Why do you think like that? Not everyone is perfect. Each human has beauty inside them."K replied, "Does that even matter, A? All these years, I have seen how outer beauty works in society. So, A, do you really think inner beauty is more powerful than outer beauty? Or should I mention that classroom incident…"A suddenly grabbed K's collar, his eyes full of anger, and nearly punched him. "SHUT UP! I TOLD YOU MY PAST IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS! I BURIED IT! WHY DO YOU KEEP TRYING TO BRING IT BACK?!"K smiled and said, "You can't always run away from your past, A. But if you want to forget it, then okay. Now just calm down. Take a deep breath, A."A released K's collar. "Just… just change the topic.""Very well," K said. "How about I finally tell you where we are?"The area around them began to shift. Numerous void rifts appeared and surrounded them. A was completely shocked. Before he could react, many hands reached out, grabbed him, and pulled him back into the darkness.K spoke in a calm voice, "Well, no more hiding now. Only truth… or maybe…"K smiled while looking toward the sky. "I know you all are hearing this conversation."With that, K stepped into the void. — END OF CHAPTER 8 —