“Then the two-sword style commonly called Niten Ichi-ryū. It specifically takes into account the long and short swords you have in your possession and was popularized by the historically significant figure of Miyamoto Musashi himself. There are five basic two-sword kata that you can begin to master, and any number of variations that sword masters have adapted since. Does this sound appropriate?”
I remembered reading The Book of Five Rings a couple years ago, back when my father and I were geeking out about katanas and sword fighting together. It wasn’t a long text by any means, but in many ways, more impactful to me than The Art of War had been. I loved how applicable Musashi’s teachings were, even to someone as nonviolent and common as a baker.
A ripple of excitement ran through my limbs and I answered, “Yes, Elendil. I will bring the ring to the mountain. But you’ve got to be my Gamgee.”
The AI paused for a moment, most likely searching his database for the reference, then proceeded with the lesson. “There are five kata for the long and short sword fighting style: Chudan, Jodan, Gedan, Waki Gamae Hidari and Migi Waki Gamae. Let’s start with the first. Now, place your feet together and hold both swords out and away from your chest, allowing their points to come together. Think of this as a defensive triangle.”
Simulations of both swords filled my hands as brought my feet together and lifted my arms. I watched the hologram of a tiny sword master fall into the stance in the corner of my vision and cleared my mind. Learning curve or no, I had to learn as much of this as I could.
I spent another hour going through the various dual-wielding kata and even ran a few slow-motion scenarios, frustrated with how hard it was. Elendil was encouraging, though, and reminded me that in game, the system would aid my efforts as well.
After I finally threw in the towel, I ate a quick meal and, going on a hunch, printed two Mate Lattes, then headed down the hall. I knocked on Shin’s door, but no sound came from his room. I knocked louder, spilling a bit of one of the drinks and causing a Gita bot to scurry over and clean up the mess.
“Shin!” I called. “Open up, it’s me!”
A moment later, I heard rustling from within. “One second,” his voice called.
I was not prepared for what happened next. Shin opened his door, and I almost dropped the mugs. His face was thin and pale. Dark circles ringed his eyes, and he… well, he smelled a bit.
“Hey buddy,” I said in a soft tone. “What’s going on? You don’t look so hot.”
“I’m sure I don’t. Look, I don’t really want to talk, I’m…” he tried, but I saw he didn’t have the strength to finish the thought.
“Shut up, okay? Just take this and let me in.” I pushed the mug into his chest and barged into his room.
His eyes blinked in surprise, but he complied.
His room was the same as the last time I’d seen it, but the lights were dim. “Elendil, turn the lights on!” Elendil carried out my command.
Then I sat on his chair and sipped from my cup. “So, what is it? We’ve already told each other so much. You don’t need to hole up like a creep. Are you sick?” My questions were pushy, but I tried to make my tone casual, if not cheerful.
Shin sat down and drank some of the tea. There, that was a start at least. He didn’t reply though, so I waited for a while. A few minutes passed, the silence only broken occasionally by the sound of one of us blowing on the hot drink or sipping. I’d already forced my way in here, and I did not have the guts to insist on any answers. Yet I felt like they would come with time.
Finally, Shin cleared his throat and spoke a few strained words. “My sister. She… she won’t see me. Not now. Not ever.” Each syllable was pained and forced. He swallowed hard when he finished, but I still didn’t understand. The last thing I wanted him to do was repeat himself, but I needed clarification.
“Hey, that sounds terrible. What do you mean, though? Why won’t she see you? I thought you said you two were close?”
Another moment passed as he stared into the foam of his tea latte. He took another drink, this one longer, and I could see him steeling himself.
“She’s about to turn seventeen. According to our plan, she was going to come and see me, and we were even thinking we might live together. But I got an email a few days ago. She told me that I wasn’t someone she wanted in her life anymore, that she loved me, but not to try to contact her anymore. I… I don’t know what to do, Hana.” He gestured to the room around him.
“I don’t know. That doesn’t sound right, though. From what you’ve said about her, it just seems out of character, doesn’t it? Did she give any specific reasons?” I was hoping to find some angle into the mess so that I might be able to help.
Shin shook his head, avoiding my eyes. I saw he was struggling to contain himself, tears slowly spilling down his cheeks. I moved over and sat near him on his pod, placing an arm around his shoulders. Without any further ceremony, the dam of tears he was holding broke away. He sobbed quietly for a few minutes, and I found myself wiping away my own tears. I was indescribably sad and angry at the same time. I didn’t even know the girl, and had only just met Shin, but the situation seemed wrong.
My own family had been taken from me. Shin’s had rejected him. How weird was it to think that if my
