[TOMORROW X TOGETHER Beomgyu] To the point of aching

Episode 16. Collapsing Shadow

On the morning of the day he left, the whole family came out and stood in a row before the front gate.

 

"...Please take care of yourself."

 

The heroine's voice trembled faintly.

 

"This time, I will definitely come back with a smile."

 

Bumgyu held the heroine's hand for a moment, then let go and turned away.

Kim Yuhyeong gripped Bumgyu's shoulder firmly.

 

"...Please, come back alive. No matter what."

"I will keep that in mind, sir."

 

His wife also came up and tightly wrapped both hands around Bumgyu's.

 

"...Please stay well, and come back without getting hurt."

 

The soldiers Kim Yuhyeong had provided were already assembled and waiting in formation, and Yeonjun stood at the very front.

 

"This time, I'll take the lead, my lord."

 

"...Knowing you'll be with us is reassuring."

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

At the entrance to the village, Taehyun and the others had already arrived first.

 

"...Long time no see, Taehyun."

"I heard you were alive, but you look terrible."

 

Taehyun grinned and patted Bumgyu on the shoulder.

 

"Did you bring the secret letter?"

 

Bumgyu quietly pressed the letter inside his robes.

 

"This could bring ten years to an end."

 

Behind Taehyun, a dozen or so faces lined up came into view. Every one of them was someone Jo Seunghak had taken something from.

 

"Everyone, this is the day we've waited so long for. Let's see it through alive."

 

A low cheer burst out all around at once.

The long nine-day journey to Hanyang began.

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Once they reached Hanyang, they immediately prepared the drum-complaint appeal.

The only way they could beat the drum before the king's procession and make their case was the one path Jo Seunghak's reach could not touch.

 

"...Stop! How dare you!"

 

The royal guards blocked the way with spears leveled, but Bumgyu had already resolved to give up his life.

If he backed down now, ten years of time and his parents' injustice would be buried in darkness again.

 

"I am Choi Bumgyu, son of Choi Siheon, former Chief Inspector! I seek to reveal here and now the truth of the treason charge that was unjustly forced upon us ten years ago!"

 

The sound of the drum echoed through the palace forecourt.

Passing ministers stopped in their tracks and began to murmur. It was the moment a name lost ten years ago stepped back into the world.

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

Soon, an order came to go before the king.

Before long, in the royal audience hall, the two secret letters were read aloud in full.

 

One was a letter that had forewarned of the plan to frame Choi Siheon for treason and forced silence, and the other was a letter that specifically instructed when and how weapons and armor were to be planted.

At the sight of the letter bearing Jo Seunghak's seal, the court stirred.

 

"...T-this is a forged document! It's obviously a scheme to frame me!"

 

Jo Seunghak shouted with bloodshot eyes, but there was already no strength left in his voice.

 

"Then summon Kim Yuhyeong, who once served as Vice Minister of Military Affairs, and confront him directly. How did this letter remain in his hands for ten years?"

 

At Bumgyu's calm reply, Jo Seunghak's face turned ashen.

 

"Besides, you, more than anyone in the court, would recognize the handwriting and seal on this letter. Because they're yours."

 

A low sigh leaked out from among those gathered.

The king silently looked back and forth between the two letters for a long while, then finally spoke in a heavy voice.

 

"...Bring Jo Seunghak in for interrogation at once."

 

Driven into a corner, Jo Seunghak snatched the sword from the guard beside him and charged at Bumgyu.

 

"You bastard... how dare you throw ashes on a meal that's already cooked!"

 

With a clang, Taehyun threw himself in and blocked the blade.

Then, with Yeonjun at the lead, the soldiers surrounded Jo Seunghak and subdued him.

 

"...Let go of this! Do you know who I am, and you're doing this to me?"

 

His raging cries lasted only a moment before Jo Seunghak was finally bound in rope and dragged away.

It was the moment the shadow that had pressed down for ten years crumbled so futilely.

Bumgyu watched that receding figure for a long time. What came first was not relief, but a hollow emptiness.

 

"...It's over."

 

Taehyun came over and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

 

"At last, your parents' spirits can rest in peace too. You can let yourself go now as well."

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

At the same time, the heroine stood in the yard, endlessly staring at the sky toward Hanyang.

 

A few days later, a fast messenger arrived.

 

"A message has come saying Jo Seunghak has been executed! It says Lord Choi's false charge has been completely cleared as well!"

 

The heroine collapsed weakly on the spot and cried out loud for a long while.

Resentment, longing, every question of them all — now it had truly come to an end.

 

Kim Yuhyeong and his wife also clung to each other and shed tears.

All that remained now was for him to return safely.

 

Clutching the wooden tablet tightly in both hands, the heroine looked up at the sky again.

 

It was the clearest, quietest night sky of all.