The Road to a New Beginning

The rain continued to fall as David's old car slowly drove along the quiet road.

Not a single word had been spoken between them since they left the school.

The silence inside the car felt almost suffocating.

The principal's decision still echoed in both of their minds, weighing heavily on them.

David kept his eyes on the road ahead, trying to find the right words, while Yūto quietly stared out the window covered with raindrops, lost in his own thoughts.

Only the rhythmic sound of the windshield wipers and the soft hum of the engine filled the silence between them.

Finally, David turned the car toward a bakery.

"Yūto, wait here for a moment. I'll be right back."

David got out of the car with a small umbrella.

Yūto watched the rainwater flowing down the car window.

He pressed his face against the glass and continued watching as the rain became heavier.

Not long after, David returned with a jar of chocolate spread.

Bang!

After closing the door, David looked at Yūto for a moment.

"Do you like watching the rain, Yūto?"

Yūto nodded.

"I don't know why, but when I look at the rain, I feel calmer."

For a moment, David said nothing.

"I like the rain too. The rain reminds me of something beautiful."

David's eyes remained fixed on the road ahead.

A few moments later, Yūto slowly turned toward him.

"Don't you believe me, Dad?"

David turned to him.

"I believe you, Yūto."

"But why did you say that I was the one who was wrong at school earlier?"

David lowered his head.

"I'm sorry, Yūto. I should've defended you there. I was just a little shocked by what happened."

"Do you think I should've just stayed quiet?"

David shook his head.

"I tried to imagine how you felt. If I were in your place, I might've broken both of his arms.”

"Really?"

David nodded.

"You're really cruel, Dad," Yūto said.

David smiled.

"I'm only saying what I might've done if it happened to me."

Yūto turned his face away and looked back at the window covered with rainwater.

"Dad, is it really true that I don't have a mother?"

David fell silent.

"That's not true. You have a mother, Yūto," David answered softly.

"Then why has she never come to see us?"

Yūto turned toward David.

Tears slowly rolled down Yūto's cheeks.

David lowered his head.

"Because..."

Ring... Ring...

David took out his phone.

"Hello. Who is this?"

"It's me, Wiliam. How are you, David?" Wiliam said.

"Wiliam? I'm doing fine. How about you?"

"I'm fine too. I want to invite you to my house, David. Come to my house tomorrow, okay?"

"I'll come tomorrow."

The call ended after that.

"Dad..."

David turned toward him.

"Promise me that you'll always stay with me..." Yūto said.

David's eyes began to fill with tears.

"I promise, Yūto."

David then hugged Yūto tightly.

The next day...

It was already 10 a.m.

Yūto was sitting in the TV room, reading a book, when David came over to him.

"Yūto, do you want to come with me?" David asked.

Yūto looked at him.

"Where are we going?"

"To see a friend of mine. He used to be my friend when I was in the military.”

Yūto nodded.

"I want to come."

"Alright.”

A few minutes later, David and Yūto went to Wiliam's house.

They drove through the busy streets until they finally stopped in front of a large traditional dojo on the outskirts of the city.

As soon as they got out of the car, a broad-shouldered man with a cheerful smile walked toward them.

"David!" Wiliam said.

He laughed as he opened his arms.

"It's been a long time."

David smiled and hugged him.

David then placed his hand on Yūto's shoulder.

"Do you remember my son?"

Wiliam's eyes widened.

"So, this is Yūto?"

He chuckled.

"You've grown so much. The last time I saw you, you were only about five or six years old."

He looked Yūto up and down, then nodded with satisfaction.

"You're almost as tall as your father now."

David smiled.

"Yūto, let me introduce you. This is Uncle William. He and I used to serve together in the military. You can learn a lot from him."

Yūto bowed politely.

"Nice to meet you, Uncle William."

William laughed loudly.

"What a polite boy."

Yūto then awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

Yūto looked at David.

"Dad, I'm hungry."

William immediately burst into laughter.

"Come inside. My wife cooked enough food to feed an entire army."

William happily led David and Yūto into his house.

"Come on in! Let's eat first."

David grinned.

"You really haven't changed, Wiliam."

William smiled at David.

"Anything for Colonel David!"

David laughed.

The three of them then walked into the house.

The warm smell of freshly prepared food immediately welcomed them.

For the first time since leaving the principal's office, a genuine smile slowly returned to Yūto's face.

Not long after, the dining table was filled with various warm homemade dishes.

William's wife welcomed them with a gentle smile before inviting everyone to sit down.

"Please eat. I cooked plenty of food," Misae said.

"Thank you, Misae," David replied with a grateful nod.

"Make yourself at home, David.”

Yūto did not wait long.

He immediately picked up the eating utensils.

Misae looked at Yūto.

"You can use chopsticks too?"

Yūto nodded.

"I use chopsticks because one of my friends taught me how to eat instant noodles with chopsticks. In the end, I started enjoying using chopsticks, even when eating rice.”

William laughed.

"You're a great kid, Yūto."

Yūto smiled shyly.

While they were eating, William turned to David.

"So... you said something happened at school."

David sighed.

"Yūto was expelled from school yesterday. I sent you a message this morning because I wanted to ask you for help."

William raised his eyebrows.

"Expelled?"

He looked at Yūto.

"What happened?"

Yūto slowly put down his chopsticks.

"I got into a fight."

William slowly nodded.

"I see."

He didn't ask any further questions.

Instead, he simply smiled.

"Then how about going to school here?"

Yūto raised his head.

"At your school, Uncle?"

William nodded.

"Besides running this dojo, I also founded an academic and martial arts school."

He leaned back in his chair.

"We focus on military discipline, academic education, and martial arts. Strength alone is not enough. A soldier must also have knowledge, character, and the ability to control himself."

Yūto glanced at David.

"What do you think, Dad?"

David smiled.

"It's fine, Yūto. If you want to go there, I'll do my best to make it happen.”

William interrupted.

"Leave the paperwork to me. I'll take care of everything."

A smile slowly appeared on Yūto's face.

"Thank you, Uncle William."