2. The Departure

That night in the living room after dinner, grandpa Hamada handed  Akira a long brown envelope. Inside are some documents of properties in Akira's name. Aside from the house and the hill, there is also a house in Imperial City and a bank card.

"It was handed to me by your grandfather a long time ago."

Akira blankly looked at the old Hamada.

Seeing the look on his face, the old man slightly coughed.

"You may not know but I am actually a retired public lawyer. So don't be surprised."

Akira had a more blank look on his face looking at him.

Suddenly, grandma Hamada sofly giggled by the side looking at her husband then said to Akira.

"What he said is true. Him being a lawyer cannot really be seen in his look. Even for me he looked more like a cook than a lawyer. So don't feel bad about it, Akira-kun. You are not the first."

Akira nodded slightly and opened the envelope.

"Oi,oi,oi. Don't make me feel more embarrassed in front of Akira-kun." 

Grandpa Hamada helplessly looked at his still giggling wife.

Grandma Hamada cleared her throat then asked Akira.

"What are your plans now Akira-kun?"

After looking at the documents, Akira put it back inside the envelope.

"Going to Imperial City. Returned once in a while." Akira answered.

"I heard you passed the entrance exam in Imperial University. It's good if you return once in a while and visit us also. Your grandfather may no longer be here with you but you still have us. We are your grandparents too." Grandma Hamada said as he gently held his two hands.

The two old couple once had a daughter but that daughter got into a vehicle accident when she went to Fire City. Akira could be near the age of their grandchild if their daughter is still alive.

"Hmm. Thank you." Akira responded softly. The second word is almost inaudible while looking down.

Grandma Hamada smiled gently.

"And also call us every once in a while when you are in Imperial City so we will be less worried…"

"I will." His short reply while now looking straight to the old woman's eyes with determination in his slightly red eyes.

Seeing this, the old couple sighed and felt less worried.

The next day after breakfast, Akira came along with the old couple down to town. He first took the two to their home then went to the station to buy a train ticket.

The remaining days before his departure, Akira went to every place where he and his grandfather often visited. Most of it is in the mountains where they pick up herbs. The river bank where they often fish. The secret underground lake where he was trained in self defense, physical endurance and breath training. He was trained for a reason.

He and his grandfather often sleep in the wild where some dangerous wild animals live. Ever since a child his grandfather always brought him picking up herbs in the mountains. Even sometimes went deeper in the wild forest where there are many poisonous snakes and plants. The city they were in is one of the remaining cities where rainforests are greatly preserved.

'Learning to defend and save yourself against danger from both humans and nature is essential.' This was what his grandfather said to him when he was still a child and started training.

Three weeks before the start of class, Akira bid farewell to the Hamada couple. The old couple accompanied him to the train station.

"Always take care of your health when you are there. Don't tire yourself too much. Beware of fraudsters. There is a lot of news about them nowadays. Always be careful on the road. Avoid troubles and don't forget to call us okay?" Grandma Hamada has teary eyes while embracing him one last time.

"Okay, okay that is enough, the train will soon depart. Let the child settle in his cabin before the train departs." Grandpa Hamada urges his wife and finally patted Akira on his shoulder with a slight nod. "Take good care. Call us immediately if something happens." 

Akira nodded and briefly gave a quick embrace which made the old man stunned for a while and so was his wife. Bowing to the old couple, Akira entered the train.

"That child…" Grandpa Hamada sighed with tears in the corner of his eyes as he and his wife watched the departing back of the young man with some others watching and waving at their loved ones boarding on the train as well.

The couple watched until the train was out of sight before they slowly turned around and left the station.