MTL - Lanke Chess Edge - ~ Extra: The Unbroken Past 23

Gu Mingxi and Pang Qian were next-door neighbors, classmates, and deskmates. From year-to-year, even when the class seating was rearranged, they would still be deskmates. They grew up together like a pair of brother and sisters despite having different parents; if it was someone else, then their parents would probably have already arranged their wedding. However, Gu Mingxi was different.

She remembers him because of the mole at the corner of his eyebrow;He remembers her simply because she is her.Every passing encounter becomes a story in the memory,And you are the ending of my story.

“From today onwards you are no longer my son. Get out” Being born into a noble family that is aiming to become the ‘strongest’, at his aptitude ceremony held on his 12th birthday it was discovered that Igni could only use fireballs. Igni who can only use beginner level magic was kicked out of his house.

With no where to go and without much magical ability, Igni is scraping by through life. However, one day he has miraculous reunion. “What? Is that Igni there?” “Gr-grandpa!?” It was a reunion with his grandfather, the man who was once called the strongest [Kyokuten] but was banished from his noble family because of his excessive womanizing…! “Grandpa! You said strong men are popular, but I can’t be strong!!” “Igni, listen carefully. Strong men are popular but, hard-working men are even more popular!!” “Grandpa! I’ll try my best!!!” Igni whose parents who banished Igni from the house, didn’t yet know of his obsession with being popular under the guidance of the strongest [Kyokuten] magician…!

“Igni that magic!” “This? It’s a fireball” “With this you can aim for [Kyokuten]! Come back here!!” “Nobility isn’t popular” “What are you saying?” This is a story where a young magician becomes the strongest by honing his skills all in order to become popular.

The night before we obtained our marriage certificate, I asked him, “When did you start to develop feelings for me?”

He answered, “I don’t remember.”

“But, why me?”

“Why not you?”

“I’m very petty, and I get jealous very easily.”

“So am I.”

“I’m afraid I’m not worthy of you.”

“So am I.”

“I haven’t really dated, so I don’t know what love is.”

“I don’t know either.”

He held my hand gently, “But I know this. When I think about spending the rest of my life with you, I feel that my future is filled with hope.”

At 16, we used the same class desk, with less than 10cm between our arms. My peripheral vision was full of him.

At 26, I woke up in the morning, and saw the sunlight softly shining on his face. I thought, this is how I want to grow old – gradually, together, with him.

I guess this must be love.