ALL NOVEL Chapter 10: Departure
Rinko finished packing the last of his belongings into his bag for the journey to Beacon. The contents were a mix of essentials and mementos, reminders of the life he was leaving behind. As he stepped out of his room, he paused for a moment, letting his gaze drift over the familiar surroundings.
He glanced around his room one final time, absorbing the familiar sights that had accompanied him through the first day he got here on Remnant. He closed his eyes as he slowly closed the door.
Navigating through the long, dimly lit hallways, Rinko finally arrived at Willow's room. He hesitated for a moment, bracing himself for the conversation ahead. He knew he needed to say goodbye to his mother—if only to ease the lingering worries that weighed on both their hearts.
He's inside of Willow's son, at least let her know that he'll be going away—not with Jacques— but just on his own to Vale. She had to know.
'Well... here goes,' he thought, gathering his resolve. He raised his hand and knocked three times on the door.
"Mother," he called out, his voice steady but tinged with uncertainty. "I'll be heading to Vale and enrolling at Beacon Academy with Weiss."
For a moment, there was silence on the other side of the door. Rinko could almost hear his own heartbeat in the stillness. Finally, the door creaked open, revealing Willow, her appearance slightly disheveled. Rinko could smell the faint scent of alcohol lingering in the air, a reminder of her nightly battles with her demons.
"Rinko," she said, her voice slightly slurred but carrying an undertone of surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to say goodbye," he replied, forcing a smile that felt strained. "I'm heading to Beacon."
Willow leaned against the doorframe, her eyes narrowing as she took in her son's determined expression. "Beacon? That's a dangerous place, you know. What do you think you're doing?"
"I need to find Father," Rinko said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I can't just stay here, not when I can do something."
"Jacques..." Willow scoffed, rolling her eyes as she took a step back from the door. "You really think you can save him? You're willing to throw yourself into danger for a man who never gave a damn about you?"
Rinko flinched at her words, the sting of her harsh truth cutting deep. "He's still my father, and he needs help. I can't just ignore that."
Willow's expression shifted from disdain to something more complex—a blend of anger and sorrow. "Help? You think he's worth it? Look at what he did to our family! You think he deserves saving after everything?"
Rinko didn't reply immediately. There was a heavy silence that went after what Willow said.
Willow snorted softly, a hint of a laugh escaping her lips. She continued, "You think you can just waltz into a Huntsman Academy and everything will be fine? You're not ready for that kind of life."
"Maybe not," Rinko admitted, "but I can't just sit around and do nothing. I have to try."
She shook her head, her expression a mix of frustration and concern. "And what do you think you'll find out there? Do you think you'll be a hero? You're just a kid playing dress-up in a world full of monsters."
Rinko felt a rush of defiance surge through him. "I'm not just a kid anymore. I know what I'm doing, Mother."
Willow straightened up, and for a moment, Rinko saw a flicker of pride in her eyes before it was quickly replaced by her usual bitterness. "Just don't come crying to me when it all goes wrong," she warned, her voice thick with the weight of her own regrets. "You're stepping into a world that chews people up and spits them out."
"I understand," Rinko replied, feeling the sting of her words but he remained calm.
Willow stepped back, her eyes darting toward a half-empty bottle of whiskey on her desk. "Well, I can't say I'll miss you if you're going off to play Huntsman," she said, attempting to sound casual but failing to mask her underlying concern. "But if you think you're ready for this, then go ahead. Just... be careful."
Rinko hesitated, unsure if he should press further or just leave. "I will, Mother."
He said as his heart was heavy with the weight of unspoken words.
With a final nod, he turned to leave, the air thick with tension and unsaid farewells. As he walked away, he couldn't help but glance back one last time, hoping for a sign that she understood. But Willow had already poured herself another drink, the amber liquid glinting in the light—her way of coping with the reality of their fractured family.
A Few Minutes Later
"Are you certain about this decision, Master Rinko?" Klein asked, his voice filled with hesitation as he watched Rinko gather his belongings for the trip to Beacon.
"Yes, Klein. I've made up my mind," Rinko responded, his tone firm as he turned to face the loyal butler.
Klein didn't respond immediately. He sighed deeply, understanding that once the young master had set his course, there was little he could do to change it.
"If this is truly what you want..." he muttered, his words laced with resignation.
As they made their way to the front door, Klein began loading Rinko's luggage into the car.
From above, Whitley stood at the top of the stairs, his brow furrowed with concern. He had been watching his brother's every move, unsure of what was unfolding.
"Rinko!" Whitley called out, his voice cracking with urgency. Rinko paused and turned, catching sight of his younger brother racing down the stairs, panting with the effort.
"B-brother... where are you going? Why are you leaving?" Whitley asked, his eyes wide with confusion, glistening with unshed tears.
Kakashi offered a gentle smile, hoping to ease the boy's anxiety. "I'm heading to Beacon to see Weiss, and... to become a Huntsman."
"Why?!" Whitley's voice rang out louder than expected, catching Kakashi off guard. His small fists clenched as tears finally welled up in his eyes. "You're leaving again? We just got you back..." His voice cracked, his fear and sadness now plain to see.
Rinko didn't respond right away. He took a moment to compose himself, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He knelt before his brother.
"I'm not leaving you for good, Whitley," Rinko said softly. "I'll always be with you, here." He gently touched Whitley's chest, right over his heart. "No matter how far I go, you'll always have me with you."
"W-why Beacon?! It's at Vale! Why not enroll in Atlas Academy? It's way safer there, and Winter's there too—!" Whitley's plea was cut short as Rinko placed a hand gently on his shoulder, stopping him mid-sentence.
"I've thought about it, Whitley. I really have," Rinko said, his eyes softening as he looked down at his brother. "Beacon is where I need to be, not just to grow stronger, but to reconnect with Weiss. She's out there, and I need to find her. I need to understand what happened to Father, too. Answers are waiting for me at Beacon that I can't find in Atlas."
"But... Atlas is home," Whitley muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why leave?"
"Because sometimes," Rinko said, squeezing his brother's shoulder gently, "you have to leave home to grow. This isn't just about me getting stronger—it's about becoming someone who can protect you, Weiss, and everyone else. I can't do that if I stay in the comfort of what's familiar. Beacon will push me in ways that Atlas can't."
Whitley's lip trembled, but he nodded slowly. "I just... I don't want you to go. I don't want to lose you like we lost Father.."
Rinko pulled his brother into a tight embrace. "You won't lose me, Whitley. I promise. I'll come back—stronger, ready to protect and lead this family. I just need you to trust me."
Whitley clung to Rinko for a moment before finally letting go, sniffling as he wiped his eyes. "You better keep that promise..."
"I will," Rinko said with a smile, standing up and turning toward the car. "You have my word.. I'll be back before you know it."
Klein cleared his throat, signaling that it was time to go. Rinko gave Whitley's hair one last ruffle before stepping into the car, leaving behind his worried but determined younger brother.
As the car pulled away, Rinko's gaze lingered on Whitley, standing small and alone at the doorstep. His heart ached, a dull, persistent pain that tugged at him. But this was the path he needed to take—for all of them.
Schnee Private Ship, A Few Hours After Departure
Inside the ship's training room, Kakashi—Rinko—gripped the pull-up bar tightly, muscles straining with each repetition. The quiet hum of the ship's engines filled the air, but his focus was elsewhere.
'I—nghhh... need to get stronger!'
He pushed through the burn, his body protesting with every pull-up, but he refused to stop. Sweat dripped down his forehead, his breath ragged, yet he kept going. His mind raced as the weight of his promise to Wheatley, Weiss, and his entire family weighed on him. He couldn't afford to be weak—not when so much was at stake.
With one final burst of energy, he pulled himself up one more time before dropping to the ground, chest heaving.
He wiped the sweat from his face and stood there, panting, staring at his reflection in the mirrored wall. In his eyes, a flicker of the resolve that had pushed him this far—pushed him to leave home, to face an uncertain future.
'This... is only the beginning.'
The journey to Beacon wasn't just about becoming stronger physically—it was about finding the answers. Answers about his place in the world, and what it truly meant to protect the ones he loved.
But for now, all he could do was prepare.
[End]