Chapter 8: Old Encounters

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Flashback

I was lying on my back sweating. I have been through an intense sparring session and my whole body hurts.

"You know, your fighting tactics have changed now. Previously you were like a wild, predatory animal, but now you fight like a calm, collected, experienced fighter." Hyori said while sitting beside me

"I guess life is full of unexpected turns," I said

"But why now suddenly, after returning from South Korea, you have changed," Hyori said. Before I could answer her I got a call from my dad and I walked out of the training room. I walked straight into my dad's office and asked

"You need something, Papa?"

"Ah Tsuki yes, I wanted to take you to a dinner tonight," Dad said

"What's the occasion?" I asked

"Nothing I just want to spend time with my youngest child," he said smiling

"Okay then I will be looking forward to it," I said before walking out. Later that night Dad and I were in the restaurant.

3rd person pov

Hiroto looked across the table at his daughter, a curious expression on his face. He had noticed the change in her demeanor since she returned from Cheonliang. She was more sociable, more open, and seemed to have an inner peace that he had never seen before.

"You've changed," he said finally, breaking the silence. "You're not the same person you were before you left for Korea."

Tsukiko paused, her fork hovering over her plate. She knew he was right, but he didn't know the whole story. How could she explain the fact that she wasn't his daughter, but a completely different person inhabiting her body?

"I've learned a lot over there," she said finally. "I've met people, and experienced things that have made me see the world differently."

Hiroto studied her for a moment, his eyes locking onto hers. There was something different about her, something that went beyond mere maturity.

"You seem... older," he said finally. "As if you've lived a lifetime in the span of a few months."

Tsukiko smiled briefly, feeling a pang of guilt for the deception she was participating in. She knew she couldn't tell him the truth, but she also didn't want to outright lie.

"Perhaps I have," she said softly. "Cheonliang had a profound impact on me."

Hiroto nodded, his expression softening a bit. He wasn't sure what had happened during her trip, but he could see that it had changed her in some deep, fundamental way.

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