Obscure character, GO!

[underthepines]

Mundane-san, I admire your dedication to scholarship in this instance, but truly, it's not necessary. I've done my part - the future is in their hands, now.

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[itsnotzura]

[he half-stumbles half-jerks forward, coming to his knees in front of the other in a sign of respect that's as much of a collapse as it is true prostration]

[he blurts out, bowing his head and trailing long hair (like Sensei's, he'd wanted to wear it as a child, and like Sensei's it looks now)]

Sensei, I... welcome back, sensei.

[and his fists curl a bit, beyond the other's sandals]

...It is my greatest wish that you may stay for longer, this time.

[underthepines]

[Awww, Zura ♥ A hand comes down to brush the top of his head]

I am not sure if this place will allow me such a thing - but I would wish it too.

[itsnotzura]

[they learned all too quickly what it was like to feel someone's presence and then come to lose it, to never feel that brush of bangs or that clap on the shoulder again]

[so he twitches under the hand, as if he doesn't really believe it's there, as if it's almost too much]

[he keeps low, because he's not sure his legs are trustworthy]

...Much has happened since that time. We -- I -- have tried to live in accordance with your teachings. Many times, they were all I had.

[itsnotzura]

[and something he's always, always wanted the chance to say, no matter how things turned out]

[he looks up to say it, and does so earnestly]

Thank you.

[underthepines]

[Shoyu meets his eyes, the hand on Zura's head slipping down to lightly rest on one shoulder]

And thank you, too - you boys reminded me what was important in this world.

[itsnotzura]

[a slightly troubled look at that]

...Ah. What was that, sensei?

[underthepines]

Our future - a future where your generation could have been happy, and free from the constraints of the old system.