To the origin of parkour: A time-space journey in search of freedom Chapter 4: Time and space Chapter 4: Meeting new friends

Real-world challenges and dreams

Real challenges

A few days after the success of the "Play Festival," Shoma and Kaede began working towards their next goal: the next event.

"First of all, we need to secure a budget."

Shoma looked at the notes in his hand with a serious expression.

"That's true. But even if we're looking for sponsors, we need to think specifically about what we're going to sell. This time, we were able to make it happen with the help of people we know, but there's probably a limit to how much we can do the same way next time."

Kaede also opened her notebook and began sorting out the things she had learned from the previous event.

Lack of funding, the number of staff, and safety management for participants are all major issues.

Shoma sighed deeply and leaned against the wall.

"We really need to get more people to know about the appeal of urban sports. But the problem is how to convey that information."

Although Kaede nodded at what he said, she still felt uneasy somehow.

"What is the true appeal of parkour? To convey that, we ourselves need to understand it more deeply..."

Know the name David Bell

That night, Kaede was researching the history of parkour on her computer.

"Parkour originated in Lys, France...its founder was David Bel..."

The online article briefly explained the background to why David started parkour.

"His father was a soldier in the French army and practiced a training method called 'Methode Naturel' that emphasized natural movements..."

A sentence on the screen caught Kaede's eye.

"Adapting to the environment through efficient movement... that was the starting point."

However, as she continued reading the article, Kaede tilted her head slightly.

"It feels a little different from the parkour I saw at Asobi Fes. There were a lot of spins and flashy moves there, but I think the parkour in David's time was more practical and simple."

Modern parkour has evolved to emphasize performance, whereas the original parkour described in the article was more about practicality.

"It's a little different from modern parkour. I can't really understand it until I see the movements for myself..."

While muttering this, Kaede shifted her gaze to the desk, where her eye suddenly fell on an old metal compass.

The door to space-time that opens with a compass

"Oh, did I have something like this?"

The old compass had a design that somehow gave off a sense of age, and the needle glittered and reflected the light. When Kaede picked it up, the needle suddenly began to spin around.

"Wh-what is this?"

Surprised, I tried to let go of it, but the compass emitted a faint light and the whole room felt as if it was shaking.

At that moment, a low voice rang in my ear.

"If you really want to understand parkour...go and see what it's all about."

In the next moment, Kaede's vision went completely white.

Encounter in the city of squirrels

"Where am I?"

When Kaede opened her eyes and looked around, she noticed a sign standing by the roadside.

Seeing the word "Lisses" brought back memories for Kaede.

"Squirrel... the birthplace of parkour in France?!"

The story takes place in the town of Lys, France in the late 1940s.

Brick houses stand side by side, swallows build nests on the roofs, and the unpaved cobblestone roads echo with a dry sound. The voices of vendors and children's laughter mix together on the streets, and although people's faces show a shadow of fatigue, there is also a cheerfulness to them as they try to get their lives back little by little.

The clothes were simple, with women wearing dresses made of patched fabric and children wearing repaired shoes. Kaede felt her heart tighten as she imagined the harsh life immediately after the war.

"...Perhaps old France?"

Kaede muttered as she looked around at the surrounding scenery.

Kaede turns into a child

Amidst the mixture of surprise and excitement, I suddenly felt something strange in my body.

"Huh...?"

I looked down and noticed I was wearing unfamiliar clothing with loose sleeves, and I quickly looked down at my hands, which were smaller than before.

"You've got to be kidding me... I'm in the form of a child!?"

Surprised, I looked at my reflection in a nearby window and saw my face as a junior high school student.

"Why did this happen...?"

Meeting David Bell

At that moment, I saw a young boy swiftly running up the wall.

Kicking the stone wall and grabbing hold of a slight protrusion, he climbed to the top with no wasted movement.

Kaede gasped at the sight.

As the boy landed on the ground, Kaede called out.

"Wow! How can you move like that?"

The boy turned to Kaede with a surprised look on his face and answered a little suspiciously.

"It's practice. Anyway... who is it?"

"I'm Kaede. I'm from Japan..."

Kaede was a little at a loss for words, unable to explain the situation well even herself. However, the boy shrugged as if he had lost interest, and,

"Hmm, what a strange guy," he says, and starts walking away.

"Wait! Can I see your moves?"

In response to Kaede's question, the boy stopped for a moment, turned around and said.

"You can see the movement any time. If you want to see it, just follow me."

The boy's name is David. His name is David Bell, the founder of parkour.

Kaede began walking with him, sensing the start of a mysterious adventure.