To the Samhwa Nation
Rohan had formed a group chat with everyone to exchange messages and hammer out the plans.
With the academy on break, the day they headed to the Samhwa Nation, they'd rent a car for the long drive.
He'd already booked a suitable vehicle through an app run by one of the big corporations.
He wasn't the type who usually loved driving, but this wasn't work—this time, he figured using a car would let them chat and hang out comfortably inside, way better than public transport.
Getting his license had been more about elevating the quality of trips like this than some distant future.
And so, as the appointed day drew steadily closer...
Today was the day Sion and Clara launched their second round of swimsuit shopping.
Rohan, who'd been deep in training and notched some solid gains, grabbed his gear and headed outside.
He walked alone, footsteps echoing.
To shake off that nagging unease that had been bothering him, he steered his steps toward Juyeon's place.
After all the favors he'd owed her, he remembered the location crystal clear.
Hmm...
Not far off, he pulled out his phone and typed a message.
He had no idea if Juyeon was home or not. I'm nearby—busy? He sent it off just in case.
No need to wait ages like last time—the reply came quick.
Rohan looked up from the satisfying response and scanned the area.
Where to?
He preferred spots with the fewest customers—quiet cafés.
One caught his eye right away. He slipped inside, claimed the farthest table, and texted Juyeon the name.
Nice vibe.
A few minutes of absentminded waiting after unstrapping the sword from his back.
The door chime tinkled! And in walked a redheaded woman who instantly drew every eye.
Was it because it wasn't that short a time apart, yet not super long either? Rohan couldn't hold back his grin of pure delight.
"Instructor! Over here!"
"Sit and wait. Just tell me what you want to drink."
"Same as you, Instructor."
She placed the order with a wry chuckle, brought the coffees, and sat down.
Right away, she met Rohan's gaze and gave a faint smile.
"I half-expected you'd caused some trouble and that's why you reached out. Guess not."
"Just like the message said. I was nearby, thought of you, and messaged."
The smile tugging at Juyeon's lips deepened just a touch.
Exasperated, but not hiding the pleasure.
"A cadet seeking out their instructor during break? That's a rare choice."
"There've gotta be plenty like me. Considering your popularity, Instructor."
"Heh, the instructor in your head must be quite different from reality. You're the first cadet to approach so boldly."
Rohan focused on her expression as she said it.
Couldn't read any deep-seated worries, but her eyes looked more fatigued than usual.
Exchanging stares with Rohan, who was peering right through her...
Juyeon set down her coffee and shifted the topic.
"You did well at the mall. From what I heard at the Security Bureau, your handling was top-notch, and the citizens are singing your praises."
"Just did what you taught me, Instructor. Having Gilbert's big voice around was lucky too."
"True, no one pulls attention like that booming shout of his."
Juyeon nodded slightly, as if picturing it.
"What do you do on break, Instructor?"
"Prep for next semester's classes, patrol Academy City with the security officers."
"No plans to head back home?"
"None. I'll be busy for a while."
"I figured you'd go at least once."
Juyeon propped her chin, eyeing Rohan.
Maybe she'd cranked up the training intensity like she'd declared after the bell-snatching incident—his skills had definitely sharpened.
"You pay a lot of attention to your instructor, Rohan. It's nice not being bored, but... it's break. Sure you wanna spend your precious time like this?"
"I like spending time with you, Instructor."
Juyeon mulled over his answer, then let out a silent laugh, like she'd heard something odd.
It tickled—pure, unfeigned sincerity.
"You won't hole up training like your instructor, right? Broadening your horizons when you've got time is a good call."
"Actually, I'm heading to the Samhwa Nation."
Juyeon blinked in surprise for a beat.
Then nodded approvingly, recalling their first meeting.
Rohan's got real survival instincts...
Not long ago, he'd been part-timing at the bookstore post-academy, squeezing in study time.
Now, one semester later, he'd bootstrapped himself out of money worries through sheer effort.
Diving headfirst into cadet duties—commendable.
"I'd love to recommend spots, but nothing comes to mind I can really vouch for."
"I get it. Folks who live somewhere don't hit the tourist traps much."
Rohan downed the rest of his coffee in one gulp.
Pushing aside the faint regret, he wrapped up the everyday chatter.
"Instructor."
"Hm."
"Something wrong?"
"Out of nowhere... Why do you say that?"
"You look tired."
"Not particularly out of shape, but... that how I seem?"
Rohan nodded honestly—that's how you look.
Juyeon stirred her innocent coffee with a teaspoon.
"Honestly, half a hunch. That day with the dimensional rift chaos—did something—"
"Enough."
Juyeon cut him off calmly.
Then reached out and flicked his forehead lightly.
Thwack! Rohan shut his mouth, and Juyeon drew a firm line.
"You have a habit of digging too deep, Rohan."
"..."
"Stick to your duties as a cadet. Just enjoy your break. Got it?"
"..."
"You answer fine usually—why so quiet now? Trying to look like a problem child to me?"
"No, ma'am. I'll stick to my duties."
"Good. Excellent."
Juyeon smiled, satisfied at his reluctant nod.
Academy instructors had a duty to protect cadets. Never drag them into danger.
Rohan knew that boundary. He knew her upright nature too.
Still, he didn't give up—slipped in one more.
"Instructor."
"Speak."
"Once I graduate, your duty to protect me ends. If I build my skills and become someone you can rely on... will you open up a bit then?"
"..."
Juyeon leaned back, arms crossed.
Dropped the smile, went expressionless, locked eyes in a staring contest.
The whole café seemed trapped in suffocating silence.
Several seconds ticked by.
Juyeon broke first, softening with a chuckle.
"Not satisfied with just nailing down a drink with your instructor?"
"Grew up without much—got greedy."
"Say that, and... your instructor's got nothing left to say."
Juyeon felt a mix of trouble and quiet satisfaction.
Oddly reassuring too.
"Build skills I can trust first. Then we'll talk."
As good as approval.
Rohan finally backed off with an got it.
And listened intently to Juyeon's subtly launched lecture.
...
...
The day they set off for the Samhwa Nation.
Rohan parked the rental in front of Sion's mansion.
First, load the luggage.
Rohan's was just one backpack, but Sion and Clara had gone swimsuit shopping and snagged large suitcases too.
No clue what they'd stuffed in for a short trip, but Rohan squashed his curiosity.
"All aboard."
"Waaah...!"
Luggage sorted, Rohan opened the passenger door with a gentlemanly gesture—Clara hopped right in.
Super excited, her head swiveling, twintails swaying.
"Heehee, a group trip... I'm way too hyped."
Sion took the back seat, no regrets about missing shotgun.
They'd already divvied it up—Clara outbound, Sion return.
"Let's see... address..."
He punched in the one Ichinose had messaged and fiddled with the nav.
Destination: the Ichinose residence.
Hit start, and the mechanical voice chimed.
—Please select a route.
Tolls meant wildly different distances.
The free path was insanely long, as expected, but no sweat this time.
Sion was covering tolls and extras since he was driving—she'd urged the premium route.
—Starting navigation.
He let Ichinose know they were off.
His phone buzzed frantically.
Vrrr—!
A rambling, frantic text.
Rohan fired back all good right away.
They were borrowing her car to the beach—how could he not? Proper thanks to her parents were a must.
Roll up, grab everything, have fun, and ghost? Unthinkable.
He wasn't about to act ungrateful.
Plus.
Noah's mom?
He knew zilch about Frozenheart beyond Rex the Snow Tiger Emperor and Noah.
No mentions, no info.
Which sparked his interest. He wanted to meet her.
Adjusting the rearview, he caught Sion's eye for a second.
Then glanced at Clara, beaming in the passenger seat.
"Clara. Seatbelt."
"Y-yeah...? Oh, the seatbelt..."
He pressed her shoulders back, fumbling around.
Rohan leaned over himself.
"Hold still."
"!"
As he got close, Clara held her breath.
Sucked in her already trim stomach even more.
Click! Belt locked. Rohan settled back into the driver's seat.
Clara's flushed cheeks stayed hot, lips twitching in a smile.
Classic Clara. Smart move.
Sion nodded, filing it away like a pro tip.
Finally, Rohan hit the gas.