A Hungry Tiger Can't Recite Haiku
'Got my keys, wallet—now just need to grab my gear.'
Rohan rinsed off the lingering salt from the seawater and slung his weapons over his casual clothes.
He'd have to stash the sword in the trunk or passenger seat while driving, but skipping it because it was hot and summer was a hassle? Not an option.
Even back in Academy City, gripping the wheel, he'd always kept his pistol tucked in his coat.
Clack!
Stepping out the door, a salty breeze greeted him.
'No one's up yet, probably.'
Rohan had prepped fastest. He headed down the stairs.
Emerging from the building, the crimson-tinged sea stretched out under the setting sun—a breathtaking sight.
"…."
Habit kicked in; he pulled out his phone. No new messages.
With the girls who'd texted nonstop every day right here, his smartphone—once buzzing without cease—was enjoying a vacation alongside its owner, dead silent.
'Oh, right.'
It hit him anew: he hadn't chatted with Lete lately.
It wasn't his imagination that her replies had slowed. Things had just fizzled out after that.
Maybe the fragile thread of their connection, held by sporadic messages on limited topics, had reached its end. Or perhaps one of them had sensed the mismatch in their endless loops of conversation.
'That happens. We're at that age.'
Rohan didn't dwell on it.
They weren't close enough for regrets.
'Peaceful. Nice.'
Snap! He captured the sunset-dominated sea with his phone camera.
It came out decent, so he bundled it with a note about arriving safely in Samhwa Nation and sent it to Juyeon.
Bzzz!
A quick reply. Rohan's lips curved up as he read it.
The fact that rest was key to growth.
He'd known it intellectually—something masters always stressed—but never truly felt it.
Stuck in that awkward in-between spot, survival demanded constant self-pushing.
Lately, though, Rohan was starting to get it viscerally.
With the pitch-black inevitabilities looming in his future, moments like this—room to breathe—were essential. He was sure this time would become a great strength later.
'Our instructor must be bored.'
He killed time asking Juyeon for her quick take on Samhwa Nation and how she was doing.
Clack!
Noah burst through the door like a battering ram.
"I'm hungry! Hungry! HUNGRY!"
Playtime in the water had amplified her hunger; her tail hung limp.
Rohan eyed her drooping gaze as she descended.
"Can you hold out till we shop? If not, let's grab food first."
She crossed her arms, pondering his suggestion.
Then her eyes lit up, like she'd cracked it.
"Let's get snacks on the way!"
"Sounds good. The others?"
"Still getting ready. Girls always take a bit, right?"
"Says the girl acting like it's someone else's problem."
"Dunno~ It's hot, turn on the AC~"
He fired up the car for the wilting Noah, blasting the air conditioning first.
"Heehee!"
She flopped into the back, thrilled by the cool air, tail swishing lazily.
Rohan glanced up at the second floor as the door creaked open again.
"Oppa! Sorry to keep you…?"
"Rohan's as quick as ever."
"Sorry. I tried to hurry…."
Rohan slid into the driver's seat, claiming he'd just come out too.
Ichinose hopped in the passenger side and volunteered to hold his sword—hers too, cradling both without a hint of strain.
"Ready to roll?"
"Let's go! I'm starving!"
Rohan pulled out at Noah's urging, leaving the villa for the main road.
"Whoa."
Soon, a dazzling nightlife unfolded.
Lanterns dangled like swallowed light, lining buildings thick with Eastern charm.
Minus the passing cars, it felt like stepping into a wuxia tale.
As they neared the bustling crowds, Ichinose got busy.
Mask on, hat pulled low. Rohan eyed her frantic passenger-side routine.
"Not too hot?"
"Oh, this is… um…."
She hesitated, embarrassed to explain.
A cool answer floated from the back.
"Nose has to cover up whenever possible. Unlike Academy City, folks here in the nightlife sometimes recognize her and get annoying."
"Really? Thought her home turf would be safer. Isn't Academy City worse?"
Samhwa Nation was steeped in the prestige of Cheonoecheon, run by Ichinose Yui's parents.
Plus, Ichinose Jun's fame as a top martial artist.
Hard to grasp with normal logic.
They weren't after kidnapping the heiress outright. Just casual heckling or flirting—that shouldn't be easy for any rational person.
Noah shook her head at Rohan's confusion.
"Should be, but reality's different. We've had outright beggars asking for cash, creeps hitting on her… Can't just flatten 'em like in Tigrova. Super annoying."
"But you don't cover up, Noah sis…?"
Noah's striking looks and presence far outstripped ordinary.
If locals spotted Ichinose, her constant companion might register too.
"Me? I'm like, 'The cute girl cosplaying Noah Frozenheart turns out to be the real deal?'"
"Same as Academy City, then."
Rohan chuckled, conceding her self-loving logic.
Plenty of girls there dyed their hair to mimic Noah's influence.
They parked soon after.
Rohan's gaze flicked to the passenger seat.
"Ichinose."
"Yes?"
"You good? Looks uncomfortable."
"I'm fine. Used to it."
"Just go casual. Summer heat like this…."
"But…."
"Any trouble, I'll handle it. Use me as your shield."
"…."
She pressed her hat down, hiding her face.
Hesitant? Not quite. Sion and Clara knew exactly what expression hid beneath.
"Right, she's tough as nails. Perfect shield."
Noah chimed in with playful mischief.
Ichinose giggled, doffing mask and hat.
"Rohan. Take care of me."
…
…
The group piled out, strolling through vibes unseen in Academy City.
Nothing eventful yet, naturally.
A few stares, sure. But just passersby.
"Left here!"
First stop wasn't shopping.
Feed Noah.
"Straight ahead!"
They trailed her. The tiger girl flicked her tail, glued to her phone map.
No clue what she craved, but they followed.
"There it is!"
Where? Stores everywhere—impossible to pinpoint.
Ichinose clocked it, though.
"Noah. That again?"
"Yup! Gotta have it in Samhwa Nation! Nose too?"
"Too spicy for me… Watching's enough."
Curiosity piqued.
Rohan couldn't resist.
"Where?"
"Here!"
Noah halted perfectly.
Rohan gaped at the sign.
Isn't Skipping This a Ninja No-No? - Samgyeong Branch 7
'What kinda store name…?'
Only Rohan seemed baffled.
Sion and Clara just nodded—Samhwa Nation vibes.
Inside: ninja-clad staff bustling.
Plenty of patrons chowing down. Solid popularity.
Mainly dumplings, but also shuriken-shaped, secret-scroll, poison-dart mystery foods—and merch.
'Capital branch 7… Franchise?'
That blew Rohan's mind most.
Noah dashed to the counter like a pro.
"Ninja sis! Five Sayonara singles and one Calorie Bomb Haiku set!"
"Recite a haiku for the Haiku Set discount. Dare ya?"
"Too hungry now. Just ring it up."
"Hai!"
She swiped Noah's card with a grateful hand seal.
The food arrived quickly: two black paper bags stamped with the character Nin.
Noah rejoined grinning, munching meat dumplings en route.
Rohan smiled at her voracious joy.
"Good?"
She nodded—duh—and gazed wistfully at the vanishing pile.
"Must-have in Samhwa Nation. Sucks there's none in Academy City."
"Heard they're planning one. Might open next year if it pans out."
"For real!?"
Noah's thick tail thwacked wildly at Ichinose's good news.
Rohan dodged the flailing fur, pulling out his phone.
"Shopping now?"
They pressed on, checking the shopping list.
Heading to the mart via towering signs.
'Hm?'
A truck idling at a light snagged Rohan's eye.
Container bore the Cheongnim logo.
Nothing special.
Yet he couldn't look away.
'Cheongnim? Where've I….'
The name nagged. He stopped dead.
"Oppa…?"
"Rohan. What's up?"
Sion and Clara sensed his shift first, hands drifting to weapons.
"Ah."
Memory clicked.