Warm light replaced the cold.
The biting winds of the north—
Gone.
Lanterns glowed softly, casting golden hues across wooden beams and polished floors. The air was rich with the scent of spices, grilled meat, and freshly brewed wine.
Laughter.
Chatter.
Life.
At the center of it all—
The counter.
Click.
Click.
Click.
A wooden abacus slid smoothly under practiced fingers.
Only hands were visible.
Elegant.
Precise.
Each movement effortless.
"Miss Da-li! More wine!"
"What about my food? Is it ready yet?!"
Voices overlapped.
Impatient.
Loud.
Unaware.
Click.
The fingers paused.
Two small candies were picked up from a nearby bowl.
Without looking—
They were flicked.
Two perfect arcs through the air.
Both men instinctively opened their mouths—
catch.
Silence.
Confusion.
And then—
The woman behind the counter finally lifted her gaze.
Madam Da-li.
Long dark hair cascaded down her back like flowing silk. Her crimson robes shimmered faintly under the lantern light, embroidered with subtle golden patterns that seemed almost… alive.
Her expression?
Calm.
Soft.
Smiling.
But her eyes—
💀 They missed nothing.
"Miss Da-li… is it?"
Her voice was gentle.
Almost pleasant.
The two men stiffened instantly.
She tilted her head slightly.
"It's Madam."
A small pause.
Then—
"To you, little men."
The temperature didn't drop.
But somehow—
It felt like it did.
She rested her chin lightly against her hand.
Still smiling.
"All my staff are currently busy… working."
A glance toward the bustling hall.
"If waiting is too difficult…"
She gestured casually toward the back.
"The kitchen is right there."
A soft smile.
"You can fetch your own food."
A pause.
Then, just a little sweeter—
"You can do that for me… right?"
Both men nodded instantly.
Too fast.
"Yes, Madam!"
"Of course, Madam!"
One of them added nervously:
"We'll even serve ourselves—!"
The other followed:
"And we'll pay—!"
Da-li's eyes gleamed slightly.
"Pay yourselves?"
They froze.
"No, no—!"
"We pay you, Madam!"
A small, satisfied smile.
"Now…"
She picked up the abacus again.
Click.
"That's what I like to hear."
The two men rushed off immediately.
Almost tripping over themselves.
Behind them—
The inn continued as if nothing had happened.
At a corner table—
Three men sat with half-finished drinks, their attention… clearly elsewhere.
One of them leaned slightly, lowering his voice:
"Look at those two…"
Another followed his gaze—
Straight to the counter.
To her.
"I mean… if Madam Da-li told me to jump into a well…"
A slow sip.
"…I'd at least ask how deep it is first."
The third one said nothing.
Just stared.
Completely gone.
The first man frowned.
"Seriously? You too?"
He crossed his arms.
"She's a mother of two. Show some respect."
The second man raised a brow.
"I am respecting her."
A small pause.
Then, shamelessly:
"But look at her."
Another sip.
"We're men."
A shrug.
"She's… her."
The first man hesitated.
Looked again.
A little longer this time.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…You're not wrong."
The third one still hadn't blinked.
The second nudged him.
"Hey. At least say something."
A beat.
Then—
Without breaking eye contact—
"She could be my mother too…"
A pause.
Then, completely serious—
"…I wouldn't mind."
Silence.
The first man immediately slapped a hand over his mouth.
"OI—WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!"
The second nearly choked on his drink.
"You're going to get us killed!"
And then—
From the counter—
Madam Da-li looked at them.
All three froze instantly.
No pressure.
No killing intent.
No danger.
Just—
Her.
Their backs straightened.
Their eyes widened.
Their souls practically left their bodies.
And then—
She smiled.
A soft, gentle, beautiful smile.
Warm.
Elegant.
Effortless.
💀 Direct hit.
All three men went completely still.
Red.
Bright red.
The second man's brain stopped working.
"…I…"
Nothing came out.
The first one forgot how to breathe.
The third?
Still staring—
but now completely defeated.
Da-li held the smile for a brief moment longer.
Then—
turned back to her abacus.
Click.
As if nothing happened.
At the table—
Silence.
The second finally whispered:
"…I think I'm in love."
The first covered his face.
"…I think we're all idiots."
The third nodded slowly.
Still red.
Still gone.
"…Worth it."
"SHUT UP."
The door slid open softly.
A gentle breeze followed—
And with it—
Yuna.
She walked through the inn with quiet grace, her presence far calmer than the lively chaos around her.
A few customers glanced her way.
Not out of fear.
But respect.
She stopped at the counter.
"Mother."
Madam Da-li didn't look up immediately.
Click.
Click.
Then—
A soft smile.
"What is it, sweetie?"
Yuna glanced around the busy hall.
Staff rushing.
Customers calling.
Plates moving.
"Everyone seems busy. I came to help."
Da-li finally turned to her fully.
Her expression softened even more.
"Aw… my princess."
A gentle tone.
"You don't have to."
A small pause.
"We've got everything under control."
Yuna studied her for a moment.
Then—
without argument—
she nodded.
"Then I'll sit here."
She moved beside the counter and took a seat next to her.
Calm.
Composed.
Like she belonged there.
Da-li resumed her work.
Click.
"How was your trip to the mountains today?"
Yuna rested her chin lightly on her hand.
"It was peaceful."
A small pause.
"But I heard something."
Da-li's fingers slowed.
Just slightly.
"Oh?"
"There are sightings of a bandit group near one of the nearby villages."
The abacus stopped.
For a fraction of a second.
Then—
Click.
Da-li continued as if nothing had happened.
"That's… interesting."
Her tone remained light.
Almost casual.
"Bandits usually prefer trade routes… cities… places with profit."
A soft glance toward Yuna.
"Not quiet villages."
Yuna nodded slightly.
"That's what I thought."
A pause.
"It doesn't make sense."
Da-li's gaze drifted briefly—
toward the open entrance.
Toward the world outside.
For just a moment—
her eyes sharpened.
Then—
it was gone.
"Then perhaps…"
She smiled faintly.
"…they're not there for profit."
Yuna looked at her.
A quiet understanding passed between them.
Yuna sat quietly beside the counter.
For a while—
She just watched.
The steady movement of her mother's hands.
The calm way she handled everything.
The way the entire inn seemed to… revolve around her.
Then, softly—
"Mother…"
Da-li didn't stop.
But she listened.
"You've been… quite busy these past few days."
The abacus stilled.
Then—
Slowly—
Da-li turned.
A faint, mischievous smile formed on her lips.
"My, my…"
She leaned slightly closer.
"It seems my daughter is missing her mother's attention."
A soft pause.
"And wants to spend some time with her."
Yuna froze.
Her cheeks turned pink almost instantly.
She looked away…
Then nodded.
Just a little.
Da-li's smile softened.
Without hesitation—
She pulled Yuna into a gentle embrace.
Yuna stiffened slightly.
"M-Mother… everyone's looking…"
Da-li didn't let go.
If anything—
She held her a little closer.
"A mother's love doesn't concern itself with who's watching."
A soft, warm tone.
"So… tell me."
She gently stroked Yuna's hair.
"What would you like to do?"
Yuna hesitated.
Then—
quietly—
"Maybe…"
A small breath.
"You could teach me… Air Slash with a katana."
Da-li raised a brow slightly.
Interested.
"I know I'm better with swords…"
Yuna continued,
"But I've been trying to master the katana as well."
A brief silence.
Da-li pulled back just enough to look at her properly.
"You're not bad with a katana."
Calm. Certain.
Yuna blinked slightly.
"The issue isn't your skill."
Da-li's gaze sharpened just a little—
subtle, but precise.
"It's compatibility."
She rested her hand lightly on Yuna's shoulder.
"The one you used before…"
A small pause.
"…was designed for a Pyro-type user."
Yuna's eyes widened slightly.
Da-li smiled gently.
"And you, my dear…"
A soft tap on her forehead.
"…are very clearly a Cryo type."
A quiet pause.
"When your element and your weapon are misaligned…"
She looked back at the abacus, then at her again.
"…the result becomes unstable."
Yuna nodded slowly.
Understanding.
"So I just need the right katana?"
Da-li smiled.
That same calm, confident smile.
"You need the right one."
A pause.
Then—
slightly playful—
"Luckily for you…"
She tapped the counter once.
"I know exactly where to get it."
Yuna's eyes lit up just a little.
And for a moment—
Amid the noise of the inn…
Amid the flow of the world…
They were just—
Mother and daughter.
Yuna hesitated.
Her voice dropped slightly.
"Wait… a Pyro type?"
A small pause.
She leaned in just a little closer.
"…But in our race…"
Her tone lowered further—
careful.
"Aren't Pyro types considered… dangerous?"
She glanced around instinctively.
"Aggressive… unstable…"
A faint hesitation.
"Even among our own, they're said to be… difficult to be around."
Silence.
The warmth of the inn remained.
The noise continued.
But at the counter—
Everything slowed.
Da-li didn't respond immediately.
Her fingers rested on the abacus.
Still.
Her eyes…
Shifted.
Not outward—
But inward.
❄️ Flashback
A snowstorm.
Violent.
Relentless.
A small figure—
Collapsed in the snow.
A boy.
Dirty.
Wounded.
Barely conscious.
Golden eyes filled with tears—
Burning with anger.
Pain.
Loss.
He looked up—
Defiant.
Broken.
"You have no idea…"
His voice trembled.
Not from fear—
From everything he had endured.
"…how much I've lost."
His fists clenched weakly in the snow.
"Don't act like you understand me…"
A breath—
ragged—
"…Princess."
The wind howled.
Da-li's gaze lingered for a moment…
Somewhere far away.
Then she spoke.
"That katana…"
A faint smile formed.
"…belongs to a great warrior."
Yuna leaned in slightly.
Curious.
"A once-in-a-lifetime kind of genius."
A soft pause.
Then, with the slightest hint of amusement—
"A hothead, yes…"
Her eyes softened just a little.
"…but not nearly as destructive as people believe."
Yuna blinked.
"Someone like that…"
A small tilt of her head.
"…is a friend of yours?"
Da-li let out a quiet, almost nostalgic breath.
"Not just a friend."
A pause.
"A very close one."
For a brief moment—
There was something deeper in her expression.
Something unspoken.
Then—
It was gone.
Replaced by her usual calm.
"His name is Raizen."
Yuna repeated it softly.
"Raizen…"
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Now I really want to meet Uncle Raizen."
Da-li raised a brow slightly.
"Uncle?"
A faint chuckle.
"I'm not sure he'd know how to handle that."
Yuna smiled just a little.
"Then I'll teach him."
Da-li laughed softly this time.
Rare.
Warm.
"You may be the only one capable of that."
A brief silence settled between them.
Comfortable.
Then—
quietly—
almost to herself—
"…If you ever do meet him."
Yuna didn't catch it.
But the words lingered.
The moment between mother and daughter lingered.
Soft.
Warm.
Click.
Then—
BANG!
The front door slammed open so hard it hit the wall.
Cold air rushed in.
Snow scattered across the floor.
And then—
A small voice, loud and full of energy:
"I'M BACK!!!"
Heads turned.
The entire inn froze for a second.
There she was—
Eunha.
Hair slightly messy.
Clothes a little dirty.
A huge grin on her face—
And a small sack slung over her shoulder.
She marched in like she owned the place.
"Mother! Sister!"
She ran straight toward the counter—
Not slowing down—
And jumped.
Straight into Da-li.
Da-li caught her effortlessly.
Not even looking surprised.
"Welcome back."
Calm.
As always.
Eunha wrapped her arms tightly around her.
"You won't believe what happened today!"
Yuna sighed softly.
But there was a faint smile on her face.
"What did you do this time…"
Eunha gasped dramatically.
Pulled back.
Hands on hips.
"Why does everyone assume I did something?!"
A beat.
Yuna stared at her.
Unimpressed.
"…Because you did."
Silence.
Eunha looked away.
"…That's not the point."
Da-li smiled faintly.
"Then what is the point?"
Eunha lit up again instantly.
"I found treasure!"
She dropped the sack onto the counter.
Clink. Clatter.
A mix of random items spilled out:
coins
a broken dagger
a shiny ring
something that may or may not be stolen
The nearby customers leaned in.
Curious.
Yuna crossed her arms.
"…Where did you get those?"
Eunha puffed her chest proudly.
"From bad people!"
A pause.
"…Define 'bad.'"
Eunha pointed dramatically.
"They were being mean!"
Yuna pinched the bridge of her nose.
"That is not a definition."
Da-li gently picked up one of the coins.
Examined it.
Her eyes flickered—
just for a moment.
"Bandits?"
Eunha nodded happily.
"Yes! They were bothering some villagers!"
Yuna froze slightly.
A glance.
Toward Da-li.
The earlier conversation echoed silently between them.
Da-li simply smiled.
"And you handled it?"
Eunha beamed.
"Of course!"
A pause.
Then proudly:
"I scared them away!"
Yuna narrowed her eyes.
"…Scared?"
Eunha nodded quickly.
"Very scared."
A small pause.
"…They ran really fast."
For a split second—
Something flickered in her eyes.
Gone instantly.
Da-li noticed.
Of course she did.
But she said nothing.
Instead—
She placed a hand gently on Eunha's head.
"Good girl."
Eunha smiled brightly again.
All innocence.
Yuna wasn't fully convinced.
But she let it go.
For now.
At the counter—
Chaos settled into comfort again.
Three very different energies—
Side by side.
SCENE CHANGE
Steam rose gently into the air.
Soft.
Warm.
Peaceful.
The quiet sound of water echoed through the onsen.
Eunha sat half-submerged, arms resting lazily on the edge, humming to herself.
Behind her—
Yuna carefully worked shampoo into her hair.
"Stay still."
"I am still."
A pause.
"You're splashing."
Eunha froze dramatically.
"…I am now extra still."
Yuna sighed.
But there was no real annoyance.
Her hands moved gently through Eunha's hair.
Then—
calmly—
"Now tell me…"
A slight pause.
"What exactly did you do to retrieve those 'stolen goods'?"
Eunha blinked.
"Oh…"
A small smile formed.
"…about that."
⚔️ FLASHBACK
The village road was dusty.
Quiet.
In the distance—
Bandits ran.
Laughing.
Carrying sacks filled with stolen goods.
A small figure stood off to the side.
Eunha.
Holding her toy in one hand.
An apple in the other.
Crunch.
She watched them run.
"Who are they?"
A nearby kid answered nervously:
"I think they're bandits… they stole money from everyone…"
A pause.
"…and now they're leaving."
Eunha tilted her head slightly.
"Stole?"
She took another bite.
"Mother said that's a bad thing."
A small pause.
"Does that mean they're bad people?"
The kid nodded quickly.
"Yeah… really bad."
A hesitation.
"…and dangerous."
Crunch.
Eunha finished the last bite of her apple.
She looked at the empty core in her hand.
Then—
at the bandits.
Her expression didn't change much.
Still calm.
Still childlike.
But her eyes…
Focused.
"Then…"
She dropped the apple core.
"…bad people need punishment."
The wind shifted slightly.
The bandits kept running.
Unaware.
And behind them—
A small girl began to walk forward.
The road stretched empty ahead.
Dust rose with every hurried step.
Bandits laughed.
Coins clinked.
Sacks dragged behind them.
"Easy job."
"Told you that village was weak—"
A sound.
Soft.
Tap.
One of them stopped.
"…Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
Tap.
Footsteps.
Behind them.
They turned.
A child.
Standing there.
Small.
Still.
Holding a toy in one hand.
"…Oi."
One of them frowned.
"Kid, get lost."
No response.
Eunha tilted her head.
"You took things that aren't yours."
A few of them chuckled.
"And what are you gonna do about it?"
Silence.
Then—
💀 something shifts
The wind stops.
Not slowly.
Not naturally.
It just—
stops
No sound.
No movement.
One bandit swallowed.
"…Why is it so quiet?"
Another looked up.
The sky—
Looked the same.
But felt—
Wrong.
Eunha took a step forward.
Tap.
The sound echoed.
Too loud.
Another step.
Tap.
Closer.
One bandit blinked.
"…Was she always that close?"
They stepped back.
But the distance didn't feel right.
Too small.
Too tight.
Eunha smiled.
"Mother says…"
A pause.
"…bad people need punishment."
💀 Her eyes flicker red for a split second
And then—
It begins.
One bandit turned to run—
He stopped.
"…Where's the road?"
Gone.
The path behind them—
Gone.
Only darkness.
Another spun around.
"WHAT THE HELL—?!"
The trees—
Too tall.
Too close.
Shadows stretched.
Wrong direction.
"THIS ISN'T RIGHT—"
Footsteps.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
But Eunha wasn't moving.
Or was she?
A whisper.
Right behind one of them.
"Don't run…"
He screamed—
Turned—
No one there.
Another dropped the sack.
"LEAVE IT—JUST LEAVE IT—!"
Coins spilled everywhere.
The sound echoed—
Too loud.
Too long.
One fell to his knees.
"PLEASE—STOP—"
His voice shook.
"WE'LL GIVE IT BACK—!"
Another started crying.
"I CAN'T SEE—WHY CAN'T I SEE—?!"
Darkness crept into the edges of his vision.
Eunha stood in front of them now.
Smiling.
Too close.
Too suddenly.
"Good."
Everything—
Snaps.
Wind returns.
Sound returns.
The road—
Back.
The sky—
Normal.
The trees—
Still.
The bandits collapse.
Shaking.
Sweating.
Crying.
The sacks of stolen goods—
Scattered at their feet.
Eunha turns, takes pouch
As if nothing happened.
"That was easy."
She walks away.
Humming.
Behind her—
They don't move.
They don't speak.
They don't even dare look up.
Steam drifted quietly across the onsen.
The water rippled gently.
Yuna's hands paused.
Slowly…
She reached forward—
And grabbed Eunha's ear.
"Ow—?!"
A sharp pinch.
"So…"
Yuna's voice was calm.
Too calm.
"You used your powers again?"
Eunha winced.
"I—It was just a little—!"
The pinch tightened.
"Despite Mother telling you not to."
Eunha squirmed slightly in the water.
"Ow ow ow—Aneki—!"
Yuna leaned in slightly.
"You're going to be spanked tonight."
Silence.
Eunha froze.
Completely.
Then—
slowly—
she turned her head.
Eyes wide.
"…You're joking."
Yuna stared at her.
Unblinking.
"…Do I look like I'm joking?"
A beat.
Eunha immediately clasped her hands together.
"SORRY ANEKI—!"
She lowered her head dramatically.
"Please don't tell Mother!"
Yuna released her ear.
Eunha quickly covered it.
Still pouting.
"I won't do it again…"
A small pause.
Then quieter—
"…probably."
Yuna narrowed her eyes.
"…Eunha."
"I WON'T DO IT AGAIN."
A long sigh escaped Yuna.
She resumed rinsing her hair.
"You say that every time."
Eunha sank slightly into the water.
"…This time I mean it."
A pause.
"…mostly."
Yuna flicked a bit of water at her.
"You could've hurt someone."
Eunha looked up.
"I didn't."
A small pause.
"…I made sure."
Yuna stopped.
Just for a second.
She looked at Eunha.
Trying to read her.
But Eunha was already back to normal—
Relaxed.
Floating slightly.
Humming again.
As if nothing had happened.
Yuna sighed softly.
"…You're impossible."
Eunha smiled.
"But you love me."
A pause.
Yuna didn't respond.
Then—
quietly—
"…Unfortunately Yes."
Eunha beamed.
BACK AT THE COUNTER
Click.
Click.
Click.
Madam Da-li smiles.
Numbers aligned.
Perfectly.
"Jackpot!".