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The green-painted fields and the trees that used to offer them shade during the summer were gone.
They had been abandoned to their fate as the landscape turned icy and cold, with different shades of white painting everything in sight. The snow covered grass made every step more difficult than the last as it piled up and spread across the ground. The trees had shed their leaves, and their bare branches only made the place look lifeless.
Not even a meager trace of the beauty that could be admired in better times at the hanok remained.
Even the lake was frozen now, covered by a layer of ice of questionable thickness…
And yet, despite the cold and the nearly inhospitable surroundings, Celine remained unmoving, a cup of barley tea in hand, her legs crossed atop a rock of considerable size as she watched her disciples train tirelessly. As if the cold weren’t affecting her at all.
Celine’s gaze shifted sharply between the three girls, all of them dressed in slightly warmer clothing, though not enough to interfere with their training.
She watched Mira’s clenched jaw as she completed her obstacle sequence to build endurance. She had to start by running along a stretch of snow covered path toward the frozen lake, where she jumped from rock to rock to avoid finding out whether the ice was thin or not. After that came a small wall of frozen stone that could be a real challenge, making her limbs slip as she climbed.
Celine could see the effort and concentration in her eyes, however, she noticed the dense cloud forming at Mira’s mouth and immediately knew she was breathing the wrong way.
If she wanted to last longer, she needed to fix that… but she still had five laps left before returning. Celine could let her finish in peace.
She took a sip of her tea before her eyes drifted to Zoey.
Zoey was sitting on a rock similar to hers, legs crossed in a lotus position she struggled to maintain while her arms clung tensely to her knees.
It wasn’t the posture Celine had instructed her to use, and she narrowed her eyes with mild amusement as she watched Zoey’s body tremble so noticeably. She could certainly be cold, of course she could. But beyond that, Celine knew Zoey was extremely restless and struggled with patience.
That was precisely why she was being trained in that area.
Once Mira finished her session, Zoey would be allowed to stop fighting to stay still.
From time to time, Zoey opened her eyes, her face betraying how miserable she felt, yet she continued doing everything she could to remain in place.
A good attempt.
Celine’s gaze shifted to Rumi, who was on the small training track with wooden dummies, fitted with mechanisms that allowed torsos and heads to roll when struck correctly.
Rumi was no stranger to the sword. However, not long ago she had left behind the wooden Mokgeom she used to train with, fully earning her Gagum, a metal sword also used for training. The only difference was the material…a metal blade without a sharp edge.
Celine believed that once Rumi came of age, she would be ready to wield her sacred weapon.
Unlike Zoey or Mira, who were only beginning to discover their potential and learn how to summon their weapons, Rumi already knew how to summon hers… yet Celine wanted her to master proper sword handling to avoid causing harm.
She didn’t know what might happen if a sacred weapon came into contact with Rumi’s flesh…Rumi, who was of mixed blood. She didn’t want to take that risk.
She definitely couldn’t take that risk.
Not for the safety of the secret, and not for Rumi’s safety.
With a frown, she tightened her grip on her warm cup as she noticed Rumi mishandling her frontal attacks.
Perhaps the change in material was giving her trouble?
“Rumi, your chirugi is shaking,” she pointed out firmly as Rumi cut into the next strike without letting the tip touch the ground, quickly lifting it again. “You’re raising the sword too slowly, and I don't hear the sound when you strike downwards,” she corrected while Rumi nodded.
“I’ll fix—”
“I’m done,” a tired Mira, completely soaked in sweat, interrupted, drawing Celine’s attention back to the taller girl. At the same time, she noticed a pair of wide eyes opening as voices echoed nearby.
The light was fading, so she assumed it was time to end the training and return inside the hanok.
It was cold.
“Very good work. Focus on your breathing next time,” she said as Mira nodded slowly, searching her gaze for more specific guidance. “Press your tongue to the roof of your mouth, then breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth… you’ll avoid fatigue and improve.”
Mira nodded, satisfied, and let her shoulders drop with barely concealed exhaustion.
Celine took the last sip of her drink, her eyes meeting Zoey’s, who looked at her like a scolded puppy.
“Zoey, more self-control… working on slow, deep breathing could help you too,” she said simply, feeling her own body lean slightly forward, almost in resignation.
The youngest gave her a wide grin before jumping up. Despite the trembling in her legs and the likely numbness, she didn’t falter as she hurried over alongside Mira.
Zoey raised a hand, and Mira rolled her eyes fondly before clapping it.
Celine sighed, suppressing the urge to rub her forehead before turning to Rumi, who wore a slightly stiff and irritated expression.
“Rumi, work on your stability. Feel the weight of your sword and get used to it,” she instructed more firmly than before, noticing Rumi’s tense nod, the way her hands tightened around the hilt and the way her eyes narrowed. “You need to be ready to work with whatever you have available, sacred weapon or not.”
With that, Celine softened her expression as her own limbs protested against the cold.
She declared the lesson over.
Celine’s footsteps faded away, sinking into the few centimeters of snow, while Mira lingered for a few seconds before shivering as the cold began to seep in.
It was freezing. She cast one last glance at Rumi, who remained in the sword training area.
Mira sighed, shaking her head… at least she had to try.
“Rumi…” she called, her voice tight from the clash between the cold air and the lingering heat of training. “Aren’t you coming?”
Rumi didn’t even look at her.
“Yeah, in a second… ah, you can have first turn in the bath meanwhile,” Rumi conceded before dragging her feet back into her basic attack stance, lifting the metal sword and feeling the weight of her effort begin to drag her down.
She delivered a shaky, ineffective slash that made her grit her teeth in frustration.
“Alright…” Mira accepted with a frown before following Celine, unwilling to freeze to death. Not without giving Zoey a silent look.
Zoey offered her a resigned smile before nodding and taking tentative steps toward Rumi.
Rumi either hadn’t noticed or completely ignored her. She lowered the sword without letting the tip touch the ground and lightly shook out her limbs, taking a couple of deep breaths that sent more white clouds into the air before closing her eyes and trying to figure out what she was doing wrong.
She quickly scanned her body…shivers everywhere and a stiffness that kept her from fully using her mobility.
She rocked back and forth in short movements to try to regain some warmth, though she didn’t believe it would work. The wind was harsher than the cold itself, wreaking havoc on her body.
When she opened her eyes, she realized the light was fading too, so she sharpened her gaze at the imaginary target in front of her. As a last resort, she raised her sword proudly above her head, then used her entire body to deliver a clean strike.
It didn’t sound the way Celine wanted it to…but she didn’t stumble.
Maybe she could keep going a little longer.
“Wow…”
Rumi startled and turned around to find Zoey standing there, watching her in awe, hands rubbing her forearms against the cold.
“Zoey?” she asked in disbelief, though it was a rather silly question, and she ended up blushing slightly and looking away.
Zoey just let out a small laugh and stepped closer despite the cold.
“I think you did really well, but… maybe that’s enough for today?” Zoey’s voice reached her ears softly, making Rumi look back at her. She felt nervous over the praise and the concern behind the question.
Zoey was telling her to stop. That it was enough work for today.
“I haven’t improved properly yet, but I think with a few more repetitions I can get it,” Rumi insisted, taking a shaky step back to create some space between them. After all, she knew Zoey had a habit of invading personal space.
It didn’t bother her, but she wasn’t used to it, and it made her very nervous.
“Of course you can. So far I haven’t seen anything you can’t do…” Zoey hugged herself, maintaining a shy smile before glancing toward the hanok. “You’re amazing,” she murmured.
Rumi’s eyes widened slightly as she lowered her sword, relaxing her shoulders. She stared at Zoey in disbelief, her head instinctively beginning to shake.
“No, I… I’m still working on it,” she muttered quickly, then frowned. “I’ve done this hundreds of times and I still can’t… well, this.” Her voice came out unfiltered, frustration spilling through.
“It looks hard… and yet you’re trying, and you’re going to make it. You just worry too much,” Zoey shrugged with a more carefree tone, her gaze settling on Rumi’s blunt sword as she extended a hand.
Rumi handed it over, grimacing when Zoey let the tip drop to the ground under its weight.
“Damn it, it’s super heavy,” she said, gripping it with both hands wherever she could. Rumi should have gotten mad…but instead, a small smile tugged at her lips as she shook her head in amusement.
“It’s not…”
“Oh, the humility. Please,” Zoey teased, and Rumi snorted at her antics. “See what I mean? You’re worrying about something you’ll master tomorrow… I doubt I’ll ever manage meditation.”
Zoey handed the sword back, and Rumi took it expertly by the hilt, resting it on her shoulder.
Maybe (just maybe) to show off. Maybe she liked the way Zoey’s eyes lit up when she did.
And yet, she also felt the urge to defend Zoey’s worth. She didn’t want her kindness to come at the cost of self-deprecation.
“Don’t say that. You’re trying too… just like Mira with her breathing,” she said firmly as her feet shuffled toward one of the wooden racks where the sword’s sheath rested. With a practiced motion, she sheathed it once more.
“I know we’re all trying, but we also have to recognize our limits, and staying still is a very firm limit for me,” she said simply.
Rumi still didn’t agree with that, so she stepped closer again, her brow slightly furrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line.
“You can do it. I can help you with it if you need to… but you’re going to achieve it too. You’re just as capable as Mira or me,” her voice was firm, almost like an order, and she felt a tight pull in her chest when Zoey’s head still tilted side to side with lingering doubt.
“You’re sweet, but… you’ve trained your whole life, and Mira has too. I don’t even know why the Honmoon chose me, and I only took two karate classes when I was little,” Zoey was already preparing to shrug it off before abruptly changing the subject and trying once again to pull Rumi inside.
But Rumi grabbed her by the shoulders, freezing her in place under her gaze.
“Don’t say that,” she said, not as a command, but as a plea. Her fingers were hesitant as they moved over Zoey’s shoulder, right where it met her neck, sliding up and down over the fabric. “You’re just as good as any of us, and you’re going to be amazing,” she whispered with an intense look, tightening her grip just enough for Zoey to feel it beneath her jacket.
Zoey blushed at the expression on Rumi’s face in that precise moment. She had no choice but to nod slowly, as if her mind were carefully storing the image of a Rumi who was so protective, even of her own negative thoughts.
A wave of affection swelled in Zoey’s chest, threatening to overflow, and carefully, so as not to startle Rumi, she slipped her arms around her torso, pulling her into a loose embrace that still caught Rumi off guard.
“If I work on meditation, then you work on resting a little more… you train so hard, and you really need it,” her voice softened again, her expression a bit dreamy. Rumi, however, felt a rush of sensations at the contact, the cold and the offer itself. All together.
“T-That’s not fair, we weren’t talking about that,” she murmured, her eyes almost unconsciously dropping from Zoey’s gaze to her lips for a brief moment.
“No, but that was my original intention.”
Rumi sighed in defeat, slightly annoyed, but with no intention whatsoever of pulling away, even if her shoulders and back ached from prolonged sword training.
“Tonight I could help you with some tips on how to calm your mind and meditate more easily,” Rumi avoided her gaze completely while feeling Zoey’s radiant smile. “Tomorrow I can wake up early to keep training.”
“I love how the first part sounds… it sounds like you want to spend the night in my room,” Zoey said excitedly, her tone making it very clear how happy that idea made her and of course, Rumi too, even if she was a bit more cautious about it.
“Last time you said my room was a little warmer than yours,” Rumi said, feeling her cheeks heat up as her fingers played insistently with the collar of Zoey’s jacket.
“That seems fair then. Shall we go in?” Zoey said softly as she released Rumi from her gentle hold, but before she could catch the longing look in Rumi’s eyes, she slid her right hand down to take Rumi’s, lacing their fingers together. If anyone asked, they could say it was because of the cold.
But Rumi never asked. She just gave her a shy smile, and they walked toward the hanok before Mira used up all the hot water.
When Rumi woke up, she noticed Zoey curled up beside her, burying her face against her side.
Her fingers lifted before she could stop them, gently brushing over Zoey’s cheek, feeling the small freckles scattered across her face. She was warm and so sweet.
It physically hurt Rumi to get up and leave for training, just as she had promised. Still, not being able to fully control the new sword was driving her restless…her mind looping endlessly through every small movement she needed to execute for the strike to be perfect.
Footwork, the distance at which she should hold the sword, the position of her grip, the strength needed to raise it above her head, the projection of her body, the final cut…Everything replayed with meticulous precision ever since she had left the small training area the day before.
It wasn’t that she had complained the night before. Zoey had truly kept her word and made a genuine effort to focus on meditation, following Rumi’s guidance with moderate success.
They had both been so focused that neither of them noticed how late it had become…until, with twice the enthusiasm, Zoey had run to her room, grabbed a stuffed turtle, and settled into Rumi’s bed.
The warmth of their bodies curled together, the scent of Zoey’s perfume, and the steady rhythm of her breathing had been enough to quiet Rumi’s thoughts completely and lull her into sleep without distraction.
But unfortunately, she had opened her eyes again. And after a while, her well-rested mind grew anxious to master her practice.
So, with all the pain in the world, she got up pausing only to watch Zoey, half-asleep, search for her across the bed. Rumi gently placed the stuffed turtle against her, blushing as she saw Zoey hug it tightly and curl into its softness.
Rumi lifted a hand to her chest, clutching the fabric there as a strange ache bloomed in her heart, one she couldn’t quite process yet.
Then she got ready for the day and went downstairs. Celine was probably waiting for her already.
They were both people who loved the morning. Kind of.
And yet, to her dismay, Rumi found Celine inside the house, calmly drinking her usual barley tea in the living room.
Rumi gave her a suspicious look but didn’t jump to conclusions.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Rumi,” Celine replied with a nod as soon as she saw her come down the stairs. Her gaze then shifted toward one of the windows. “It seems the weather isn’t in our favor today,” she added without looking away.
Rumi hurried down to join her, only to see the snow raging uncontrollably outside, slamming against the windows, piling up into thick drifts that had likely blocked the door and other access points. Her expression shifted from confusion, to disbelief, and finally to frustration.
“Is it really that bad?” Her tone was sharp and slightly irritated, making Celine raise an eyebrow before looking at her.
“Not even demons dare to appear in weather like this…it’s suicide,” Celine said calmly as she took another sip of her tea. “I think you all have the day off. It’s a good thing you didn’t wake Zoey,” she added, her tone carrying a hint of teasing that Rumi immediately recognized.
Maybe it was because of the free day. Maybe because Celine apparently knew that she spent the occasional night with Zoey.
Rumi wasn’t sure which was worse.
She frowned. “Isn’t there any way I can train?” Without realizing it, she crossed her arms and stared at Celine, waiting for a positive answer.
“Where did you leave your Gagum?” Celine asked, her tone slightly sharp.
Rumi stiffened, her irritation immediately receding.
“It’s outside… next to the practice dummies,” she admitted reluctantly as Celine nodded, her expression unreadable.
Rumi wanted to scoff.
“If you’re able to dig the sword out from under the snow and come back without suffering from hypothermia, then I suppose you could try training indoors. Though given the limited space, I don’t recommend it,” Celine said, setting her tea aside as she walked over to close the window. She moved freely around the room before picking up a blanket from a corner near the sofas. “Just be warned, there may be consequences if you break a wall.”
Rumi heard the teasing clearly. She knew the weather was so bad she’d probably have to dig for quite a while just to reach the sword.
However… ignoring the mockery, Celine had technically given her permission.
Rumi smiled smugly.
When Zoey woke up, she was clinging to a turtle.
She yawned contentedly as she rolled over just enough to bury her nose in Rumi’s pillow, savoring the scent that was so unmistakably hers. It smelled like woody lychee, or something close to it…and even if it wasn’t, Zoey loved it all the same.
After indulging in a few more seconds of that guilty pleasure, she leaned down to kiss the turtle on the forehead and set it back on Rumi’s bed before getting up and slipping on a pair of blue indoor slippers she had found nearby.
She felt like she was missing something, but the pleasant haze lingering in her head from such a good night’s sleep made it easy to ignore.
Zoey grabbed a blanket draped over one of the desk chairs in Rumi’s room and wrapped herself in it before stepping out into the hallway.
She could hear movement downstairs, so she made her way down slowly, until a brutal gust of wind hit her full force, jolting her completely awake and sending a shiver through her from head to toe.
She tightened the blanket around herself and hurried toward the kitchen, only to find Mira frowning deeply and Celine holding an empty cup of barley tea, her expression unreadable and utterly indifferent.
Zoey thought she could sense that Mira’s irritation was directed at Celine.
And, of course, Rumi was nowhere to be seen… which was disappointing.
“Good morning,” Zoey yawned as she dragged herself toward a stool near where Mira was pouring two bowls of cereal.
“Looks like someone slept really well,” Celine hummed with restrained amusement, and Zoey nodded lazily.
“Wonderfully,” she sighed, taking her bowl and offering Mira a smile. Mira’s frown softened, along with her nervous movements. “I feel weirdly rested.”
Mira stared at her for a moment before sitting down on her own stool and taking her cereal.
“Do you have any idea what time it is? Or what planet we’re on?” she teased with a small, affectionate laugh, while Zoey grabbed the milk carton and threatened to throw it at her.
“No, but I do know we’re on Earth, thank you very much,” Zoey shrugged with dignity before lowering her weapon.
They both laughed briefly before Mira pointed at the clock.
“8:15 a.m., Zo.”
Zoey’s jaw dropped as she turned to stare at Celine in disbelief.
“What?! That late?!” she exclaimed, locking eyes with her mentor, who still hadn’t bothered to answer. “What about our training? And why did you let me sleep so long? Does that mean it’s a day off?” she bombarded her with questions…the most important ones, at least.
She had many more.
“Well, basically because of the weather,” Celine replied, pointing toward the window.
Zoey followed the gesture and finally noticed the fierce storm raging outside. There was no way they could train in that kind of weather.
Celine was strict, but she wasn’t a demon.
The future maknae sighed and shrugged.
“Yeah… only a lunatic would go out in that,” she muttered, hugging herself after another glance at the miserable scene outside. She was definitely hiding under the bed for the rest of the day.
Maybe dust off her old Xbox 360…
“Though you can practice meditation today,” Celine added.
She raised an eyebrow with a faint smile. Zoey’s eyes widened in panic, her mouth opening before she even processed what she was about to say.
“No way! We trained with Rumi all night!” she shrieked, already imagining the torture of meditating without Rumi guiding her and softly lulling her voice.
Almost immediately, Mira shot her a surprised look, followed by a barely contained laugh and Celine narrowed her eyes and looked away. The amusement vanished from her face.
Zoey froze as she realized how that must have sounded and quickly raised her hands.
“No! I mean- wait! Let me explain!” she rushed out, leaning over the counter. “Rumi taught me how to meditate, and then we went to sleep… and maybe we slept in the same bed…” Her voice trailed off as her cheeks burned. “But it was totally normal! We didn’t do anything inappropriate!” she added, dropping her hands to her lap and twisting her fingers anxiously.
“Zo…” Mira drawled, clearly disturbed.
“It’s not like I’m completely in love with Rumi! And yeah, I really want to hug her again, but-”
“Zoey, breathe,” Celine cut in, a faint blush coloring her face…perhaps from the sheer embarrassment of hearing Zoey ramble about her feelings for her adoptive daughter. Some purer than others.
Zoey buried her face in her hands and took a moment to collect herself before picking up her spoon and continuing to eat her half-finished cereal.
Mira looked exasperated, but she only sighed.
“S-So where is Rumi, anyway?” Zoey murmured timidly.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Celine’s expression returned to neutral, while Mira’s frown deepened again.
She pointed toward the front entrance. The door was wide open, snow piled nearly halfway up the doorway…still an impressive amount. There was also a hole in the snow, as if some animal had forced its way inside, letting the cold pour freely into the house and making the first floor unbearably frigid.
Zoey frowned in confusion.
“What’s with the open door?” she asked.
“Rumi.”
Almost on cue, a purple, hypothermic looking blur leapt out of the snowbank. She was wearing at least four or five layers of clothing, completely covered in snow from head to toe, with a sword sheath in similar condition. She crashed onto the floor and immediately began shivering, her body trembling as it struggled to generate warmth.
Zoey and Mira reacted instantly, closing the door and staring at the spreading mess of snow and water soaking the living room floor.
Mira spoke first.
“Rumi, what the hell?!” she demanded sharply as she knelt beside her to check if she was okay.
Zoey clumsily joined them, helping pull the scarf away from Rumi’s face. She was freezing.
“I… got it,” Rumi whispered between shallow breaths, forcing a smile as her eyes stared off into nothing.
“Got what, Rumi?” Zoey asked softly, worry lacing her voice. She already knew the answer, she just wanted a coherent explanation.
She wasn’t going to get one.
“Remember. No causing any damage.”
Celine’s firm voice, laced with subtle warning, caught Rumi’s attention. She frowned in disapproval before trying to stand, inevitably leaning against both Mira and Zoey.
“Of course I’m not going to cause any damage,” she insisted proudly, lifting her chin before attempting to support herself. It didn’t work.
“Rumi, you’re ice-cold… don’t tell me you went out to retrieve the sword in this storm,” Zoey said, placing her hands on Rumi’s arm.
Rumi shook her head, then immediately contradicted herself.
“Of course I did,” she muttered, perhaps a little ashamed of her own stupidity.
“In this weather? Are you insane?” Mira snapped, throwing her hands up in disbelief, barely holding back her irritation. She stayed close in case Rumi collapsed, after all, who knew how long she’d been outside.
“I can handle this weather just fine,” Rumi replied stubbornly, her tone just as proud as before. None of them doubted she wasn’t open to negotiation.
“Do you realize there’s no space to train down here?” Mira pointed out, though Rumi was already staggering toward the stairs.
“I’ll practice in my room… don’t worry. Enjoy your day off,” she insisted before disappearing upstairs, her movements shaky and interrupted by occasional spasms.
Zoey sighed, exasperated. Rumi worked relentlessly for what she wanted, but resting was almost impossible for her… free time only made her more tense.
She looked to Celine for help, but her mentor was already halfway to her own room, likely planning to watch a movie or a play. Fair enough. Still, Zoey couldn’t help thinking Celine should’ve stopped Rumi from going out in that weather.
She and Mira exchanged a worried glance.
“I think there’s a toolbox and some boards in the attic,” Mira said, and Zoey nodded. “I’m pretty sure she’s going to break a wall…”
“I just hope she doesn’t hurt herself… maybe I should check if we have ingredients for hot chocolate later,” Zoey murmured, her fingers intertwining as her thumb rubbed nervously at the back of her hand.
“And you should probably prepare for more night training,” Mira added with a mischievous grin.
Zoey blushed deeply and pressed her lips together.
“Mira!”
You didn’t get to see Rumi doing 200 push-ups as punishment every day…especially not after she had created a crater in the ceiling with a blunt sword.
Celine was calmly flipping through a magazine she had borrowed from Mira, while Rumi was in the middle of her own bedroom, lowering herself toward the floor and pushing back up again, teeth clenched from the effort.
“Come on, Rumi, you’ve only got, uhh… a few left,” Zoey smiled as she handed Mira another wooden board. Mira was busy hammering away, channeling all of her frustration directly into the wood.
None of the three of them had any experience repairing buildings.
But really, how hard could it be?
“126,” Celine stated casually, glancing sideways as she noticed Rumi’s irritated grimace. Rumi didn’t dare complain.
“Well, that means you’re almost halfway there,” Zoey said encouragingly as she crouched to pass Mira another nail. Mira frowned when she noticed the boards shifting slightly, cold air still slipping through…along with a few snowflakes.
She sighed and turned to ask Zoey for another board, but paused when she caught her distracted expression.
Zoey’s eyes were blatantly fixed on Rumi, more specifically, on the way her muscles tightened beneath the hoodie she was wearing. The sight alone was nearly enough to make Zoey start drooling.
Mira cleared her throat pointedly to drag Zoey’s attention back to the task at hand. Zoey smiled innocently, crouched down, grabbed another board, and handed it over.
“At least try to be subtle,” Mira murmured teasingly.
“Her muscles are staring at me,” Zoey replied, swaying slightly.
A short distance away, Rumi’s arms were beginning to tremble. She shot a silent, pleading look at Celine, who appeared completely apathetic to the world around her.
But she did speak.
“You have 110 left,” she said flatly.
Rumi lowered her head, and promptly collapsed face-first onto the floor.
Of course Celine had forbidden her from training with her sword inside the house.
Of course she had.
Rumi was angry.
She could hear Mira’s stupid movie playing in the background while her eyes were glued to the storm raging behind the window. She knew it was a pointless activity, but she felt restless…her arms ached, and she was simply irritated.
She had energy that needed to be used.
There hadn’t been a single day in her life that she hadn’t taken advantage of to train. Not once.
Still, she understood (judging by her companions’ looks) that they would absolutely not appreciate her going back outside into the storm. On the contrary, they would be angry with her.
An angry Mira was terrifying.
An angry Zoey… that was a level she wasn’t sure she wanted to witness.
She huffed softly, annoyed at the thought of how those two had completely changed her perception of self-care. Before, throwing herself headfirst into training on a day off wouldn’t have been a problem. Now, suddenly, it was practically a sin.
And yet, if she tried to ignore them, she knew her chest would tighten painfully at the sight of their worried, cautious expressions.
They didn’t understand her perspective.
But they were more than happy to drag Rumi into theirs.
It wasn’t fair…
“Come on, Rumi, stop staring at the window and come sit with us,” Zoey’s voice filled the room, and for a second Rumi’s eyes betrayed her as they turned toward her.
She had those puppy eyes…ones that made Rumi straighten immediately, heart in her throat.
“I’m waiting for the storm to pass so I can go out,” Rumi said stubbornly, trying (and failing) to look away from her younger friend.
“It’s still going to be cold outside… wouldn’t you rather watch a movie or something?” Zoey dragged her words out in an open plea, her voice sweet and just a little higher than usual. The thought of curling up beside them, her hands resting carefully at Zoey’s waist, made Rumi feel dizzy.
Rumi snorted, gripping her emotions with an iron fist, lips pressed into a tight line.
“The storm should end soon,” she insisted, wrapping her arms around herself as if anchoring her body in place.
She tried to ignore the way Zoey sighed in disappointment before sinking back onto the couch beside Mira.
Neither Zoey nor Mira pushed her further.
Rumi’s glare drilled into the window, watching the snow fall again and again in a foul mood. Some flakes hit and dropped, others slid down the glass. All of them piled up, the mountain of snow growing higher…and so did Rumi’s impatience.
But that wasn’t even the worst part.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement.
Zoey had settled against Mira’s shoulder casually as they watched something on the old TV.
Rumi felt the profane patterns hidden beneath her clothes burn irritably at the sight. She noticed the hints of contact, Zoey’s head, her hair resting against Mira’s shoulder. She also noticed the small movements Zoey made every time she snuggled in closer.
Of course she remembered. Zoey had woken up in her bed.
But…
Feeling jealous of Mira was stupid. Mira was just watching the TV with mild interest…she wasn’t really touching her.
And yet…
Rumi frowned when Mira casually draped an arm around Zoey’s shoulders, getting comfortable, using her like an armrest.
Zoey just laughed.
Rumi let out a quiet, dry laugh as she looked around in disbelief because clearly, this couldn’t be happening.
And everything got worse when her eyes met Mira’s calm gaze and raised eyebrow.
“If you could stop looking at me like you’re about to murder me, I’d really appreciate it,” Mira said aloud.
Rumi pushed herself up from the floor, crossed her arms again, and looked away with a scowl.
“I’m going to wait for the storm to pass in my room,” she muttered irritably, dragging her feet as she left the room.
She cast one last pleading glance at Zoey before heading upstairs.
It wasn’t until the late afternoon that the weather finally eased, and a few rays of sunlight illuminated the hanok, lifting Rumi’s spirits considerably. She bundled herself up as best she could for the cold, slung her sword sheath over her back, and ran outside.
The entire training area was unrecognizable. A massive pile of snow covered everything imaginable, and only the faint outline of one training dummy’s head was barely visible.
Rumi didn’t see it as a problem. She spent part of her time outside digging out a small patch of ground that would allow her to move comfortably without tripping.
It was uncomfortable, the cold slowed her movements, and her feet sank every time she stepped in the wrong place but she stayed there anyway.
Soon, she drew her blunt metal sword and felt a sharp protest in her shoulder blades and forearms… maybe the push-ups had ruined her, on top of the previous day’s training.
Recovery was harder in extreme cold.
She could barely feel the tip of her nose, but she pushed forward anyway, determined to give it her all…striking and repeating her movements. Still, despite being happy to no longer be cooped up inside, she felt like an idiot when the motions remained stiff.
It didn’t sound the way it should…
Maybe a change in angle? Maybe more force?
She didn’t know, and she didn’t even have Celine there to guide her properly.
Rumi sighed, cold and irritated.
She remembered the image of Zoey curled up against Mira and tightened her grip on the sword before lifting its weight and striking downward again.
This time, it sounded right.
The strike landed correctly.
She couldn’t rely on that image over and over to land her blows (it would definitely put her in a worse mood) but it was a start. At least she’d found an incentive strong enough to help her focus.
She breathed and struck again.
Another failure.
She huffed, knowing it was going to be a long afternoon.
She tried once, twice, then ten times in a row before stopping to reassess her footwork and shoulder posture.
She began to warm up, trembling as she felt the uncomfortable contrast between the freezing air numbing her ears and fingertips and the burning heat spreading through her muscles and forehead. It was unpleasant.
She decided it would be best to strengthen her arms through repetition, so she held a single stance, ignoring the snow piling beneath her feet as she slowly raised the sword and lowered it again.
Control. Strength. Stability.
Her limbs burned, but she knew it would be worth it when, in the coming days, she finally landed the proper strikes.
She would prove to Celine (to Mira and Zoey) that she was perfectly fine training on a day off.
Everything was perfect until she heard footsteps behind her.
She turned instinctively with her sword, trying to adjust her footing…but with her legs half-buried in snow, she stumbled and felt her face, then her entire body, hit the cold ground.
It wasn’t hard. Just cold and uncomfortable.
She groaned as her grip faltered, dropping the sword for the first time.
“Easy, it’s just me,” Zoey said, struggling through the snow with each step before crouching beside Rumi’s fallen form. “Sorry for scaring you.”
Rumi shook her head and tried to sit up, fighting against the snow.
“No, I should’ve… been more aware,” she said, brushing snow off herself. “What are you doing here?” she asked with a shiver, her palm gripping the sword with a faint burning sensation.
Why did her hand burn, anyway?
The question created a suspicious silence, long enough for Rumi to narrow her eyes and stand, almost instinctively placing herself on guard. Both of them got up.
“You’ve been outside for a couple of hours…” Zoey began softly, shifting slightly, her serious concern making Rumi frown.
“I’m fine,” Rumi said, trying not to let irritation seep into her tone.
Zoey grimaced and hugged herself tightly as a gust of wind slammed into them, chilling her to the bone and making her clench her jaw.
“Seriously, Rumi… you should-”
“Go inside? No thanks,” Rumi cut in, her tone sharper than she intended.
She looked away, unwilling to see the disappointment or worry on Zoey’s face.
“Okay. Just be careful,” Zoey said through chattering teeth. Even so, Rumi could hear the faint dissatisfaction in her voice. “Mira and I will be playing on my Xbox… if-if you want to join us.”
When Rumi looked back, Zoey was staring at the ground, taking a tentative step backward, ready to leave.
Rumi shook her head and reached out…but hesitated, letting her hand fall.
“You could… stay and keep me company for a bit, you know?” she said hopefully. Zoey made a face and glanced around. “You don’t have to train or anything…”
Just stay.
“You know I love spending time with you, but it’s colder than yesterday, and I think I might catch a cold,” Zoey sighed, biting her lower lip, uncomfortable refusing Rumi.
“The cold itself doesn’t cause colds… it just helps existing viruses enter the body and we’re basically in the middle of nowhere,” Rumi protested weakly, shifting her feet so they wouldn’t sink again.
Zoey stepped closer and reached for Rumi’s hand, letting their cold fingers meet.
“I’ll be waiting for you inside,” she whispered.
Rumi clung to her hand almost desperately. It wasn’t intentional…but some stupid part of her didn’t want Zoey to leave.
Zoey seemed to notice how pitiful she looked and leaned in to hug her, snow and all.
“You really don’t need to freeze today… but I respect whatever you want to do. Just be careful- and remember, you won’t escape the aftercare,” Zoey whispered playfully.
Rumi sighed, her body relaxing under her touch, and wrapped her arms around Zoey’s waist, pulling her closer.
“Okay,” she murmured, burying her nose in the crown of Zoey’s head as they stayed there a little longer.
When Zoey finally left, Rumi wasn’t sure she still wanted to keep training…
Rumi held her breath, hugging herself tightly before placing one hand on the doorway and gently pushing the door open, trying to make as little noise as possible. She had spent hours freezing outside, far from the warmth of her home, repeating the same stance and strike over and over without ever quite reaching perfection.
The cold wouldn’t allow her movements to flow, and as a result, she felt heavier…clumsier.
She didn’t want to admit that everyone had been right, that her entire day had been a pointless waste of time, but arriving home with lips cracked from the cold and a numb nose made it feel painfully close to that truth.
If she could, she wanted to avoid Celine and her scrutinizing gaze. She knew Celine wouldn’t scold her, but Rumi really didn’t want to deal with that right now. She didn’t need someone explicitly judging her reckless choices.
She could do that perfectly well on her own.
She already had, hour after hour, out there on the ice.
So she stepped inside cautiously, peeking her head in… only to be met with a sight that twisted painfully in her chest.
Mira and Zoey.
Both of them were waiting at the kitchen counter, chatting animatedly while laying out various items…food, what looked like a first aid kit, and some clothes.
Hoodies.
Guilt washed over Rumi for making them worry, but she knew she’d been careless. Stubborn. Proud to a fault.
“Uh… hi?” she said weakly, finally drawing their attention.
She’d held it in for hours, but she had felt cold and alone out there in the snow, painfully imagining how they might be enjoying themselves inside without her.
“Rumi!” they exclaimed in unison, quickly standing and rushing toward her. Zoey gently took one of Rumi’s arms, guiding her into the warmth, while Mira shut the door behind her and slid the bolt into place.
“I seriously can’t believe you went out like that. You’re crazy,” Mira teased half joke, half reprimand, clearly not wanting to start an argument now that Rumi was back.
Rumi grimaced, shivering as Zoey’s hand slid down to take hers.
“I-It wasn’t that bad,” she lied, tensing as Zoey turned her palm upward, revealing open wounds from her intense training and handling of the metal sword.
“You’re kind of stubborn when you want to be…” Zoey said softly, worry etched across her face as she studied Rumi’s palm, carefully stroking the edges to avoid touching the cuts and blisters.
“Kind of?” Mira scoffed, already heading back to the counter to grab the medical kit. She gestured toward the couch with her head. “Sit.”
Rumi frowned.
“There’s no need to-”
“Rumi, sit,” Zoey insisted, holding her gaze. Zoey’s expression was firm… Rumi hesitated, then sighed and shuffled over, collapsing onto the couch with a pained grimace.
Mira wore a smug smile but wisely kept quiet.
“Just my hands,” Rumi said suddenly, panic flickering in her eyes as Mira and Zoey exchanged a concerned look.
“Is there anywhere else you’re hurt and don’t want us to check?” Mira asked, eyebrow raised as she approached with Zoey, flanking Rumi like interrogators.
Rumi shook her head, letting it fall back against the couch cushion.
“No… nowhere else,” she murmured.
That was enough.
Zoey gently took Rumi’s wrists, turning both palms upward. The upper areas were red and raw, crusted with frozen blood, the skin around them peeled and inflamed.
It made Zoey shudder.
She hated seeing Rumi hurt.
She continued to stroke her hands gently while Mira opened the kit, pulling out supplies. Infection wasn’t something they could risk.
“I’m sorry…” Rumi whispered, closing her eyes.
“You’re an idiot,” Mira sighed, glancing at Zoey. “I’ll need water and soap first. Could you…?” She pointed toward the kitchen.
Zoey nodded, releasing Rumi’s hands and heading off. She returned with a deep metal bowl filled with warm water, cloths, and dish soap…spilling a bit along the way.
No one commented. They all knew what came next.
Zoey paused, handing everything to Mira instead of taking over. She sat beside Rumi, making sure their thighs touched before gently cupping her cheek, prompting Rumi to open her eyes in confusion.
“Bandages for those ugly wounds… then you change out of those sweaty clothes, put on a hoodie, and we’ll make some hot chocolate before cuddling up to watch a movie. Sound good?” Zoey whispered tenderly.
Normally Rumi would blush and pull away…but now, something in her expression softened. She closed her eyes and leaned into Zoey’s touch.
Just a little.
“Sounds good…” she murmured breathlessly.
Mira carefully began washing Rumi’s hands. The water was pleasantly warm, making Rumi yawn and instinctively curl into Zoey’s palm. Zoey blushed.
Adorable.
“Mira’s going to do a great job with your hands,” Zoey said softly, brushing three fingers along Rumi’s jawline and cheek, marveling at how she leaned into it.
“Yeah…” Rumi sighed, until the soap hit the wounds.
She flinched. Mira wasn’t rough, but it still hurt.
“Almost done. You’re doing great,” Zoey murmured, making Rumi blush all the way to her ears.
“Hey, you don’t have to treat me like a little kid,” Rumi protested weakly.
“Really?” Mira replied flatly, still scrubbing carefully. “Because today you clearly demonstrated peak maturity.”
Rumi opened her mouth to argue, but the fight drained out of her.
“I’m not used to… this,” she admitted quietly.
Neither of them pulled away.
“We know,” Zoey whispered, her fingers lingering at the corner of Rumi’s mouth before daring to brush her cracked lower lip.
Rumi was definitely blushing now.
“We know and now that you’re with us, you’re going to learn how to relax. It comes with the package,” Mira added smugly, wisely keeping her eyes on the task at hand.
“It’s not necessary…” Rumi tried again, softer this time.
“Of course you don’t need it,” Zoey smiled. “So consider it a friendly obligation.”
She handed Mira the bandages. Rumi flinched as Mira tightened them just enough to secure them.
Silence fell Mira focused, Rumi wincing.
Zoey slipped away to fetch a hoodie. She chose a light aqua-blue one…soft inside, a little oversized. No prints, unlike her own, but she thought it would suit Rumi perfectly.
When she returned, Rumi was flexing her bandaged hands curiously.
Her gaze lifted to Zoey and the hoodie.
Tentatively, she reached out.
“Go clean up and put this on, then come back,” Zoey ordered gently, gesturing toward the stairs with a bright smile that erased any possible protest.
Rumi nodded, utterly disarmed.
Mira and Zoey watched her climb the stairs quietly.
“I’ve never seen someone so stubborn,” Mira sighed, collapsing onto the couch.
Zoey drifted into the kitchen to make hot chocolate.
Too bad they had no marshmallows.
“She just needs a little help,” Zoey murmured, stirring milk and chocolate together.
“A lot,” Mira replied lazily, smiling.
“Well, no one’s ever really spoiled her properly,” Zoey said softly. “And I don’t mind doing it…”
Mira watched her. Everyone in that house could see it…Zoey was in love with Rumi, no matter how much she tried to hide it.
They waited in silence as the wind howled outside and the temperature dropped further. Zoey moved around, adding cinnamon and cloves, then poured three cups.
She carried Mira and Rumi’s carefully to the living room, nearly spilling. Then she came back tried to sip hers to lower the level, burning her lips and yelping.
Mira smirked and took a sip of hers like it was nothing.
“What did I miss?” Rumi asked, coming downstairs in loose cat-print pajama pants, the hoodie, and thick socks. She looked warmer and better.
“Nothing important. Sit,” Mira shrugged.
Zoey stayed busy with her drink…but she could feel Rumi’s eyes on her.
She only turned slightly, watching Rumi sip from her mug while stealing shy yet persistent glances at her.
As if she wanted something.
That familiar, longing look she always had when she wanted a little more contact… and who was Zoey to deny her that?
She’d said it already, she wanted to spoil Rumi as much as she could. Because she was Rumi, and she deserved every good thing in the world.
Still, Zoey wanted to manage carrying her own hot chocolate without wobbling or struggling like she had with Mira’s and Rumi’s cups. No matter how strong the puppy eyes were from across the room, she had priorities right there.
At least four minutes passed before Zoey finally managed to sip enough from the top to lower the liquid level and carry it properly. She made her way to the living room with a triumphant smile, genuinely proud of herself.
Of course, Mira and Rumi had already finished their drinks.
“Thank you so much, Zoey. I think… it was exactly what I needed,” Rumi said with a sincere smile.
Zoey’s cheeks burned as she nodded repeatedly, spilling a few drops of chocolate, but she didn’t care in the slightest.
“Yeah, it warmed our souls or whatever,” Mira added with a small grin, curling up in one corner of the couch.
Zoey felt something warm bloom in her chest at feeling appreciated and loved, but there was still something else she wanted to do.
The moment she sat down in the middle, she felt a cautious gaze and careful movements drawing closer and closer until Rumi finally melted against her side with a tired sigh, extending her mug to set it on the floor.
Zoey didn’t even have time to react before Rumi settled her head in her lap, curling into herself like a little ball. She didn’t bother opening her eyes or asking for permission… she was exhausted enough to pass out right there.
Rumi didn’t feel shy. Ever since she’d come downstairs, she’d felt an overwhelming urge to curl up and fall asleep on the couch.
Talking with Mira had been fun, enough to keep her awake a bit longer before Zoey returned.
She felt no embarrassment as she shifted to get comfortable. She sighed contentedly as Zoey’s fingers began to play with her hair, gently scratching her scalp and sending her deeper into drowsiness.
“We’re going to watch a movie, but you… if you want to sleep, I’ll be right here so you can rest,” Zoey whispered fondly, letting her nails trail down to Rumi’s nape with practiced ease.
Rumi had no words. She simply sighed and surrendered to the warmth, giving herself over to real rest.
Her body was tired. Her mind was tired.
And yet, ever since she’d given in to both of them, she’d felt at peace.
Having Zoey there (embarrassing as it might have been) was deeply comforting. It filled her chest and pushed training to the background.
It wasn’t perfect… but they were all trying.
Even if Rumi hadn’t landed the strikes she wanted, they were waiting for her. Zoey was taking care of her. Mira too.
They hadn’t even pushed too hard about how upset they were with her choices. They’d focused on her well being instead.
They’d tended to her wounds because they cared about her.
Not because she was perfect…but because she was herself.
The thought soothed her enough that one of her hands reached out, caught Zoey’s, and brought it to her lips. She placed a chaste kiss on the back of her hand, light enough to be subtle, but firm enough for Zoey to feel it, to understand the gratitude behind it.
She heard a soft laugh and felt more gentle strokes through her hair before finally letting sleep claim her.