Just then, Shion turned to Mireyna, curiosity dancing brightly in his eyes.
"Hey, Miss Mireyna… Is it true that people from foreign countries like the same gender?"
His question came out of nowhere—innocent, honest, and entirely unfiltered. Mireyna froze, completely taken aback. Her mouth parted slightly, but no words came out at first. Still, she quickly collected herself, softening her voice to match his youthful sincerity.
"Yes… there are people like that. It's more common in Western countries, though," she explained gently. "I live in Tokyo, so that kind of culture is rare to see. It exists, of course, but not openly. What about here?"
Before Shion could answer, Isao interjected, his voice low and composed.
"Here? We don't have such a culture. Or if we do, no one speaks of it. This place… it's strict. People wouldn't dare to act improperly."
"That's true," Mireyna agreed, nodding. "In Western countries, people are freer. They have more say in how they live. But in places like this, tradition… law… they hold people back, don't they?"
Isao turned his face away nonchalantly, eyes gazing into the distance. His expression remained unreadable—unchanged, as if carved in stone. He looked like a man carrying an old sorrow deep within, a man shrouded in silence and secrets. Always the same calm, stoic face. No one could read him, and perhaps, no one ever had.
Or maybe… Mireyna hadn't yet seen his other side.
Does he ever smile?? the thought whispered quietly in Mireyna's heart. Not even once? not a flicker of reaction ?
Her thoughts were cut short.
A sudden noise echoed from the backyard the sharp, precise sound of Yumeko practicing her nerve-strike technique. The silence broke, and their attention shifted.
Isao's voice broke the silence, calm and deliberate.
"Looks like Yumeko's training right now. Come, let's go watch her."
Without hesitation, the group of four made their way toward the backyard.
As they arrived, Mireyna's steps halted. Her eyes widened.
There, in the open space behind the house, Yumeko was moving with a grace that stunned her. Each motion of her hands was soft, fluid—yet deadly. Her fingers struck like needles, piercing at the wooden dummy before her with unnerving precision. Her movements resembled that of a praying mantis in battle—calm, focused, and unpredictable.
It looked like kung fu, yet there was something different about it. It was refined. Feminine. Elegant. Her attacks were wrapped in gentleness, but the force behind them was unmistakable.
Yumeko spun. Her black hair, unbound, whipped through the air like dark silk dancing in a storm. It added a mesmerizing beauty to every motion—an ethereal, almost surreal quality. Her body moved like wind—fierce, graceful, untamed.
Mireyna stood frozen, her eyes locked on the scene. She couldn't look away.
Mio, standing beside her, leaned closer to Isao and whispered mischievously,
"Big brother Isao… do you think she's falling in love with Big sis Yumi?"
Isao cast a glance at Mireyna, his expression sharpening. His brow creased slightly as he stared at her,long and hard. Something stirred in his chest.
She'sthat amazed by something like this? he thought with a trace of disdain. What so special about Yumeko?
He shifted his gaze briefly toward Yumeko… then back to Mireyna.
What exactly does she see that makes her look like that?
And then, he saw it.
Mireyna's expression changed.
Her eyes, once full of admiration, now reflected something else—something quiet, heavy. Insecurity. Doubt. Her lips parted slightly, but she said nothing.
Deep down, Mireyna whispered to herself,
She's so beauty..even her technique is soft and elegant .No wonder people admire her ...With that face...and those movements...her family must be so proud of her. I wish…i had even half of her talent.
Isao saw it all. He recognized that face. The look of a girl shrinking into herself. He had seen it before.
That's the look young girls in this village always wear when they see Yumeko, he thought grimly. That same overwhelming inferiority. That same quiet despair.
His jaw tightened. His eyes narrowed. Annoyance flickered across his face.
Why js everyone so damn insecure around her? he muttered inwardly. She's just..ordinary.
But he quickly masked his irritation, forcing his expression back to its usual calm.
Just then, Yumeko noticed them.
She halted mid-movement, her breath steady as she turned toward the group.
"Why are you all here?" she asked, brushing her hair back casually.
Her gaze landed on Mireyna. She tilted her head slightly, recognizing her.
"You're that girl from earlier… why did you come here?"
Mireyna flinched, caught off guard.
"I'm sorry… If you're uncomfortable, I understand. I can leave," said Mireyna softly, feeling guilty and unsure of herself.
Yumeko glanced at her, offering a small smile. It wasn't a wide, cheerful grin—it was a delicate, almost melancholic smile, one that hid a thousand untold feelings behind it.
"It's okay. Don't worry. I don't mind," Yumeko said.
There was a quiet sorrow in her expression—like a weight on her heart that she carried silently, but still chose to smile through. That smile of hers… gentle, but layered with stories that words couldn't explain.
"Please, everyone take a seat," Yumeko said. "I'll ask my maid to bring us some tea."
As everyone sat down,Mio, tilted her head and asked sweetly, "Yumi-neesan, how are you?"
Yumeko chuckled softly and gently patted Mio's head. "I'm fine."
Mireyna watched her from the side. Her heart stirred with a strange discomfort—a feeling of inferiority and self-doubt. There was a vulnerability in her gaze.
Isao had been quietly observing her this whole time. That look in her eyes… it wasn't new. People from the village wore many kinds of faces. But hers—hers was different. There was something oddly captivating about this girl.
I never cared much about other people, Isao thought to himself.But why is she different ?Why am i..curious?
Then he shook his head, dismissing the thought.
No way. i dont like her. Thats impossible.i've never liked anyone- not even Yumeko..im just curious..thats..all…
Mireyna break the silence, "Yumi? Is your name Yumi or Yumeko?"
"My real name is Yumeko, but Shion and Mio call me Yumi. It's more casual," Yumeko replied. She turned to look at Isao. "But this jerk still calls me Yumeko."
Startled from his thoughts, Isao snapped his gaze toward Yumeko, his expression unreadable—but a small tick of annoyance showed in his brow.
"I'll call you whatever I want. I could call you a living sea slug if I felt like it."
Yumeko raised an eyebrow. "You really are looking for trouble don't you?" she said with unsatisfied grin
Seeing the tension rise, Mireyna quickly intervened, "Please, let's not fight. We're just here to talk and get to know each other."
Yumeko sighed and turned back to Mireyna. "People around here keep spreading rumors, saying that this jerk and me like each other… or that we're secretly dating. But honestly, there's nothing between us."
As if to prove her point, Isao took a sip of his tea and muttered coldly, "you're not my type.You're not my partner. You're not even a friend. maybe you just a sea slug walking beside me this entire time."
Yumeko rolled her eyes and turned back to Mireyna with a small smile. "Anyway, what do people call you, Mireyna?"
Mireyna blinked and replied, "Well, on my mother's side, they call me Little Nana because they say that it sounds European. My parents call me that too. But here, everyone calls me Mirae."
Shion clapped his hands cheerfully. "So can we call you Mirae neesan?"
Mireyna nodded. "Yes, please. Isao, Shion, Mio, Yumeko you can all just call me Mirae."
Yumeko reached out and gently placed her hand over Mireyna's. "Then you can call me Yumi too. You're not a stranger,I think we'll be seeing a lot of each other."
Mireyna was caught off guard. She stared at Yumeko's eyes—they were so beautiful. Slowly, she nodded.
Her hand is so soft… her skin like snow, Mireyna thought. isn't she a martial artist? Her hands should be rough. Butthey are softer than mine, even though i use all kinds of body products..
She couldn't help but ask, "Yumi, do you use anything? Like scrub, body care products? Your hands are so soft."
Yumeko looked puzzled. "Scrub? Body care? What's that?"
"Like skincare but for your body," Mireyna explained. "You know..moisturizer, essence, sunscreen. For your face and body."
Yumeko tilted her head. "We don't really have things like that here. The most thing we used is crushed limestone powder as a cold mask.
Mireyna was stunned. i spend hundreds on self care..and she's naturally glowing like this?
She asked again, "Do you never go out in the sun? Your skin is so fair."
Yumeko laughed softly. "People say that a lot. I do go out sometimes. I just don't tan easily. It's hereditary. My whole family has pale skin. Like living corpse, right?" She laughed again.
Mireyna laughed along. "Your skin is beautiful. So smooth and soft even without all the scrubs. I envy you."
Yumeko smiled. "Thank you. But I think all skin tones are beautiful. Westerners love tanning, right? But no matter the color, it's all beautiful in its own way."
Mireyna nodded, while Isao observed her quietly. He could see it—her insecurity. It wasn't just because of Yumeko's beauty. It was deeper. More personal..