White liquor… freezing?
That couldn't be real, could it?
Everyone — Tohru, Rayleigh, Tushan Honghong — stared in disbelief.
"Kid, how the hell did you do that?" Rayleigh asked, astonished.
As a lifelong drinker, he'd tried everything: chilling liquor, freezing it, even storing bottles in the coldest part of a ship's hull.
It always changed the taste — smoother, more mellow — but never froze solid.
No matter how low he set the temperature, the alcohol never crystallized.
"Tch, what's the big deal?"
Tushan Yaya crossed her arms, pouting.
"Any fox who practices ice arts could do that!"
Thwack!
A sharp flick landed right on her smooth forehead.
"Maybe if you spent less time playing and more time reading, you'd know,"
Tushan Honghong said coolly.
"The freezing point of liquor is far below water's.
It only freezes at minus one hundred and seventeen degrees Celsius.
At that temperature… everything ceases to exist."
Maybe it was the alcohol talking, or maybe she'd just slipped into "lecturing big sister" mode —
Honghong, normally quiet, was suddenly chatty.
But her explanation only made everyone's expressions tighten.
Minus 117 degrees?
To reach that temperature instantly, just inside a cup?
Terrifying.
Even the ice dragons Tohru knew couldn't manage that.
Yaya rubbed her forehead, curiosity overtaking the sting.
"Could I do that someday?"
"Of course you can," Ronn said with a grin.
"For you, that's nothing. At the highest level, ice magic can freeze everything in existence."
Of course…
even that "highest level" was still nothing compared to the Ice Teigu,
whose hidden power — Moko Botemo — could freeze space and time itself.
"How about you teach me? I'll introduce my sister to you!"
Yaya beamed, puffing her chest proudly.
Thwack!
Another flick.
Honghong didn't even look at her.
"Stop talking nonsense when you're drunk.
Our library in Tushan has countless ice techniques. Go read."
Ronn almost choked on his drink.
Did she just offer up her sister as a bribe?!
He chuckled, thawed the frozen liquor with a touch, and handed the cup back to Honghong.
"Try it again," he said.
"Frozen liquor has a unique flavor. But only take one sip — once it thaws, the toxins increase."
Honghong took the cup, a faint blush touching her normally cold face.
Ronn's fingers had brushed the edge of the glass — right where her lip mark lingered.
"Thank you," she said softly. "I'll have Yaya begin training once we return.
If it works, you'll have my gratitude."
A faint smile curved her lips as she sipped.
The icy liquor sent a shiver through her slender body.
It lacked the sharp burn of alcohol, yet felt smoother, cleaner — almost ethereal.
"No need for thanks," Ronn said, rubbing his chin.
"Just bring me a few books from Tushan's archives when you visit again."
"Done," Honghong nodded immediately.
It was another world anyway — sharing a few secret techniques wouldn't harm her clan.
After a few more rounds, she placed a gold bar on the counter and rose.
"I'll come again tomorrow.
There's business in Tushan I must attend to.
Please look after Yaya in the meantime."
"Always welcome," Ronn said with a knowing smile.
He didn't expect someone like Honghong to reveal her heart on the first visit.
Better to leave a good impression — and a reason to return.
That's why he'd mentioned Yaya's gift for ice magic from the start.
Without it, there'd be no hope of getting his hands on Tushan's treasure tomes.
Honghong nodded once, turned, and walked toward the door.
Bare feet touched the cool floor, twin bells at her tail jingling softly with each step.
The noon sun spilled through the doorway.
Her figure glowed in the light — elegant, lonely, with a thousand thoughts hidden beneath that calm exterior.
"Hey, hey, hey… stare any longer and you'll fall for her."
Yaya waved a tiny hand in front of Ronn's eyes, grinning smugly.
"My sister's beautiful, right?"
"She is," Ronn said. "But why are you so proud about it?"
He chuckled.
The little fox was still adorable.
If he didn't tease her now, once she grew up… it'd be too late.
"You—!"
Yaya puffed her cheeks, speechless and fuming.
"Alright, alright, no more teasing."
Ronn reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
"Give your sister a message for me. Tell her—
Meeting or waiting, both are meaningless.
Nothing lasts forever.
If she keeps living in the past instead of cherishing the present… she'll regret it."
His hand brushed over her fox ears.
Soft. Warm.
Perfectly fluffy.
Suddenly—
two voices echoed together: "Master!"
Ronn turned to see Rem and Ram, standing with puffed cheeks and accusing eyes.
Their master was at it again—
about to run off with another woman.
No, not a woman this time.
A fox.
"I was just—just feeling her ears!" Ronn said awkwardly. "They're really soft."
The twins sighed in unison.
Feeling her ears? Really?
That was no "ear touching." That was lust, plain and simple.
Yaya's face turned scarlet. She quickly ducked away from Ronn's hand.
"I get it already!" she mumbled.
Then, after a pause, her expression dimmed.
"My sister's been hiding something from me.
It's been so long since I've heard her real voice…"
"She'll be fine," Ronn said gently.
Yaya nodded silently and tipped her jar back, drinking again.
Two full jars emptied in minutes—
then she ordered two more.
"Good grief, that kid can drink," Rayleigh whistled, impressed.
Then he turned to Ronn, grinning wickedly.
"The tiger tonic's gone. Got another bottle for me?"
Ronn blinked. "Didn't I just give you one yesterday? Aren't you getting tired of it?"
Rayleigh leaned back, smug and unashamed.
"You don't get it. Me and Shakky, we've been together for years—no more sparks.
But… add a little petroleum jelly and a hat, and the fire's back."
Ronn: "...???"
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