Tiger was inside his rented room.
He was leaning slightly against the wall, trying to calm his thoughts. The night felt strangely heavy. The air itself seemed different, as if something invisible was pressing against his chest.
"He decided to try to sleep again". However, just as he touched the bed, he felt a jolt of electricity. Startled, Tiger quickly pulled his hand away and exclaimed, "What was that?" He tentatively touched the bed again, and once more, he felt a current.
"Now I won't be able to sleep at all," Tiger thought to himself. "Let's see, if I take a little walk outside, maybe then I'll feel better. I need to check if I can actually sleep or not."
As he got up and stepped outside, he felt the cool night air wash over him, calming his racing mind. He started walking through his surroundings, trying to clear his thoughts and prepare himself to sleep.
As Tiger strolled through the park, he glanced over at the spot where he had been sitting earlier in the park. "No, I can't sit here again," he muttered to himself. "If I do, I might end up falling asleep on the bench, and then I'll be late. This time, I'll just walk."
Continuing his exploration, Tiger moved farther ahead and noticed a larger section of the park. Although it was only about 50 meters wider but bigger than that park, the height of its walls matched that of the old park perfectly. "I've never seen this park before," he thought. "Maybe I should explore it a bit."
As he ventured deeper into this unfamiliar park, Tiger spotted a figure sitting against the wall. Curiosity piqued, he approached
cautiously, trying to discern who or what -it might be. The silhouette seemed calm and serene, contrasting sharply with the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind.
"What's going on here?" Tiger wondered, his heart racing slightly as he stepped closer to investigate.
As the moonlight illuminated the park, Tiger could see the figure more clearly. The soft glow cast a gentle hue, revealing distinct features that brought a sense of familiarity flooding back to him.
He took a cautious step closer, his heart racing- was it really who he thought it was? The figure remained still, ensconced in the silvery glow of the moon, as if waiting for him to approach.
With the moonlight painting the scene in ethereal beauty, Tiger felt a blend of anticipation and apprehension, eager to discover the truth about this mysterious presence.
He froze.
"You again…? How…?"
She was there.
Sitting casually in the park wall, as if she had been waiting the entire time.
She looked at him down from the wall and said calmly, "Come here. Don't just stand there like a statue."
As Tiger gazed at the her, she playfully remarked, "Oh? You're really not going to come closer?" It felt like she was teasing him, her voice light and airy.
Frustrated, Tiger turned to leave the park, but suddenly, he felt an unseen force holding him back. It was as if an invisible barrier had appeared, blocking his exit. He whispered to himself, "Wait, this feels just like the dream I had—the one with the invisible barrier. This is the same." Sigh! Gusse what, I came into wrong place.
She smiled knowingly and said, "You can't leave, Tiger, no matter how hard you try."
Tiger turned to face her once more, incredulous. "What is this barrier?" he questioned, intrigued.
"This is my invisible barrier," she explained. "It won't let you go until you answer some of my questions."
Tiger sighed, "You're really something else."
As the moon shone down on them, the atmosphere felt electric with tension and curiosity, compelling Tiger to engage with this enigmatic presence and unravel the mysteries that lay ahead.
Tiger didn't move immediately.
He stared at her carefully.
Then he slowly walked closer.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"I have something to tell you."
Tiger narrowed his eyes.
"I want to know when you're going to stop following me," he said seriously.
She looked up at the night sky.
"Very soon… very soon," she replied softly.
The moonlight reflected faintly in her eyes.
"I didn't have time to tell you many things before," she continued. "But now… I can."
Tiger tried to interrupt her, but she raised her hand slightly.
"Listen to my first question."
He frowned.
She asked while Placing her hand on her jawline." "How many phases does the moon have?"
Tiger blinked.
"What?" Are you serious?
"Answer." I only need, She said.
He sighed. "Eight. There are eight moon phases."
She smiled faintly.
"Out of those eight… one is you." she
said with a smile.
Tiger's expression hardened.
"What does that even mean?"
"Tell me the names of all the phases."
Tiger replied clearly:
"New Moon. Waxing Crescent. First Quarter. Waxing Gibbous. Full Moon. Waning Gibbous. Third Quarter… or Last Quarter. And Waning Crescent."
Her smile deepened.
"For me… you are, The Waning Crescent."
Tiger's eyes sharpened.
"I don't understand why you're asking this. I'm only answering because I want answers from you. Nothing else."
"You'll get your answers soon," she said gently. "Just let me finish four more questions."
He crossed his arms.
"What do you mean by Waning Crescent?"
"You'll understand," she replied quietly. "Second question. How many habitable planets do you think exist?"
Tiger looked annoyed.
"What kind of question is that?"
"Answer."
He exhaled slowly.
"If you mean planets exactly like Earth, then none are confirmed. They even claim there are planets better than Earth, where humans could potentially live. But that's all false.
But nothing proven, "for now".
However, I believe we are not alone,"
he stated confidently.
She looked impressed.
"Wow, Tiger, you are very intelligent. You
could even become a teacher," she teased him.
"Now, It's time for my answers?" Tiger pressed her.
"Not yet-there are still three questions
left. Now, Well let's move on to your "Third question.
If you didn't exist in this world… what would you be doing?"
Tiger went silent for a second then,
Tiger pondered, "What would I do? I have no idea... really…I don't know."
She laughed lightly.
"Well, at least you got one wrong. That question was a piece of cake!
And You should have used your common sense.
Of course The answer is nothing. If you didn't exist, It means you would be doing nothing."
Tiger chuckled, "Really? Ohh..Okay.
She tilted her head.
how much is five minus four?" Fivee.. minuss.. she asked, when she was going to repeat that question again fully Tiger said instantly the answer,
"One."
"So you can only ask four questions."
"Is that really fair?" he questioned back.
"Rules are rules," she replied calmly. "And I make them."
He looked frustrated.
"For the fourth question, How will you die?"
Tiger stared at her.
"What kind of question is that?" Tiger said with frustration.
"Imagine you sacrifice yourself for someone. Or die because of a reason. How would it happen?" She said calmly but with seriously too.
"What do you mean how would I die? Tiger Said loudly then before but with also seriously.
Would you sacrifice yourself for someone
or for some reason?" She said calmly and and she has been Placing her hand on her jawline from the first question.
Tiger replied, Okay The answer is, "I don't know, I could potentially die naturally. It's possible I could sacrifice myself for someone, but-"
"Wrong answer," she said. "Now you can only ask three questions." When your time comes.
He clenched his jaw.
"Fifth question. Will you kill me… or not?"
"That's nonsense." Tiger said with loudly.
Than if you think that is nonsense than, Let's say you passed your last test and failed as well. she said softly.
"You now only have two questions." Ask.
Tiger sighed deeply.
"Fine, but this isn't my real question so don't count this. Is your name Fino?"
"That's not a question! than I don't know," she replied smoothly. moving to the next question.
He stared at her carefully.
"Okay, "What did you mean when you said I'm your Waning Crescent?"
For the first time she hesitated, and for moment, then she said,
"Well, look...," and suddenly she teleported behind him and was very close, whispering in his ear and giving his arm a gentle touch.
Her breath was near his ear.
She gently held both his arms from behind.
Before she could whisper—
Tiger instantly pulled away from her and, creating distance.
"You're a little strange."
She laughed softly, "Ha ha! That's why I said
don't ask that question. Now, go ahead and ask your last question."
She stepped in front of him.
"Last question."
"What's your name?"
She smiled.
you want to sure my name? Fino, Fino is
my name," she said with a hint of
coyness.
"I knew it." Tiger replied, relieved.
"You really do have impressive abilities," she said quietly. "But I couldn't answer the earlier question. It would make you uncomfortable. You'll understand in the future."
Fino teleported and sat on the park wall again.
Tiger looked up at her.
Tiger said, "Just answer one more question for me."
"Absolutely not! All your questions are over!" she giggled.
"I didn't even ask yet." Tiger said with nonchalant gaze.
"If it's nonsense, I won't answer." Fino giving one offer to Tiger to ask one more question.
He took a breath.
Are you invisible? Why can I only see you while others cannot? I'm asking this because when the gardener came, she didn't see you leaving. Did you use your invisibility power at that time?"
Fino hesitated at his question,
For the first time—
Fino went silent.
Tiger noticed.
"That's not nonsense. Why are you quiet?"
"And Is that why you are sitting on the wall silently?"
She looked at him carefully.
"And if I ignore your question like you ignored mine earlier?"
His voice lowered. Deeper. Colder.
"I just want the answer" Tiger said.
She sighed softly.
Okay, fine. I won't ignore you like you did to me."
You are the only one who can see me.
" No one else can see me, and that's the truth," she confessed.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Why? Don't joke with me; I know you are giving me fake answers." "You're lying."
"Absolutely not, I'm giving you the truth. "she replied calmly."
She got off the wall and walked away with
both of her hands behind her back as if teasing Tiger.
"You're the only one who can see me." She said again.
Tiger's anger rose slightly.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"What would have changed if I had?" she asked quietly.
She walked a few steps away, hands behind her back, almost teasing him silently.
Then she suddenly teleported directly behind him without him realizing, whispering in his ear as she gently touched his backbone with her fingers. Her fingers lightly touched his spine. "Let's play a game," she suggested, her voice whispered sweet, sweet-something he had never heard from her before.
Tiger instinctively took a step back, surprised. Fino giggled, noticing his reaction. "See, you get so awkward when I touch you!" She laughed softly.
"I'm not strange. You are." Tiger thought to himself while moving away from her and looked to her when he thought that.
"Well, I was actually thinking about playing a fighting game, "she clarified as she started to distance herself to circle around the him.
when she was passing close by Tiger She threw him a heavy, sharp steel weapon.
He caught it easily. Tiger held the weapon in his left hand while throwing with his right.
"What's this?" Tiger asked.
"For the fight." Fino said calmly.
"I don't need weapons." He said.
"You don't get to choose." She said again.
Moonlight reflected across the open ground.
"Why didn't you tell me only I could see you?" he asked again.
"You worry too much about me," she said lightly.
I don't care about you. I don't care about who you are or what you are. I just need to get rid of you," Tiger replied, still observing her closely. And I just want you out of my life."
"Very soon," she replied softly, when she replied that she looked up to the moon while circling him.
"You'll find out soon enough, my Tiger." They continued circling eachother. Tiger declared, "You can resist your hunger; I'm not yours."
Fino teased, "Oh, are you feeling jealous
that a good girl is with me? You won't feel good about it, will you?"
Tiger snapped, "Please, could you be quiet?"
She giggled, "Alright, I'll stop talking.
Now Fino and Tiger created slowly more distance, and they began circling each other in the park from far.
Moonlight reflected across the open ground again.
Suddenly—
She stuck to the wall and Fino dashed towards Tiger, ready to attack. With speed, she struck him. Tiger dodged her but noticed she stuck to the wall, preparing to attack
again.
As she lunged at him, Tiger noticed a sharp weapon instantly cut his cheek. "What's wrong with you, Tiger? Didn't your shield work?"
"I didn't know you would attack so quickly
and manage to make me bleed on my
cheek. Good try! I thought you wouldn't attack me with a weapon."
Before he finished— Fino attacked him, Smoke filled the area.
As the smoke cleared, Fino asked, "Where did he go?"
Upon checking, she saw her standing
right on her left shoulder , "what? She said with shock, Tiger was standing perfectly balanced on her shoulder. than Fino using that moment, quickly going to grab his leg with her right hand. Tiger, caught off guard, was unable to react fast and couldn't shield himself in time.
But He flipped backward immediately when
He seen her hand comming to grab his left leg, and landing smoothly before she could harm him.
She looked surprised
She clapped slowly.
Fino giggled, amused by his reaction time. "Tiger, you have some skills, haha."
"These are my skills, not anyone else's.
By the way, you are really weak," Tiger retorted.
Before he could say any more sentence, Fino teleported behind him and swung for his spine, but He caught her wrist mid-motion. This won't work on me." Tiger said seriously. Tiger was Going to punch her but With surprising strength, she flipped backward and landed smoothly on the ground. But Her weapon slipped—
Tiger caught it with his foot effortlessly.
She stared.
Awestruck, Fino mused, "Wow, Tiger, you've got some serious strength."
"You prefer hand-to-hand combat, don't you?" Because you throwed my wepon.
"Maybe." Tiger said with Nonchalant gaze.
He sat casually in the same teasing pose she once used.
Keeping his one hand on his jawline.
"Are you tired?" "Well, If you are tired now You should rest; I don't want to rush this fight. " Fino replied, "You think I'll give in so
easily? You're mistaken! You look even cuter like this," she teased. Tiger, flaring with annoyance, He stood immediately. And said, "You really are something else." She Laughed, she shot back, "You do realize that's a compliment, right?"
Suddenly—
she attacked him with a rope-attached kunai that had a very thin rope tied around it.
The kunai was nearly hitting him when he managed to dodge. "You need to try a little harder!" Tiger exclaimed.
Look.
Fino, unfazed, aimed her kunai at his head again, but Tiger quickly avoided it. Fino, you really need to make your attacks more serious!" "
Wow, you actually said my name in that
context; I'm thrilled!" Fino said.
"Oh, come on, let's not talk too much! Just fight!"
She smiled faintly.
Fino tossed another kunai using the rope,
The blade scratched his shoulder. But it barely do him something.
Tiger sighed, feeling the unexpected impact. "Didn't think you'd attack with such speed, huh? Good try!" As they continued their spar, he observed quietly. Fino decided to dodge and leaped back into a sitting position, slightly
distant from him.
"Ready?" she asked, throwing herself
again aggressively.
But Tiger captured her wrist before she
could strike and responded with a firm
blow to her stomach.
The impact was slightly intense, but Fino managed to slide back without falling.
Tiger asked "What was that?" she smiled, noticing him looking puzzled. "Are you okay?" Tiger questioned, confused by her resilience.
"I might be weak, but my resolve is
strong," she laughed, finding joy in their
spar.
"Looks like you're not hurt at all," Tiger noted appreciatively.
"Correct! This was just a demonstration of
your strength, but don't mistake me for
weak," she winked playfully
As the battle continued, each of them
showcased their skills, proving their mettle. Tiger realized that Fino was not someone to take lightly; she was formidable in her own right. And with every exchange, their connection grew more evident, turning their rivalry into something more playful-and maybe, just maybe, something deeper as well.
She attacked again.
She teleported behind him at impossible speed.
This time aiming directly for his eye.
She increased force slightly more than before—
Tiger thought he can't avoid that much of kunai's speed aiming for his eye so he moved his right hand to protect his eye, and, that kunai goes deep under Tigers hand, nearly where his Swiga was, just millimetres away.
For a moment—
Everything turned white.
A vast white void surrounded him.
He couldn't move.
Fino appeared in front of him calmly.
"Don't force it," she said gently. "Let me remove it."
She reached towards the kunai in his hand that was gone deep inside Tigers hand
Her touch was soft.
She pulled it out carefully.
"If you force it, it will hurt you more." She said.
The white void vanished.
He was back in the park.
Tiger looked back at Fino, who had perched herself comfortably on the wall she was slightly bent.
Fino sat on the wall, facing the moon.
"What you experienced… was Wisdom," she said quietly.
"I wasn't helping you." I was just...pretending that i was helping you...Tiger.
Blood was still flowing from his hand.
Tiger looked to his right hand where that kunai was deep inside his hand and that kunai was still there, Tiger was shocked.
She disappeared again from the wall.
And reappeared attacking.
But something had changed, Her speed felt slightly slower.
Tiger's eyes sharpened.
He began reading her attack patterns.
"Tiger, when you're fighting, try to talk less; otherwise, you won't be able to focus," she advised, her tone firm yet teasing.
"I don't need your advice," Tiger shot back, a hint of frustration in his voice.
Suddenly, Fino launched a swift attack, sprinting towards Tiger like a ninja. She aimed a kick at him, but his protective shield held firm against her strike. As the force of her kick collided with his shield, it sent her stumbling back and then she take out her sword.
Tiger whispered to himself, "Wait, the sword? Is she pulling it out now?"
Fino ducked under Tiger as he was about to retaliate, but she swiftly turned around and attempted to disarm him. In a split second, Fino thrust her sword toward his stomach. However, Tiger's invisible shield blocked the blow.
"Wow, I see I'm not fighting at full strength," Fino thought to herself. "It seems his shield prevents my sword from penetrating."
She realized that she was only using 0% of her power. "If I used just 1% of my strength, I could break through his invisible shield," she contemplated but decided against it.
In a fluid motion, she rolled away from Tiger, creating some distance between them, and took a seated position about 5-6 meters away.
Redirected—
Attacked—
He grabbed her wrist but as he grabbed her wrist again She escaped mid-air again too.
Now both Fino and Tiger were circling each other from far, not much. But suddenly she thrown kunai, not rope attached just normal kunai—but His invisible shield blocked it.
She slid back several meters and said.
"I'm at zero percent power u know Tiger" If i came up with only my 0.4% powers than my sheild will be more powerful than yours sheild now is.
He didn't respond.
She attacked again—
Tiger noticed hidden claw weapon under her hand that was hidden professionally but she not attacked Tiger instead of,
Fino gracefully slided down towards under both middle legs of Tiger, and as she slided, he suddenly looked down and catch on that a rope coming From both of his middle legs. Instantly, Tiger realized that a kunai attached to the rope was aimed directly. And that rope Tightly sticks at his back fully straightly because of the force and suddenly that rope attached kunai comes from Tiger top of his middle head and in that exactly time everything faded into a white void again. Kunai was freezed at the center of his head— .. He felt an eerie stillness, as if the kunai had frozen, And it was really frozen, mid-air just centimeters from him. And in that white void Tiger can't proceed anything in his brain as like exactly kunai was frozen, and he can't move, just like before he can't move in that void.
Suddenly,
Fino reappeared beside him in that her own void again and, reassuring him, "Don't worry, Tiger; I won't let it harm you. I'll remove this before it gets any closer." She quickly grasped the kunai, tossing it to the ground just as it fell inches from his head, halting its deadly descent.
Reality returned.
She was sat on the wall again.
As Fino settled into her position, Tiger remained on high alert. Suddenly, that kunai fell just a few centimeters past his head, landing with a thud on the ground. Rather than reacting to the near miss, Tiger chose to ignore it, and that kunai that was inches away from his head before she really helped Tiger in that void that time she do not let it go inside Tiger's head, than he looked back at the wall where he had last seen her sitting.
"She was.. again..sitting there huh?" he whispered to himself in disbelief.
"Why are you sitting there again?"
Fino grinned, clearly enjoying the playful tension. "You know this is my favorite spot, don't you?" she teased, her demeanor light despite the intensity of their confrontation.
Tiger sighed, running his hand through his hair.
"Remember the white ribbon?" she asked.
She playfully let it flutter down as Tiger stepped forward to catch it.
He caught it.
As he held the ribbon carefully, Fino began to explain, "This ribbon is essential; it's how you're able to see me."If you never touched it, you would never see me."
He frowned.
"I saw you before that." Than, "How so?" Tiger asked, intrigued.
She smiled knowingly. "Because of this ribbon, you can perceive me. If you had never touched it, you wouldn't be able to see me like others do as i said.
But ho- Tiger was going to say but Fino started to clear Tiger doubt.
No. Actually, you couldn't," Fino clarified. "You remember when you met that
assassin?"
"Yes," Tiger replied, recalling the
encounter vividly.
"When that assassin was dropping you
home, I placed my ribbon in your path while you were talking to her. When you stepped on it, you started seeing me from the beginning. I found it fascinating, honestly!" She laughed softly, "You were so strong that you brought the sun closer to Earth, which means it should be coming up slowly but fast."
"At that speed, if Earth moved any faster, it would have become Mars," she joked, giggling once again.
In an instant, she teleported closer to Tiger, grasping his right hand where the kunai had pierced him moments earlier. "Your powers are incredible. If you move the Earth so fast, it could destroy everything," she stated, sliding her hand from his wrist to his shoulder, making him hesitate.
"You don't have full control over your powers yet," she observed, sliding her hand to his neck. Tiger instinctively took two steps back, breathing heavily. "Have you experienced my wisdom twice now, Tiger? Don't underestimate anyone," she told him, moving closer to gently take his hand where the kunai had been lodged.
"I know this hurts you a lot, but you'll have to endure even more," she said empathetically as she carefully removed the kunai fully from his hand and tossed it onto the ground. "What's wrong, Tiger? You're unusually silent. Is my wisdom affecting you?"
Tiger took a deep sigh and said, "No, I'm
fine. Just stay away from me." He stepped
back another six to eight steps.
Fino began to laugh again, "Am I really
that scary to you?"
"You had your fun, didn't you?" Tiger retorted.
She teleported again and sitting to the wall again.
Fino playfully asked, "What about that
teddy bear?
Tiger admitted, I gave it to a little girl. She said it looked identical to her lost teddy bear, so I handed it over."
"You did the right thing," she responded,
lifting her hands into the air. To Tiger's surprise, the teddy bear appeared again. "This teddy keeps me company in my loneliness," she admitted, gently stroking its head.
Tiger asked, "Do you really care for this
teddy?"
"Yes, I do. After all, it's my friend." She
continued, "I mean, Tiger, do you really think this is the only world?"
Tiger replied, " I don't know really.
Well let's forget it but you know"You're still the strongest, Tiger. No one can defeat you-not even me at full power. No one can defeat you. She said again.
However, Maybe you won't understand," she said quietly. "Maybe you shouldn't".," she said, her expression shifting.
"I don't know why this is happening, or
why I'm working for someone else. But I'm here because I have to be."
Tiger asked, "Did someone send you to kill
me?" Fino shook her head, "Absolutely not! If someone had ordered me to kill you, I would have done it by now. But honestly, I
can't bring myself to do that. You might find me untrustworthy, but..."
She stood on the wall, moonlight covering her figure and when she stood up on the wall her hair was fliying in the air and she looked at Tiger, both illuminated by the moonlight. "You've taken up a lot of my time, haven't you?"
And Guess what? time to say good bye, well, "I'll see you again in the future, if my fate wants. " As she spoke, she smiled at him, a warm expression that lingered as she began to fade away. "If I ever want to meet you again, I will."
Fino thought.
And Before vanishing completely, she left him with a tender smile and slightly leaned , and her form dissolving slowly into the moonlight as it began to break apart. Tiger instinctively ran toward her, desperate to reach out, he touched her hand but she disappeared just before he could say anything to her.
With a sigh of frustration, he jumped from the wall, contemplating everything that had just occurred.
And the park returned to silence.