The orca stared at me in surprise, the smoke slipping from his cigarette butt to fill in the now somewhat awkward atmosphere.

I smile like I had asked the most sensible thing in the world. Said no Iceberg Isle inhabitant ever.

Understanding how irrational the scene played out, I couldn't help but let out a giggle to myself. I must be feeling pretty unusual today to the point I casually crossed my arms behind my head. Despite the gesture leaving me open for my body's weak spots, I wanted to express my willingness to befriend the other without qualms.

"I mean, if you don't mind. Of course, I heard of you from Rocma and others. But I prefer to see with my own eyes who's the big bad orca of the isle. And that's you, mister..."

He chuckled under his breath before grinning his sharp teeth. "Idate's the name. Mind telling me yours?"

"I'm Torie." I introduced myself with a bright smile.

"Torie... Quite a lovely name for a lovely girl~"

Not often told compliments of my name, I giggle. "Haha, I think Idate is a cool and unique name. Somehow I could tell it suits you."

Idate smiles, looking pleased. "Well, don't you know how to flatter an orca?" After a pause, he then concluded, "Alright. I'll be your friend."

I was surprised. "For real?"

That went surprisingly easy.

Idate rolled his eyes playfully. "You made the offer, doll. You should know who you're talking to, just to warn. Miss polar bear would jump in if she knows about our meeting. If you know where I'm getting at."

"Then you should go somewhere else before Rocma finds you right now." I said. I'm surprised he wasn't found before that time. It's been long enough for her to search the entire isle, and it's not even that huge in the first place.

He dismisses with a wave of his hand. "Nah, I'm looking forward to seeing her. It's been a while since we fought."

There was a malicious glint in his eyes as he spoke of the bear, a low rumble rising from his throat as he bared his teeth in a smirk.

My body instinctively squared itself when Idate's gaze met mine, who hadn't changed his smirking expression as he asked, "Say... Are you strong?"

I blinked, surprise by the change in inquiry. "Er, I...can't say? I do know how to defend myself, but I can't take on some buff dude with my bare hands, at the very least."

The black-cladded adult hums. "I thought so, coming from a human. Then tell me this." He exhales his cigarette, the toxic gas dancing around his eyes. "Do you have the guts to challenge this big bad orca you've just met?"

Alarm bells rang vigorously in my head.

"What do you mean...?" I asked, my voice falling quiet as I spoke. My smile had faltered.

Idate placed his hand on my shoulder, holding his cigarette away from his now merry close-eyed smile. His tall body towered over me as he leaned close to my face. I held my breath from the powerful stench of tobacco invading my nostrils.

He flashed his devious smirk, revealing a sadistic gleam in his dark eyes.

"Let's play, little birdie~"

My blood ran cold when the orca suddenly gripped my shoulder with three times the strength.

A wince escaped me as my poor shoulder trembled under his hold. My arms were stiff, as if paralyzed from his sheer power.

He's so strong...!

Meanwhile my opponent nonchalantly inhales his addiction like he wasn't attempting to crush my shoulder cap at the moment.

I clenched my knuckles from the paralysis and raised my arm to try prying his hand off me.

Not having budged an inch, Idate simply squeezed my shoulder again. As in "digging his fingers into my skin" kind of squeeze.

I bit back a sharp cry.

A pleased hum chimed from Idate. "Ahh, music to my ears. Haven't heard a human's suffering for quite a while. I wonder what kind of sounds you'll make for me."

He leans closer to my ear, his hot breath brushing my cold skin in his husky smooth voice, "Especially in bed~"

Despite the heat shot to my cheeks from the sudden transition in words, I shivered.

Okaaay, that's enough of flirting.

With no other alternative, I did what any lady friend would use when facing against a man assaulter.

I kicked his nether region.

As I had used my upmost strength to achieve this, I was satisfied to see the humanoid killer whale slacken his grip on me and crouch from the pain.

Instead of running away like any sensible person, I wasted no time in switching our positions.

I sidestepped around him to lock his arms behind his back, the cigarette slipping from his grasp as I pushed him to the snowy ground. Now I was the one to hold him in control.

I panted under my breath after experiencing the numbness of my left shoulder. A cold bead of sweat slid from my temple as I try to calm my thumping heartbeat.

Was this...excitement? Fear? Why do I have goosebumps?

Shaking those thoughts away, I focused my attention to the orca.

"What did you do that for?" I interrogated about his attack on my shoulder, unintentionally raising my voice into a retort.

Idate glanced at me, a smile still etched on his lips. He chuckles. "Haha, wouldn't you like to know..."

Suddenly the world twirled around me before my eyes.

I chocked back a gasp upon my back meeting the white snow, my mind spinning along in a whirl of confusion.

Dazedly, I open my eyes. I was even more awake when my sore shoulder sent a jolt of pain throughout my arm.

Idate smirks victoriously. "Now this is more like it."

Sadly our roles reverted back from the beginning. Now I was captive underneath his hold, a hand locking my wrists together and his knee placed between my legs.

Wait. This position is...

Idate raised a brow, amused to see me attempt to burrow my face from view. He peers closer. "Oh? Are you embarrassed? How cute-"

Torie uses Headbutt.

It's effective!

The sound of our skulls colliding still resounded in my ears as tears pricked my eyes and as I clenched my teeth.

Ow... I think I lost a handful of brain cells...

Unfortunately Idate didn't loosen his hand on me from my headbutt alone. I looked to see his reaction.

He had used his free hand to rub the red area of his face, sending me a fiery gaze peeked past his fingers.

"Looks like you're a much more feistier gal than at first glance." His leather gloved hand slithered around my throat, pressing a thumb to the area above my collar bone.

I gagged by the pressure.

"Stay still like a good girl while I have a taste of you..."

As he bared his sharp teeth just when he was a couple of inches from my neck, his body suddenly jolted to the side. He was removed off me and sent sliding several feet away.

I coughed a few times, slowly sitting up to gaze up at my savior.

Newfound relief and joy replaced my shock as I smile. "Rocma!"

The polar bear standing beside me glanced down with a hardened expression, a stern frown tugging her features. "Didn't I warn you to run? Have you ignored what I had said?"

My smile fell. "I...I didn't think he'd appear so close to the village though..."

Rocma closed her eyes before opening in agreement. "I must admit, I did not expect him to wander in here." Her black orbs glanced at the orca who is rising to his feet.

She stepped forward, posture dignified yet guarded at the same time. Baring her sharp claws glistening from polished use, she stared at her enemy.

Idate casually brushes flakes of snow off his suit before noticing Rocma's presence. He grins. "Ah, miss polar bear! It's been so long since our last fight."

"Idate." Rocma growled as she spoke the name of her most disliked person, almost snarling her sharp teeth at him.

Said man smiles a haughty smile. "Miss me?"

"Get out of Iceberg Isle, and out of my sight." She said disdainfully.

He blows a whiff of his newly used cigarette (when did he do that?). "Relax. My main reason is to meet the human, Torie." He glanced at me while I had found my will to stand to my feet. Remembering the things he just did to me, I stood my ground, looking back at him with unwavering nerves. I'm not afraid of him, I was more like surprised when seeing him in action.

"And devour on her flesh and bones? Typical damn orca. Leave, or else." Rocma warned.

Idate opened his mouth in surprise. "This isn't like the usual, Rocma. You never give me second chances, you know."

"You'll have none if you don't leave this instant. I'll kill you on the spot." The gray-cladded humanoid threatened.

Idate raised a hand as if to ease her. "Fine, fine. It was fun meeting you, Torie. Thanks for being my new toy."

The polar bear's eyes turned completely black as they sharpened in bloodlust. I sweat dropped, prepared to hold her back on her rampage if she snapped.

"Oh, and I've changed my mind," he continued, to which I asked, "For what?"

A puff of smoke escaped his lips before flashing a mischievous smirk. "Eating you."

I would've called it cannibalism if it weren't for his dorsal fin and tail there to remind me he's not exactly human. At least I'm fortunate not to lose a body part.

He snickered. "I'd like to see you again soon, little birdie. Bye for now~" With a half-hearted wave, he turns to leave the area.

We stared at his exiting figure until he completely disappeared from sight.

I sigh in relief, releasing the tension built up within me.

I bit back a wince when I fully acknowledge the pain coming from my shoulder. My hand reached up on reflex.

Rocma didn't let this go unnoticed. Sparing a glance at me, she then sighs softly.

"Come. I'll take you to Yukisada personally. I don't fully trust him when it comes to examining a girl's body, so I'll be responsible for that." With that reasoning, she shrugged her shoulder for me to follow.

I smile, following pace with her side to side as we head to the snowy owl's house.

"Thanks a lot, Rocma. You saved me there."

"...Just don't recklessly meet with that guy again."

"Alright. I'll holler for help even if I'm on the other side of the isle."

"That's what you said when I first met you..."

I simply giggled. "That so? 'All's well that ends well' is my motto. Haha!"

Rocma only shook her head as her response, mumbling something beneath her breath I couldn't quite catch.

And so, a flustered and concerned Yukisada tended my bruised shoulder under Rocma's eagle-like watch while I simply enjoyed a mug of hot cocoa within the duration.

"Torie, how was your playdate with Peraco's siblings?"

"...Oh for the love of-"