Hiore

When the last cherry blossom petal falls in The Great Panda City, the whispers about Hiore change. The noodle vendors, who see only the ramen hat and the ever-present strawberry milk, will tell you Hiore is a harmless eccentric, a food-loving spirit who can predict the weather by the quality of a broth. The guards on the high walls, however, speak of a shadow in a green dragon cloak, a silent night-walker whose combat pole moves with an unnerving grace. They see someone thoughtful, their gaze fixed on threats beyond the city. Only Kikona knows the truth is both. They know the heavy silence that sometimes follows Hiore home, and that the silly hat isn't a disguise. It's a promise—a reminder of the simple, warm world they share.