The Kolkata morning was alive with the hum of the city—street vendors calling out, the clatter of rickshaws, and the distant chime of temple bells. So Jin stood on the balcony of Pushpodhar's haveli-turned-hotel, his eyes tracing the chaotic sprawl below. The air was thick with the scent of jasmine and diesel, a blend that felt both foreign and familiar. Behind him, Hikari was still asleep in the guest suite, her soft breathing a quiet contrast to the city's pulse.
So Jin's mind, however, was far from calm. Pushpodhar's glinting eyes from last night lingered in his thoughts. He's planning something, he mused, fingers tightening around the balcony railing. Roy never just makes deals.
A soft knock broke his focus. Anjali stepped onto the balcony, her sari catching the morning light.
"You're up early, Jin," she said, her tone warm but probing. "Still don't trust my husband?"
So Jin's lips twitched into a half-smile. "I trust him to be himself."
Anjali laughed softly, leaning against the railing. "He's a showman, but his heart's in the right place. This deal means a lot to him—and to India. You know that."
So Jin nodded, his gaze distant. "I know. But he's hiding something. He always is."
Anjali's eyes softened. "Give him a chance. And Hikari—she's sharp. She'll keep you both in line."
At the mention of Hikari, So Jin's expression shifted, softening for a fleeting moment before his usual composure returned. Anjali noticed but said nothing, only smiling knowingly before heading back inside.
---
Breakfast and Bonds
By the time Hikari emerged, rubbing sleep from her eyes, So Jin had already ordered a spread of Bengali breakfast dishes—luchi with aloor dom, steaming plates of puffed bread with spicy potato curry, and sweet mishti doi. The table was set under a canopy of jasmine vines in the courtyard.
Hikari blinked at the feast. "You didn't cook this, did you?"
So Jin chuckled, setting down a cup of chai. "Not this time. Pushpodhar's staff insisted."
Pushpodhar joined them, his energy as vibrant as the morning. "Hikari, Jin! Sleep well? Or were you too busy dreaming of splitting arrows?" He winked, dropping into a chair.
Hikari rolled her eyes but smiled. "I dreamed of surviving your driving."
Pushpodhar laughed heartily, clapping his hands. "That's the spirit! You'll need it for today's adventure."
So Jin raised an eyebrow. "Adventure?"
Pushpodhar's grin widened. "We're visiting a village outside Kolkata. Artisans, weavers, the real India. Hikari's idea—show tourists the soul, not just the sights."
Hikari's eyes lit up. "You took my suggestion?"
"Of course!" Pushpodhar said, leaning toward her. "You've got a knack for this, Nakamura."
So Jin's jaw tightened slightly, but he said nothing, sipping his chai. Hikari caught the subtle shift in his demeanor and felt a flicker of warmth—she was starting to read him.
---
The Village Visit
The drive to the village was a bumpy hour through lush green fields and narrow dirt roads. The Rolls-Royce was swapped for a rugged jeep, Pushpodhar at the wheel, weaving through potholes with reckless glee.
Hikari gripped the handle, muttering, "I wasn't joking about the driving."
So Jin, in the back, smirked. "You'll live."
The village was a tapestry of color and life—women in bright saris weaving intricate patterns, potters shaping clay under thatched roofs, and children running barefoot, laughing as they chased a stray goat. The air smelled of earth and smoke from small cooking fires.
A weaver named Lakshmi, her hands deft and calloused, welcomed them into her modest workshop.
"These saris tell stories," she said, showing Hikari a crimson fabric with gold threads. "This one's for a bride, woven with prayers for love."
Hikari ran her fingers over the delicate patterns, her voice soft. "It's beautiful. Tourists would love this—learning the craft, hearing the stories."
Lakshmi smiled. "You understand. Most just want to buy and leave."
Pushpodhar clapped So Jin on the shoulder. "See? Your director's got vision."
So Jin nodded, his eyes on Hikari as she spoke with Lakshmi, her enthusiasm infectious. "She does."
As they toured the village, meeting potters and painters, Hikari took notes, sketching ideas for tours that blended hands-on crafting with cultural storytelling. So Jin watched her work, impressed but quiet. Pushpodhar, however, was less subtle, praising her every idea with exaggerated flair.
"You're stealing my thunder, Nakamura," Pushpodhar teased, nudging her. "Jin, you better watch out—she'll run your company soon."
Hikari laughed, but So Jin's smile was tight. "She's already running circles around you, Roy."
Pushpodhar's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Is that a challenge?"
Before So Jin could retort, a young boy ran up, holding a crude wooden bow.
"Sir! Sir! Shoot for us!" he pleaded, pointing to a makeshift target—a painted circle on a tree.
Pushpodhar grinned. "What do you say, Jin? Show them how it's done?"
So Jin glanced at Hikari, who raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge in her gaze. "Go on, boss. Let's see it."
He took the bow, testing its weight. It was rough, nothing like the polished yumi or recurve bows he was used to, but his hands moved with instinct. The village gathered, whispering excitedly.
So Jin nocked an arrow, his stance effortless. The world narrowed to the target. He released.
Thwack.
The arrow hit dead center, splitting the crude wooden target in half. The villagers erupted in cheers, the boy jumping with excitement.
Hikari clapped, her eyes wide. "Show-off."
Pushpodhar laughed, but his gaze lingered on So Jin, calculating. "Still got it, old friend."
So Jin handed the bow back to the boy, ruffling his hair. "Practice," he said simply.
As they continued through the village, Hikari leaned toward So Jin, whispering, "You make it look so easy."
He met her eyes, his voice low. "It's not. But you make this—" he gestured to her notebook, her ideas—"look easy too."
Hikari's cheeks flushed, and she looked away, her heart thudding.
---
A Shadow in the Deal
Back at the haveli that evening, the group gathered for dinner under a canopy of fairy lights. The table groaned with thalis of Bengali fish curry, dal, and fragrant rice. Anjali kept the conversation light, sharing stories of Kolkata's festivals, but So Jin's focus was elsewhere.
Pushpodhar leaned back, swirling a glass of lassi. "So, Jin, about the deal. My team's drafting the contracts. Fifty-fifty, like we said. But I'm thinking—add a clause for exclusive festival tours. Holi, Diwali, the works. My contacts can make it big."
So Jin's eyes narrowed. "Exclusive? That limits our reach."
Pushpodhar shrugged, his smile too smooth. "It's strategic. Lock in the big festivals, we dominate the market."
Hikari frowned, sensing the shift. "What about smaller festivals? Like the ones in the villages? Tourists want authentic, not just spectacle."
Pushpodhar waved a hand. "Sure, we'll throw in a few. But the big ones sell."
So Jin set down his glass, his voice cold. "You're pushing for control, Roy."
The table stilled. Anjali shot Pushpodhar a look, but he only grinned. "Just business, Jin. You know how it works."
Hikari spoke up, her tone firm. "It's not just business. It's about people. The artisans, the stories—they're the heart of this."
Pushpodhar raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Alright, Nakamura. You win. We'll balance it—big and small."
So Jin's gaze didn't waver. "No exclusives. Equal terms, or no deal."
Pushpodhar sighed dramatically. "You're no fun, Jin. Fine, equal terms."
Anjali clapped her hands, breaking the tension. "Enough shop talk. Eat!"
As the meal continued, Hikari caught So Jin's eye, a silent question in her gaze. He gave a slight nod, as if to say, Good catch. Her chest warmed—she was starting to understand his world.
---
A Night of Doubts
Later, in the guest suite, Hikari sat cross-legged on her bed, scribbling notes from the village. So Jin stood by the window, staring at the city lights.
"He's hiding something," So Jin said suddenly, his voice low.
Hikari looked up. "Pushpodhar? You think he's playing us?"
So Jin turned, his expression unreadable. "He's too eager. The festival clause—it's a power grab. He wants leverage."
Hikari set down her pen. "But he backed off when you pushed."
"For now," So Jin said. "He's testing us. Me and you."
Hikari's brow furrowed. "Me? Why?"
So Jin crossed his arms. "You're a threat. Your ideas, your instincts—they're strong. He sees it."
Hikari blushed but held his gaze. "And you? What do you see?"
For a moment, So Jin didn't answer. His eyes softened, searching hers. "I see someone who could change everything."
Her breath caught. The air between them thickened, charged with something unspoken. She wanted to ask more, but the weight of his words stopped her.
So Jin turned back to the window. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we visit his jewelry workshop. If he's hiding something, we'll find it."
Hikari nodded, lying back on her bed. Her heart raced, not just from the deal or Pushpodhar's motives, but from So Jin's words. Change everything.
Across the room, So Jin's thoughts churned. Roy's playing a game. But Hikari… she's no pawn. His fist clenched. I won't let him pull her in.
As the ceiling fan hummed, their breathing synced again, a quiet rhythm in the humid night. Sleep came slowly, laced with dreams of arrows, alliances, and a connection neither could name.
---
…To be continued…