Kurogane Ikki: "Another one!"

The evening air settled gently over the quiet household, the warm glow of lanterns casting soft shadows across the wooden floors. The tension from earlier had faded, replaced by an unspoken understanding that Ikki—this peculiar, sharp-eyed child—was now theirs.

Guo Ren sat cross-legged near the low table, stroking his beard in contemplation, while Mei Lian carefully dried Ikki's damp hair with a soft linen cloth. Mei Shi, always more practical, busied herself with putting away the herbal oils and towels, but she was listening, her sharp eyes flicking between the couple and the boy in interest.

"Now, the next matter at hand," Guo Ren said, exhaling as he straightened his posture. "We must decide on a name for him."

Mei Lian hummed in agreement. "A name carries meaning, destiny even. It will shape how the world sees him."

"And more importantly," Guo Ren added with a smirk, "it will dictate how he is remembered in the annals of history."

Mei Shi rolled her eyes. "Hah! You scholars and your obsession with history. Just name the brat something respectable, and be done with it."

Guo Ren ignored her, already deep in thought. He glanced at Ikki, who was now sitting comfortably on Mei Lian's lap, his round eyes darting between them as if he understood that something important was happening.

"How about Yín Jiàn (银剑)?" Mei Lian suggested. "Silver Sword. It has strength, elegance, and purpose."

Guo Ren tapped his fingers against the table. "Too militant for a scholar. What about Bó Wén (博文)? It means 'extensive knowledge,' fitting for a child with such a sharp mind."

Mei Shi grumbled. "Hmph. You're already deciding his fate before he can even walk properly. What if the boy wants to be a soldier instead of a scholar?"

"Nonsense," Guo Ren scoffed. "With a mind like his, he belongs in the world of intellect and governance, not the battlefield."

Mei Lian chuckled softly. "And yet, the strongest warriors are often the most intelligent."

Guo Ren waved a dismissive hand but did not argue.

He turned back to Ikki, adjusting his robes as he leaned forward slightly. "Little one, what do you think?"

The child blinked.

Then, with surprising deliberation, he lifted one chubby finger, pointed at himself, and spoke.

"Kurogane Ikki."

The adults froze.

Mei Lian's smile faltered. Mei Shi's eyebrows shot up. Guo Ren's fingers paused mid-stroke against his beard.

"...What?"

Ikki, undeterred by their stunned expressions, patted his own chest insistently.

"Kurogane Ikki," he repeated, slower this time, as if to ensure they understood.

Silence.

Mei Shi was the first to recover. "Hah! Look at that, the boy's already stubborn. He picked his own name!"

Mei Lian pressed her lips together, eyes flicking towards Guo Ren. "That name… it doesn't sound like anything from Huáxià."

Guo Ren exhaled sharply. "That's because it's not. It's from the Kingdom of Wa."

Mei Shi let out a low whistle. "Hoooh. The island country? The one that keeps sending envoys demanding to be treated as equals?"

"The very same," Guo Ren muttered, rubbing his temple.

Mei Lian frowned slightly, rocking Ikki gently in her lap. "Would that cause problems?"

Guo Ren pinched the bridge of his nose, already considering the implications.

"The people of Huáxià tolerate the Kingdom of Wa, but our scholars do not see them as equals. They lack refinement, lack history." He sighed. "If he keeps that name, it could be a hindrance if he wishes to enter the imperial examinations. Names carry weight, and a name so foreign could invite scrutiny."

Mei Shi cackled. "So what? Let the boy fight for his place. If he's as smart as you say, he'll force them to recognize him."

"It's not that simple," Mei Lian murmured, her brows furrowing. "You know how rigid the system is, Guo Ren. If his name invites unnecessary prejudice, it could close doors before he even has a chance to prove himself."

Guo Ren grunted, clearly irritated. "Tch. Then we should give him a proper Huáxià name."

He turned back to Ikki and spoke with firm authority.

"Your name will be Bó Wén."

Ikki stared at him blankly.

A beat of silence.

Then—he shook his head.

"Kurogane Ikki!"

Mei Shi let out a bark of laughter. "Hah! He's already defying you, scholar!"

Guo Ren scowled. "The boy doesn't understand—"

But then, something subtle happened.

Ikki tilted his head, his black eyes narrowing just slightly in defiance. Then, with slow deliberation, he raised his hand and pointed at Guo Ren.

"Guo Ren," he babbled.

Guo Ren blinked.

Then, Ikki pointed at Mei Lian.

"Mei Lian."

The couple exchanged a look.

Then, Ikki pointed at himself.

"Kurogane Ikki!"

The meaning was clear.

He had chosen his own name.

Guo Ren's scowl twitched, his irritation giving way to something else—something dangerously close to pride.

Mei Lian exhaled softly, a small, affectionate smile tugging at her lips. "He truly is unlike any other child."

Guo Ren pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing dramatically. "Stubborn brat."

Mei Shi smirked. "Sounds like a certain old scholar I know."

Guo Ren shot her a look but didn't argue. Instead, he looked back down at Ikki, who was now staring at him expectantly, as if daring him to refuse.

And, after a long pause—

Guo Ren exhaled and grinned.

"Fine, you little serpent. Kurogane Ikki it is."

Ikki clapped his tiny hands, clearly pleased.

Mei Shi chuckled. "The boy wins his first battle against the great scholar. What a historic day."

Guo Ren rolled his eyes, but a chuckle escaped him nonetheless. He had never been one for fate, but…

There was something fitting about the name.

Even if it would cause trouble later.

Mei Lian, ever the believer in balance, murmured a soft prayer. "Then let the heavens guide him, as he has chosen his own path."

She pressed a gentle kiss to Ikki's forehead.

And so, in the glow of a quiet lantern, under the careful watch of two souls who had found something to live for again—

Ikki Kurogane's name was carved into the fabric of history.