Akitsu Shouga stood quietly on the narrow wooden balcony outside the guest room, his hands resting against the railing as he gazed up at the night sky.

  Stars stretched endlessly above him—too many, too bright—scattered like shards of broken glass across a vast ocean of darkness. The moon hung low, its pale glow washing the dojo roofs and stone paths in silver light. A cool breeze drifted past, brushing against his exposed skin, carrying with it the faint scent of pine, soil, and distant water.

  Somewhere beyond the walls, insects chirped softly, weaving a gentle rhythm into the stillness.

  This place… feels unreal.

  He exhaled slowly, watching his breath vanish into the night air.

  If I really am stuck here… then why doesn’t it feel wrong?

  There was no sense of danger. No pressure. No suffocating feeling of this shouldn’t exist. Instead, everything felt calm—too calm. As though the world itself had quietly accepted him.

  A sudden knock echoed behind him.

  Akitsu’s body jolted violently.

  “H—!” His heart lurched, breath catching in his throat as he spun around, instincts flaring before reason could follow.

  From the other side of the sliding door, a gentle voice called out.

  “Your bath is ready, sir.”

  Akitsu blinked.

  …Ah.

  He let out a shaky breath as tension drained from his shoulders. Sliding the door open, he found Ayame Hoshizaki standing there politely, hands folded in front of her. Lantern light reflected softly in her green eyes.

  “Thank you…” he said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. “Um… what was your name again?”

  She gave a small bow. “My name is Ayame Hoshizaki. You may call me Hoshizaki.”

  “Oh. Hoshizaki,” he nodded. “Thank you for everything today. My name is Akitsu Shouga. You can call me whatever you like.”

  She smiled faintly. “Alright then… Akitsu-kun. The bath is ready.”

  “Thank you.”

  He followed her through the quiet corridors of the dojo. Scrolls lined the walls, and practice weapons rested on wooden racks, their shadows stretching across the floor as lanterns flickered overhead.

  When they reached the bathing area, warm steam drifted lazily from behind the wooden doors. The scent of heated water filled the air, thick and comforting.

  “I’ll wait outside,” Ayame said, stopping at the entrance.

  Akitsu nodded and stepped inside.

  He removed his clothes carefully, folding them neatly before approaching the large wooden tub. Steam curled upward, wrapping around him like a gentle fog.

  The moment he submerged himself—

  His shoulders loosened.

  “Oh… wow,” he murmured. “This feels amazing…”

  The warmth seeped deep into his muscles, easing tensions he hadn’t even realized he was carrying. His body felt heavy—but in a way that grounded him rather than weighed him down.

  From outside the room, Ayame’s voice drifted in.

  “Akitsu-kun… do you need me to wash your back?”

  His cheeks ignited instantly.

  “N—No! I’m fine! I don’t need any help!” he shouted, sinking lower into the water.

  “O-Okay,” she replied calmly. “Call me if you need anything.”

  Silence returned.

  Akitsu leaned back, letting the water rise to his chin.

  How do I go back home…?

  The question echoed endlessly in his mind.

  Even if I wanted to return… how would I?

  I don’t remember my birthday.

  I don’t know my age.

  My family’s faces are gone…

  His reflection wavered across the surface of the water, distorted and unfamiliar.

  If only there was a way to regain my memories…

  Unaware of how much time passed, he sank lower, warm water covering his ears—then his eyes. The outside world dulled into muffled silence.

  Minutes slipped by.

  A knock echoed faintly.

  “Akitsu-kun? Are you alright?”

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  No response.

  Concern edged into her voice. The door slid open.

  “Akitsu-kun…?”

  She froze.

  His head was submerged beneath the water.

  “A—Akitsu-kun?!”

  She rushed inside just as his head broke the surface with a sharp gasp.

  “Hah—!”

  Their eyes met.

  Time stopped.

  “Hoshizaki-san?! What are you doing here?!” His face burned bright red as he crossed his arms over himself.

  “You didn’t answer,” she said quickly, turning her face away. “I was worried…”

  “I—I’m fine! Really! You can leave!”

  “Alright,” she nodded. “I’ll be outside.”

  She closed the door behind her.

  Akitsu let out a long, exhausted sigh.

  “…That was close.”

  After drying himself off, he dressed and stepped back into the hallway. Ayame waited nearby, posture relaxed but attentive.

  “Do you need a change of clothing?” she asked. “If so, I can prepare some.”

  “…Yeah. That would be nice.”

  “I’ll bring them tomorrow.”

  “Thank you.”

  “It’s my pleasure.”

  They returned to the guest room together. Ayame slid the door open and gestured inside.

  “Please have a good night’s rest.”

  “Good night, Hoshizaki-san.”

  The door closed softly.

  Akitsu lay down on the futon, pulling the blanket over himself. A single candle flickered beside him, casting long shadows across the walls.

  …I like this place.

  It’s peaceful. Quiet.

  Maybe… this is enough.

  The flame wavered—

  Then vanished.

  He fell asleep.

  Dawn Training

  Akitsu awoke before sunrise.

  He blinked groggily, rubbing his eyes as a yawn escaped him.

  “What time is it…?”

  Sliding the door open, he stepped into the hallway—

  At the exact same moment, the door opposite him opened.

  Kurogane Daichi stepped out.

  Both froze.

  Daichi raised an eyebrow. “Boy. I didn’t expect you to wake up this early.”

  “I just… felt like it,” Akitsu replied honestly.

  “I was about to wake you myself,” Daichi chuckled. “Most people don’t rise until after sunrise. Looks like I chose the right disciple.”

  Akitsu smiled faintly. “Then I suppose I found the right master.”

  Daichi laughed. “Good! Training starts now!”

  Cold wind greeted them outside.

  “First lesson,” Daichi said. “We run.”

  “A run? First thing in the morning?”

  “It keeps the mind sharp,” Daichi grinned. “Now move!”

  They ran.

  Five kilometers around the village.

  Without stopping.

  By the river bridge, Daichi finally slowed, hands on his knees, gasping for air.

  “That… was intense… how are you feeling?”

  He looked up.

  Akitsu stood straight, breathing evenly.

  “Not really,” Akitsu said. “I feel fine.”

  Daichi stared.

  “…You’re serious?”

  “I don’t feel tired at all.”

  Daichi burst into incredulous laughter.

  “Incredible. Your endurance is abnormal.”

  One in a million, he thought grimly. I cannot let this boy go.

  “Alright,” he said aloud. “Back to the dojo.”

  Before the training dummies, Daichi’s expression hardened.

  “Strike me once,” he said. “If you can.”

  “What?! I can’t!”

  “It’s fine. It’s not like you can hit me.”

  “No—!”

  Daichi suddenly threw a punch near Akitsu’s head.

  Akitsu moved without thinking.

  He dodged.

  Stepped in.

  And drove a sharp elbow straight into Daichi’s face.

  Daichi collapsed.

  Akitsu froze—then rushed to him.

  “I—I’m sorry! Are you okay?!”

  Daichi laughed from the ground.

  “…Don’t worry. That was impressive.”

  Akitsu helped him up, hands trembling.

  “I shouldn’t have hit you.”

  “No,” Daichi said firmly. “That instinct… that power… you’re extraordinary.”

  Akitsu stared down at his hands.

  What… am I?

  Am I a monster?