—Pichan.

  A single drop of water.

  In the air, tense and motionless, the sound rang sharp and quiet.

  Beside Hasamaishi, there was a pond—

  still, clear, and deep.

  "This pond," the princess said,

  "is the Moonlit Mirror.

  It reflects the true state of whoever looks into it."

  She hovered gently above the surface, drifting in a silent dance.

  The pond rippled softly, then stilled,

  becoming a perfect mirror.

  "Come, Saori.

  Look with me."

  As Saori peered into the water,

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  the surface began to tremble—

  chaotic, restless.

  "Yes…

  your thoughts are tangled, aren’t they?

  So much that you stopped trying to think at all.

  You closed your heart, to protect it."

  Saori’s soul trembled in resonance with the princess’s voice.

  "But your heart—

  it was crying out.

  Crying, to keep you safe."

  Chirin—

  A lone bell rang far in the distance,

  piercing the silence.

  "You wanted to cry.

  But you didn’t,

  because you didn’t want to worry your juniors."

  "You wanted to be angry.

  But you weren’t,

  because you didn’t want to disturb the harmony."

  Her soul looked like it was quietly sobbing—

  fragile and small.

  "It’s all right now.

  Let yourself be calm.

  …Good girl."

  Slowly, Saori’s soul began to settle.

  As if taking a long, deep breath.

  The Moonlit Mirror regained its stillness.

  Her soul grew clear—

  like fresh spring water.

  "Have you become… empty now?"

  Her soul lingered,

  quietly, without tension.

  "Saori… you’ve emptied yourself.

  Now, who knows what kind of life will begin for you?

  What colors you’ll gather…

  what people you’ll meet?"

  Her soul began to glow again—

  not faint,

  but vivid and bold.

  "You can be anything now, Saori.

  And there’s nothing left to fear.

  After all…

  you’ve looked into the depths of your own soul.

  What could possibly frighten you more than that?"

  The princess wrapped her arms gently around the soul.

  "It’s all right now.

  You’re ready.

  You’ll fly toward your sky, I’m sure of it."

  Together,

  they stood upon the surface of the Moonlit Mirror.

  Ripples spread.

  Then faded.

  Somewhere, a flute began to play—

  soft and far away,

  like wind catching a memory.

  The princess danced,

  holding Saori’s soul close.

  SHIZUMARE-SHI MIKAGAMI-NO GOTO ODAYAKANI

  UTUTU-WO TERASU TSUKI-NO HIKARI-KA

  * As still as glass, the mirror moonlight glows—

  reflecting dreams,with quiet grace.

  Bathed in the light of Saori’s soul,

  the princess moved with quiet beauty.