The sun had climbed above the distant hills, its pale gold light spilling gently across the dojo courtyard.

  Kurogane Daichi sat quietly at the low wooden table, steam curling lazily from a bamboo cup held in his calloused hands. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and earth. He drank slowly, eyes half-lidded, as if savoring the silence as much as the tea.

  With a long breath, he stood and stretched his arms high above his head.

  “Hah… I’m all better now,” he muttered. “Let’s resume basic training.”

  Akitsu Shouga, who had been sitting nearby with his legs crossed, quickly stood. Without another word, the two stepped outside into the open training grounds.

  Daichi glanced over his shoulder, studying the boy with an unreadable expression.

  “Since I already know you’re exceptional at dodging and striking,” he said, “we’ll work on something you lack—defense.”

  “Defense?” Akitsu echoed, a faint unease creeping into his voice.

  “Yes. Blocking. Parrying. Receiving force without returning it blindly.”

  Daichi stopped and turned to face him. “Try to block or redirect my punches.”

  Akitsu swallowed and raised his hands in front of himself, shoulders tense.

  Daichi stepped forward.

  Without warning—

  A sharp, powerful punch cut through the air.

  Akitsu’s body reacted on its own.

  He twisted, seized Daichi’s arm, shifted his weight—and slammed him into the ground.

  The impact echoed.

  Silence followed.

  Daichi did not move.

  Akitsu’s blood ran cold.

  “M-Master?!”

  When Kurogane Daichi opened his eyes again, warm afternoon light filtered through the dojo entrance.

  His head throbbed.

  A damp cloth rested on his forehead.

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  He slowly sat up—and immediately noticed Ayame Hoshizaki sitting beside him, hands folded neatly in her lap.

  “…What happened?” he asked. “Where’s the boy?”

  Ayame spoke calmly. “You were thrown unconscious. Akitsu-kun… went for a walk through the village a while ago.”

  Daichi burst into laughter, despite the ache in his skull.

  “That kid… unbelievable! One of a kind! I absolutely cannot let him go, Hoshizaki!”

  “Yes,” Ayame replied evenly. “He is extraordinary. Appearing out of nowhere with no memories at all…”

  Daichi waved dismissively. “Strange or not, I don’t care! I won’t lose him!”

  Ayame nodded. “You’ve already said that.”

  Daichi leaned closer, a mischievous glint in his eye.

  “Hoshizaki… mind doing me a favor?”

  For a split second, Ayame stiffened.

  Shock flickered beneath her composed expression—but there was no disgust. No anger.

  Only quiet acceptance.

  Meanwhile, Akitsu wandered aimlessly through Sunwind Village.

  Why does this keep happening…?

  His fists clenched.

  I need to apologize to Master. How did I even do that? Those movements—those techniques—felt natural.

  His thoughts raced.

  Was I that strong before? Or is there something wrong with me? Something unnatural…?

  “Hey, kid! Over here!”

  He turned toward the voice.

  An elderly woman waved enthusiastically from behind a small mochi stall, her smile wide and mischievous.

  “Yes, ma’am?” Akitsu approached cautiously.

  “Call me Hikari-san,” she said cheerfully. “No need for formalities.”

  “O-Okay. I’m Akitsu Shouga.”

  “Hah! So you’re the boy that old Daichi wouldn’t stop bragging about last night?”

  Akitsu blinked. “You know my master?”

  “Of course I do,” she laughed. “That fool and I grew up together. Practically inseparable.”

  “So… you’re family?”

  “Something like that.” Her smile softened. “It’s good to see him take a disciple. He’s been lonely.”

  “Lonely…?” Akitsu frowned. “Why?”

  Hikari sighed.

  “He lost his love and his child on the same day. After that, he shut himself away. People avoided him for months.”

  Akitsu’s chest tightened.

  “Wait… what about Hoshizaki-san? Isn’t she his child?”

  Hikari froze.

  “…Hoshizaki?” she repeated slowly. “There’s no one in this village with that name.”

  Akitsu’s heart skipped.

  “What…? But she lives with him—”

  Hikari waved her hand. “Maybe he adopted someone. Or maybe he’s finally lost his mind.”

  Akitsu forced a weak smile.

  “I… see.”

  She handed him a small bundle of mochi wrapped in paper.

  “Take this,” she said gently. “And don’t leave him, Akitsu-kun. He needs you.”

  Akitsu bowed and left.

  What is going on…?

  Why does this bother me so much?

  The sun dipped low by the time he returned.

  Ayame sat quietly at the front of the dojo.

  “Welcome back, Akitsu-kun.”

  “Is Master alright?”

  “He’ll be back shortly.”

  “So training’s over for today?”

  “Yes. It resumes at sunrise.”

  Akitsu handed her the mochi.

  “For you and Master.”

  Ayame’s eyes softened.

  “Thank you.”

  “Good night, Hoshizaki-san.”

  Inside his room, Akitsu collapsed onto his futon.

  “Today was… a lot.”

  Minutes later—

  “I’m starving,” he groaned. “But I’m too comfortable to move…”

  The door slid open.

  He turned—and froze.

  Ayame stood there in a pink yukata patterned with flowers.

  “I’m here to massage you, Akitsu-kun.”

  “…Huh?”

  “I was asked to.”

  His face burned.

  “I-I’m fine—!”

  She looked at him with pleading eyes.

  “…Please.”

  He sighed.

  “I can’t fight that.”

  She smiled faintly and sat beside him.

  As her hands gently pressed against his tense shoulders, Akitsu stared at the wall, heart racing.

  This place… these people…

  What am I really walking into?