Akitsu Shouga stood quietly on the narrow balcony outside the guest room, gazing up at the night sky.

  Stars stretched endlessly above him, scattered like fragments of broken glass across the darkness. A cool breeze brushed against his skin, carrying the faint scent of pine and fresh earth. Somewhere in the distance, insects chirped softly, weaving a calm rhythm into the night.

  This place… feels unreal.

  He rested his arms on the wooden railing and exhaled slowly.

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

  A sudden knock echoed behind him.

  His body jolted violently.

  “H—!” His heart skipped, breath catching in his throat as he spun around.

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

  “Your bath is ready, sir.”

  It was Ayame Hoshizaki.

  Akitsu relaxed slightly and slid the door open. Ayame stood there politely, hands folded in front of her, her green eyes reflecting the warm glow of lantern light.

  “Thank you…” he said awkwardly. “Um… what was your name again?”

  “My name is Ayame Hoshizaki,” she replied with a small bow. “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 until they reached the bathing area. Steam drifted lazily from behind the wooden doors, and the scent of heated water filled the air.

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

  Akitsu nodded and stepped inside.

  He carefully removed his clothes, folding them neatly before approaching the large wooden tub. Steam rose thickly from the water’s surface, curling around him like mist.

  The moment he submerged himself, his shoulders loosened.

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

  The warmth soaked into his muscles, easing tensions he hadn’t realized were there. His body felt heavy—in a good way.

  From outside, Ayame’s voice drifted in.

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

  His cheeks instantly burned.

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

  Even if I wanted to return… how would I? I don’t even remember my birthday. I don’t know my age. My family’s faces are gone…

  His reflection rippled in the water.

  If only there was a way to regain my memories…

  Unaware of time passing, he sank further, the warm water covering his ears, then his eyes. The outside world faded into muffled silence.

  Minutes passed.

  A knock echoed faintly.

  “Akitsu-kun? Are you alright?” Ayame’s voice called.

  No response.

  Concern crept into her tone. She slid the door 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.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “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 sigh.

  “That was close…”

  After drying himself off, he dressed and stepped out into the hallway. Ayame was waiting nearby.

  “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 behind him.

  Akitsu lay down on the futon, pulling the blanket over himself. The room was dimly lit by a single candle flickering beside him.

  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 and yawned.

  “What time is it…?”

  He stood and slid open the door.

  At the same moment, the door opposite him opened.

  Kurogane Daichi stepped out.

  The two froze briefly.

  Daichi raised an eyebrow.

  “Boy. I didn’t expect you to wake up this early.”

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

  “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, gasping for air.

  “That… was intense… how 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 laughed incredulously.

  “Incredible. Your endurance is abnormal.”

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

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

  Before the training dummies, Daichi turned serious.

  “Strike me once. If you can that is "

  “What?! I can’t!”

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

  “No—!”

  Daichi suddenly punched near Akitsu’s head.

  Akitsu moved without thinking.

  He dodged—stepped in—and drove a sharp elbow 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.

  “I shouldn’t have hit you.”

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

  Akitsu looked at his hands.

  What… am I? Am I a monster?