Morizuki: "What is this place…?"
Morizuki looked around in confusion, then slowly turned back. Behind him stood a wall formed of dense bushes and tangled leaves. At its center was a single opening—
a labyrinth.
Morizuki: "What? A maze? Oh come on~ Did Master Yōtsuki trick me? Haaah… great. Now I have to find my way out."
He scanned his surroundings. There was nothing but the labyrinth stretching endlessly ahead. No sky, no horizon—only twisting paths of green.
With a sigh, he stepped forward.
Morizuki: "Of all places to end up… why here…"
He wandered through the maze for what felt like an eternity. Turn after turn, corridor after corridor. Eventually, he reached an open clearing where four doors stood side by side.
Morizuki: "Doors… probably leading somewhere. Hmmm…"
As he pondered, something caught his eye. Near his feet was a small pond. Resting calmly atop a lily pad sat a frog.
Morizuki: "What are you doing here?! …Wait. Do these doors have something to do with you?"
Frog: "Ribbit."
Morizuki: "Ahhh... Of course you can't talk. What am I supposed to do…"
The frog suddenly leapt from the lily pad, hopping out of the pond and vanishing into the flowers nearby. Morizuki carefully walked around the pond, taking care not to step on a single blossom. From the garden, the frog silently watched him.
Reaching the doors unscathed, Morizuki let out a breath.
Morizuki: "Guess I have no choice… Alright. The one on the left."
He reached for the handle.
Frog: "Ribbit!"
Morizuki jolted.
Morizuki: ""Ah—! It's just you. You scared me…"
He reaches again.
??: "If I were you, I wouldn't go through that one."
Morizuki: "GYAAH! Who are you?! I thought I was alone!"
??: "You don't like being alone."
The frog hopped out from between the flowers and returned to the lily pad, staring straight at him.
Frog: "The left door, Morizuki. If you don't choose the left one, I won't be responsible for what happens."
Morizuki: "Huh?! You can talk?! What kind of frog are you?!"
Frog: "I am your soul, Morizuki."
Morizuki: "My soul? I'm not a frog!"
Frog: "Ahh… your personality is so complicated that I turned into one."
Morizuki: "What?! A frog?! AAAHHH! Am I going to turn into one too?!"
Frog: "No. Calm down. We're inside your mind—or something close to it. Because this is your mind, my form changes depending on your personality."
Morizuki: ""Alright… I don't fully get it, but fine. If you're my soul, then let me get out."
Frog: "No."
Morizuki: "Why not?"
Frog: "Because you must finish the labyrinth."
Morizuki: "Can't I just… not finish it?"
Frog: "No."
Morizuki: "...I see"
Morizuki slowly tried to sneak toward the frog.
Frog: "What are you doing? I can see you."
Morizuki: "Nothing… I was just walking back."
Frog: "I know you won't give up that easily. Don't even try. You can't catch me."
In an instant, the frog leapt away at incredible speed. Morizuki chased after it, but the distance only grew.
Morizuki: "If you'd just let me catch you, this would be so easy… Left door, huh? Then what's behind the others?"
The frog suddenly appeared behind him.
Frog: "This world is not a dream, Morizuki.
If you die here—your body will follow.""
Morizuki: "You came back— Wait, WHAT?! Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"
Frog: "Didn't feel like it. I'm leaving."
Morizuki: "Do whatever you want…"
He stared at the doors, thinking deeply.
Morizuki: ""Should I trust the frog…? It says it's my soul. If I'm wrong, I die. But if I don't choose… I'm stuck. …Alright. I'll believe you."
His hands trembled as he slowly opened the left door.
Beyond it—
more of the maze.
Morizuki exhaled in relief and continued forward, walking deeper and deeper. Countless turns. Endless doors. Until, at the very end, he reached a single door.
From beyond it, a soft voice hummed.
Girl: "Hm hm hm… la la la…"
Morizuki hesitated. A trap—or the end. Swallowing his fear, he reached out and turned the handle.
Girl: "La l— Oh? Ah… so you finally arrived."
A beautiful young girl with green hair and bright emerald eyes sat atop a smooth gray stone. Flowers bloomed around her, the air warm and peaceful.
Morizuki: "Hey! Who are you?! First a frog, and now you?!"
Girl: "No, Morizuki. You misunderstand. The frog is one. And I am also one."
Morizuki: "…Meaning… you're the frog?!"
Morizuki'sSoul: "Exactly."
Morizuki: "Then why are you a girl now?! You were a frog a second ago!"
Morizuki'sSoul: "I told you. Your personality is complicated."
Morizuki: "But I'm not a girl!"
Morizuki'sSoul: "That doesn't mean I can't be. In this place, almost anything is possible."
Morizuki: "Fine. I've been here long enough. I need power. I need to protect my village. Come on—let me get out of here."
Morizuki'sSoul: "Why rush? You don't visit every day. How about some tea first?"
Morizuki: "Ahh… Fine, but not for long."
She poured tea into two cups. Morizuki sat beside her and took his.
Morizuki'sSoul: "Do you really think this power will be enough? A dragon appeared once, didn't it?"
Morizuki: "Enough…? I don't know. Master Yōtsuki cut it down in one strike. It didn't feel invincible—but it was still a dragon. I don't know if I'll ever reach that level. But I want to."
Morizuki'sSoul: "Your will has always been strong. I'll support you. But growing stronger is your responsibility."
Morizuki: "Once I surpass Hyōgetsu and Engetsu, I'll form my own team. I'll earn tons of money for my family."
Morizuki'sSoul: "Surpass them? Instead of that, you could grow stronger together. Friends are better than walking alone."
Morizuki: "Friends, huh…"
Hyōgetsu crunching crackers flashed through his mind.
Morizuki: "Nahahaha! If I'm combining powers with anyone, it has to be those idiots!"
Morizuki'sSoul: "And after that? Power, money, protection… what then?"
Morizuki: "Then I'll find someone right for me and live peacefully. Cliché, right? But true love is the source of happiness."
Morizuki'sSoul: "True love? You still don't even understand yourself, Morizuki."
Morizuki: "Hey! Don't tease me!"
He lunged forward, grabbing her hands and gently pushing her onto her back.
Morizuki'sSoul: "So you finally touched me…"
Morizuki: "Why?"
Morizuki's Soul: "When you touch your soul here, you will go back."
Morizuki: "What? Why didn't you told me before?"
Morizuki's Soul: "Uh... I forget."
Morizuki: "Nahaha! Of course. Before I go, can I learn your name?"
Morizuki'sSoul: "I don't have a name like you."
Morizuki: "Oh, then I will give you a name. From now on, your name is Kaeha."
Kaeha: "I like it."
Morizuki: "Then, nice to meet you Kaeha."
Kaeha: "Tell me… will you visit me again?"
The world began to dissolve. Flowers scattered. Trees faded. A final breeze passed through.
Morizuki: "Visit you? Of course! I'd never say no to another cup of tea."
A sincere smile.
The world vanished.
Morizuki opened his eyes.
Nearby, Hyōgetsu was already awake—quietly practicing with his new katana.