Morizuki: "What is this place…?"
Morizuki looks around in confusion, then turns back. Behind him stands a wall made of bushes and leaves, with a single opening—
a labyrinth.
Morizuki: "What? A maze? Oh come on~ Did Master Yōtsuki trick me? Haaahh… Great. Now I have to find my way out."
He glances around. There is nothing except the labyrinth. The only option is to enter. He steps forward and begins walking.
Morizuki: "Of all places to fall into, why here…"
He wanders through the maze for a long time. After turning a corner, he notices four doors ahead.
Morizuki: "Doors… probably leading somewhere. Hmmm…"
He looks down. In a small pond rests a frog on a lily pad.
Morizuki: "What are you doing here?! I wonder… do these doors have something to do with you?"
Frog: "Ribbit."
Morizuki: "You can't talk. Ahhh… What am I supposed to do…"
The frog leaps off the lily pad, hops out of the pond, and disappears into the flowers. Morizuki carefully walks around the pond, making sure not to step on any flowers. The frog watches him from the garden. Reaching the doors without harming a single blossom, he sighs.
Morizuki: "I guess I have to choose one… Alright, the one on the left."
He reaches for the handle.
Frog: "Ribbit!"
Morizuki jumps in fear.
Morizuki: "Ah— it's just the frog. You scared me…"
He reaches again.
??: "If I were you, I wouldn't go through that one."
Morizuki: "Gyaaah! Who are you?! I thought I was alone!"
??: "You don't like being alone."
The frog hops out from between the flowers and returns to the lily pad, staring 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… Morizuki, 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. Look, we're inside your mind—well, sort of. Because we're in your 'mind,' my form changes depending on your personality."
Morizuki: "Alright… I don't fully get it, but sure. If you're my soul, then let me touch you so I can get out."
Frog: "No."
Morizuki: "Why not?"
Frog: "Because you must finish the labyrinth."
Morizuki: "Can't I not finish it?"
Frog: "No."
Morizuki: "I see…"
Morizuki tries to sneak up on 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."
The frog hops away at high speed, leaving the room. Morizuki chases it but can't catch up.
Morizuki: "If you'd just let me catch you, this would be so easy… Left door, huh? What's behind the others?"
The frog suddenly reappears behind him.
Frog: "If you die in this world, you die in the real one too, Morizuki."
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 thinks deeply, examining the doors.
Morizuki: "Should I trust the frog…? It says it's my soul. But if I'm wrong, I could die. Should I believe it? …I guess I will."
With trembling hands, Morizuki slowly opens the left door. Behind it lies more of the maze. He sighs in relief, then walks deeper and deeper inside.
He passes through confusing turns, countless doors, until he finally reaches a single door at the very end. From beyond it, he hears a girl humming.
Girl: "Hm hm hm… La la la…"
Curious, Morizuki hesitates. It could be a trap—or the end of the maze. Even terrified, he gathers his courage and approaches. He reaches out and turns the handle slowly.
Girl: "La l— Huh? Ah… so you finally arrived."
A beautiful young girl with green hair and bright green eyes sits atop a smooth gray stone, smiling warmly. Flowers and lush greenery surround her.
Morizuki: "Hey! Who are you? What are you doing here? First the frog, and now you?"
Girl: "No, Morizuki, you're mistaken. The frog is one, and I am also one."
Morizuki: "…Meaning… you're the frog?!"
Morizuki'sSoul: "Right on point."
Morizuki: "But why are you a girl now?! You were a frog a moment ago!"
Morizuki'sSoul: "I told you—your personality is complicated."
Morizuki: "Okay, 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 have things to do. I need power. I need to protect my village. Come on—let me touch you."
Morizuki'sSoul: "Why rush? It's not like you visit every day. How about some tea first?"
Morizuki: "Ahh… Fine, but I can't stay long."
His soul pours tea into two cups. Morizuki sits beside her and takes his.
Morizuki'sSoul: "Morizuki dear, do you really think this power will be enough to protect your village? A dragon appeared, didn't it?"
Morizuki: "Will it be enough…? I don't know. Master Yōtsuki cut that dragon down with a single strike. It didn't seem incredibly strong, but it was still a dragon. I don't know if I'll ever reach that kind of power. But I want to."
Morizuki'sSoul: "I'm always with you. Your willpower has always been strong. I'll support you. But growing that power is up to you."
Morizuki: "Once I get strong enough, once I surpass Hyōgetsu and Engetsu, I'll form my own team. Then I'll earn tons of money for my family."
Morizuki'sSoul: "Surpass Hyōgetsu and Engetsu? Oh Morizuki… Instead of surpassing them, you could all become stronger together. Friends are better than going alone."
Morizuki: "Friends, huh…"
(Hyōgetsu crunching his crackers flashes through Morizuki's mind.)
Morizuki: "Nahahaha! If I'm going to have friends and combine powers, it has to be them!"
Morizuki'sSoul: "And after you get stronger, protect your family, earn money… what then?"
Morizuki: "Then? I just want to find someone right for me and live peacefully. Sounds like a cliché dream, right? But to me, it's important. True love is the source of happiness."
Morizuki'sSoul: "You and true love? Nahahaha! Don't make me laugh! Who would even fall for you?"
Morizuki: "What are you teasing me for?! Get over here!"
Morizuki lunges and grabs her hands, pushing her gently onto her back.
Morizuki'sSoul: "So you finally touched me…"
Morizuki: "That's right!"
Morizuki'sSoul: "Tell me… will you visit me again?"
The place begins to dissolve. Flowers scatter, the trees fade, and a final peaceful breeze drifts through.
Morizuki: "Visit you? Of course! I wouldn't say no to another cup of tea."
A sincere smile. The world disappears, and Morizuki awakens. Hyōgetsu is nearby, practicing with a new katana.