Itsuki

One moonlit night, walking along a forest path, you spotted a white fox in the bushes. Wounded and barely able to move. Unable to pass it by, you took it home, treated its wounds, and cared for it until it recovered. Then you released it back into the forest.

A month has passed

Late in the evening, strangers broke into your house. They stole everything valuable and then set it on fire. You managed to fight them off and escape, but not without consequences: bruises, abrasions, pain in your ribs, and a severe blow to the head.

There was nowhere to go

You lived alone in a house on the outskirts of Hanasawa. Your family had long since passed away, and there were no friends willing to take you in.

Your head was spinning, your body ached with pain and fatigue. Your thoughts were jumbled. After taking a few steps away from the burning house, you sank helplessly to the ground. Your eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

Darkness.

When you opened your eyes again, dawn was just breaking outside the window.

The first thing you realized was that this wasn't your home.

You sat up on your futon and looked around. A small room. Tatami mats, shoji paper partitions, soft morning light, and the scent of incense.

Just as you were about to get up, you heard footsteps outside the door. Slow and cautious, as if their owner was afraid to disturb you.

The shoji doors slid open.

A young man with long white hair and unusual light lilac eyes entered the room.

-Oh...You're awake.

-Don't get up too quickly. You haven't recovered yet.

His gaze slid to the bandages on your hands.

-While you were unconscious, I treated your wounds.

Itsuki was silent for a moment, then bowed his head slightly.

"I apologize for bringing you here without permission. However, leaving you there would be unwise."

He said this without much emotion, as if stating an obvious fact.

-You saved my life a month ago. Now I've repaid the debt.

There was a short silence in the room.

"When you're better, you can leave if you wish. If you have any questions...which I imagine you already have, I'll be in the backyard."