The village slowly emptied after the gathering.
People returned to their homes, their conversations quieter than usual. The elders' words still lingered in the air like a heavy fog.
Haru walked alone along the narrow path behind the Great Hall.
Through his Shin no Me, the village felt restless. The emotions around him twisted in uneasy waves—fear from the older villagers, irritation from the younger ones, and a silent bitterness buried deep inside many hearts.
The rule had been spoken again.
No love between clans.
For most people, it was normal.
For Haru, it was simply… confusing.
Why fear an emotion so much?
He reached the small bridge that crossed the village stream. Clear mountain water rushed beneath the wooden planks, reflecting the afternoon sunlight.
"Haru!"
He turned.
Aiko stood a few steps away, slightly out of breath.
Her golden hair swayed gently in the wind as she jogged closer.
"I've been looking for you," she said with a cheerful grin.
Haru blinked. "Why?"
"I wanted to ask you something."
She stepped onto the bridge beside him, leaning over the railing to watch the flowing water.
"You can really see emotions, right?"
"Yes."
"With those eyes of yours?"
He nodded.
Aiko turned toward him, suddenly curious.
"Then tell me… what does my clan's emotion look like?"
Haru studied her carefully.
The Hoshino clan was known for their connection to joy, the rare power that could heal wounds and ease pain.
Through his Shin no Me, her emotions shimmered softly.
Warm.
Bright.
Like sunlight spreading through water.
"Joy," he said quietly.
Aiko's eyes widened.
"You really can see it!"
She laughed softly, clearly fascinated.
Then she leaned closer, lowering her voice.
"Can you see other things too?"
"Yes."
"Like anger?"
"Yes."
"Fear?"
"Yes."
Aiko hesitated for a moment.
Then she asked the question Haru had been expecting.
"What about love?"
His vision blurred instantly.
Just hearing the word caused the strange fog to fill his mind again.
"I… can't see it," he admitted.
Aiko tilted her head.
"That's strange."
"I know."
She stared at him thoughtfully for a moment.
Then she smiled again, though this time it was softer.
"Maybe that means you just haven't felt it yet."
Haru frowned slightly.
"Felt it?"
Aiko nodded confidently.
"My grandmother always says love is the one emotion that can't be understood by thinking."
She tapped his forehead gently.
"You can't solve it with your mind."
Then she lightly placed her hand over her chest.
"You have to feel it here."
Haru looked at her hand.
His Shin no Me searched for meaning, for patterns, for emotional signals.
But the same strange blur blocked his vision again.
Aiko suddenly straightened.
"Oh! I almost forgot."
She pointed toward the forest path leading away from the village.
"Some of us are gathering tonight to train near the shrine."
"The old shrine?" Haru asked.
She nodded.
"It's peaceful there."
Then she smiled mischievously.
"You should come too."
"Why?"
"Because," she said, stepping backward along the bridge, "maybe your mysterious emotion will show up."
Before he could respond, she turned and ran down the path, waving.
"See you tonight, Haru!"
Haru remained on the bridge.
The sound of the rushing water filled the silence around him.
He looked toward the forest where the shrine stood.
Deep within the mountains.
A place many villagers avoided after sunset.
For reasons no one liked to explain.
And for the first time that day…
Haru felt something strange stirring in his chest again.
An emotion he couldn't see.
An emotion he couldn't understand.
But one that somehow…
Led him toward the shrine.