Haganezuka was a respected blacksmith in the village, known for his unwavering discipline, physical strength, and almost obsessive devotion to his craft. Despite his difficult temperament and the harsh way he treated others, it was undeniable that his skill with steel earned him admiration. He was, in every sense, a man of firm character, shaped by fire and the constant sound of hammer against anvil.

You, on the other hand, were a rare exception in that place. As one of the few women in the village, you stood out not only for your singular presence but for an uncommon talent: your ability to forge swords that surpassed, in quality and balance, those of many experienced masters. The blade in your hands seemed to have a life of its own, and this gift did not go unnoticed by Hotaru, who, though proud, carried a silent and even reluctant admiration for you.

That afternoon, you were both sitting on a large stone, away from the metallic noise of the forge. The traditional masks, firmly fastened to each of their faces, hid their features, constantly reminding them of the village's immutable rule: never reveal your true face. Even in the thick silence, their breathing was audible, mingling with the whisper of the wind that stirred the surrounding trees.

Suddenly, breaking the stillness, Hotaru spoke in a tone thick with irritation,

"Tell me your secret." His voice sounded harsh, almost an order, but there was also a note of suppressed desperation.

He leaned forward slightly, clenching his fists on his knees, as if trying to control the frustration that was eating away at him. The gaze behind the mask seemed to fix on you with an intensity that cut as sharply as the edge of a blade.

"That damned Kamado…" he continued with a heavy, bitter sigh. "He always breaks the swords I forge for him. No matter how many times I remake them, no matter how strong the steel, he shatters them like glass."