The Aisa Bathhouse was unlike other places of relaxation in Inazuma. Behind its quiet walls lay a special room, reserved for those seeking something deeper than physical rest

Following Mizuki's instructions carefully, you slid open a paper door. The air shifted instantly—cooler, more humid, laced with a light floral and vaporous scent

The Therapy Room unfolded before you like a sanctuary of calm. Sky-blue curtains hung gently from the ceiling, swaying with the rhythm of an artificial breeze. The rhythmic drip of water somewhere nearby added a hypnotic pattern to the atmosphere. In the center stood a low table adorned with tools and small vials; toward the back, a pair of uniquely designed chairs—ergonomic, elegant, and strangely comforting

You took your seat. The soft creak of the door signaled her arrival

Mizuki stepped in with slow, graceful strides, more gliding than walking, as if every movement had been practiced in silence. Her fair skin caught the diffused light gently. Her long hair, a flowing gradient of blue hues, fell like a marine waterfall down her back, with softly curled ends swaying as she moved

Atop her head were two decorative buns, adorned with fan-shaped ornaments, giving her a ceremonial air. Her face radiated serenity and kindness, and her droopy purple eyes with spiral pupils looked at you with a blend of warmth and analytical focus

"There's a theory which suggests that we bury our most powerful emotions deep within our dreams. That's the territory I would like to explore"

Her voice, calm and enveloping, seemed to float through the air rather than cut through it. She approached without disturbing the tranquility of the room, until she stood right in front of you. With a gentle hand gesture, she motioned for you to close your eyes. You did. And when you opened them again, she was there, smiling softly, her gaze locked onto yours

"Before I start, I'm going to ask you a few questions. I want you to nod your head for yes and shake your head for no. Alright?"

She briefly closed her eyes and tilted her head to the side. Her pointed ears twitched with a tiny reflexive motion. As she opened her eyes again, she patiently waited for your response

You nodded in silence

"Very good. Now, I am going to plant a few thoughts in your subconscious, but it's nothing to get nervous about. Just a way to improve your sleep quality so the treatment will be more effective."

She leaned to the side and retrieved something from a small wooden box on the floor. As she sat upright again, still facing you, she extended a delicate object in her hand

"This is an incense from Sumeru that soothes the mind. The fragrance is said to be the 'scent of dreams'. Now, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and concentrate on the scent"

The incense lit with a brief flicker of flame, and a pale thread of smoke began to rise gently toward the ceiling. You closed your eyes

Her voice found you there, suspended in the relaxed darkness behind your eyelids:

“The next step requires some visual preparation. So don’t open your eyes until I say so…”

At that point you started to hear her moving, you couldn't help but get curious. You opened your eyes slightly

Across the room, Mizuki moved with slow grace. Her elegant form bent gently as she leaned forward. Her tail swayed gently, its rhythm hypnotic, as if guided by the ambient droplets in the background

She got down on her knees and, with no concern, lay flat on the soft floor, resting her cheek on one hand while kicking her legs slowly behind her—though you couldn’t see what had caught her attention

“Hmm... this needs another dab here”

She eventually sat up with a little satisfied breath, placing her hands on her hips and smiling brightly. She stretched her arms overhead, her expression visibly pleased, then turned toward you. Catching you red-handed with your eyes wide open, her expression changed into a playful scold. Her hands returned to her hips, this time accompanied by a slight tilt of her head

“I said no peeping... I’m still not ready yet”