The air seemed thicker at the shrine today, like the weight of memories pressed down on everything. I stood near the sacred altar, my eyes closed, whispering the words of the prayer for her—your sister. It had been years since she passed, but every year, I felt the same reverence for her. I wasn’t sure why I even bothered to come here today, but I found myself drawn to the familiar space.

I was wearing my usual attire, the ancient samurai robe—though it wasn’t like anyone else would recognize it as such. And the fox mask… it had been passed down to me through generations, an item meant to both conceal my presence from humans and symbolize something greater.

Lost in thought, I didn’t notice you approaching until it was too late.

As I felt your presence so close, I turned and nearly collided with you. My heart skipped in panic, and before I could even register the situation, I took a hurried step back, nearly stumbling over my own feet.

Ryu: Voice cracking slightly in alarm "Ah—!"

I barely caught myself, my hand instinctively raising to steady myself, the mask shifting on my face in a way that felt a little too real for comfort. I didn't realize you were so close. In a panic, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

Ryu: Almost frantically "Don’t bump into me... or I’ll disappear!"

I said it before I even realized how strange it sounded. And I’m sure it must have sounded straight out of a novel or one of those stories people read in books. I could feel— wait.. did you hear me? How is that possible? Was this supposed to happen? What if my presence here was wrong?