Life's Unraveled Threads?

Akira & Matsu

The girl retrieves a bearskin containing water and offers it to Akira, who hesitates. "You seem confused

and afraid. Don't worry, I won't bite. Drink some water and then tell me who you are," the girl encourages.

Reluctantly, Akira takes a sip and then spits it out in frustration. "It's so salty!" she exclaims.

The girl chuckles and explains, "Don't you know that seawater is salty? And what kind of clothes are you

wearing, huh?"

Akira: "What is your name?"

Girl: "My name is Matsudaira Emiko Satsuki Aika Natsumi Sakura."

Akira: "What? Huh?"

Girl: "Uh, you can call me Matsu. So, what's your name?"

Akira: "My name is Akira."

Matsu: "Where have you come from, Akira? Your clothes look pretty expensive. Which clan are you from?"

Akira: "I'm from Tokugawa."

Matsu: "Wait, what? Tokugawa? I've never seen you before, my lord."

Akira: "Wait, don't call me that."

Matsu: "Why are you lying that you're from Tokugawa? A few days ago, King Tokugawa Haruki Ren's

daughter got lost in the forests. Are you Yuri? Yes, actually, the search parties tried to find her, but they

couldn't. I don't remember her face correctly. Don't tell me your real name is Yuri, not Akira. That's a clever

way to hide your identity. Tomorrow, I'll go to the king and show that I've found Yuri. People claimed she

was dead, but you're alive, Yuri. The king will give me money for finding you."

Akira sobs, "I don't know what you're saying. My brother is Haruka, and where's my mom? Don't tell me

that—"

Matsu interrupts, "It's 3rd January, 1602 according to the lunar calendar. What's the matter, Yuri?"

Akira insists, "I'm not Yuri, I'm Akira! Isn't it 1990, January 3rd?"

Matsu sighs, "I think you've been struck with something in the forest, so you've forgotten the date and your

name. Leave it, Yuri. Tomorrow, we'll go to the king. Don't worry, everything will be alright." Matsu puts

her hand on Akira's shoulder and lies down to sleep.

Akira continues to sob and cry. "I know she's lying." She itches to confirm that it's not a dream. "No, no,

don't tell me I've traveled through time, or—no, no," Akira lies down, her mind consumed with thoughts,

until she finally drifts off to sleep.

Akira awakens with a start, the fear of her dream still lingering as she finds herself surrounded by endless

forests. The sunlight blinds her as she shields her eyes with her hand, and she hears Matsu's voice nearby.

"Hey, you've finally woken up, but it's too late. Look, I've hunted a rabbit," Matsu announces proudly.

Akira's gaze falls upon the bleeding rabbit with an arrow in it, feeling a pang of pity for the creature.

"Today, I'll show you how to cook," Matsu declares as she gathers wood and sets up a fire. Using a knife,

she skillfully takes the skin of the rabbit and hangs it over the fire.