The training ground of Kokoro no Sato echoed with the sounds of wooden swords clashing and stones cracking under sudden bursts of power.
Dozens of teenagers stood in a wide circle beneath the tall cedar trees surrounding the dojo. At the center stood Master Renji, the village instructor, his sharp eyes watching every movement.
"Again!" he commanded.
Two boys rushed forward. One clenched his teeth, anger boiling inside him. Haru could see it clearly—the emotion burning red like wildfire around the boy's body.
With a shout, the boy swung his sword.
CRACK!
The ground beneath his feet split slightly from the force.
The other boy stumbled back, fear flooding his expression. Instantly the air around him shimmered.
An illusion formed.
For a moment the battlefield doubled, creating two versions of the frightened boy.
Haru watched silently from the edge of the field.
Anger… destruction.
Fear… illusions.
Just like always.
Master Renji turned toward the class. "Emotions are the source of our strength. Control them, and you control your power."
Some students nodded confidently.
Others struggled.
Haru simply observed.
Through his Shin no Me, emotions filled the training ground like colored smoke—rage, excitement, nervousness, pride. Every feeling twisted through the air in visible currents only he could see.
Except one.
Love.
It was never there.
"Takeda."
Haru blinked.
Master Renji stood before him now.
"Your turn."
The other students whispered immediately.
"That weird ability again…"
"He just stares at people."
"I heard his eyes can read your thoughts."
Haru stepped into the center of the training field.
His opponent was Daichi from the Kuro clan, a tall boy known for his explosive temper.
Perfect.
Anger radiated from Daichi like a burning furnace.
"Try not to cry when I break your sword," Daichi sneered.
Haru said nothing.
"Begin!" Master Renji shouted.
Daichi charged first.
His anger surged violently, and Haru could see every movement before it happened. The emotion revealed his intentions clearly—left swing, downward strike, shoulder rush.
Haru stepped aside calmly.
The sword missed.
Daichi attacked again, faster now, rage growing.
Haru dodged.
And again.
And again.
Murmurs spread through the students.
"He hasn't even attacked."
"He's just reading him…"
Daichi roared in frustration.
"STOP DODGING!"
His anger exploded.
The ground cracked beneath his feet as he swung with full strength.
Haru lifted his wooden sword and tapped Daichi's wrist lightly.
CLACK.
The weapon fell from Daichi's hand.
Silence filled the training ground.
Master Renji nodded slowly.
"The match is over."
Daichi glared, humiliated.
Haru turned away without celebrating.
Winning felt empty.
Emotions surrounded him every day, yet he remained detached from them, like someone watching life through a window.
"Hey!"
A familiar voice called.
The girl from the village square approached, smiling brightly.
Aiko.
"You're amazing, Haru!" she said. "You didn't even try to hurt him."
Her joy glowed warmly through his Shin no Me, soft and comforting like sunlight.
But when he searched deeper…
Nothing.
Still no sign of love.
"Why do you look at people like that?" she asked curiously.
Haru hesitated.
"Because I can see their emotions."
Aiko tilted her head, surprised.
"Really?"
"Yes."
She leaned closer, studying his eyes.
"Then tell me… what am I feeling right now?"
Haru looked carefully.
Her emotions were calm, cheerful, curious.
But beyond that… there was something strange.
Something faint.
Something his eyes could not understand.
His vision blurred again, just like always when he searched for love.
"I don't know," he admitted quietly.
Aiko laughed.
"Well, when you figure it out, tell me."
She turned and skipped toward the herb garden near the dojo.
Haru watched her leave, confused.
For the first time in years, his Shin no Me had failed him again.
And deep inside his mind, a quiet thought formed.
Maybe…
The emotion he couldn't see…
Was the most powerful one in the village.