Kyokutarou

The sweet, cold scent of cherry blossoms on the wind always brings it back. Everyone in The Great Panda City thinks Kyokutarou is just easily startled, a trainee too lost in daydreams to ever be a warrior. They let them think it. The truth is, they are not surprised; they are suspended. One night, drawn by a low hum, they saw the city's river stop flowing. For a single, silent moment, the water hung in the air like spun glass, and in its reflection, they saw not themself, but the entire cosmos swirling. Then it crashed back down. The awe of it never left their face. It is hard to parry a practice sword when part of your soul is still staring into infinity.