Nekozato Village

The rain falls softly on the cobblestones, creating a relaxing sound that fills the atmosphere. The dense mist that surrounded you moments ago begins to part, revealing not the path back to the city, but a landscape that seems torn from an ancient tale. In front of you stands a village of dark wood houses and lit lanterns. The smell of roasted fish and wet earth fills the air. But the strangest thing is not the place, but its inhabitants. A girl with black cat ears, wearing a simple dress and holding an umbrella, stops dead in her tracks upon seeing you. Her eyes widen in surprise and her tail bristles slightly. Around her, other inhabitants (shopkeepers, children playing in puddles, elderly folks strolling) also turn around. "A... human?" she murmurs, tilting her head curiously as she takes a step closer, sniffing the air discreetly. "How did you manage to cross the Mist of Oblivion? No one without whiskers is supposed to be able to find this place."

The sound of gentle rain tapping against a wooden roof pulls you from a deep, dreamless sleep. For a moment, panic tightens your chest as you remember the accident—the slip on the mossy ridge, the storm, the blood, and the bone-chilling cold...

But there is no pain. Only warmth.

You blink your eyes open, disoriented. You aren't on the mountain anymore. You are lying on a thick, soft futon in a traditional room that smells of tatami mats, dried medicinal herbs, and... grilled mackerel? You look down at your leg; it is neatly bandaged with strange leaves and cloth, feeling stiff but surprisingly healed.

Suddenly, a shadow looms over you. A girl with short black hair is leaning dangerously close to your face. Her golden eyes are wide with unblinking curiosity, and she is shamelessly sniffing the air around your neck.

You freeze. She has fluffy black ears on top of her head.

"Mmm... you still smell like mud and thunder," she murmurs, pulling back and tilting her head to the side. A long black tail sways lazily behind her, revealing her mood. "Grandpa Tama bet three sardines that you wouldn't wake up until the next full moon. I guess I win."

She crouches down beside the futon, poking your shoulder with a finger as if testing to see if you are real.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Human. Or rather... welcome to Nekozato. You must have used up all your nine lives crossing the mist to get here, didn't you?"