Yone Karasuda

86 years old | The mysterious old woman living on the outskirts

An old woman living all alone in a thatched-roof house surrounded by dense forest on the edge of Kureishi Village.

A thin body with a bent back. Disheveled white hair. Deeply sunken eye sockets. And a leering smile on her toothless mouth.

She looks exactly like a mountain hag from a folk tale.

Strange sounds can be heard from her house day and night.

—Shari... shari...

The sound of a knife being sharpened.

Various blades of all sizes are lined up in the dim earthen floor entryway, and chunks of meat hang from the ceiling beams.

A black pot boils away on a large hearth today as well.

She knows the mountain terrain perfectly and is well-versed in medicinal and poisonous herbs. She knows the old legends passed down in the village and is said to hum strange ball-bouncing songs late at night.

When an outsider visits, the old woman always stares intently at their face.

Where did they come from?

Are they alone?

Are they hungry?

She asks as if confirming something, then opens her toothless mouth wide and laughs.

"Hehehe... welcome. It's already late. I won't let you go home tonight. ...I've got plenty of things I want to feed you."

Gengaku Mido

79 years old | The Elder of Kureishi Village

The elder who protects the ancient shrine of Kureishi Village and commands immense respect from the villagers.

A bald head, a magnificent white beard reaching his chest, and eyes as sharp as a hawk's. He is dressed in deep purple Japanese attire and carries a gnarled wooden staff.

Even in his old age, his intimidating presence shows no sign of fading.

It is said the village has many rules handed down from ancient times.

Those who enter the mountains, those who stay in the village, those who visit the shrine. No one is allowed to ignore these rules.

If he learns an outsider has set foot in the village, Gengaku will surely ask their name and record it in an old ledger.

Few know exactly what that ledger is for.

He plays a central role in village festivals and sometimes restrains those who try to approach the sacred tree with a stern voice.

He is usually taciturn and rarely changes his expression.

However, if a dispute arises among villagers, everyone is said to seek Gengaku's judgment.

The man who has lived the longest and knows the most in this village.

What exactly is hidden behind that sharp gaze?

"...Outsider. State your name. Now that you have set foot in this village, there are rules you must follow."

Sayo

9 years old | The older twin

A girl clutching an old handball under the sacred tree of Kureishi Village.

A black kimono with a white floral pattern. A purple wisteria ornament in her bobbed hair. A nine-year-old girl with striking, transparent purple eyes.

Sayo, the older twin, rarely smiles.

She is always expressionless, and it's impossible to tell what she's thinking. When she finds an outsider, she stares at their face without blinking.

She knows the village's old ball-bouncing songs and can sometimes be found singing them bit by bit in empty alleys or by the well.

Occasionally, she whispers something to her younger sister, Chiyo.

Then, the two look at each other and giggle.

Even if asked what's funny, Sayo doesn't answer.

She simply leaves while bouncing her ball, leaving behind suggestive words.

"...It's coming soon. ...Fufu, you don't know yet, do you?"

Chiyo

9 years old | The younger twin

A girl in a white kimono spotted in various places around Kureishi Village.

A white kimono with a blue floral pattern. A white flower ornament in her bobbed hair. She has amber eyes and features identical to her sister, Sayo.

In contrast to her sister, she always wears a soft smile.

However, what that smile means is unknown.

When Sayo mutters something, Chiyo speaks the rest. It's as if the two were speaking a single sentence from the start.

In the village streets at dead of night, their ball-bouncing song can sometimes be heard.

One, two, three...

Chiyo sometimes points to an empty space and counts people.

If asked what she sees, she only exchanges glances with her sister and giggles.

There is little room for an outsider to enter their conversation.

"...Hey, big sister. That person hasn't noticed yet. ...Hehehe."

Teppei Kuroiwa

48 years old | Logger / Hunting Association Member

A taciturn giant of a man who works in the deep forests surrounding Kureishi Village.

A massive frame nearly 190cm tall. Deep-set features with a sharp gaze that seems to pierce through prey. Short graying hair and stubble. His dark green work clothes are caked with mud and wood chips.

In his hand is a well-used, large chainsaw.

In the foggy mountains, the sound of an engine sometimes echoes out of nowhere.

—Vroom...

The sound stops.

When you look back, Teppei is standing there.

How long has he been there? What was he doing?

Even if you ask, an answer isn't guaranteed.

While running a logging business, he also belongs to the hunting association and knows every animal trail and trap location in the mountains.

In his work shed on the edge of the village, blades and saws of all sizes and animal butchering tools are lined up.

He is a man whose thoughts are unreadable, but strangely, the villagers do not fear him.

When he finds an outsider on a mountain path, he stares at their face and mutters in a low voice.

"...Found you."

"...Don't move."

"...You can't go back now."

There is no explanation for any of his words.

And when you try to ask why, Teppei always turns his gaze deep into the mountains.

As if something were there.

"...You, just now... what sound were you listening to?"

Shino Amamiya

36 years old | Landlady of the "Tsukigakure" Inn

The beautiful landlady who runs the only inn in Kureishi Village, "Tsukigakure."

Her glossy black hair is swept up, and she elegantly wears a deep purple kimono adorned with flowers. Her almond-shaped eyes, the beauty mark at the corner of her eye, and the stray hairs at her nape exude a mysterious sensuality.

Her manner is soft and her speech is refined. Her care for guests is meticulous, and she never lets her gentle smile fade.

However, there is something suggestive in that smile.

Well-versed in village affairs and familiar with city life, she would be a reassuring guide for an outsider.

However, no matter what you ask, she may not tell you everything.

"Fufu... please don't look so scared. The people in this village are all very kind. ...Really."