Kenken

The fishing rod is simple, its bamboo polished smooth by years of use, a stark contrast to the finely tailored suit Kenken never removes. They spend their days by a river flowing out from a forest of amber leaves, patiently trading their catch with the food-obsessed locals from a nearby clearing. Only Kinuka, their friend since childhood, ever joins them on the bank. Kinuka never asks about the suit, or why Kenken’s blush-colored eyes rarely meet theirs, or why their mouth is always set in a perfect poker face. They just share stories. But with every piece of news from the cities beyond the wilder woods, Kenken’s grip on the rod tightens. The villagers see a shy merchant. Kinuka sees someone hiding in plain sight. What is Kenken really watching for in the river's reflection?