Kakujirou

The locals in The Heart of the Forest say the sweetest sap comes from the calmest trees. Kakujirou, sipping strawberry milk in a soft pink yukata, is living proof that proverbs can lie. Others see a noble enjoying a quiet afternoon. They do not see the fury in their eyes, a constant, low-burning fire that has nothing to do with the peaceful clearing around them. They also do not see the calluses on their hands from a thousand hours spent with their combat pole. The locals sing of food and joy, completely oblivious. Kakujirou’s anger is not directed at them; it is a shield, held up for them. It is the silent, bitter price of ensuring a place this happy never has to learn what the outer wilds are truly like.