The masked man was in fact, Kenji.
Kenji is Musashi and Aiko's old friend who was believed to have died long ago. Kenji's face was scarred, his gaze cold, vastly different from what Musashi remembered.
Seeing Musashi's shocked expression, Kenji grounded him with a low voice, "You don't truly know this world, Musashi. Aiko's life was part of these shadows. I'm merely following the path she left behind."
Musashi: "Kenji… what happened to you? Why are you here, in a place as dark as this?"
Kenji: "Sometimes, when we choose a path, we find ourselves lost in darkness, realizing it's the only way to survive. Aiko understood that… more than anyone else."
Musashi looked shaken by Kenji's words. Kenji offered Musashi an old envelope, that appeared to contain clues to the journey he had long sought. Musashi took the envelope cautiously, his gaze full of doubt.
Kenji: "Inside that envelope, you'll find the place where it all began. But be careful, Musashi… there may be a price for the truth you seek."
Musashi: "Why are you doing this, Kenji? You once said we'd always be together."
Kenji: "There's no 'together' in this world, Musashi. We're just shadows, each fighting alone."
Kenji walked away, leaving Musashi alone with the envelope in his hand. Musashi opened the envelope and found a folded piece of paper inside. He unfolded it, revealing ink markings that formed a map leading to a mysterious location in the city.
As he pulled out the folded paper, another slip fell from the envelope and landed on the ground. Musashi picked it up.
It was a worn photograph of Aiko.
Gently, he touched the old photo, as if soothing an old wound. Then he placed it against his chest, holding it tightly, as if embracing an empty figure he called by name in his heart, hoping it could revive the moments they had shared.
To Musashi, it was as if this was Aiko's final trace. "This world is indeed full of shadows… but I will keep walking until I find that light. Aiko… I will search for the answers. Even if it means fighting to the very end."
Musashi left the warehouse and headed to an old park in the city center, a place he and Aiko often spent time together. The night felt silent, with only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees. As Musashi walked, memories of the past seemed to surround him, as if inviting him back to the time when it all began.
#Flashback:
Musashi and Aiko sat on the same park bench years ago. The atmosphere was bright, filled with laughter. Aiko looked happy, her eyes shining as she looked at Musashi.
Aiko smiling: "You know, Musashi… sometimes life takes us to places we never expected. But that's what makes it precious."
Musashi smiling back at Aiko: "If we're together, I don't care where this path takes us, Aiko…."
#Back to the present
Musashi stood in the same park, now shrouded in the shadows of night. His eyes focused on a single point—the old bench where he and Aiko once sat. Now it looked worn, as if no one had cared for it in years. Musashi felt Aiko's presence around him, even if only in memory.
Musashi: "Aiko… I know this might be crazy. But if there's even a glimmer of hope, I'll keep searching for you, even if it means facing every shadow in this world."
Musashi bowed his head briefly, taking a deep breath before walking away, carrying with him the memories and the new clues he'd found.
As he left the park, he saw something glimmering on the ground under the moonlight. He crouched down and picked it up.
It was a necklace with a small pendant he recognized as Aiko's. Musashi clenched the necklace tightly, feeling a strange warmth flowing within him. "I will find you… I promise, Aiko," he whispered to himself.
He put the necklace in his jacket pocket, a new resolve burning in his eyes. Musashi knew this was a real clue, something that would bring him closer to the path of truth, to the place where he would find all the answers he sought.
With determined yet emotional steps, Musashi walked away from the park.
Under the night's shadows, he looked like a figure pursued by ghosts of the past, but steadfast in his mission. The city lights flickered in the distance as if challenging him to face what still lay hidden.
"Each step I take brings me closer to you, Aiko. Even if I have to fight this entire world… I will find you."