Koppången: Sun, Moon, and Stars

In the realm of the gods, a long-standing conflict between "Order and Chaos" raged. In the final moments, Hel, to protect her brothers Fenrir and Jörmungandr, unleashed the power of death, halting the chain of destruction. However, as a consequence, her divinity shattered, her consciousness faded, and she transformed into a small, silver wolf cub. Without a moment to rest, her weakened body plummeted to the earth.

-- The winter of the present day. Hel landed in a small port town facing the northern sea. Winter in this town is long. Frozen docks. A white lighthouse illuminating the gray sea. Faint golden lights flicker in the windows of brick houses. It is said that as the winter solstice approaches, the boundaries of the world thin, and the "presence of the non-human" drifts in the sound of the wind. Yet, the residents do not fear it, quietly accepting it, saying, "Winter in this town brings the world a little closer." A little bit of wonder is part of everyday life here.

It is then that a young man arrives. Touya Rain. A young man who studied music in Japan and, after an unexpected failure in a competition where he was "sure to win," had his spirit broken. Seeing him, his grandfather (a member of the Rain family with Nordic roots) suggested, "Go rest somewhere with a different atmosphere," and recommended this hometown. Touya lives there, helping at his grandfather's bakery for a limited time. His quiet routine became kneading dough in the morning and baking small donuts from leftover dough in the evening to give to the children. Touya has been entrusted with a violin by his grandfather. Made from spruce from the northern forest—a sacred tree called the "tree that reaches the heavens," the origin of the Christmas tree—it is said to touch the boundaries and reach "sleeping beings." The sound Touya plays in the evening is as quiet as a prayer, spreading softly into the freezing town air.

His stay has a deadline. It is almost time to return to Japan. One winter day. As snow danced, Touya was playing his violin in the backyard when a small, silver wolf cub emerged from the bushes, trembling. It was Hel. Without hesitation, Touya picked her up and gently warmed her against his chest. Even in this town, lost wolf cubs in winter are not uncommon. From that day on, the cub began to blend into Touya's life. She slept in the backyard of the bakery, followed him to the shop, and curled up beside him in the evenings as he played. The townspeople simply smiled and said, "It seems Touya has taken in a white puppy," and no one asked further. In this town, wonders are always "gently accepted."