This review is solely about the plot, so I apologize to the translator ahead of time for giving it a 3-star rating. The plot deserves just 2 stars but I added one more for the translator's efforts.

Maybe I've just been spoiled by the one-shots that I've read before but this has been an absolute letdown. I'm a firm believer that the beauty and allure of one-shots should be based on how it makes the reader wants more and yet, at the same time, gives the story the kind of ending... more>> that makes you say "It's perfect". The perfect balance of a one-shot is making you feel fulfilled and yet craving for more.

This story doesn't have it. Or maybe the ending was just lackluster for me. The idea of a mysterious hand in the middle of the lake is indeed interesting because it makes us wonder "How does it come to be?" or "What is it?"

This one-shot, however, ended the story in a very boring tone. The samurai just left the next morning after thinking that it would be terrible to look into the mysterious hand in the lake.

That's it, the end ☹️ <<less