THE next morning, Haneul sat up the moment he woke, the cabin floor chilly under his bare feet. Without hesitation, he began the shoulder rolls Haru had taught him—slow, deliberate circles that made his stiff muscles ache. The cabin air hung still, faintly stale from the night, as he focused on matching each movement to his exhales, just as Haru had instructed. Like pushing through honey, he reminded himself, gritting his teeth when his right shoulder resisted.
By the fifth repetition, the motion came a little easier. There's some progress, at least.
