Shige will eventually realize it (he's the overall MC after all), but 500 years isolated put him on edge, and filled Kiku with loneliness, so Shige's not much in the mood to play around
The 8th cycle was given a special connection that didn't exist before that, one that bridges the unconscious to the subconscious It gives Shige/Kiku chances to communicate with their living counterparts (even if they don't realize who they're talking to at that point) (3/?)
Shige/Kiku had no connection to the subconscious until reaching the 8th cycle — they were essentially nonexistent as themselves as long as the reincarnate was alive, only getting to "exist" between each cycle, before another reincarnate took hold- (2/?)
1558 is the plot's starting point, because that's when Shige and Katsuyuki's middle brother Kenjirou died, putting a lot of the rest of the events into motion from that point
My story is called Orehiki, and it's a historical drama with some reincarnation as a treat~ It centers on themes about moving on from the past, finding your closest friends, forgiving yourself, and learning to lean on others when you find yourself in life's tough grasp. That kinda thing!
